Table of Contents
How is Turkish culture described?
Turkey has a very diverse culture that is a blend of various elements of the Oğuz Turkic and Anatolian, Ottoman (which was itself a continuation of both Greco-Roman and Islamic cultures), and Western culture and traditions which started with the Westernization of the Ottoman Empire and continues today.
What is the lifestyle in Turkey?
Life in Turkey is a rich variety of cultures and traditions, some dating back centuries and others or more recent heritage. The visitor to Turkey will find a great deal that is exotic, and also much that is reassuringly familiar. The intriguing blend of East and West makes up the Turkish lifestyle.
What are the beliefs in Turkey?
The vast majority of Turks belong to Sunni Islam. However, there are other Muslim communities such as the Alevis. In large cities, Christian minorities of various faiths have freedom of worship within their respective communities and the same applies to Jews.
What are some Turkish values?
They also share certain core cultural values, such as a sense of honour, hospitality and neighbourliness. The Turkish population has become increasingly urbanised, with the majority of people (75.1\%) living in industrialised metropolitan areas. This has influenced a shift towards more cosmopolitan lifestyles.
How do Turkish greet each other?
People commonly greet each other by saying “Nasilsiniz” (How are you?) or “Merhaba” (Hello). The Islamic greeting is “Asalamu alaykum” (Peace be upon you). People are often addressed by their first name followed with “Bey” for men and “Hanim” for women. For example, “Yusuf Bey” and “Elif Hanim”.
What type of Muslims are Turkish?
Religious statistics Most Muslims in Turkey are Sunnis forming about 80.5\%, and Shia-Aleviler (Alevis, Ja’faris, Alawites) denominations in total form about 16.5\% of the Muslim population. Among Shia Muslim presence in Turkey there is a small but considerable minority of Muslims with Ismaili heritage and affiliation.
How do you offend Turks?
We’ve rounded them up so you can avoid them.
- Wearing Inappropriate Clothing in Mosques.
- Getting Your PDA On.
- Leaving Food on Your Plate.
- Ignoring Ramadan.
- Not Taking Your Shoes Off.
- Not Knowing a Few Words of Turkish.
- Insulting Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
- Ignoring the Local Etiquette.
How do Turkish men kiss each other?
Other men may kiss each other on both cheeks as well. You may also see men greeting each other by making their temples touch, a greeting among people supporting one of the political parties. Colleagues in business often do not engage in the Turkish kiss.
How much personal space do Turks like to have?
The generally accepted sufficient amount of space when speaking with acquaintances and colleagues is an arm’s length. When it comes to family and close friends though, this personal space becomes considerably smaller and a certain amount of touching occurs. Turks love to touch each other, but there are rules.
What is the definition of time in Turkey?
The Turks are actually quite generous with their time. There is no single definition of time. Like their communication styles, the definition of time would largely depend on the context of the situation. If it is a social occasion, you would not be considered rude if you happen to arrive late.