Turkish Customs and Etiquette
Turkey is a land where ancient traditions and modern life intertwine. Hospitality (misafirperverlik) is a source of national pride, and understanding local customs will open doors to a more genuine experience.
Behavioral Guide: What to Do and What to Avoid
DOs
- Greet Politely: Always start a conversation with a greeting (`Merhaba`). It's a sign of respect.
- Remove Your Shoes: Always take off your shoes when entering a home or a mosque.
- Accept Hospitality: If offered tea, accept it. Declining can be seen as impolite. If you must refuse, a hand over the heart with a slight nod is a gracious way to do so.
- Dress Modestly at Religious Sites: When visiting mosques, women should cover their hair, arms, and legs. Men should wear long trousers.
- Show Respect for Elders: Respect for elders is a cornerstone of Turkish culture.
DON'Ts
- Don't Show the Soles of Your Feet: It's considered an insult to point the bottom of your foot at someone.
- Don't Use Your Left Hand for Giving/Receiving: The left hand is traditionally considered unclean. Use your right hand for eating, shaking hands, and passing items.
- Don't Insult Atatürk or the Turkish Flag: This is a criminal offense and deeply offensive to Turkish people.
- Don't Make the 'OK' Sign: The circular gesture made with the thumb and index finger can be considered an obscene gesture in Turkey.
- Don't Engage in Public Displays of Affection: Overt affection is generally frowned upon.
- Don't Blow Your Nose at the Table: This is considered extremely rude. Excuse yourself to the restroom.
Deeper Dive into Customs and Traditions
Life Cycle Events
Birth and Childhood
The birth of a child is a major celebration. It is customary to bring gold coins or money as a gift when visiting a newborn. The Evil Eye bead (Nazar Boncuğu) is often pinned to the baby's clothing to ward off bad luck.
Marriage and Weddings
Turkish weddings are elaborate, multi-day affairs. A formal engagement (Nişan) precedes the wedding. The Kına Gecesi (Henna Night) is a women-only ceremony where henna is applied to the bride's hands to bring good fortune.
Respect for Elders
Veneration for the elderly is paramount. A common sign of respect is to kiss an elder's right hand and then place it on your own forehead (El öpmek).
Common Tourist Mistakes
- Dressing too revealingly: Outside of beach resorts, modest dress is expected.
- Public intoxication: Being drunk in public is socially unacceptable.
- Taking the first "no" for an answer: If an invitation is genuine, it will be repeated two or three times. Politely refuse once or twice before accepting.
- Forgetting to tip: A 5-10% tip is expected for good service in restaurants.
- Not insisting on the taxi meter: Always ensure the driver turns on the meter (`taksimetre`).
Religion and Social Life
Visiting a Mosque
In addition to dressing modestly, avoid visiting during prayer times (five times a day). Maintain silence and do not take photos of people praying without permission.
Ramadan
During this holy month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. As a tourist, show respect by refraining from eating, drinking, or smoking in public during fasting hours, especially in more conservative areas.
Gestures and Body Language
A short, upward nod of the head accompanied by a "tsk" sound means "no." Shaking your head from side to side can mean "I don't understand." It is advisable for women to avoid prolonged eye contact with unfamiliar men. Physical contact between strangers of the opposite sex is generally minimal.
Alcohol and Smoking
Alcohol: While Turkey is a Muslim-majority country, alcohol is widely available. However, public consumption is restricted. Alcohol is also heavily taxed and can be expensive.
Smoking: Smoking is banned in all indoor public spaces. It is permitted on outdoor terraces. Fines for violations are steep.
Tipping (Bahşiş)
Tipping is common and appreciated for good service.
- Restaurants: It's customary to leave 5-10% of the bill in cash on the table.
- Taxis: Round up the fare to the nearest convenient amount.
- Hotels: It's polite to leave a small tip for the cleaning staff and porters.
- Tours: Tipping the guide and driver is very common.
In Conclusion
The key principle is simple: be respectful, observant, and follow local customs. Large cities are more liberal, while smaller villages are more conservative. Adapt your behavior and dress to your surroundings. Don't be afraid to ask for help—most Turkish people will be happy to assist you.