I went to the döner this week. It was $6.75, I give him $7.00 and he did not give me my change but I didn´t say anything. It wasn´t the first time. And my friend had a meal there he told me, was around $32, he gave them $40 and they kept the change (although that was the Persian lady). I think they could lose customers in North America with that approach.

When I was in Turkey last summer, sometimes they would the same thing. Although at the same place they would sometimes lower the price, for example we got a few ice creams and it was 5.50 tl they said 5 tl is fine.

Can someone share their experiences on this topic? Is this common in Turkish Restaurants or establishments?

ask for the change, otherwise they consider the change as tip.
it is not right to take tip by force, insist on to take chage, dont let them rob you.

You can ask "Para üstünü alabilir miyim?"

If they give it without making a fuss than it is okay. But if they dont, then dont go there anymore. And it is always best to give the exact price so always have change on you. There are greedy and generous people everywhere. I dont go to the places of greedy people.

Don´t get me wrong. Here (i.e. non-Turkish) you get stuff like you ask for some extra dip on the side and it ends up they charge you an extra dollar on your bill for it. But I never see people keeping the change.

I would feel weird saying please give me my change but I guess that´s what I got to do. I was just wondering if that sort of thing was common in Turkish culture or not.

They give the change to turks almost all the time. If they try not to give the change, we ask for it and get it. It is our right to take it and they know it. It might lead to an argument...

For non-turks, tourists etc, some sellers try to get more money from you on purpose. They know that you will go far away places soon and you are not good at to take your rights mostly because of language problems. They know it well and try not to give change as much as possible. I think they make good profit from this indirect robbery. Dont leave the place unless they give your change, if you dont know the language, just show them some coins but never give them, too. You might loose your coins! They will understand and most probably give your change or they will wait you to leave. In extreme case you can tell them you will call the police, then they will immediatelly understand and give your change back to you!

Unfortunatelly not all the people are honest in turkey and in the world.

I think it´s very rude to not give a gratuity or tip. Is the gratuity included in the bill? It is expected one leave at least %15 of the bill here in the USA. Now days that is too small, so people leave %20. If you do not leave a tip and it´s found out, you could be ostracized, or thought of as being a someone very uninformed and backward. 

I agree. Good point, I forgot to say this was to go (a doner sandwich). Although when my friend was there he ate in.

Still, restaurants can not keep the change or even suggest to keep the change. That would be very rude. (although only 25 cents in my case) All they can say is I´ll come back with your change... I often say keep the change or I will take back my change and leave a tip which could be more or less than the change.

And no, the tip was not in included in the bill. That is done in rare cases, usually very nice places AND with a large group.

I think 15% is the norm these days but that is hard to say. "Now days that is too small"? it adds up (that is an expression meaning several little expenses add up to a large one), for both the customer and the waiter/waitress/restaurant. Plus tips are based on providing good service.

i was used to give 1 or 2 dollar tip for 10-12 dollar cost meal in usa. out of a diner i didnt give any tip to anyone even if they sell food. 10 % tip looks reasonable for me in usa. in usa, some diners pay half or none for the workers and tell them you will get your money from tips.

lets go back to turkey. tip culture is totally different in turkey. for local people as far as i know and see no tip is necessary. you go and eat somewhere, pay the exact amount, like paying for something in any market. servers get their salary from restaurant owner, that´s all. But in touristic areas and expensive restaurants, workers absorbed the american type tip culture, in these areas you may expected to give some tips.

That might be Ok in the EU or Turkey, but in the USA wait staff are not even paid a minimum wage and are taxed on what they are expected to get in tips, even though they may not get that amount. 

so....if you left only $1 that is really an insult and could ccause problems for the person who waited on you.  The absolute minimum should have been $1.50. 

Here is a tip adviser for the USA....there are many who rely on tips...not just wait persons.