What do the Turkish think of the Brits?

[Baznshir]

Sadly,we all tend to get tarred by the same brush and if you get the tourist majority performing like a load of mindless idiots, then this is how most foreigners tend to see us all and lets face it, we can pass ourselves off as being very arrogant but that is not all of us. Most Brits, on holiday, expect the rank and file to be able to speak our language and so we take little pains to learn theirs but amazingly, there are kids on the street who can speak better English than I can speak Turkish and I have learned a little Turkish.
Our dress code, in certain areas, leaves a lot to be desired but are we bothered? We expect to be able to carry on as if we are at home.God alone knows what they think of the U.K. no wonder everybody wants to get into it.

[Scunner]

I shudder to think what the Turkish think of some of the Brits in Turkey, probably the same as many of us do! But it isn't fair to single out Brits in Turkey - it's all races in numbers in all countries - Turks in the UK often stick together, fight each other and generally fail to integrate fully, as we also fail to do in Turkey, Spain, etc. - in our local area in England the main immigrant population was Italians - and they were fairly poor integrators till their next generation came along who are still proud Italians but generally proud to be British too (until it's England v Italy in the footie   ) - we had Italian shops, Italian Dinner & Dances and it is all very similar to the Poles nowadays - it takes time for any arriving population to bed in.

We are quick to point out the rows and friction, the "shepherd's pie" mentality and the birds of a feather activity of our own countryfolk but it really is found in all races, wherever they congregate to live abroad. As for girls walking around in bikinis I applaud it   - it is a holiday resort that exists as it is because of holidaymakers. People should not be shocked or object to it, they know they are living in a place where "western" europeans come to get brown and p***ed - although only in the main Calis area - walking around Gunlukbasi or Tuzla in skimpy beachwear really should be discouraged.

Just my opinion  

[maximumtom]

If people did what everyone else did, then nothing would change. People talk about respecting 'traditions', but traditions can vary within a country and some locals will never have heard of what other people consider to be 'traditions'. Things on the beach have changed in the UK; if you look at old photographs, you will see men wearing jackets, ties and hats on the beach; I guess that makes all modern men disrespectful of their forefathers. Whether you like it or not, change happens and traditions disappear. However, I do not like to upset people and moderate my actions accordingly. I was puzzled, therefore, when walking in Gunlukbasi to be hissed at by a middle-aged Turkish lady. I was dressed in shorts and T shirt and was holding hands with my girlfriend, who was wearing a long dress (slightly low cut). We were just walking and I was totally at a loss to understand the hissing. If someone can enlighten me, I would be grateful, but it would not stop me doing the same thing again because it was only one hiss despite passing many Turkish ladies.

[peecee]

Perhaps it was because you were holding her hand?  Who knows?

I've recently noticed, in Fethiye, a lot of young Turkish girls walking around in shorts and t-shirts.  They're probaably on holiday from Istanbul/Ankara or wherever but they are defintely more relaxed with their dress.

Also, the local men seem to have become more modern.  3/4 years ago all the men seemed to wear jeans and shirt, now the majority of them seem to be dressed in shorts (knee length) and shirts.  Fashion/dress sense is defintely coming to Fethiye but it is still a Muslim country, albeit secular.

IMO the young lads look at the girls in the markets and either appreciate it or laugh (depending on the figure ) but would they take them home to meet Anna?  Possibly not.

When I go to visit my Turkish neighbours I dress appropriately, I know this is appreciated by both the ladies and the middle-aged men of the family.  And I make sure my daughter, beautiful slim body (hate her!) does the same.

[yasemin3]

quote:Originally posted by maximumtom

If people did what everyone else did, then nothing would change. People talk about respecting 'traditions', but traditions can vary within a country and some locals will never have heard of what other people consider to be 'traditions'. Things on the beach have changed in the UK; if you look at old photographs, you will see men wearing jackets, ties and hats on the beach; I guess that makes all modern men disrespectful of their forefathers. Whether you like it or not, change happens and traditions disappear. However, I do not like to upset people and moderate my actions accordingly. I was puzzled, therefore, when walking in Gunlukbasi to be hissed at by a middle-aged Turkish lady. I was dressed in shorts and T shirt and was holding hands with my girlfriend, who was wearing a long dress (slightly low cut). We were just walking and I was totally at a loss to understand the hissing. If someone can enlighten me, I would be grateful, but it would not stop me doing the same thing again because it was only one hiss despite passing many Turkish ladies.

she's probably bitter because her man's down the genelev holding hands with someone in a low cut top. Shouldn't worry about the hissing, people like that often have much hypocrisy in their own family, just hiss back - they have no right.

[tel]

quote:Originally posted by peecee

Perhaps it was because you were holding her hand?  Who knows?

I've recently noticed, in Fethiye, a lot of young Turkish girls walking around in shorts and t-shirts.  They're probaably on holiday from Istanbul/Ankara or wherever but they are defintely more relaxed with their dress.

I was in Fethiye yesterday and noticed a young turkish girl walking about near the PTT in a bikini top and shorts. Things have changed!!!

[scouser2]

quote:Originally posted by tel

quote:Originally posted by peecee

Perhaps it was because you were holding her hand?  Who knows?

I've recently noticed, in Fethiye, a lot of young Turkish girls walking around in shorts and t-shirts.  They're probaably on holiday from Istanbul/Ankara or wherever but they are defintely more relaxed with their dress.

I was in Fethiye yesterday and noticed a young turkish girl walking about near the PTT in a bikini top and shorts. Things have changed!!!

Totally agree Tel. Our Turkish neighbour and his British girlfriend have family visiting from Istanbul. Yesterday, the women went to the market and the visitors wore short skirts and vest tops, whilst the British woman wore the headscarf and long coat and dress.

[kayakebab]

I was having this same conversation with Sandy the other day, theres a very definite change in what Turkish people are wearing and fashions in the shops are a lot more like UK high street now

[Colwyn]

I know the young Turkish owner of a small complex of holiday villas in a little coastal resort. He went to London for a tourism conference - his first trip to the UK. He stayed with British friends, previous guests of his.

When he came back he was raving about the wonders of the UK. What had impressed him so much? Two things. First, central heating - in every room, even in the toilet! "I can now see why British tourists who come out of season always ask about heating in their villas. Second, the SkyPlus box allowing you to view, rewind, record, everythig! "One day Turkey will have technology like this".