Actually I don´t understand what problem you have with people being able to share possessions. As for my Turkish friends, I would think university graduates...are educated. 

 

Of course not all Turkish people are as capable, or have the ability or desire to share as others.  To me the ability to share is quite commendable.

 

 

education has nothing to do with that. its a matter of culture, mentality or personal habbits (which also refers again to culture)

 

 

I´ll let you know when it´s convenient.

 

My try-wait for corrections

 

 

 Actually Aenigma...a lot of it was in New York, San Francisco, Istanbul and Ankara, Antalya...anyway...your point?

I don´t think Alameda said that her things were taken without asking.

I´ve stayed in several houses in Turkey and have never had to share anything from my suitcase, although some young women I was staying with a couple of years ago, were intrigued to know what was in my suitcase and one of the girls took it upon herself to rummage through my things whilst I was looking for something in it.  However, this may not be a Turkish ´thing´ but something individual to that person. 

Where ever I stay one thing is the same.  I am expected to treat their home as my home.  In fact when I go in April one set of friends won´t be there for part of the time,so I will be the house keeper!! 

 

 

 Ouhhhhhhhhh please be my friend!

I will travel to Turkiye next Saturday, and I need a little advice or tips please. You see, I met my love´s parents and family (I hope this is a good sign for me) last time, and they were so hospitable and caring. His sister gave me a cardigan and her tea set because I loved çay so much. I really want to take some gifts for them this time, but I won´t have chance to go shopping in Turkiye before I meet them again ( I will meet them straight from airport I think).

 

I considered buying some fudge (a sweet treat from south west England) or some kind of confectionary, but I don´t want to appear like I just bought a ´cheap´ gift, although I know nothing extravagant is expected. Ornaments? Accessories? What is best?

 

Any ideas what I could bring? Should I bring them something from England, and if so, what could I take as a gift? Any advice would be lovely.

 

Thank you for reading

 

 

 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?

 

 

 Hi Carla,

 

A lot depends on the family, are they rural or urban? Do the women in the family wear head scarves? You could bring some English tea. When I was in England I found wonderful cream in cans. It was the thickest cream I´ve ever seen, I´m sure they would like that. It´s a good thing I didn´t stay in England too long or I´d have been a real butterball fast! It was sooooo delicious.

 

Fine hand creams and body lotions are welcome. I´ve found some nice unisex creams with things like calendula oils in them. European creams are better than the ones made in the US because of the more stringent EU standards. Fine soap is good in your suitcase, but not given as an "official" gift....I´ve been told it is washing them away....I don´t really know about it, but to be safe, I just put them in my suitcase and share....

 

Something to put in your suitcase that I´ve found there are never enough of are safety pins. You don´t give them as gifts, but having them available for use is welcome.

 

 

If you will be staying with a family, I´ve found it´s good to fill my suitcase with clothes I am don´t mind sharing and am able leave behind. From what I´ve seen, (and others have told me) Turkish society is pretty communal and what ever is in my suitcase (or closet) is shared.  At first it upset me, but now I´ve gotten used to it and am not so possessive about my "things".