Getting to know the customs and traditions of Turkey has become a necessity after the integration that took place between individuals from different societies, some of them are eastern and others are western, and the Turkish society, as it is necessary to respect the customs and traditions of the host country for ease of adaptation, integration and living in peace with members of the new society. It is really nice to know the cultures of other peoples and be opened to their customs and traditions and their implications related to their surrounding environment in which they grew up.
Learn about the customs and traditions of Turkey:
Turkish society is characterized by special customs and traditions, some of which intersect with the customs of Arabs and Muslims, and some of them descend from the Ottoman culture, such as pouring water after the traveler goes, not having air conditioners in most Turkish homes, drinking salty coffee, prevalence of the blue bead and tying the red ribbon as we will see in the following article:
Taking off shoes at the door of the house:
You may be surprised that this people who lived in the Ottoman Empire consider this custom among the sacred customs, which I personally try to convince our guests to apply it because of its connection with our Islamic culture, but they accept the matter reluctantly and consider it a backward custom, knowing that this custom is related to personal hygiene and home cleanness as It has been proven that the shoe is the largest carrier of germs which cause various diseases.
When a Turk hosts a visitor in his/her house, he/she must not leave the host’s house before midnight, for them it means that the host did not perform the duty of hospitality properly, and if one of the Turks offers an invitation to the guest to eat outside, the guest must not pay the bill, as the host is the one who pays, and if this is a reason for the guest’s embarrassment, he/she must invite the host to go out at a later time.
Salute:
It is the first impression and the effect it leaves on the soul of the recipient, so you must salute in a tactful and respectful manner with all people and with women and the elderly in particular. It is preferable that the address be in the form of the group as a kind of reverence and politeness, and it is one of the matters that receive great attention in the Turkish society.
Bringing a gift:
It is better not to go empty-handed when you visit a friend for the first time. It is lovable and nice social customs to take with you some sweets such as chocolate, and it does not prevent you from bringing a bouquet of beautiful flowers arranged in an appropriate way, as this habit strengthens the bonds of love and friendship between relatives and friends.
Tea drink:
Tea is the first traditional drink prevalent in Turkish society; unlike other societies in which coffee of all kinds is the first drink. When you visit any house in Turkey, there will be waiting immediately, as a welcome and rehabilitation, a distinctive cup of luxurious red tea poured into a special and heritage type of transparent glass cups, and only one cup will not be satisfied, as there is another cup coming unless you put the stirring spoon on the the mouth of the cup to express that you are satisfied with one cup of tea.
The Turks grow tea on the coast of the Black Sea in the Rize region, which is characterized by the appropriate climate for the tea plant, because it is the most popular drink in Turkey, and Turks drink it of all age groups, as it is no less important than drinking water for them, as studies confirmed Turkey’s rank on the top of the most countries that consume tea in the world with a consumption rate of more than three kg per person.
Serving a cup of water with a cup of coffee:
This custom is also common in Arab societies without knowing its meaning and social concept. In Turkey, water is served with coffee when receiving guests, and if the guest is hungry, he/she drinks the water first, then the host understands that he is hungry, and rushes to serve him food without embarrassing him. But if he is not hungry, he/she drinks coffee.
I remember that on one occasion when coffee was served to us with a glass of water, I immediately drank a glass of water because I was thirsty without knowing this social meaning.
Salty coffee:
After your integration into Turkish society and your familiarity with its customs and traditions, if your love one of the Turkish girls and you decided to propose to her, be ready to taste a cup of salty coffee that the bride will offer you.
The girl likes you, she will have mercy on you and not putting much salt, and if you decided to marry her, you will be forced to drink a cup of salty coffee while you are full of happiness as a kind of proof of your true desire for that girl. It is an old custom of marriage traditions in Turkish society that many girls still apply as a test of the young man’s love for the her and his desire to marry her.
Henna night:
It is one of the customs that girls apply before the wedding night, where the bride meets with her friends and relatives and wears the red color and puts henna with intense crying and singing on that beautiful night in preparation for the next wedding night.
Turkish bath:
It is customary for both men and women to go to the Turkish market bath once a week and stay in it for the whole day in order to take a shower and take care of beauty, skin care and hair, which is a tradition of Turkish culture and dates back to the days of the Romans and Ottomans.
Kitchen:
Turkish kitchen is one of the famous kitchens, rich in various dishes that are distinguished by good taste and delicious flavor. The Turkish woman has a passion for cooking and preparing different types of food for all family members, and she finds in this her real pleasure.
Kissing the hands of adults:
Adults have a special and sacred place in Turkish society, due to the common Islamic culture, which urges attention to the elderly, treating them well and being polite in addressing and dealing with.
Use of carpets throughout the year:
It is noticeable that carpets are used in Turkish homes in all seasons of the year, as there are winter carpets that give the house a warm atmosphere, and there are summer carpets decorated with bright summer colors, and it is one of the decorations used in homes in Turkey.
Putting the blue bead:
There is a belief that prevailed in ancient societies according to which the blue bead protects man from envy, that dangerous and destructive involuntary energy. Its use is still common until now, not only in Turkish society, but also in Arab societies, and all kinds of ornaments and adornment tools are made from it. It is also hung in the entrances of homes to ward off the eyes of envious visitors.
Not putting the bag on the ground:
You may be surprised that the Turks believe that putting the bag on the ground brings poverty, because the bag often contains a sum of money and putting it on the ground in mockery of divine bless and therefore you may lose it and poverty will accompany you, so you should not put the bag on the ground during visits, especially women’s bags.
There are many Turkish customs and traditions, such as spraying water and salt after the traveler goes, bowing during salutations, puting a hand on the chest, and many other behaviors that belong to the culture of the peoples of the region, which with time has become a habit practiced by members of the community.
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