So, I was told to write about my reaction to Turkey by an unnamed source, but truthfully it really doesn't stick out that much. I've been coming here all my life so I'm used everything here. Right now its gotten to the point where the shock of living here has worn off and now it just seems second nature. There are a few cultural things I thought were interesting though...
~Walking. Turks are speed walkers. They know where they are going, how to get there and need to get there as soon as possible. There's no moseying like you can do in New York. It's probably because its so hot.
~To go cups. When Starbucks hands you a Java Chip Mocha in one of those plastic throw away cups, your not actually suppose to go anywhere. Americans are one of the few cultures that gives no credit to sitting down and spending anywhere from a half hour to an hour enjoying a cup of coffee sitting with a friend. You stand out if you don't, more specifically we stood out when we didn't lol
~Staring. "The Turks love looking at people and do not understand how most Europeans can manage to ignore one another by fixing their eyes on only the advertisement panels." (Culture Shock, Turkey, Arin Bayraktaroglu). I think that passage says it best. They indeed do love to stare. Taner and Erol have gotten especially frustrated. It's not a Taboo here, its something to get used to.
Aha,
Much better - sensitively aware and well worth writing about.
Considering this post and the one on service, what are your thoughts as to 'why'? Is it a cultural or historical difference. Is it ethnic; afterall the Ottoman Turks invaded and took over the Byzantine world some four and 5ive hundred years ago. With what effect?
It strikes me this culture is not Byzantine or Greek, not Arab or Kurd - it is something quite different, sitting between East and West, north and south.
Love, Unnamed source
The coffee thing -
I noticed the same feeling throughout the Balkans and Greece. It is not only a Turkish thing, although Turkish coffee and tea are identified items in those places - which were under Ottoman control for hundreds of years.
The unnamed source
Dilly, I read they have Turkish coffee in Egypt, and fruit juices, I hope they have seftali!! :)Then we can skype while drinking and it will seem like we are in the same room!! hahaha :)