Turkey - Culture Smart - by Charlotte McPherson

Turkey seems Westernized and modern in many ways, but this appearance is misleading.
It is a land of contrasts:
a heady mixture of Oriental mystery and romance and ultramodern city life,
deep-rooted religious faith and determined secularism,
a fierce sense of national pride and openness to foreign ideas.

In 1923 Mustafa Kemal (known as Atatürk, “the Father of the Turks”) took control and transformed the country from an absolute feudal monarchy.

The Turkish government has tried to reduce the flow of migration to major urban centers by investing in historic preservation, urban revitalization, community development, high-speed train links, and sustainable tourism in peripheral towns and cities.

Turkey is rich in water. The Tigris and the Euphrates each have their source here.

Ottoman Turks are named after their leader Osman I (1270–1326).

The Crimean War:
Regarded by Britain as a bulwark against Russian expansionism.
The Ottoman Empire fought with Britain and France against the Russians in the Crimean Peninsula in 1854–56.
In the end Russia was vanquished.
The Treaty of Paris declared the Black Sea neutral, closed it to all warships, and prohibited fortifications and the presence of armaments on its shores.
The independence of Turkey was affirmed.

The Balkan War of 1912–13 with Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria saw Ottoman territory in Europe reduced to an area around Adrianople and Constantinople.
Because of its close economic and political links with Germany, the Ottoman Empire entered the First World War on the Kaiser’s side.

With the defeat of Germany in 1918 came humiliation.
The Ottoman Empire was dissolved by the crushing terms of the Treaty of Sèvres, signed in 1920.
Turkey renounced sovereignty over Mesopotamia (Iraq) and Palestine (including Transjordan), Syria and Lebanon, and the kingdom of Hejaz (meaning the loss of Mecca).
Terms compelled Turkey to allow Armenia to become a separate republic and Izmir put under an interim Greek administration.
Turkey ceded parts of Eastern Thrace and certain Aegean islands to Greece, and the Dodecanese and Rhodes to Italy.
No part of Turkey was left fully independent.

The Treaty of Sèvres sparked the patriotic fire that drove Atatürk to fight for an independent Turkish nation.

Mustafa Kemal rose to fame by repulsing the Allied assault at Gallipoli in 1915–16.
This forced the Allies to retreat from European Turkey and led to the political ostracism of Winston Churchill, who had planned the campaign.
The Sultan, Muhammad VI, sent Mustafa Kemal to crush a rebellion that had broken out in the Black Sea.
Instead of doing this, Mustafa Kemal renounced his rank and titles and joined the insurgents.
He established a national government in opposition to the Sultan.

On April 23, 1920, Mustafa Kemal convened a National Assembly in Ankara that drew up a manifesto demanding the independence and integrity of all parts of the Ottoman Empire “inhabited by an Ottoman Muslim” majority, effectively repudiating the Treaty of Sèvres, to reject the postwar division of Turkey and defy the occupying British, French, and Italian forces.
In 1921 the provisional government in Ankara transferred political power to the people.
It formally abolished the Ottoman Sultanate.

The Turkish struggle for national sovereignty lasted three years, and by its end the Turks had driven all foreign forces from their land.
These victories united the nation and restored the Turks’ belief in themselves.
The reconquest of Anatolia undid the Treaty of Sèvres.
Treaty of Lausanne, signed in 1923, confirmed Turkey’s lands in Anatolia and removed the obligation to pay reparations.

Mustafa Kemal was unanimously elected first President of the Republic of Turkey.

After 1923 Mustafa Kemal embarked on a sweeping program of Westernization.
Caliphate was abolished and Islam was disestablished.
Wearing of veils by women and the fez by men was banned.
The Turkish language was purged of Arabic words and the alphabet changed from Arabic to Latin script.
Education was secularized.

Turkey was neutral through most of the Second World War, before siding with the Allies.
Steps were taken to identify with the West.
In 1946 Turkey became a charter member of the United Nations.
In 1952 Turkey joined NATO, and in 1964 it became an associate member of the European Economic Community.
The Turkish army’s role as protector of the Republic’s secular ideals.
Stood at the ready to preserve his legacy if politicians appeared to be taking steps to reverse any of his reforms.

After Turkey experienced a series of economic shocks in 2002, a major political power shift occurred, putting the religious conservative party Justice and Development Party (AKP) in power, position in which they remain since.
One of the founders is current President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The power and influence of the military in Turkish politics was significantly curtailed.
Accused by his opponents of being authoritarian, which led to major protests across Turkey in early summer 2013.

