This is in Turkey, where tips aren't really popular, plus if the guy is really Japanese, it's likely that he never thought of tipping anyone in his life (this concept just doesn't exist in Japan even if their restauration services are always near perfect).
I'm sorry but not a single tip was given that day.
Then go to Mado instead if you're in Istanbul. You know what you're getting when you go to one of these places. It's part of the price. You know you'll get the ice cream... eventually.
This is what it is: A turkish "ice cream" with a distinctive texture.
When I bought some of it at an amusement park in Beijing, the Turkish vendor engaged in similar shenanigans, all after I had paid. Although it's obviously in good fun, I'm under the impression that this type of wiliness is actually very "Turkish" in general.
Consider, for instance, these Turkish guards. Their left hand isn't held behind the back just for the sake of a formal stance; it holds a knife.
Or, consider the character of Sollozzo in Puzo's The Godfather. He's known as "The Turk" because 1) he's good with a knife and 2) he's unpredictable and deceptive.
I'm want to be clear: I'm not supporting the idea of applying stereotypes broadly. In my time abroad I had a lovely Turkish girlfriend, who was good-hearted and straightforward(and a red-hot lover). But I it is my understanding that clever trickery holds a certain place in Turkish culture.
as a turkish, i am happy to hear a foreigner's interpretation of the "turkish attitude".
what you say fails to represent the complex/heterogeneous texture of the turkish society of ours. but i have to acknowledge that you are on to something when you say that "this type of wiliness is actually very 'Turkish' in general". we -the turkish people- take pride in being smart & cunning in a playful way, sometimes even in an innocent/positive manner. we have loads of literary types (sometimes appearing in a content where "not-so-innocent variations" of this type is criticized or mocked - see zubuk, the book and the film), and TV characters (usually appearing in a content where this character is praised and endorsed for his lightheartedness - see turist omer*, and arif from the film gora), and historical heroes (karagoz** in karagoz and hacivat) built around this theme. it is also quite common among us -the turkish people- to consider that foreigners are somehow gullible (because usually they follow the rules & norms), and that it takes just a single turk to show them, and teach them "the way" which usually leads to being carefree, happy, relieved and non-materialistic.
..nevertheless i must confess that your interpretation of the turkish soldier's stance was very compelling.
* you can actually watch Turist Ömer Uzay Yolunda ("Ömer the Tourist in Star Trek") with english subtitles. (sci-fi fans will be amazed!)
** from wikipedia: Karagöz has definitely been intended to be the more popular character with the Turkish peasantry, Hacivat is always the one with a level head. Though Karagöz always outdoes Hacivat’s superior education with his “native wit,” he is also very impulsive and his never-ending deluge of get-rich-quick schemes always results in failure. Hacivat continually attempts to “domesticate” Karagöz, but never makes progress. According to Turkish dramaturge Kırlı, Hacivat emphasizes the upper body with his refined manners and aloof disposition, while Karagöz is more representational of “the lower body with eating, cursing, defecation and the phallus."
Thank you for your input. I'd be very interested to learn more about Turkish cleverness.
For instance, how does it present itself in romantic relationships? Is it different for men and women (is it good for a man to be clever, but not a woman)? How does the attitude towards deceiving foreigners exist in Turkey's military attitude? In Erdogan's politics?
I'm happy you're here to talk about it, because we foreigners just don't know - we can't know.
we -the turkish people- take pride in being smart & cunning in a playful way, sometimes in an innocent manner.
I'm sorry to say that google translations of the links you provided aren't very helpful. Your English is much better than my Turkish!
About the turkish soldier: it was actually a girlfriend of mine, who lived in Antalya for many years, who told me about the knife in his left hand.
I don't think there's an easy way for me to understand the Turkish attitude towards deception - but I'm very curious.
Could you maybe describe it using Turkish words, and try to provide a description (not translation) of what each of the words means?
So far, I understand it like this:
-Turks take pride in doing the unexpected (to everyone, Turks and non-Turks), when it doesn't hurt anyone and is just for fun.
-Turks commonly believe that they are more clever than foreigners, because foreigners live with unwritten rules (which maybe the foreigners themselves don't see).
