More about Turkey

Turkish Cultural Habits

The culture of Turkey combines a heavily diverse and heterogeneous set of elements that have been derived from the various cultures.
To summarize Turkish culture and traditions in one article is impossible because the diversity of heritage across the country varies and other cultures such as Greek, Armenian, Georgian, and Arabic practises have been woven in throughout history. 

Linguistic Affiliation.  Their language belongs to the Altaic family. The language was influenced by Persian and Arabic after the ninth century, when Turks began moving into the Middle East and converting to Islam. After the establishment of the Turkish Republic, many Arabic and Persian words were replaced with words derived from ancient Turkish. As part of Atatürk's Turkification program, all Muslim citizens were legally required to speak and write in Turkish. Until 1991, publications, radio broadcasts, and public speaking in many non-Turkish languages were legally prohibited. Today the vast majority of young people speak only Turkish.

Hospitality: Shoes, Dining and Gifts

Turks are hospitable and often invite newfound friends around to their house for a dinner party. Visitors are given slippers, so they can leave their shoes at the door and copious amounts of food will be offered of which it is rude to refuse. During this time, a gift is not expected but if you intend to adhere to the popular western culture of bringing a bottle of wine, be sure to check whether the hosts drink. A lot are teetotal or only drink outside of the house

Habits of wedding
 

After the couple marries, the bride will receive a lot of gold gifts and money!! Good isn't it ? Relatives and friends hang in the bride gold coins with a red bow, gold necklaces, gold bracelets, money shines, etc... If there is a party the bride will wear the gifts.  

When a child is born or is circumcisized, relatives and friends give them a gold coin with a red bow.

Minute of silence 

If you are in Turkey on November 10th at 9:05 you will see something very interesting. Almost all the population make one minute of silence. It is interesting to see a metropole like Istanbul, in a crowd place where millions of people, cars and buses stop for one minute. It is like to stop a film. This minute of silence is in memory of the death of the founder of the Turkish republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Some museum clocks are also stopped at 9:05, this is also in honor of Ataturk. 

 

Evil Eye: The Nazar Boncugu

In direct disbelief of Islamic traditions, the Nazar Boncugu, also known as the evil eye is in offices, homes, in transport and businesses. Turks believe this talisman wards off evil and these days, as well as featuring heavily in Turkish culture, it is one of the top recommended souvenirs to buy 

 

Removing shoes before entering home

Turks have the habit of removing their shoes before entering home. Do not be embaraced if you visit a Turkish family and see in the entrance of the house or even outside the main door a lot of shoes ! The reason is good and simple: cleanliness ! When you walk in the streets, shoes will be in contact with a lot of dirt and the Turks don't want to bring it home

Negocios

English	Turc
How much is it?	Ne kadar ?
It is cheap	Ucuz
It's too expensive!	Bu çok pahalı !

Transportes

English	Turc
I would like to go....	Gitmek istiyorum
Airplane	Uçak
Boat	Vapur
Train	Tren
Cab	Taksi
Bus	Otobüs
I would like to rent	Bir kiralamak istiyorum

Direcciones

English	Turc
Where is it...? / How to go to....?	Nerede ? / Devam nasıl ?
Bank	Banka
Station	Istasyon
Downtown	şehir merkezi
Hotel	Otel

 

• Here is a link about flights to Turkey

 

FLIGHT TO TURKEY 

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INTERESTING PLACES TO TRAVEL

 

• Here I located the places that I have published in the previous entry:

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