Be careful not to spend all your money before you go to Turkey, dear!

 Oh yes, tea towels are wonderful. As for sweets....I don´t know....with the rise in blood sugar issues, I stay away from sweets. I´ve met too many Turks with blood sugar issues.

 This is very rude in our culture!  Why should you have to accept it?  Why are WE always the ones who have to accept other´s culture?

If somebody went through my things and borrowed my things without asking I would find it very offensive.  And yet.....we are always warned of what is rude and what to avoid when we have guests from other cultures.

BTW Alameda, I would add that your advice (regarding gifts) is not so appropriate for more modern Turkish families...

 Hehe I was just thinking I should be careful with my pennies!

 If you are going to THEIR country.....and THEIR home...I don´t think some accomodation is out of line.

As I mentioned Aenigma.....so if she doesn´t want to share...she can bring a lock for her suitcase...simple....hmmm?.........and I actually wonder just how many Turkish famlies have you visited anyway?

That is why I mentioned IF she is going to a home were women wear scarves...

 Of course...don´t be ostentacious about it.  KIS remember...keep it simple.

 Following on from my post... a friend of mine told me recently that he had invited his muslim colleague and his wife for dinner.  The colleague informed my friend that he would not set foot in the house unless it was clear of all alcohol!!! My friend had already decided to serve no wine during the meal, and to ensure the food was suitable, but this was a request too far!!!

When do we ever see reciprocation?

 That was HIS home...different situation....and you did not mention what country it was in.

First of all, yes the gift may change if the family is rural or urban, but you cannot decide it according to the headscarf! There are also modern Turkish woman with headscarves...

Soap as a gift or something that you must take with? I did not understand it completely but there are many nice soaps in Turkey, and Turkish people are much more careful about the hygiene than most of the people I have seen (I have seen many actually).

and there are not enough safety pins in Turkey?! Actually there are many everywhere. I thinh the same thing about Germany, I have never seen any safety pins sold around, maybe we just don´t see because we don´t know where they are.

And with your idea above I also don´t agree. Maybe that´s what you observed with a Turkish family you visited but nobody would take your clothes, or would take anything without asking It is not a usual thing in Turkey that people use things communal with the people they newly met; I mean sometimes with very close friends you share your clothes for example, but even in this case you ask for permission. I, personally, never have taken anything form a guest; besides, Turkish people really love giving to their guests, not taking.

Don´t generalize things with the people you have seen.

Yes this is not a normal request but how many Muslim people have you seen like that? You cannot blaime eveyone just according to one extreme person.

Perhaps you could take some kind of toy or pairs of jeans for the children? 

I took lots of little things such as crumpets, shortbread, Earl Grey tea and explained that I thought they would like to try the types of foods we have here, although I wouldn´t present them as a gift as such. 

I think the fudge is a great idea and if you wrap it in fancy paper with ribbons etc it would look  very nice.  Whilst I might not buy a table cloth I would definitely think about a table runner.  There are some lovely ones to be found in craft shops.  I think the brooch idea is a good one too, but nothing too sparkly. 

On one autumn visit I made, I bought some presents before I left and I bought a woollen scarf for my friend´s father, from a gentleman´s outfitters. 

It really does depend on the individual you´re buying for if you wish to buy something quite personal, like clothing.

The lace idea is a good one too. Perhaps a set of napkins? 

There are lots of nice candles on dishes around at the moment, but I´m not sure if it´s the kind of thing they would appreciate. 

If there is a local craft where you live then perhaps you might think about taking something relating to that.

It´s a minefield unless you know the person,I guess. 

I´m sure that, whatever you take, they will accept it with good grace and apreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity.

Have a lovely trip.