Formerly unemployed Esma Saçı opened her own tea shop in Mahlacı Street in Istanbul's popular district of Beyoğlu more than one year ago. Operating a tea shop in Turkey is traditionally a men's business and a woman in this field is very unusual. Saçı has a message for other women:
"If there is something you want to do, don't hesitate. Don't say this is a man's work or this is a woman's work, just try it."
"From having nothing I became a tea vender"
Previously, Saçı worked as a cleaner in the German Hospital and looked after ill people at home. When she had to give up her jobs she followed the advice of a friend and opened her own tea shop.
Saçı explains how she started her business from nothing: "I had no money in my pocket. I made an agreement with the shop owner for the rent. I borrowed money from my husband and from friends to be able to buy the supplies."
Saçı dıd not believe at all that operating a tea shop is a male's business and she was not worried about this. She describes her attitude like this:
"I do not differentiate between work for women or for men. Work is work and everybody can do any work. Moreover, at home the tea is prepared by women anyways. That is why I do not feel out of place in my new 'profession'. Whoever sees me out of place, please do not come to drink my tea."
"I did not get rich but I do my own business"
In the street of the Esma Sultan Tea Shop the small-scale retailers are entirely male. Despite of this Saçı felt comfortable in her new job. To the contrary, the neighboring retailers approached her with sympathy. Saçı experienced positive reactions:
"The retailers have appreciated my shop from the first day until today. Some also say that I revived the street. They say things like "Well done" or "tough woman". They know me from before when I sold breakfast from my van on this street two years ago. So I did not experience any negative reaction."
"Since I do not have any money I work to earn just enough to fill my stomach. My economic situation is not even yet, money is not raining down on me but trickling drop by drop."
"I am still in a very difficult economic situation. I cannot say that I am earning a lot of money but I am not working under somebody else's orders, I do not have to suffer from anybody's mistakes. I find a way to pay my rent, I have enough to eat, I am well. My only wish is being able to pay insurance. I hope I will do that as well."
"The retailers curse but they do not exaggerate"
We asked Saçı what she does if clients create problems or curse her. She answers:
"The retailers might curse when they are playing backgammon or when they have a conversation. I tell them to keep it easy and they do not exaggerate. We have an unwritten agreement. I am not that tolerant with customers I do not know. There is no cursing in my shop."
Saçı's Esma Sultan Tea Shop is open every day except Sundays from 7.30 am onwards. In winter it closes at 8.30 pm, in summer between 9.30 and 10.00 pm.
Tea and instant drinks are half a lira, Turkish coffee and herbal tea cost 1.5 lira, the price of a toast varies between 2 and 2.5 Turkish lira
We ask why people should have their tea in Esma Sultan Tea shop. Saçı replies:
"My shop is clean; the tea, coffee and toast are delicious; the prices are reasonable. Furthermore, I do not just rinse the tea glasses but wash them with washing-up liquid."
The retailers: "Both her tea and her character are very nice"
For the retailers enjoying their tea and toast in the Esma Sultan Tea Shop it is a positive aspect that Saçı is a woman. Barber Yusuf, shirt seller Mehmet Kaptan, cigarette lighter vender Osman Barutçu and textile businessman Muzaffer Yılmaz agree: "Both Saçı's tea and her character are very nice. She is respectful, industrious and clean." (BÇ/VK)
