WHERE HAVE ALL THE TABLES GONE?

At the height of summer Cihangir and several other streets around the Beyoglu area are devoid of tables and chairs.  There has been a crackdown leaving bars and restaurants struggling.  No one wants to sit inside on balmy summer nights and let's face it smokers are often drinkers and vice versa and since they can't smoke inside they tend to hog the chairs outside.  No more.  It began on Asmali Mecit street off Istiklal nearly a month ago.  Rumour has it the prime minister could not take his car down the street as it had been taken over by restaurants placing their tables on them.  Indeed, as a walker it is hard work getting past everyone never mind cars.  Within a short time the tables and chairs had been taken away on the pretext that an ambulance (if needed) could not go down the street.  Fair call really.  However, it's also been said that the municipality want to levy a new tax on tables and are working out their strategy which is easier to start from scratch really.  Now Cihangir has followed.  No tables and chairs allowed on the pavements or streets.  Businesses are struggling.  Some bars have put out a few cushions so that people can sit there and everyone is now looking for new venues to go to where they can enjoy these August nights.  I think we need to see what happens when Ramazan ends which could be what this is about.  People who do without like to have everyone do without.  Terribly selfish really to expect others to be considerate to your fasting choices when you are not very considerate to those that don't wish to give up their own routines.