Turkey

Cultural Do’s and Don’ts of Traveling and Doing Business in Turkey

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Do’s:

Greetings and Conversation:

• Greet with a Handshake when Meeting for the First Time: A handshake is a common greeting for first meetings, however, be aware that Muslims may prefer not to touch people of the opposite gender. When first meeting people among a group of men, you should start by shaking hands with the eldest male (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review) (Howell).
• With Friends and Family, Greet with a Kiss on the Cheek: It is customary to give one or two kisses (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Properly Respect Elders and Those of Authority when Greeting Them: Giving a slight bow or nod of the head is common in greetings. Elders are also greeted first with great respect, and as an additional show of respect, the greeter might kiss the elder’s right hand and place it on to their own forehead (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Understand Common Titles and How to Address Others: Turks generally use the naming format of their first name followed by a family name, and women often take on their husband’s last name in addition to their own or as a replacement. Men are commonly greeted by their first name followed by “Bey” and “Hanim” is used for women. It is also not uncommon to address non-relatives by “abla” (older sister) or “abi” (older brother), which both acknowledges a power distance between the two individuals but also a fondness for them. If they have a title (such as doctor, professor, lawyer, engineer, etc.) the title is expected to be used. In business, they also might be addressed by their rank (i.e. Manager) (Cultural Atlas).
• Learn Some Common Greetings: Some of these can include “Nasilsiniz” (How are you?) and “Mherhaba” (hello). An Islamic greeting is “Asalamu alaykum” (Peace be upon you) (Cultural Atlas).
• Be Prepared for Ending Conversations to be Difficult at Times: The Turkish conversation habits often involve a lengthy goodbye that tends to restart the conversation. If you truly want to end the conversation, the easiest way to accomplish this is clearly asking for their permission to leave by asking “İzninizle” (with your permission) (Cultural Atlas).
• When Possible, Offer Advice or Criticism Through a Third Party: As offense can easily be taken when it comes to personal flaws, it is best to convey these points indirectly (Cultural Atlas).
• Expect a Somewhat Indirect Communication Style, Especially with New Relationships: Disagreements or criticisms may be offset with phrases such as “perhaps”, “maybe”, or “probably”. It is not as likely to receive a direct “no” from someone. As relationships grow closer, conversation styles become more direct (Cultural Atlas) (Howell).
• Maintain Eye Contact During Conversation: Eye contact conveys attention and sincerity. Serious practitioners of Islam may divert their eyes from people of the opposite gender though, and women might avoid eye contact with unknown men (Cultural Atlas) (Howell).

Social and Home Visits:

• Understand that Hospitality is a Key Value in Turkish Culture: Serving guests is viewed honorably, and Turks are known to be very generous with guests (Cultural Atlas).
• Bring Sweets, Flowers, or Presents for Children when Invited to Someone’s Home as a Positive Gesture: That being said, they care more about the conversation and your presence. If you do bring alcohol or food to a gathering, it is expected that you share (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Understand Punctuality Etiquette when Visiting Someone: For smaller or more intimate gatherings punctuality is important, however, for parties it is more acceptable to be late (Cultural Atlas).
• Be Conscious of What You Compliment in a Turks Home as They May Feel Obliged to Offer It as a Gift: Many Turks are known for their generosity and politeness, and one way they demonstrate this is through offering their own possessions as gifts when complimented on them. It, therefore, might be better to avoid complimenting extremely nice or expensive items in case you are unable to refuse their offer, since they might not have intended for you to accept their offer (Cultural Atlas).
• Expect Your Hosts to Offer Multiple Servings of Food: It is best to accept as many things offered as you can, even if you cannot eat it all, and it is also advised to arrive with an empty stomach. If you cannot eat the food for dietary reasons, try and express this, but also do not be surprised if your host interprets initial refusals as politeness from you (Cultural Atlas).
• Compliment your Host by Saying “Elinize sağılık”: This translates to “Health to your hands” (Cultural Atlas).
• Remove Your Shoes when Entering Someone’s Home: Although not every home might abide by this, assume you should remove your shoes (Turkey Country Review).

