Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Turkey Related Subjects => Learn Turkish => Topic started by: Dippey on January 12, 2005, 18:23:12 PM
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I picked up a few books about south and west Turkey and came across some "Ways to be a Local" from one of those "essential" guides.
When in Turkey:-
Shake hands and spend a few minutes making small talk before getting down to business.
Take off your shoes when entering a mosque or private dwelling.
Accept a second glass of tea if offered, to refuse implies that the first was substandard. (go on it won't kill you, put the EFES aside for another half n hour).
Women should cover thier heads and both sexes should cover shoulders and knees when entering a mosque (don't enter during prayer times).
Lift your head backwards to say no, nod down to for yes, shake it from side to side if you don't understand. (Therefore do not do head and neck stretching exercises whilst talking, they will end up more confused than you).
Do not point your finger, kiss or hug anyone of the opposite sex or blow your nose in public.(Ok, i understand the pointing, not to sure about the kiss n hug it seemed never ending when i was there, and blowing your nose - any ideas anyone??).
Never lose your temper or shout at anyone: to lose control is to lose respect. (now you're kidding me, our sales engineers in Istanbul go hammer and tongs at each other).
Turks are patriotic, don't be rude about or make fun of Turkey, Islam the Army or Ataturk. (That's a no-brainer). And for all those who wonder what Ataturk is about i shall enlighten you, so you don't insult that picture hanging everywhere.
Ataturk (Father of the Turks)was called Mustafa Kemal, yes him on the Bank Notes and pictures hanging in Official Buildings, he raised to a prominent leader in 1915 during the WW1 (after the Turkey Ottoman rule ended after 450 years (1909) and a brief rule by idealist nationals known as the Young Turks). Anyway, Ataturk (Kemal) became president of the new republic of Turkey and began reforming consistutions- equal rights, disestablishing religions, votes for women (hooray, bet he didn't have to have someone throw themselves under his racehorse). He ruled until his death in 1938.
Another useless fact the city of Catalhoyuk is established as the worlds second oldest city after Jericho, and were the first to create irrigation, domestic animals, and carpets.
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Another interesting difference - you know when you want someone to come over, you gesture to them with your hand upwards, back of the hand to them - well Turkish people do it differently. They gesture with their hands to the ground almost as if they are paddling through water one handed. First time my husband did this I was sat in the car and he wanted me to come over to him. I thought he was waving to me and just carried on sitting there!
About blowing your nose in public - don't know why but it is considered extremely rude and bad manners so be warned.
Also don't insult or make fun of the Turkish flag. Turkish people view it differently to us and it very insulting to them.
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When we went to buy our apartment the builder had a picture of an older gent behind him on the wall, we thought it was his dad, reading this forum it makes sense,also have seen loads of shoes outside houses(we do that anyway)but thanks for the tips keep them coming, could keep us out of trouble
caz
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Inadvertently pointing or showing the sole of your shoe toward someone is an insult. Feet should be flat down.
It is considered impolite to smoke or eat while on a public street during Ramadam.
It's rude to cross your arms over your chest or having your hands in your pocket when conversing with someone.
Turkish women will not converse with a man in casual conversation until they have been formally introduced. (now you know why she was ignoring your advances).
The "O.K." circle made with the thumb and forefinger signifies homosexuality in their culture. (Are you thinking the same as me here, Scuba divers!?!)
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Thanks Dippey, it just goes to show how easy it is to inadvertently offend someone of a different culture! I'll take your tips on board (especially the OK circle don't want anyone getting the wrong idea!)
I also believe that defacing a bank note is punishable by prison because it has a picture of Ataturk on the front, although I don't know if thats true. We could do with a man of real stature and vision like Ataturk to sort this country out!
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Hi Dippey
Thanks for the tips they are realy interesting how things can mean such different things in other countries
caz
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What sort of idiots exist among British expats that prompts postings warning not to insult or make fun of the Turkish flag ,religion, army or Ataturk? Perhaps they should stay in Britain
quote:
Originally posted by janet.gur
Another interesting difference - you know when you want someone to come over, you gesture to them with your hand upwards, back of the hand to them - well Turkish people do it differently. They gesture with their hands to the ground almost as if they are paddling through water one handed. First time my husband did this I was sat in the car and he wanted me to come over to him. I thought he was waving to me and just carried on sitting there!
About blowing your nose in public - don't know why but it is considered extremely rude and bad manners so be warned.
Also don't insult or make fun of the Turkish flag. Turkish people view it differently to us and it very insulting to them.
