One of the first cultural shocks a foreigner from Europe might experience in Turkey is the perception of time. While for a European, "five o'clock" means exactly 17:00, for a Turk, it could mean "sometime this evening" or even "perhaps tomorrow".

"Beş dakika" (Five minutes)

When a Turk tells you "beş dakika" (five minutes), don't start checking your watch. It's a polite expression that means "soon" or "I'm on my way". This "five minutes" can realistically last anywhere from half an hour to an hour.

"Yarın" (Tomorrow)

If a craftsman says he will come for a repair "yarın" (tomorrow), it doesn't necessarily mean the next calendar day. It often means "not today". He might come tomorrow, the day after, or next week. The key is to remind him regularly and politely.

This isn't a sign of ill will, but rather a more flexible attitude towards time, where human relationships and current situations are often more important than a rigid schedule. So, be patient and enjoy a more fluid rhythm of life!