"When I spoke in English, the price of the simit increased within seconds."

03.10.2025 02:13

A social media user who wanted to buy a simit from one of Istanbul's tourist spots experienced a sudden price change when they spoke in English. The price of the simit, which was initially stated as 15 lira, was raised to 20 lira during the payment process. The shopkeeper's behavior quickly became a hot topic on social media and drew significant backlash.

A video shared on social media with the title "I bought a bagel by speaking a foreign language" quickly created a big stir.

PRICE CHANGED IN SECONDS

In footage taken at one of Istanbul's tourist spots, a social media user buys a bagel by speaking English to a street vendor. When the user asks the seller in English, "How much?" they receive the response, "15 lira." However, when they extend a 20 lira note to make the payment, it is seen that the vendor suddenly changes the price and sells the bagel for 20 lira.

GREAT REACTION

The seller's sudden change in attitude drew a lot of reactions on social media, and hundreds of comments were made under the video. The incident brought the issue of opportunism in tourist areas back to the forefront.

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