July 15, 2016: a failed coup attempt.
The military coup was thwarted when civilians occupied important city squares and bridges.
In 2017 a constitutional referendum changed the Turkish parliamentary system to a presidential one.

In Turkey today, social polarization is becoming more entrenched,
between secularists who support Atatürk’s social revolution
and those who believe in more traditional, conservative Islamic values.

Attitudes to history are changing in Turkey.
With the foundation of the Republic, a break was made with the Ottoman past.
The modern period was perceived as very much better than the old.
Today, there is a growing interest in all things Ottoman.
The 2021 Netflix series “Rise of Empires: Ottomans” proved very popular both locally and abroad.

75% of the population are ethnic Turks, 20% are Kurds.
Kurdish people traditionally have lived in an area encompassing southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq.
The Turkish state has always sought to minimize the differences between Turks and Kurds, often describing the latter as “mountain Turks.”
The greatest fear of the Turks is that Kurdish nationalism will result in secession.

Turkish law is not based on Islamic, or Sharia, law, but on the Swiss code, which means that an act is illegal until specifically enabled by a body of law.

Cities in Anatolia are booming.
Under the AKP government Turkey has seen the rise of so-called “green capital companies,” green being the color of conservative Islam.

Erdoğan has pivoted Turkey’s focus eastward and toward becoming a regional power instead.

Last names are rarely used; instead, titles are applied to the first name as signs of respect.

It is rude to call a new acquaintance by his or her first name only.
Use either amca or teyze (uncle or aunt), or bey or hanım (sir or madam), after the person’s first name.

A young adult will be addressed by children and youth as abla (elder sister) or ağabey (big brother), alone or after their given name.

Showing respect is vital. People in positions of authority will be honored by those under them.

When entering a room, be sure to greet all who are present.
You shouldn’t turn your back on a person of importance

Request for a substantial favor will be made indirectly or by a third party.
Visitors who are used to more directness must learn not to give straight refusals.
If rejecting the request, it is advisable to put the blame on an outside cause

Group allegiance is paramount.
A sheep separated from the flock is eaten by wolves.

Friendships can involve great commitment and a lot of time.
To establish a true friendship takes effort; it is important to visit regularly and to help in times of need.

If a man and woman are friends, they will refer to each other in kinship terms.
For example, a woman would consider her husband’s friend to be like her kardeş (brother) and not her dost (friend), which would imply an improperly familiar or possibly romantic relationship.

Turks may be critical of their own nation or government, but they will not like it if you agree with them or make negative statements yourself.

Turkish society can be broadly divided into four subgroups:
Atatürk supporters (secularists)
Leftists
Islamic fundamentalists
Modern Islamists.

Atatürk supporters uphold links with the West and look for modernization at every opportunity.
They are educated, middle-class, progressive citizens who are Muslim.
They oppose Islamic law, believing it to be backward and dangerous.
Fiercely loyal to the values of democracy, liberalization, and modernization.

Muslim Socialists are Turks who hold left-wing political views, who are anti-Western, and most often are not devout Muslims.

Islamic fundamentalists strongly disagree with the followers of Atatürk, believing that the five pillars of Islam and Islamic law should be diligently practiced.

Modern Islamists: well-educated, middle-class individuals who defer to Islamic values, oppose alcohol, clubs, and provocative dress.

In the 1990s, Turkey had a female prime minister.

Demokrasi Günü: July 15
Democracy and Celebration of Freedom Day is a new holiday instituted in remembrance of those injured or killed resisting the failed coup attempt of 2016.

Sufi dance was banned under Atatürk.
Recently, it has been revived as part of Turkey’s social history.

“The more the merrier” is an abiding value and in general, people prefer to do things in groups.
It’s not always well understood why a person would want to spend time alone or be independent.
People will make an effort to look after you and make sure that you are not lonely.

Immediate warmth and generosity should not be mistaken for real friendship, which takes time.
Friends are expected to see each other often and to be inquiring as to their well-being.
Someone who has been ill would expect you to want all the details of their doctor’s visit, and if you don’t ask will assume that it’s because you don’t care.

Flowery language is common and appreciated, so expect to hear phrases like “I’ve missed you a lot.”

People greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks, man to man or woman to woman.
Greeting from man to woman is either a nod or a “dead fish” handshake with as little contact as possible.

When you are introduced to someone for the first time, you should reply “Memnun oldum” (“Pleased to meet you”).
When entering someone’s home, or a meeting room, or joining a restaurant table full of people, it’s important to go around and greet everyone present, not just the people you know, and perhaps shake the hand of each person.

