Turkey - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Culture Smart / Cultuur Bewust

by Charlotte McPherson

Standing astride two continents and stretching from Europe to the Middle East, Turkey is both feared by the West and wooed by it. Travelers have always been drawn to its glorious cultural heritage and heroic landscapes, and today, thanks to its burgeoning economy, growing geo-political importance, and young population, it is attracting more foreign visitors than ever. This new, updated edition of Culture Smart! Turkey reveals a nation in transition. Over the last two decades living conditons have improved greatly and Turkey is now classified as a developed country with an emerging market economy. Viewed by many as a model for outward-looking Islam, it is a country with laws to protect against religious paternalism, where restaurants are open during the fast of Ramadan, and where headscarves or no scarves can be worn in universities, schools, and public offices. Turkey continues to seek EU membership, but the road to accession has been full of twists and turns and the outcome is uncertain. The country is rapidly modernizing. The cities are being transformed with skyscrapers and gated communities. Politically, Turkey has changed dramatically over the past decade and today society is polarized between secularists and traditionalists. While Turkey is in many ways Western and modern, Islamic tendencies are strong. The situation can vary widely between, and even within, different parts of society, and, across the board, there are still forms of behaviour that are taboo. One thing is certain. Turkey's culture and social life are changing. Culture Smart! Turkey is an invaluable guide to the intricate ins and outs of a rich and complex society. Whether you are planning a vacation or traveling on business, it is vital to be aware of appropriate behavior in different situations, and if you show a genuine interest in their culture and respect for their values, you will win the lasting friendship of your hosts.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Cultural

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2005

Reviews

[Charlotte Mcpherson]

What can I say? Iread it through a few times...writing it! Hope it is helpful and make your trip more memorable. Today's Zaman Regular Columnist

[Lisa Morrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This pocket size guide to the essential customs and culture of Turkey is a must read whether you’re coming to Turkey for the first time or plan to live here for a while. Unlike the usual guide book or personal travel narrative, Turkey Culture Smart contains a carefully thought out wealth of information about the cultural differences and complexities that make up Turkish life today.
The author Charlotte McPherson has been a resident of Turkey for more than 30 years. She knows what it’s like to be unfamiliar with the country and has useful tips and hints for settling in. From making new friends and socialising the Turkish way to navigating tricky cultural issues such as how to approach expressing differences of opinion and problem solving, she has it covered.
Well-known customs such as taking your shoes off inside homes and mosques are mentioned, but more importantly Turkey Culture Smart provides the reader with valuable insights into the nuances of Turkish culture and society. Having lived here for a long time and being trained in anthropology, McPherson is attuned to the less obvious markers of ‘Turkishness’, such as being aware that a Turk would rather lose a friendship than discuss a problem directly. This knowledge is shared in well-written and easily digestible sections on Turkish values and attitudes, the meaning of private life in Turkey and the role of the family.
In addition to practical chapters on travel, safety and money and so on, Turkey Culture Smartincludes a short guide to doing business in Turkey. As anyone who’s tried to conduct business in a foreign country will know, it’s essential to be aware of what is and isn’t acceptable, whether it relates to body language or gender roles.
It would take years to acquire the cultural knowledge available in this conveniently sized gem of a book. Charlotte McPherson has done the work for you, explaining all the idiosyncrasies and intricacies a foreigner is likely to encounter when they go to Turkey

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful book if you decide to visit Turkiye, a country rich in history, culture, and hospitable people.

I had been to Turkiye the prior year, and read this book before my second trip there. I found it accurate based on my first trip, and a great reminder of the cultural differences and how to be a respectful traveler.

I wish I had read this before my first trip so I would be more mindful to be formal in how I reference others, (saying “Mr.” in front of a first name), not to extend my hand to shake someone’s hand but let them off first, and why personal and national pride is a core value.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a quick overview of Turkish history and a guide to customs and practices. The author discusses Turkey as far back as Biblical times (the mountain where Noah parked the ark is in Turkey) and up to how to address a letter to post.

This book is so helpful to know what to expect and how to process and engage the world around us. There have been a few things mentioned in the book that Turkish friends have said are different that what it written, but it's this book is a good place to start.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine introduction to Turkish customs and culture, which I read in preparation for my first visit to Turkey. My visit to Turkey was restricted to Istanbul and Izmir. I think I could have navigated the cultural waters without having read this book, but it was still helpful as background...and had I ventured outside of larger urban areas I'm guessing that the guide to customs and culture would have proved even more essential.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual with this series, there are lots of factual errors. It seems clear that Kuperard doesn't do much, if any, fact-checking on these books before publishing them, nor do they seem to do much vetting of the authors beforehand.

Unfortunately this series is all that's available for cultural dossiers on individual countries.

[Katra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredible introduction to the Turkish lifestyle, history, politics, celebrations, home life, and most importantly avoiding serious faux pas! How does one manage a new culture without these little Culture Smart gems!

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pocket guide for travelers to Turkey. In it, the culture and customs of the people are briefly covered. This work is a reality fair cursory to the country. There are no language components such as appear in other works from Culture Smart.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent introduction to Turkey and the customs of it's people. Nothing above-and-beyond about anything presented in here, but if you're also planning a trip to Turkey, it it a good place to start.

[Jeff J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good supplement to a traditional travel guide.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

[Marty Greenwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a travel book, but a small book that explains "Turks", their customs and culture. Good to read before we go there.

[Emma Grayson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 15

Author is American who has lived in Turkey since 1979. She specialized in this region’s history and anthropology.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is the father of modern Turkey. He abolished the sultanate and created a secular, modern country. In 1923 he embarked on a sweeping program of westernization and economic development. In 1930 he gave women the right to vote - earlier than many European countries. He died in Dolmabaçe palace in 1938

Turkish law is not based on Islamic, or sharia, law, but on the Swiss code, which means that an act is illegal until specifically enabled by a body of law

They believe the social unit with the strongest demands on a person’s loyalty is the family - the fundamental structure of life

Mashallah is used to ward off the evil eye and said after giving praise

Inshallah (god willing) is used to avoid tempting fate

Concept of kismet has a major role in people’s lives. It’s a belief in fate and in the predetermination of events - sometimes causing Turks to act passively.

Though individualism is becoming more prevalent, Turkey is still very much a consensus- and group-based society

[Trena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a much better book than Malaysia - Culture Smart! (though it may just be that the library's edition of the Turkey book is more recent than the Malaysia book). It offers a very quick overview of Turkish history and goes on to covers such topics as religion, eating and food, being a guest in someone's home, relations between the sexes, business dealings, etc. I am going to Turkey as a tourist and assume everyone I will come in contact with is very familiar with Westerners and it would be hard to shock or offend, but I am glad to have a little background. For instance, apparently I ought to give a dead fish handshake (women don't shake hands with men much, and if they do physical contact is minimized).

[HARTATI · Rating 3 out of 5]

I commit that Charlotte is so expert about Turkey, I enjoy read this book.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful in understanding our lovely hosts during our 3 weeks in Turkey.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard culture guide. Nothing unusual, and can't vouch for accuracy (yet).

[JournalsTLY]

Well presented .
Useful information.
The food section is good - now I think I will know what I am going to eat/yase if and when I get to Turkey

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Primarily of interest if one is planning a trip to Turkey, which I am. Otherwise...Hummm