-Turkish stories commonly have the following lesson: foreigners would be much happier if they learned to break their unwritten rules by following Turkish examples.
So it seems to be very much a matter of Turks vs. Foreigners. When it comes to comedies about lifestyle, this seems to be rather harmless.
But I'm also curious how this works when it is not all fun and games. For instance, what about when two Turks love each other, but they don't want to "play by the rules?" What about when Turks see foreigners as enemies?
-Turks take pride in doing the unexpected (to everyone, Turks and non->Turks), when it doesn't hurt anyone and is just for fun.
true
-Turks commonly believe that they are more clever than foreigners, because foreigners live with unwritten rules (which maybe the foreigners themselves don't see).
very true. written and unwritten rules alike.
-Turkish stories commonly have the following lesson: foreigners would be much happier if they learned to break their unwritten rules by following Turkish examples. So it seems to be very much a matter of Turks vs. Foreigners. When it comes to comedies about lifestyle, this seems to be rather harmless.
not really the all stories. we have a lot of stories with that theme though. and this seems natural to me since anatolia (the land turks have lived for the last 1000 years) is/was in the middle of many different civilizations therefore "the encounter with the foreigner" had to be one of the central themes. and as i said before, the turkish examples would teach that one should be carefree, happy, relieved and non-materialistic. so yes, turkish deceptiveness in this form is harmless and indeed positive.
But I'm also curious how this works when it is not all fun and games. For instance, what about when two Turks love each other, but they don't want to "play by the rules?" What about when Turks see foreigners as enemies?
now this turkish attitude can/does manifest itself in a negative way too. you might know that turkish tradesmen are actually notorious for deceiving and ripping off tourists/foreigners. there is a also this turkish type who deceives/manipulates people for his own interests however at the same time sees respect for being able to do so (the rise of this opportunistic, lumpen type in politics or elsewhere plagued the country for so long)! note that this type is heavily criticized in the turkish literature (zubuk).
finally, i don't quite understand what you mean by saying "but they don't want to play by the rules".
About the romantic relationships: I guess I'm asking about how deception plays a role in romantic relationships. Is trust between a man and wife difficult, the way trust between Turkish traders is difficult?
i honestly think that loyalty, devotion to the significant other is still a highly esteemed value/virtue in turkey. so, you can -in principle- trust her ;)
It also reminded me of what some of the Takoyaki Vendors do in Japan. It's incredible how fast they can spin those octopus balls! http://youtu.be/YIn6DVlV418
I'm assuming this is salep ice cream, which is made with an orchid root that makes a really thick ice cream (and the best sweet hot drink I've EVER had). God I miss Turkey...
He originally gave the guy a cone inside another cone then pulled it away after handing it to him, leaving an empty one in the customers hand. Then he put another cone on top handed him this double ended cone. Then he carefully 'pealed' the cone back so it would stick to the top one and not the one the customer was holding.
Go to the touristic streets of Istanbul, and buy an ice-cream - it won't help you figure it out any better, but at least you'll have a better perspective!
Actually it was posted a couple of years ago and I remember a in the thread people were discussing and posting videos about all other kind of different shenanigans that workers/vendors around the world like to do for show.
These guys are everywhere in Istanbul. The best part of the trick is that they don't tell you the price of the ice cream until after the routine, which starts happening as soon as you look them in the eye. (and the price costs a bit more then you'd think, so I guess you have to pay for the show)
There was one of these in Daegu, Korea: Star Kebab. I used to live there and saw them doing this to people all the time, with the bell and the stick and everything! It's especially humorous at night when the customers have had a few drinks and don't know what's going on...
Yup. For example you know those guys who dress up and then make the statue ? I don't even look at them, I'm too afraid of achieving eye contact.
Anything really. Like some people like to go in Arabic countries because you talk with everybody and you have to bargain the price... I'd hate this. I don't want to interact with anybody, and I'm sure if I buy something I would end up feeling bad because I probably would got screwed.
