consequently as there is a thread about what we think of turkey and its cultural ideas i thought it would be useful to start a thread on how europeans and other foreigners are viewed by Turkish people..people are free to put ur views but from most conversations in the chatroom people seem to think that all europeans and americans are perceived negatively..in terms of looks and mentality..
i find this disturbing when we are here to learn their language that they can act in this way..and would like to know how foreigners think they are perceived by turkish people and for turkish people to say the truth in english rather than saying in turkish their negative opinions of foreigners thinking noone understands

i hope this is an interesting thread

according to posts in the chat it appears some members would disagree but i understand your opinion and avlue it

Well, besides the negative way my ex treated me, I hardly ever felt not welcome in Turkey. The only places I got the feeling I was looked at as being 'western' (and therefore 'easy'...) was in touristy places like Istanbul and Goreme. There, at those places, men were always looking at me like a farmer looks at his cows, how much is she worth? In all other places in Turkey I not only felt safe but also very welcome. And this looking at women is not special for Turkey or Turkish men, in several other countries I have been to it was the same: Gambia, Spain, Italy.

I like Turkey as a country, their culture, their food, their hospitality and I hope I can go there a lot of times more in my life.

yes thats right trudy hun..men look at u everywhere u go

I have had nothing but politeness and respect as a foreigner in Turkey, or in any other country I have ever been (except America!) and I think this is because I always treat people the way I would like to be treated myself.

In America (we travelled 10 states so I witnessed a good cross section of the public) they were anything ranging from downright rude (the shop assistants not even speaking to us when we bought something - we had two heads I think) to the completely over the top (do you know Aunty Betty who lives in Cambridge?)

I am a great believer you only get out what you put in

i think everything will be be ok ,nice and enjoyable when we all been aware of we all members of a great (world)family..so less prejudicies and more semphaty,thats the best medicine of all international blues

dogru and yes ive been to greece..well zakynthos anyway

ur words are very wise mrx67 +1million

actually i didnt like it :-S

oops! i wanted to post this message in another thread. sorry.

My first and foremost impression of foreigners is, they are too individualist and mostly lack of virtue. Those who aren't such are no longer foreigners(!) anyway.

for me it's the same...i'm gonna visit Istambul with some turkish friend and i don't want to seem to have a "lack of decency"!it would be embarassing also for them!

By the way Trudy...Italians look at u wherever u come from,whithout any distinction!aren'they very open-minded?

STD?

but I got what u mean...I think it happens more or less in every very distant place where u go during hte summer, not just a problem of foreigners in Turkey...

Disliking resorts, disliking beaches and walking on boulevards as if it were catwalks, I apparently do not have a lack of virtue because I will never walk not decently dressed in public. But I am very individualistic, I hate groups with a guide who tells when to look at the right side and when to the left. So, what makes me that? Half a foreigner?

@ aenigma..isn't it just?

Ehi!

"Humility is the essence of virtue." (I wish especially the British could hear this!)




I see. It seems we both learn much about eachother today, dear friend . I only wonder why you have not contributed to the other anti-British posts we have seen here recently? Ah well, you seem to have "found your voice" today .

Maybe I have said too much? My "lack of decency and virtue" seem to be guiding me! !




I do suspect undoubtedly you are a British. I bet you can't be one of them, there must be an error in the records and in your ID card. No, no, no-you can't be a British. Otherwise, I ccouldn't have liked and appreciated you as much as I now do.

And why do you label me an "anti-british"? Why, and why again? I really am not. Believe me!

u are not anti-british perhaps u'd like to explain your post to your dearest aenigma then !

How funny this site is sometimes! We all find ourselves apologising for our countries, sometimes defending them, arguing about them..... It is like United Nations Language Class!

It is a pity that not more Turkish members have contributes to this thread. Instead of that only the indiviualistic selfish members from the west have. It is also a shame that we from the west have to keep defending ourselves and our countries for what we dont necessarily agree with or aspire to.

All we have here is the opinion of two Turkish person - Cyrano you are Turkish?

