Fascinating Facts

• The world’s second oldest underground railway is in Turkey.  

• The annual Selçuk Efes Camel Wrestling Festival, which takes place in Turkey’s southern Aegean coast.  

• Turkey is the world’s largest hazelnuts producer. 

• Saint Nicolas, known around the world as Santa Claus, was born in Patara, Lycia, which is known today as Demre. 

Religion and Ethnic Groups

• Majority are Muslim (99.8%) and the rest are Christians and Jews (0.2%) 

• Turkish (70-75%), Kurdish (19%), other minorities (7-12%)

Eating 

• Sit-down meals are the norm in Turkey and it’s unusual for the Turkish eat on-the-go.  

• People typically eat at the table in the cities. However, in smaller households, people may sit on cushions and eat from a food stand or low table on the carpet. 

• A variety of small dishes, known as meze, are a staple of Turkish food. 

• Multiple offers of food at a gathering are normal, and it’s polite to accept as many servings as you can, even if you can’t eat it all. Use your right hand when passing or serving food. The left hand is used for cleaning. 

• Turkish men will escort women to a seat and to the bathroom during a meal. 

• Tea or Turkish coffee is served at the end of a meal.  

Greetings 

• When meeting someone for the first time, a handshake is a common greeting. 

• Friends and family members commonly greet each other with one to two kisses on the cheek. Women may only give a physical greeting to another woman. 

• When greeting a person who is older or superior, it’s polite to give a slight bow or nod. 

• Greet elders first. It’s especially respectful to kiss them on their right hand and then place it to your own forehead. 

• People are often addressed by their first name followed with “Bey” for men and “Hanim” for women.  

• Nasilziniz, which means “How are you?,” is the common way to greet someone. You can also can say merhaba (hello).  

• Lastly, goodbyes can be quite drawn out, since Turks tend to restart conversations during farewells. You can politely ask to leave using the expression “İzninizle” (with your permission). 

General Social Etiquette  

• When you’re extended an offer, it’s polite to first decline and eventually accept after the person has insisted. This shows that you are humble and genuine. To refuse an offer, you need to be very adamant and place your hand on your chest as you refuse.  

• Turks tend to offer small gifts frequently throughout a friendship. Offer and receive gifts with two hands. 

• It is best not to give gifts that contain traces of alcohol or pork, since Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country. 

• It’s insulting for your shoe to face another person and considered inappropriate to cross your legs when facing someone.  

• It is considered improper for a woman to cross her legs while sitting. 

• You need permission to take a photograph of a woman. 

Getting Around

İstanbul, İzmir, Bursa, Adana and Ankara have metros which provide an easy way to get around. Several cities also have trams which are quick and efficient for local travel.  

Most people also use small minibuses called Dolmuşes that operate on set routes and are usually faster and more comfortable than the bus. Dolmuşes are also a great way to travel between small towns and villages.  

For long-distance travel, Turkey’s great inter-city bus system is, both, comfortable and reasonable. The rail network is covers much of the country, except for the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. There are three high-speed lines: Ankara-Eskişehir-İstanbul, Ankara-Konya and İstanbul-Eskişehir-Konya. 

With Turkey’s hectic, dangerous traffic, renting a car in cities is not recommended. 

Key Phrases

Good morning: Gunaydin 

Good afternoon: Tunaydin 

Good evening: iyi askamlar  

Goodnight: iyi geceler 

Goodbye: Hoscakal! 

Goodbye (when person is staying): Gule gule 

Please: Lutfen  

Excuse me: Afedersiniz  

Can you help me?: Yardim edebilir misiniz?  

Thank you: Tesekkur ederim  

Hello: Merhaba! 

Goodbye: Hoscakal!  

My name is: Benim ismim 

What’s your name? (informal): adiniz ne? 

How much does it cost?: Ne kadar? 

Too expensive: cok pahali 

How are you?: Nasilziniz? 

Nice to meet you: tanistigima memnun oldum  

I don’t understand: Sizi anlamiyorum  

I don’t know: Bilmiyorum 

OK/ Good: Tamam 

Not OK: Tamam degil 

I am sorry: Ozur dilerim Pardon! 

Excuse me: Afedersiniz 

Can you help me?: Yardim edebilir misiniz 

What do you mean?: ne demek istiyorsun