Business Etiquette:

• Develop Personal Relationships: Developing relationships and gaining trust is highly recommended to be successful, especially since many businesses are still closely held and operated by families or close business partnerships (International Trade Administration) (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Allow Time for Friendly Conversation in Meetings: Before a business meeting progresses into the agenda, it is wise to allow time for general conversation since it is considered rude to rush straight to the point (International Trade Administration) (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review) (Howell).
• Try to Exchange Business Cards: This is expected, but not overly formal. However, Turks tend to only provide business cards to those they seriously want to conduct business with, so if they don’t offer their card, they likely are not interested. It is generally considered polite to offer a business card with both hands (International Trade Administration) (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review) (Howell).
• Understand that English is the Dominant Language for International Business: Most business people speak English, at least enough to conduct business, so doing business in English should be relatively easy. Overall though, the commonality of the English language within the country is still relatively low (International Trade Administration).
• When Negotiating, Try and Phrase Your Improvements to the Deal as if It Were a Personal Favor to Them: It is advised to have a target goal in mind and gradually move towards it by making reasonable modifications to the deal. Try and express the logic behind your deal and why it is beneficial to both parties involved. You should also consider the fact that the Turkish might consider themselves to have an advantage in negotiation if you traveled to them to make the deal (Cultural Atlas) (Howell).
• Dress Appropriately: For both men and women, suits are generally appropriate for professional settings. Women should try and wear more subdued makeup and jewelry (Turkey Country Review).

Dining:

• Be Aware of Tea’s Prevalence as the Drink of Choice: Where in other countries coffee is the common drink to have over discussions or in social settings, tea is generally preferred in Turkey. However Turkish coffee is also popular. It is customary to accept these drink offerings, and they often occur at the end of a meal (Icbay) (International Trade Administration) (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Only Drink Water that is Bottled or Filtered: It is recommended to avoid water in other unsealed forms for safety reasons, but other bottled beverages are safe, too (International Trade Administration).
• Men Should Escort Women when Dining: This behavior is expected both when taking the woman to and from her seat and the restroom (Cultural Atlas).
• Be Aware the Inviter is the One Who Generally Pays when Out to Eat: Splitting bills is not common, but if your guest repeatedly insists on paying, allow him/her to pay and instead consider taking him/her out again in return for the generosity (Cultural Atlas) (Howell).
• Be Aware that Some Turks Won’t Eat Anything Involving Alcohol or Pork: This is in accordance with Islamic Teachings (Cultural Atlas).
• Handle All Food with Your Right Hand: This is due to common traditions of greater cleanliness being associated with the right hand (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Expect Meals to Progress at a Relaxed Pace: Breaks might even occur between courses for further conversation or for smoking. It is also common for courses to be ordered gradually when out to eat and not all at once (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Eat Your Meals with a Fork in the Left Hand and a Knife in the Right Hand: (Turkey Country Review)

General Information:

• Expect to Hear Calls to Prayer: Since a primary religion of Turkey is Islam, there are loud calls to prayer five times throughout the day. Do not be alarmed by these, but be respectful of those observing this time of prayer (Icbay) (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Understand the Importance of Honor in their Culture: Maintaining one’s honor is important to Turks. Honor is established and maintained through one’s actions and the actions and honor of one’s family since these aspects are closely tied. There is a social pressure to protect both one’s own honor and those around them. Especially in smaller communities, social shaming for dishonor can have a significant impact on one’s life (Cultural Atlas).
• Understand the Neighborliness Culture that Turkey Demonstrates: Social relationships with friends and family are important and often involve favors and a strong support system. In times of need they can generally rely on family for emotional and economic support. Even with this strong group presence, Turks are still fairly open to strangers and visitors (Cultural Atlas).
• Expect Very Polite, Selfless, and Generous Behavior: Turks are very polite and will often defer decision making to others. Charity is also common within their culture, and they also may offer their own possessions as a response to being complimented on them (Cultural Atlas).
• Try and Understand Offer Etiquette: In Turkey it is common to offer something more than once, and it is considered polite, generally, for you to decline the offer initially and accept after they have insisted further as a show of sincerity. Likewise, you should also extend your offers multiple times and not accept their initial refusal because this allows them to demonstrate their own humbleness. If you truly wish to decline, place your hand over your heart as you refuse, or gesture to a watch or clock to signify that you don’t have time (Cultural Atlas).
• Expect a More Relaxed Pace in Order to Focus on Relationships: Rushing to accomplish something is not common, and events or other interactions may run over as a result of the Turkish focus on relationship building. Punctuality is not seen as important as having a conversation or relationship with someone (Cultural Atlas).
• Understand the Common Structures Within and Importance of Family: Family is extremely important in Turkish culture, and it is common for individuals to care for both younger and older members of their family as the need arises. Respect coincides with age, with elders being highly respected, and the eldest child earning a higher degree of respect as well (especially if a male). The eldest child and other older children are also expected to help with caring for their younger siblings. Turkey is also considered a very child-friendly place, where children are very safe and welcomed within society (Cultural Atlas).
• Stand when an Elder Enters the Room: This is considered polite, and if they do not have a seat, you should offer yours (Cultural Atlas).
• Try and Be Accommodating of Religious Beliefs: Although not all Turks are practicing Muslims, the majority of them are recorded to be, so it is important to make allowances when necessary to return the hospitality and consideration they will likely show to you (Cultural Atlas).
• Dress Modestly: Customary standards of dress include clothes that cover the chest, shoulders, and legs. Women’s jewelry and makeup are also expected to be more restrained.  Shorts should only be worn at the beach. Dressing in this manner will help you to make the best impression (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Understand when Affection in Public is Appropriate: Casual forms of affection such as with married couples, family, and children can be acceptable, however, between unmarried and unrelated people of the opposite gender this is viewed much less favorably (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• When Visiting a Mosque, be Considerate of Religious Practices: You should try and avoid visiting a mosque during Friday, the Islamic holy day, and during times of prayer. Shoes are generally removed at the door, and women are expected to cover their heads, arms and shoulders. Donations are also expected after the visit (Turkey Country Review).

