Turkish Culture Crash Course -- 4 things you shouldn't do in Turkey

You've survived the flight, the hotel staff's gracious welcoming, the sumptuous first-night meal -- and you've rested overnight.

You're on your first full and beautiful sunny day in Turkey.

Eight tourists out of ten will then follow the advice of their tour guide -- and visit nearby sites of interest, in a group. And their chance of meeting an honest-to-God Turkish person in the process is remote.

Oh they'll see plenty of Turkish people, pre-arranged by the tour guide for commissioned sales of fine and not so fine Turkish goods -- but those aren't the 'real' Turks, we're talking about...

So... if you're one of the two in ten who likes to venture out on your own, you're bound to run into a special Turk or two. And if you do, consider this advice...

Culture Tip #1 -- Don't bring your bone-crushing Wharton School of Business handshake with you. That's because ordinary Turks (both male and female) shake hands very gently. [Of course, American-ized or European-ized Turks may sometimes be exceptions to the rule.)

Culture Tip #2 -- A man can touch another man (even someone he's only met recently) during a public conversation. It's too forward for him to touch a woman (not his girlfriend or spouse) in the same situation. (This doesn't refer to all woman -- and behavior is 'looser' in places like Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Antalya (etc.), for sure. Just think twice before you do it.) Note: Women touch women with frequency in any situation...

Culture Tip #3 -- A man must not flirt with another man's girlfriend or spouse. People get shot for this 'offence' on occasion. (Also, this doesn't refer to all woman -- and behavior is looser in places like Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Antalya (etc.), for sure. Just think twice. Or maybe three times, for this one.)

Culture Tip #4 -- Until you are sure of your friendship with a Turkish person, do not talk about religion, politics, or the opposite sex. And, especially during these trying times, don't get involved in a conversation about Cyprus, the PKK, Öcalan, or the Kurds -- or the Armenians. Whichever side you support might be the opposite side of the person you're talking to -- or the person who overhears the conversation. After living here all this time, we feel 'comfortable' talking about these subjects, with our Turkish friends -- but never with strangers. Some people (on both sides) get quite emotional on these subjects.

Click following to access a fully illustrated HTML version of Travel Tips for Insiders -- 4 things you shouldn't do in Turkey.

In Part 2: Five things you should do in Turkey.