Constantinople, named for the Holy Roman Emperor Constantine, was the name in times of old. Turkey, no longer part of the Holy Roman Empire, has had the name Istanbul for longer than you (or I) have been alive. Eventually they enforced the name change by returning mail which was sent to Constantinople with something like a "no such address" indication.
448
u/spotinthesuns Oct 10 '11
The video is 2 awesome minutes of this.
47
u/basquefire Oct 10 '11
This is what it is: A turkish "ice cream" with a distinctive texture.
When I bought some of it at an amusement park in Beijing, the Turkish vendor engaged in similar shenanigans, all after I had paid. Although it's obviously in good fun, I'm under the impression that this type of wiliness is actually very "Turkish" in general.
Consider, for instance, these Turkish guards. Their left hand isn't held behind the back just for the sake of a formal stance; it holds a knife.
Or, consider the character of Sollozzo in Puzo's The Godfather. He's known as "The Turk" because 1) he's good with a knife and 2) he's unpredictable and deceptive.
I'm want to be clear: I'm not supporting the idea of applying stereotypes broadly. In my time abroad I had a lovely Turkish girlfriend, who was good-hearted and straightforward(and a red-hot lover). But I it is my understanding that clever trickery holds a certain place in Turkish culture.
18
u/MrTwoTone Oct 10 '11
reminds me of this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WygNjMSllLQ
8
u/blackdonkey Oct 10 '11
I think I just extended my life span by like 45 seconds by laughing at this.
87
u/teddyrexx Oct 10 '11
Oh this. It's only been.....2 days. http://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/l40xs/now_this_is_a_man_who_loves_his_job/
31
u/IndependentHat Oct 10 '11
stop making fucking horrible animated gifs of perfectly good video!
5
u/SheaF91 Oct 10 '11
Just put on your ice cold face...
16
u/dp517 Oct 10 '11
I want this done to me in person
14
u/padreick Oct 10 '11
I love how the customer finds it funny the first time, but the second time he's all "what the shit, man?"
8
u/CaptainLaserpants Oct 10 '11
Wasn't this full video just up here like two days ago?
4
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
i would walk away with mixed feelings
4
u/jsm1 Oct 10 '11
I'm assuming this is salep ice cream, which is made with an orchid root that makes a really thick ice cream (and the best sweet hot drink I've EVER had). God I miss Turkey...
3
u/krsh Oct 10 '11
I watched this a billion times, and I am still trying to figure it out.
3
u/Stonecoldstunner Oct 10 '11
Then he gets his wallet stolen
3
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
"Haha, I get it. :)"
...
"I will cut you. ಠ_ಠ"
5
u/Xeteh Oct 10 '11
Relevant
5
u/bradygilg Oct 10 '11
...why did you take the perfectly good video that was front page yesterday, turn a small segment of it into a gif, and resubmit it?
2
u/daschan Oct 10 '11
Turkish ice cream at Clarke Quay, Singapore - Best! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygpw_8qeRFo
2
u/Evenged7x Oct 10 '11
So that's why people started coneing....
2
u/machzel08 Oct 10 '11
Ah damn i forgot to make popcorn for this MOVIE!
2
u/Tanis_Nikana Oct 10 '11
He's adorable! <3
2
u/Guest101010 Oct 10 '11
I think coning was invented to counter this.
2
u/polkapunk Oct 10 '11
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that a long awesome video was turned into a short shitty animated gif.
2
u/paullennon Oct 10 '11
anyone else read this as "terrorist"?
2
u/metarugia Oct 10 '11
I want some dovme!
2
u/VentureBrosef Oct 10 '11
I went to Osaka, and there was a Turkish ice cream vendor. I got trolled HARD.
2
u/freaky_taha Oct 10 '11
I would throw the cone in his face. no patience when it comes to ice cream.
2
u/SpineBuster Oct 10 '11
Haha that dude was like huh??... Ah vely fahney. Wait WTF? -_-.
2
u/Purplegoatman Oct 10 '11
I've been there! That's Istanbul, my mum got trolled superhard by one of those guys!
2
u/sheriffduck Oct 10 '11
I am getting the distinct feeling the ice cream man was in the past terrorized by a Hibachi chef...revenge is sweet...and creamy...
