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Republic of Turkey Customs and traditions Reading Coffee Cups as Fortunes - Some people may know that Turkish coffee is extremely famous. It has a delicious taste with sugar or without. Most Turkish people drink at least one cup per day, and many drink more than one cup. Until this part, it seems pretty ordinary, but the story begins now! After we drink it, we cover the cup with the coffee plate and wait for it to get colder. Then, we open the cup, look at the coffee grounds, and determine our futures! If you drink coffee with your friends, you can choose one of them to be a fortuneteller of the group. In my case, I am this person most of the time because my friends think I interpret the coffee grounds very well. As you see, you do not need a fortuneteller. A family member or a friend can do this duty perfectly if they are Turkish. Believe it or not, we love drinking coffee and hearing about the details of our futures! It is such a fun activity.
Turkish Breakfast (Kahvaltı) Breakfast is viewed differently by Turks than by the rest of the world. In the culture of Turks, breakfast is a vital part of the day. It’s not a meal in the traditional sense, but rather a gathering of family members or friends to celebrate their unity. Every time there’s an opportunity, Turks enjoy many hours at the breakfast table and drink gallons of tea. The Turkish breakfast is so rich, with a generous selection of cheese, spreads, eggs, sausages, pastries, and of course bread. - Breakfast is a big part of Turkish culture, and it’s on display in many ways. While some cafes exist solely as breakfast eateries, certain avenues in some cities are dubbed “breakfast cafes streets,” as they contain a variety of breakfast cafes in one location.
Turkish Greetings & Gestures When it comes to greetings in Turkey, men greet one other by shaking hands and maintaining eye contact. A firm handshake is appropriate. Hugs and gentle pats on the back are typical among close friends and family. Other males may kiss on both cheeks. Men may also touch their temples to greet one another, a political party greeting. While women’s greetings could be gentle handshakes for first meetings, close friends frequently kiss each other’s cheeks while hugging lightly. Regarding a man greeting a lady, the best advice is to follow the other’s lead. If they extend their hand, simply shake it. If they offer their cheek, kiss both. If a hand is not non-extended, simply nod or say “Merhaba” (hello) respectfully. A person’s faith may forbid them from touching a member of the other sex. Many frequent terms apply to daily or special occasions. A unique Turkish phrase that has no equivalent in English is “Kolay gelsin” which means “May it be easy for you”. This is a great way to acknowledge another person’s labors, even a stranger on the street, who has a task at hand. Entering a shop, cafe, or any establishment you may hear “Hos Geldiniz”, which means “welcome”. “Geçmiş Olsun” is a sincere “Get well soon” wish to an ill person. The backward tilt of the head, frequently accompanied by raised eyebrows or even simply raising the eyebrows alone, indicates “no” in Turkey, even though in most countries, a nod denotes “yes”. In Turkey, placing one’s hand on the heart or towards the chest region is a common gesture. This gesture, which is used to express a greeting, is also used to express gratitude. - To ask for the bill from a waiter in a Turkish restaurant, you’ll see customers combining their index finger and thumb and making a “writing on the air” gesture with their fingers.
Making a Wish Through Wish Trees - Here is another tradition related to good wishes. In some specific places, we have Wish Trees. In there, people tie a piece of colorful fabric to the branches. While you are doing it, you need to focus on your wishes. It is not so common these days, but still, it is a tradition that Turkish people like. When I saw some Wish Trees as a child, I thought they looked so mystical with lots of moving fabrics with the wind. As I stated in section two (“Celebration of Hıdrellez”) having hope and making wishes are the essence of being people, so I support all the traditions that give us the courage to achieve our dreams.
Spilling Water After a Passenger Leaves - If you are ready for a trip and some Turkish are there to send you off, you may wonder why they have a small cup of water in their hands. According to our traditions, we spill water after the passengers leave. It is like having a good wish for them. It means “like water, go and come back easy and fast.” These days, older people still do it, but younger ones often don’t. It is sad because it is a nice tradition with such a positive wish. I remember when we went on a vacation with my family, my grandmother spilled the water behind us. When I watched her from inside of the car, I felt so safe. It has had a special meaning for me since then.
Thank you for your attention © Sarvinoz Akmalkhanova
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