Gender Considerations:

• Especially if You are a Woman, Try and Avoid Being Rude when Saying “No”: Especially when an offer is given by a man, it can be difficult to both avoid implying romantic interest and refusing without coming across as rude. This skill will take time and familiarity with the culture but is something to start observing and learning as soon as one can (Icbay).
• Be Aware of Greeting Differences: Women often only give physical greetings to other women, and married women in particular might be more hesitant in touching other men in greetings. If you are a man and greeting a woman, wait until she offers her hand before shaking it. Women may choose whether or not to shake hands with men (Cultural Atlas) (Howell).
• Be Aware of and Prepare for Strong Gender Roles: Typically, men are expected to work and earn money for the family aside from male children who help their mothers. Women are expected to maintain the household duties, and this can extend to growing food and educating children as well. Men are often tasked with protecting the honor of their families, and this can extend to making decisions on behalf of female family members to do this. Women are viewed as needing protected and are held to a high standard of modesty and dignity and can face great shame if their actions are viewed poorly. In general, Turkey is still a very paternalistic society, so particularly if you are a women and planning to visit, you should be aware of what ways your gender might affect your experience and treatment (Cultural Atlas).

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Don’ts:

Greetings and Conversation:

• Avoid Criticism of Nationalistic Topics in General: Many Turks have a strong sense of Nationalism, so you should avoid criticism of or disrespecting their flag, country, and culture to avoid insulting someone accidently. Other topics to avoid include Turkey’s relationship with Greece and Cyprus, the Kurdish and Armenian minorities, and violence or danger within Turkey (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Never Insult Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: Known as the “father of the Turks”, Atatürk founded the Republic of Turkey and the idea of “Kemalism” and is still a strong icon for modernization of Turkey, secularism, and nationalism. The military is often recognized for their defense of Kemalism, and it is a crime to insult him or his memory (Cultural Atlas).
• Avoid Criticism of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: Although Turks in other countries may talk about politics, it is arguably safer to avoid criticizing the current president unless you are well informed (Cultural Atlas).
• Never Refer to Turks as Arabs: You should also never assume they speak Arabic. Furthermore, many Turks might find it offensive to confuse Turkish and Arabic cultures due to their national pride, so this should be avoided if possible (Cultural Atlas).
• Don’t Confuse Shaking One’s Head as a Refusal or Disapproval: This is often instead an indication that they need you to repeat what you said or re-explain something because they did not understand (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Don’t Stand With Your Hands in Your Pockets or On Your Hips: This is considered rude and especially should be avoided with elders or those with higher authority. You should also avoid crossing your arms when speaking to someone (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Don’t be Offended by their Informal Refusal or “No”: This is conveyed through raising the eyebrows, looking upward, and making a “tsk” sound, and is not considered rude. It may also involve a slight closing of the eyelids (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).

Social and Home Visits:

• Don’t Completely Clear Your Plate when Served: Although you should still try and partake of whatever is offered to you, you should not completely clear your plate as this indicates you have had enough to eat. It also may indicate to your host that he/she adequately served you (Turkey Country Review).
• When Taking Off One’s Shoes at Someone’s Home, Don’t Place Your Shoes so the Soles Can Face Anyone: When shoes are customarily removed when entering someone’s home, they are placed soles-together to prevent anyone from seeing the bottom of the shoe. Also, continue to avoid pointing the bottom of the foot at anyone since this is considered offensive (Turkey Country Review).