If an elderly person arrives after you, it is polite to stand up.

As you enter, individuals will say “Hoş geldiniz!” (“Welcome!”).
You should reply “Hoş bulduk!” (“Glad to be here!”).

A visitor is called “Tanrı misafiri,” meaning “God’s guest,” implying that they should be looked after.
Being someone’s guest in Turkey means that you will be treated very well.

The master of the house is the servant of the guest.

When you arrive, a little refreshing cologne will be poured into your cupped hands.
Wipe your hands together and rub the back of your neck with it.

If you are sitting down when new guests arrive, stand up to greet them.

Evening meal usual time 8:00 p.m.
During the meal, your hostess will serve you.
You shouldn’t serve yourself.

“Afiyet olsun!” (“Bon appetit”)

Compliment the person who cooked the food by saying “Elinize sağlık,” which means “Health to your hands.”

Placing your right-hand palm down on your chest is a polite way of both expressing gratitude for the food and showing that you are full and do not want more.

When the evening seems to have come to an end, don’t just get up and say you have to go.
Start the process gently by dropping a few hints that you will need to leave soon.
You are asking permission to leave.
A short time later you should mention it again.
Your host will try to encourage you to stay longer.
If an offer is extended to stop by any time, it is truly meant and taken literally and your Turkish friend will be offended if you wait for an invitation for a definite time.

When visiting someone in their home, take a small gift such as flowers or chocolate.
The gift should always be wrapped, in wrapping paper.

Your hostess will probably not open it in front of you.
Be careful not to compliment your host on something or it may be given to you as a gift.

If your neighbor gives you a plate of food you should accept it, but don’t return the plate empty.
Fill it with some food of your own.

People do not want to make decisions on an individual basis, even on the smallest thing.

Newcomers are often welcomed to the building.
Some apartment buildings have a janitor, or kapıcı, who acts as caretaker and does small jobs for the tenants such as daily shopping for bread and taking out the trash.

It is always polite to ask about the health of other people and their family.

When Atatürk established the Republic of Turkey, he changed the day of rest from the Islamic Friday to Sunday.
Take a long lunch break on Friday to go to the mosque for the holiest prayer service of the week.

Turks often work long hours. Overtime is common.

Restaurants: you are not offered a menu.
Instead, the waiter will recite the list of fare, or you will find a QR code at your table linking to an online menu.

Strong tea is drunk everywhere and is the universal Turkish offering to guests and friends.
It is normally served in a small, tulip-shaped glass with no milk and is usually sweet.
Your glass will be refilled many times.
If you don’t want any more, place the teaspoon over the top of the glass.

Eating: When you have finished, place your knife and fork side by side on your plate.

TIPS (BAHŞİŞ)
Employees expect tips. Always tip in cash.
Restaurant, Taxi, Tour guides, Barber, Turkish bath.

In bazaars it’s usual to bargain, paying about half the original asking price.

Small shopkeepers will offer you tea and expect to chat.

“My uncle has a good shop” probably means, “I am employed by a particular shopkeeper to approach tourists and take them to his shop.”

Hamam is the Turkish word for the traditional bathhouse, mainly used on special occasions or by curious tourists.

Don’t drink the tap water.

Avoid uncooked foods such as salads.

A business meeting usually begins with tea and an introductory chat about the participants’ health, families, and the general state of business, the economy, and the world.
Ten or fifteen minutes can pass before getting down to the point of the meeting.

In a professional setting, a person’s given name will never be used on its own.

Return favors.
Turkish culture encourages reciprocity; if someone has helped you, you should help them.

When choosing business partners or consultants such as lawyers or accountants, it is wise to seek out those with the widest networks.

Most applications require at least five passportsized photographs so carry a good stock of these.

You may have to line up six times for six different signatures at the main postal sorting office just to take delivery of a parcel.

Opposite sexes tend not to touch, but with the same sex Turks are more physical.
Physical touch is an expression of respect.

Turks say “no” with a simple “tsk” sound, or by raising their eyebrows.

Shake of the head means “I am not sure.”

To refuse something (such as food) politely, put your palm flat on your chest to indicate “No, thank you.”

If Turks don’t like someone or something, they shake their collar.

When Turks rub their index fingers together side by side, they mean, “Are you girlfriend and boyfriend?”

It is rude to show the soles of one’s feet and to sit with legs crossed.

Too firm a handshake is considered impolite.