I think the problem with asking such a question in the first place is that most of us, whatever our nationality are responsible and intellegent enough to know that not every person from a particular country fits the stereotype of that country. You therefore find that there is no need to discuss what the Turkish think of us Westerners. If you are already friends with someone from Turkey you will already have that answer.

libralady as was already said this is a lighthearted post because of a similar one posted about foreigners view turkish people
and to call the people who have responded selfish isn't exactly the epitome of politeness is it dear?
however i do agree that i wish more turkish people aired their views like they did on a thread with the opposite topic..

That was meant as tongue in cheek, dear! Not as a rude comment.

ummm

Ok guys I'm going to start off by defending America. It's great and the people couldn't be any friendlier ok so you get the few odd rude people and the over dramatic people but which country don't you get those people in? and it has to be said Britain is worse than America (no offence to Britons) and second of all I would defend Britain but I must say...I don't want too

hehe, every country had their best and worst...
and America is a great Example...
So what they have the best and worst of the worst.
True they have the worst guy on the planet sitting on the seat.... but it also has not one, but many of the best and most contributive people on the planet.
As for government, it might be that the worst of America is attached to the government, but truly the rest of the nation do their best to help keep America's reputation clean.
{also, there are brainwashed ones, they can be annoying, but good citizens know what to do-keep them busy with their diet}
Anywaaaaaaay,America has the ideal people, ruled by the worst there is.

This is another forum where I have a lot to say, but should probably keep my mouth more shut than open. I will ease into this conversation slowly by saying that the way foreign men take advantage of turkish girls here is embarassing.

well i guess that having in mind only stereotypes or being led by any kind of prejudice is the worst way of approaching your fellows...

i mean that you loose so much if you don't even try to look on him just as a fellow person. on the other hand, you earn so much if you try to see through him, listen closely to his worries, try to understand his true, inmost feelings and what he has experienced in life before casting odium upon him...

you may even find out that you both are seeing things from a very subjective angle and you can actually complete each other just by sharing moments, ideas and improve one another in a way by letting him help or offer a helping hand to him.

you don't howsoever have to adopt ideas or principles that don't characterise you, and of course this is not at all desirable. but, believe me, putting aside all those absurd stereotypes helps a lot.

i don't claim that cultures and peoples do not differ, this is totally wrong but totally desirable, however at the same time this fact doesn't necessarily mean that each individual is "this" or "that" just because of where he comes from. furthermore, meeting and getting known people from different cultures may help you undrstand better what the origine of all those stereotypes might be and contribute to their understanding you and the way you or your fellows see things.

contribute to a global friendship beyond frontiers and races. zaten, damla damla göl olur...

And how are they taken advantage of?

Well, if we want to start the "I hate Bush thread", I will be happy to jump on that too.
Holding the course when you are going in the wrong direction isn't admirable, its dangerous, arrogant and tragic.

Anyway, back to the main point, every expat I know here that start relationships with turkish women know its temporary. But that is never what they tell the girl until its too late. And I have found turkish women to be more loyal than any I have ever known. So this combination of loyalty on one side and dishonesty on the other leads to unnecessary heartbreak. (in my opionion)

I agree with Keith that it is very unwise to bring up Bush and start defending in this particular thread. As much as I wish I could keep my mouth shut on this one I'm sorry but.... no can do. I don't think that because a man is proud or believes in himself makes him a good leader and I'm sure that millions of the deads (American and otherwise, innocent civilians, children and etc.)family members would strongly disagree as well, it is not the democrats painting ugly pictures of him its simply the truth. I think friends we have found a good example of a 'brain washed' american here. Anywho... I am certain that most foriegners do have a horrible impression of Americans and my only defense is... 'I don't have one'... I can see exactly why they feel that way. I agree with TC though that there are TONS of great people here but they come in spurts and you can find us right here on sites like these being open minded and interested in other cultures. So libralady I hope if you ever make it here you can hook up with a few of us ... sorry for your bad experiance