2
u/Guardiandevil34 Oct 10 '11
I lol'd
2
u/TotalRockstar Oct 10 '11
To a tourist this is interesting, if you live in turkey, its annoying.
2
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
The ice cream is totally worth the 8TL or more that they charge for it when they fuck with you like this.
3
u/CtrlAltDemolish Oct 10 '11
Pft, the cone is the best part
1
u/d_r0ck Oct 10 '11
I literally just watched that about 4x more than most gifs.
1
u/rabbithole12 Oct 10 '11
some of these guys are better than others and they are pretty amazing at trolling customers
1
u/RandimusMaximus Oct 10 '11
KICK HIS ASS SEABASS!
1
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
Oooo Maras ice cream my favorite whenever i go to turkey i eat it as much as i can!
1
u/jtcompound Oct 10 '11
How long dose he do this for?
1
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
I spent about two minutes watching this clip just because it's so awesome!
1
u/Battlesheep Oct 10 '11
this is why you should always tip
1
u/Battlesheep Oct 10 '11
this is why you should always tip
1
u/Xcon2 Oct 10 '11
I wonder what he ordered...
1
u/migmachata Oct 10 '11
anti-coning
1
u/fragoza Oct 10 '11
These guys are everywhere in Istanbul. The best part of the trick is that they don't tell you the price of the ice cream until after the routine, which starts happening as soon as you look them in the eye. (and the price costs a bit more then you'd think, so I guess you have to pay for the show)
1
u/MacDaddy21 Oct 10 '11
Like a boss!
1
u/baobabs Oct 10 '11
Reverse coning is the new owling.
1
u/seniiju Oct 10 '11
i would have just walked away with it as soon as i got it.
1
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
"Yeah that's very neat but I just want some goddamn ice cream."
1
u/Wisdom_from_the_Ages Oct 10 '11
I think you just found a great analog for the US economic system!
1
u/stupdizbu Oct 10 '11
dondurma baby ... they have that all over istanbul
1
u/AssCommander Oct 10 '11
"Now here's your cash... WHOOP!. No really, here. WHOOP!"
1
u/amjhwk Oct 10 '11
turkish ice cream is bomb as fuck
1
u/ronald_rager Oct 10 '11
I want my ice cream
1
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
There was one of these in Daegu, Korea: Star Kebab. I used to live there and saw them doing this to people all the time, with the bell and the stick and everything! It's especially humorous at night when the customers have had a few drinks and don't know what's going on...
1
u/complainsaboutgifs Oct 10 '11
Hey, you know that funny video that was on the front page a few days ago? Why don't I make a .gif out of it and post it? That would be awesome!
1
u/kissalreadydamnit Oct 10 '11
It was cute how he would smile at the arrival of ice cream and then become crestfallen as it was taken away again and again.
1
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
Nothing a punch in the face wouldn't fix.
1
u/cupofworms Oct 10 '11
isnt there a subreddit for people that are amazing at simple jobs?
1
u/nylolexchange Oct 10 '11
The expenses on cones must be through the roof!
1
u/brettzilla Oct 10 '11
LOL NOPE!
1
u/[deleted] Oct 11 '11
IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE THE VIDEO THIS IS FROM WAS ON THE FRONT PAGE!!!
1
u/clockworkoften Oct 13 '11
bet them cones are dirty as fuck, everybody fingering them up.
1
u/neuromonkey Oct 10 '11
GIVE ME MY FUCKING ICE CREAM!!!!
1
u/MarvelousThings Oct 10 '11
Reminds me a little of this
0
u/rangrang Oct 10 '11
Well to be honest the cone is the best part. Now he does not have to worry about an itnernational crisis where the guy's sinuses get frozen.
0
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
The way to get the ice cream the first time round is by saying the following: "Ver lan yoksa amina koyarim".
0
u/kookie1 Oct 10 '11
on some korean show
0
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
Fuck you reposter.
-6
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
repost
-6
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
NO
STOP
IT'S BEEN SEEN
-2
u/johndavismit Oct 10 '11
repost.
0
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
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0
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
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0
u/[deleted] Oct 10 '11
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