Business Etiquette:

• Don’t Expect Decisions to be Made in Initial Meetings: The first meetings’ intention is to get to know each other, so do not expect to accomplish any distinct decision making at this time (Cultural Atlas).
• Avoid Rushing Business Processes: Try to avoid becoming frustrated with the pace of decision making since many Turkish businesses operate under a hierarchal structure with decision making happening later on by those higher up in the business. Additionally, doing business is viewed as a long-term endeavor, so time-pressures are not effective or seen positively since they want to consider all you have to offer in the future. Applying time pressure may prompt them to decide they can’t meet your demands and cancel the deal (Cultural Atlas) (Howell).
• Don’t Be the First One to Offer a Deal in a Negotiation: Many Turks greatly enjoy negotiation, and may be offended if you don’t participate. However, don’t be the first to present a deal, and don’t accept initial offers either, because negotiated prices can move as much as 40%. Furthermore, they believe the first to make an offer comes out worse in the negotiation (Cultural Atlas).
• Avoid Trying to Schedule Business During Ramadan or During July/August (Their Summer): (Cultural Atlas) (Howell).
• Don’t Decline an Offer to Dine Out: Particularly in business settings, these offers are impolite to refuse. This is also because rather than giving gifts in business settings, Turks take their associates out to eat instead as a sign of friendship (Cultural Atlas).
• When Giving Business Gifts, Avoid Expensive Gift-Giving: Small gifts from your home country are generally viewed positively, so do not give lavish gifts as many Turks are trying to avoid the previous notions of Turks engaging in corrupt business practices such as bribery (Howell).

Dining:

• Don’t Blow Your Nose or Pick Your Teeth During Meal: Blowing the nose in public should be avoided in general (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Avoid Resting Your Hands in Your Lap During Meals, and Keep Elbows Off of the Table: (Turkey Country Review).

General Information:

• Don’t Accept an Overly Generous Offer, at Least Initially: It is common practice for people to offer or ask if you would like something out of politeness, but with the expectation you will say “no”. Yet, they will generally ask multiple times. You should politely refuse in most situations, although gauging the situation for legitimate offers may be difficult to pick up on for foreigners. In general, the more forceful and blunt the offeror is being, the more sincerely they would like you to accept their offer (Icbay) (Cultural Atlas).
• Don’t Expect Much Privacy or Seclusion: This is due both to the high population density and the close social networks that people keep. Personal info can, therefore, also travel quickly and can tarnish one’s honor, so sensitive information is often kept only among close circles of family. Turks may also interact at closer physical distances than what North Americans are generally accustomed to (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Don’t Take Advantage of Their Generosity: Some foreigners can unintentionally overstep a Turks’ generosity when a Turk makes overly generous offers out of politeness with the intention of the offers being refused. Instead, try and decline the offer politely (Cultural Atlas).
• Don’t Chew Gum when Around Someone of Higher Status or at Formal Occasions: (Cultural Atlas)
• Avoid Sitting in a Way that Faces Your Shoes Towards Someone Else: This is considered insulting. It is also inappropriate to cross your legs when facing someone, especially for women (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Don’t Use the Left Hand for Anything but Cleaning and Getting Rid of Dirt: This is due to Islamic principles, and the right hand or both hands should be used for everything else that is not considered dirty, such as touching someone, gesturing, or handing someone something (Cultural Atlas) (Turkey Country Review).
• Don’t Receive a Gift One-Handed: It is also common to not open the gift in front of the giver. It is also advised to avoid giving gifts containing pork or alcohol for religious reasons (Cultural Atlas).
• Don’t Assume all Turkish Muslims Hold Conservative Views: In Turkey, many Muslims are much more accepting of non-Muslim practices than elsewhere. Again, also remember that not all Turks are practicing Muslims (Cultural Atlas).
• Avoid Certain Gestures with the Hands: Never make the gesture of a fist with the thumb sticking out between the middle and index finger as this is considered a crude gesture. Also, avoid making the gesture for “okay” or a “thumbs up” that are common in the United States as these are also offensive. Finally, you should never snap your fingers and follow this gesture with slapping your fist with your other hand as this is very rude (Cultural Atlas).

Gender Considerations:

• If a Woman, You Should Avoid Looking Unfamiliar Men in the Eyes: Unless you are romantically interested, avoid making eye contact with men because this can communicate a desire for increased familiarity or romantic interest. Also avoid smiling at those walking by because this can provoke catcalling. Also, be aware that not smiling to passersby is not considered rude, unlike in the United States (Icbay) (Cultural Atlas).
• If a Woman, Do Not Wear Revealing Clothing: In nearly all settings it is preferred that women dress more modestly. This includes avoiding plunging necklines, short skirts or shorts, and stiletto heels, especially in the workplace (Howell).