Turkey is an Islamic country, and almost all Turks are Muslims, primarily of the Sunni sect. A small number of Christians and Jews mainly reside in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. The general characteristics of Turkish social customs can be summarized as follows:
Turkey is in the Middle East, with a long and famous history;
Culinary skills enjoy a high reputation, with three great kingdoms among them;
The national religion is Islam, strictly adhering to the Quran;
The tulip is the national flower, symbolizing happiness;
Life habits avoid floral patterns, as they are believed to bring misfortune.
Turkey is an Islamic country, but its daily schedule is no different from that of the West. Except for the requirement to remove shoes and remain quiet when entering a mosque, the atmosphere in the country is very free, especially in international cities like Istanbul, which is quite different from other Islamic countries in the Middle East.
When meeting guests in social situations, Turks generally exchange greetings first and then shake hands, while wishing the guest good health. When meeting friends and relatives, some also perform a kissing ritual (kissing each other on both cheeks). When seeing off friends and relatives, Turks usually perform a bowing ritual; when doing so, they cross their hands over their chests and bow 90 degrees to show respect and reluctance to part. If the hands are not crossed over the chest, it implies that the guest is not welcome to visit again.
Waving to say hello is the most common greeting ritual. Pointing at anyone with an index finger or a toe is considered rude. In addition, couples should not be overly intimate in public.
Tourists in Turkey can dress more casually than the locals, but swimwear is limited to the beach or when swimming. There are no restrictions in general settings, but smoking is prohibited in cinemas, theaters, buses, and taxis.
The pace of life for Turks is very slow; a meal in a restaurant takes at least two or three hours, yet they drive as recklessly as if they were riding horses. Turks like to drink tea and coffee; unlike ordinary tea and coffee, Turkish tea and coffee are boiled for a long time. Although they do not drink Chinese green tea or scented tea, they would be very happy if you gave them a small canister of Chinese tea.
In Turkey, nodding indicates "agreement," while tilting the head back while frowning or raising the eyebrows indicates "disagreement." Sometimes Turks say "tsk" to mean "no." In contrast, shaking your head from side to side means "I don't understand." Raising your hand to your head means "thank you." When expressing gratitude, it is sometimes accompanied by a slight nod.
At tourist attractions, out of politeness, you should ask the person before taking a photo and only do so after receiving permission. This is especially important when the subject is a woman wearing a headscarf.
Turks love green, white, and crimson.
Purple and yellow are taboo, as yellow signifies death.
In Turkey, one should be cautious about using the green triangle, as it is the symbol for free items.
When decorating rooms or living rooms, they strictly avoid floral patterns, as it has long been believed in folk culture that floral patterns are ominous and forbidden colors.
Turks are hospitable and polite, and small gifts can greatly enhance the friendship with new acquaintances. Turkish men seem particularly enthusiastic toward female tourists from China and will take the initiative to offer help, but solo female travelers should also pay attention to their own safety.
English is not widely spoken, except in tourist hotels, restaurants, or shops; it is better to have a Turkish translator for business negotiations. Turks have great reverence for their founding father, General Kemal, and his portrait is hung in both companies and government agencies.
Visitors are perfectly free to discuss politics, but should avoid expressing biased opinions. World events and personal hobbies are appropriate topics for conversation. When in Rome, do as the Romans do; respecting others is the only way to earn respect!