There are varying degrees of culture shock that one must digest before settling into the rhythm of another culture. There are of course ways to make the transition more salubrious, and humor is our favorite of those tools. So we took a look at ourselves, as Turks, to make light of our traditions for a, what we hope, humorous list of insight (for those who don’t know) or a kind of laughter inducing recognition (for those who do):

The Rakı, Melon, and Cheese Trifecta

There are just some things that go together and cannot live apart. While friends in the States might have fried chicken and waffles (no judgement here) we have something slightly different. We are talking about the deep love that exists between rakı, cheese, and melon, to a point that eating them alone is almost a crime.

Lacy Cloth on Top of a TV

This of course refers to a time when TVs weren’t paper-thin. However, for some confusing decorative purposes, our grandmas love placing a lace cloth on top of a TV, making sure it covers just the right amount of the screen´s top half. 

Honking When the Light Turns Green

We’re impatient people, in case you haven’t noticed. Just like bulls attacking when they see red, Turks attack when they see the green light. Next time you’re in traffic, see how long it takes for the spontaneous honking to commence after the light turns green. 

The Rudeness of the Empty Food Container

Why, you ask? The whole point is that we’re so unnecessarily hospitable that it’s impossible not to give. If you happen to send your neighbor a freshly baked pie, your Turkish neighbor feels obliged to bake one in return. Most probably tastier than yours.

The Importance of Throwing a Glass of Water

Turks have a tradition that if a person that you live with is going on a trip, you throw a glass of water after the car so the journey there and back flows as easily as water does. Make sense?

Slippers for the Guest

While normal people offer you food and alcoholic beverages -if you’re lucky- when you visit their house, Turks will have a fresh pair of slippers. By doing this we accomplish two things; your dirty shoes are left outside, and once again, we feel very hospitable. 

There is Hugging, and then There is “Turkish Hugging”

We won’t just put our arms around you, we’ll also pat you on the back, switch cheeks, and repeat the same process once more. Not only do we appreciate you once, but we do it twice.

Can I do some remarks i´ve noticed? About lace cloth on the TV and in everywhere in salon it is completely right. And not even so old women do like that. But I was so surprised when I´ve saw such a clothes on top of a washing maсhine and on a toilet bowl. Only they weren´t lace, they were made of textile wıth sequins.

One Turkısh tradition else is to give a big flower wreaths at the wedding. It was so weird for me, because in my country we can give such a things for funeral only.

All Turkish afraid of catching cold. Nonetheless they are all sit on the cold stones, women, men, kids - doesn´t matter. 

LACE is a way of self expression (some designs actually have meanings knitted into them) for the lady of the house and a way of displaying her mastery at a fine art.

They are not to protect the TVs from cold weather.

Heheh, for sure I know that. But i didn´t tell lace clothes protect TV from cold air condition. I told another. And to be honest not only Turkish women make nice lace things. I can make it also. But I don´t cover my TV or something else with these clothes (although my granny did it)

What do you cover instead ?

Sometimes I cover my emotions   imperturbability veil.

but not with lace I guess

covering TV with lace cloth is also practised in pakistan ....... co incidence        many turkish words and traditions came to sub continent with the invaders from turkey  .....   many dishes also ...