General/Off-topic |
|
|
|
|
|
Let the "East" Talk!
|
| 1. |
08 Aug 2007 Wed 11:27 am |
|
Come on then Canli, Elham, Pizza and others, we would also like to know more about YOUR traditions and customs and everyday life  .
I remember Janissary posted some really great things about customs and traditions in Turkey some time ago, but they have been "buried" long ago. Would love to hear more
|
|
| 2. |
08 Aug 2007 Wed 12:34 pm |
|
Also, Ninja, Slavica, Ayla (you qualify wherever you like to post ....
|
|
| 3. |
08 Aug 2007 Wed 12:42 pm |
|
Quoting catwoman: Also, Ninja, Slavica, Ayla (you qualify wherever you like to post .... |
Slavica is from Serbia you know
|
|
| 4. |
08 Aug 2007 Wed 06:56 pm |
|
Yes, I would identify myself as coming from the East, while hearing someone having difficulties in drawing the line.
Hong Kong, having so long history of being a British colony, is in fact quite "westernized". Though the majority here is Chinese. We are privileged to have both western and chinese festivals...that mean quite a lot of holidays and celebrations. 
New Year, Easter, Christmas as well as the Valentine's, Mother's or Father's days are very much celebrated. On the other hand we have Lunar New Year and many other traditional Chinese festivals(e.g. one having dragon boats' racing) are also major holidays. If you got a chance to stay in HK for one year, you will be very impressed about the above celebrations.
We enjoy both Chinese and Western cuisines here. In fact you can say we have all kinds of "fusion" dishes which are so good.
Ummm, there are many to talk about...so what would you all like to know?
|
|
| 5. |
08 Aug 2007 Wed 07:08 pm |
|
Quoting ninja: Yes, I would identify myself as coming from the East, while hearing someone having difficulties in drawing the line.
Hong Kong, having so long history of being a British colony, is in fact quite "westernized". Though the majority here is Chinese. We are privileged to have both western and chinese festivals...that mean quite a lot of holidays and celebrations.
New Year, Easter, Christmas as well as the Valentine's, Mother's or Father's days are very much celebrated. On the other hand we have Lunar New Year and many other traditional Chinese festivals(e.g. one having dragon boats' racing) are also major holidays. If you got a chance to stay in HK for one year, you will be very impressed about the above celebrations.
We enjoy both Chinese and Western cuisines here. In fact you can say we have all kinds of "fusion" dishes which are so good.
Ummm, there are many to talk about...so what would you all like to know? |
This is a very good example of "alculturation", how one culture changes another, quite extremely so. But if I am not wrong, the culture in Hong Kong is changing slightly back again? And two cutlures sit comfortably side by side - Western Culture with Eastern culture?
|
|
| 6. |
08 Aug 2007 Wed 07:22 pm |
|
Quoting AEnigma III: Come on then Canli |
lol,its a hell of a job lol
You are dragging me to my own trap, lol
Fair enough Canım
İ was reading 'Let The West Talk'posts and thinking what a hell of job if someone asked me same question ,lol,
and you did it 
Ok Canım,im making Lasagne here 'first time,so pls cross fingers for me,and i will rais my 2 hands 'then i will hop in
|
|
| 7. |
08 Aug 2007 Wed 07:34 pm |
|
I have a specific question for you to make it easier. What is the custom of meeting (an older?) person of holding their hand kissing it and putting it to your forehead. When do you do this? Gender differences, man to woman, woman to woman, woman to man? How old is 'old' and are you going to offend anyone if they don't consider themselves old? Cem (my fiance) said it is important to do this, but I felt too uncomfortable and I didn't want to make anyone feel OLD! I am a yabanci...I don't understand!
|
|
| 8. |
08 Aug 2007 Wed 08:04 pm |
|
Quoting ninja: On the other hand we have Lunar New Year and many other traditional Chinese festivals(e.g. one having dragon boats' racing) are also major holidays. If you got a chance to stay in HK for one year, you will be very impressed about the above celebrations. |
Ninja I spent many wonderful times in Hong Kong when I used to travel there for my last job. I was there for the Moon Festival once and developed a taste for Moon Cakes and Jasmine Tea. I got so addicted that I bought a traditional tea service, bags of tea and many boxes of Moon Cakes to take home for my friends. Unfortunately they all hated them (I dont know why!) and I gradually ate them all and now could never look at another moon cake again!!! 
I was made to feel so welcome in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China and have very fond memories of being invited to the homes of some of my Chinese colleagues and being taught "chop stick" lessons by their children. I am proud to be quite an expert now! 
Another thing I remember well is that in the office I was working in, lunchtime was a very serious affair! People would take at least an hour, first eating fried rice or some other cooked dish. Then...all the lights were turned off, blinds were drawn, and everyone would sleep at their desks!!!!! Is this common? 
|
|
| 9. |
08 Aug 2007 Wed 08:06 pm |
|
Quoting Badiabdancer74: I have a specific question for you to make it easier. What is the custom of meeting (an older?) person of holding their hand kissing it and putting it to your forehead. When do you do this? Gender differences, man to woman, woman to woman, woman to man? How old is 'old' and are you going to offend anyone if they don't consider themselves old? Cem (my fiance) said it is important to do this, but I felt too uncomfortable and I didn't want to make anyone feel OLD! I am a yabanci...I don't understand! |
you generally kiss your much older relatives' hands. it means that you respect them. for example if you are married with a turkish man or woman it would be rude of you not to kiss his parents' hands. but you dont kiss hid older brother's hand. just shaking hands to others is enough.
and no gender is not so important. only some very religous women dont shake or kiss men's hands if they are not members of the family.
and also we kiss much older people's hands ( i mean people you know ..not anyone on the street ) in festivals like ramadan festival. no matter who is that. it could be your neighbour or someone else.
|
|
| 10. |
08 Aug 2007 Wed 08:09 pm |
|
Quoting Badiabdancer74: I have a specific question for you to make it easier. What is the custom of meeting (an older?) person of holding their hand kissing it and putting it to your forehead. When do you do this? Gender differences, man to woman, woman to woman, woman to man? How old is 'old' and are you going to offend anyone if they don't consider themselves old? Cem (my fiance) said it is important to do this, but I felt too uncomfortable and I didn't want to make anyone feel OLD! I am a yabanci...I don't understand! |
Well,im Egyptian not Turkish
And we dont have those kind of customes anymore,we used to have it,but it ended in the big Cities,and upper Egypt,maybe it still goes like that in the south.
The son,even if he is a man kisses his Dad's hand and touch it to his forhead.
And he sit down after his Dad sit,and he cant cross his legs infront of him,he cant lay on couch or something like that infront of him
İt considered rude
He should wear formal clothes,i mean even its hot,he cant wear shorts for example infront of him,but dont wear a suit too, lol
He do this for his father and Mother,and elder people too of the family.
But he can be more comfortable infront of his Mom,considering laying,and clothes,from the thought she is kind and she would allow it.
İf we went to south,they dont expect us to do so,although they wouldnt like our norm attitude,but they ..hhmmm well, consider us yabanci to south too
Ohh,and old means,he is in the age to be your father,or close to it.
Ps:i mean he or she,both do the same,has nothing to do with genders.
Wish some of Turkish friends can help you with that tho.
|
|
|