exactly Canli... I totally agree, and thats what makes me sad. And that is why I said what I said.
And like you i know that it is a conversation that could go on forever so thats why I didnt say more.... plus I might get myself kicked out of my own country. Also I am glad to hear that you differentiate "Americans" from "American Government" because there is a difference. Again you are right, children are suffering and its just wrong. I guess I dont have much else to say

im from england..not only do i not agree with bush's or blair's actions but i also think they should pull out of iraq now..i don't think that undervalues anything that our armies have done..at the end of the day people sign up to the army ion both america and the uk knowing they could be called up to fight..they wereent called up to knit tea cosies
anyway the supposed reason for the war was based on fiction not fact and too many lives have been lost over such a ridiculous idea..in fact everyone knows already the war was for oil..the only purpose this war is serving at present is to create hatred between muslims and non--
muslims which quite frankly is stupid.everyone is their own person no matter their background,colour,religious or sexual orientation.this is only fuelling the problem further by creating such a stupid divide.
its about time people sat up and smelt the roses i don't believe everything that i'm told by any media source because everyone is biased albeit one way or the other..
but i don't blame americans the same as i wouldn't expect to be blamed for our prime minister's actions..they were voted in a majority not totality vote

I have tried to stay away from this 'Bush' conversation, but, unfortunately, an unable to...

well done to aenigma and karekin..my sentiments exactly

goodle?!?1?whats that kai canim?

Ofcourse i'm not implying such a thing,but i just want to pointed out that,you not looking from other's point of view too.
İ didn't mean you as you,but many Americans.

İ had a friend,American friend he was an officer and he apply to go to the front,by his own choice as you said.
İ asked him why,he said to serve my own country.

İ only asked him one thing and he couldn't answer me,exchange positions,would you like it if you were in İraq position ?

Anyhow,i'm sorry if you felt offended,but sure i wasn't implying anything like that.

yes because u altered it my dear

as long as u acknowledge that eva then its fine with me..we shall agree to disagree on the situation

Just let me get one thing, do you REALLYYYY,believe that war was for saving İraq or chasing terroristes ?!!!!

i think we all need to stop because i for one am getting rather irritated by this discussion..by the looks of things other people are as well..

Oh come on Robyn - there is nothing like a good heated debate! If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen !!!!

ok

Now its not only should be in off the topic Forum,but should creat in each thread a part we call 'off the topic thread',to enjoy TC habit of changing the subject on the thread.lol

dont be sorry hun..we are all here to share ideas..i just think if we keep going on this thread would never end

Anyway here is another one I know we all like to discuss plus I need your opinions for work so feel free to post your comments on this thread

errrm...Susie k - I think you misunderstood what Cyrano was saying

What happened to my defence of turkish women thread?
I leave for a day or two and look what happens...

W stands for "Worst ever by the way"

Anyone who has any doubt what this war is about and if Bush ever planned on leaving, ask yourself one question..

Why is the USA building the largest embassy in the world in Baghdad? An embassy bigger than Vatican City...

Does this sound like a man with an exit plan???
No, this is a man with an occupation plan...

I just found this thread and have to question "who are the abusers at this site". There seems to be alot of hypocrites around here. I think I must have read the title wrong. Canli, did you ever send the admin your suggestions about making this a more structured site? Just curious.

Is it abusing the site to go off topic during a discussion? We have done so many times before. Or is it just that you dont agree with this PARTICULAR one?

Look, I have to disagree with you Teachip because it is not the last Tuesday on a month ending with R

We didn't complain about discussions going off topic. We complained about posts in the wrong parts of the forum and some the "chat room" style posts.

Yes, maybe I am a "hypocrite", maybe I am an "abuser of this site" but still think that exchanging views on important topics is a different matter entirely. If that means going "off topic" sometimes, so what?

''Çok muhabbet tez ayrılık getirirmiş'' that is a famous Turkish saying,so things can be worse easier when you talk much more then enough without reasonlessso its better i think to listen than to talk more

MrX I understand what you mean about listening to a thread, I have been doing just that today on this one and it appears to have become a case of light blue touch paper and stand well back

because i wanted it to grab attention sophie

And by the way...I have the same question with trudy

i think i need a memory upload

could we do that too?