Turkish Culture Crash Course -- 5 things you should do in Turkey

Generally speaking, first-time Western visitors to Turkey have a pre-conceived notion (usually based on faulty or exaggerated information) of what its people are like. I certainly did,

My particular notion was based on an historical tidbit I'd picked up somewhere along the way, that Istanbul was a center for international spies during World War I. So the mental image I had of the average Turk before my plane landed on Turkish soil was of a rather sinister looking mustachioed 'agent' who concealed a scimitar beneath his raincoat. I'm not kidding.

What I found was something quite different, of course...What I found was the most generous, modest, courteous, and friendly nation of people I'd ever encountered. And I still say that, even after more than 18 years living full-time in Turkey (and in spite of a few nerve-testing experiences during that time).

I was well and truly impressed with the way these people treated me and each other. So, I began writing down my impressions about Turkish cultural behavior, in a blue notebook that I bought for that express purpose. And, here following are the first 5 entries from that original notebook... that still sits on my bookshelf, after all these years.

Keys to Good Behavior and Good Manners in Turkey

Cultural Tip #1 -- Behave modestly in Turkey, in every new situation.

Cultural Tip #2 -- Treat everyone you meet in Turkey with the same amount of respect. When you first meet 'him', the Turkish town 'official' may be dressed like and look like an unshaven idler.

Cultural Tip #3 -- Be careful about what you take with you when you travel out from Turkey. Anything over 50 years old may be considered an antique. This over-reaction on the part of Turkish Officials is due to past thefts of treasures by pilfering foreigners going back to Ottoman Times -- thefts which haven't stopped entirely yet. But those who get caught, suffer severe penalties involving time and money.

Cultural Tip #4 -- In public, always control your temper, never display it. Turks display temper publicly, but foreigners who do so are considered deli (crazy) or manyak (maniacal). Such angry behavior may serve your short term interests in Turkey, but it won't earn you any long term Turkish friends.

Cultural Tip #5 -- Be patient.
"Burasi Turkiye, Amerika (Ingiltere, Avustralya, et al) degil," is a phrase I have heard and reheard 100 times and more. Literally, it simply means, "This is Turkey, it's not America (England, Australia, et al)." But it is also pregnant with the self-deprecating (and somewhat wily) implication that, "We here in Turkey aren't as quick and efficient as you Westerners. So you may as well sit back and enjoy the ride..."

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