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quote:
What sort of idiots exist among British expats that prompts postings warning not to insult or make fun of the Turkish flag ,religion, army or Ataturk? Perhaps they should stay in Britain
I think you've answered your own question there David, "an idiot", quite a few of them about. Most people do not have a clue who Ataturk is or what he did, or do not know the connection between the person on the bank notes and Ataturk.
Dipps
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The blowing your nose thing is mainly in restaurants. My sister used to live in Istanbul and came to Gumbet to visit me and my son on hol there last year. She is the noisiest nose blower I have ever known in my life and we were sitting in a restaurant when she produced a tissue, did her thousand decibel rampant elephant noise, then shrieked "Oh my God that's the rudest thing I could have done, you can't do it in restaurants". She got the dirtiest looks (VERY well deserved) and we left as soon as possible afterwards. I think this should be made law, if only to prevent my sister Fiona from terrifying animals and small children.
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what about sneezing........................
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Just say Cok yasa! (Bless you ).
Esra , our lovley assistant says that Turkey is changing ansd whilst some of the older traditions exist, you still need to be polite which ever country you are in.
If you sneeze, blow your nose discreetly and quietly.
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Be aware around the pool, always shower before you get in ( children as well ) do not wear any footwear around the pool platform and don't go in wearing T shirts and finally, girls, if you share your pool area with Turkish neighbours, keep your top on !
Rimms
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Hi rimms,
ok with the showering.
If the pool has a good non slip surface then ok if not then suitable footware,ie flip flops,should be worn.
Dont understand t shirt? Should we assume that we should get sunburnt?
graham
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The shoes off at the door is just pure clenliness,
Turkish people have outdoor shoes and indoor shoes,
The outdoor shoes stay outdoors,in most houses you will find racks of different size slippers inside for your use indoors,if not it's socks or bare feet!
Tinx
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The T shirt goes beyond the pool as well our daughter and son-in-law caused some offence (didn't realise or understand at the time). They took our granddaughter aged two into the hot spring at Dalyan and she had a t shirt on top of her swimsuit.
They asked us about it later on because an older gentleman was making signs and noises of disapproval and then got out. Although other Turkish women there had no problem and were asking how old she was etc.
If they had known (and they do now) they could have removed her T shirt in that instance as they were only in for a relatively short time and could have shaded her. Swimming is a different issue though.
The shoe system is great and we try very hard to adopt it as it makes perfectly good sense.
Teresa
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I can only speak about the rules around our communal pool which we share with mostly our Turkish neighbours; they treat shoes around the pool platform in exactly the same manner as wearing shoes to enter their homes, the non slip argument is not even a consideration, by the way, the skin on the underside of your feet has superior anti slip properties than flip flops. The T-shirt argument is a bit more complicated, firstly our Turkish residents consider that clothes will dirty the pool, I have heard stories about Turkish Ladies who have felt the need to swim in more than a costume, they wash the swim clotting in running water before putting it on to enter the pool.
The other factor is that any material holds traces of enzymes from the soap powder they were washed in, these enzymes neutralise the expensive pool chemicals which sometimes leads to a complete water change being required. To do this is mega expensive.
Rimms
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Hi rimms
thanks for the comments :),very interesting.If this is the case then i think that there should be notices explaning the rules of the pool posted around the pools.
On a complex a list of rules could be printed and left in each of the villas/apartments.
i wiil be contacting my builder of my findings and asking them to print such a notice and put one in each of the villas/apartments on the site.
Once again a simple post can be sorted by the many! :) :)
graham/joanne
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I can appreciate what you say about the pool chemicals, it just seems strange that no-one ever comments on that aspect in Spain or elsewhere.
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This may be completely wrong, but I heard that holding your left-hand in a fist (thumb upwards) and slamming your right-hand down onto it, means something very rude.
Incidentally, it means exactly the same thing in sign-language.
Glen
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We have just returned from Hisaronu,one night we were walking home and there was a young couple the girl had a lovely wedding dress on so presumed that they had just got married, but not sure why they were wondering around Hisaronu, as we walked past we smiled, the man standing with them shouted something like ( well don't clap then) is there a custom that when you meet a newly married couple that you should clap, anybody got any idea
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I`ve heard of bumping up a post, but a 3 year old one !!!!!!!!!!
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does it matter how old a post is crabbit,i was asking for any ideas and ths post was there so i posted on it
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No it doesn't matter Caz, thats just Dave and his attempt at humour:D you'll get used to him. I did, eventually :o
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I will too one day - better to resurrect an existing topic than to start a new one. So there, Crabbit :P
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Thanks Anne and Scunner, i didn't even notice how old the post was to be honest,
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quote:
Originally posted by Scunner
I will too one day
I doubt it. :D
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I agree with crabbit scunner nobody will ever get used to him