TURKISH LANGUAGE & CULTURE

One of the best ways to reward the ineviable hospitality of your hosts is to speak a few words of Turkish. They are very proud of their nationality and will see your attempts to speak their language as a compliment and a sign of respect. Turks are also very good at sign language!

Turkish Sign Language

* ' Yes' is shown by moving the head forward and down.

* ' No ' is shown by a single gesture of moving the head up and back, lifting the eyebrows at the same time. This is often accompained by the sound of 'tsk'

* Moving the head from side to side shows ' I don't understand'

Turkish Etiquette

Attitudes are more relaxed in tourist areas but if travelling outside of these areas, there are certain rules regarding what is socially accepted.

* Never point your finger directly at someone.
* Don't show the soles of your feet or shoes toward anyone
* Don't blow your nose in public, espacially in a restaurant.
* Cover your mouth whilst using a tootpick
* Don't hug and kiss a person of the opposite sex in public.
* It is illegal to defance the Turkish flag and money