Turkey

Appointment

Arrange appointments by mail well in advance

Be punctual Many languages are spoken in business

dealings Business & Banking hours: 9-noon; 2-5 Friday is not a holiday. Business appointment rarely made in summer

months.

No business on Turkish holidays

November 10 is a holiday to commemorate the founder of modern Turkey, Kernal Ataturk.

Ramazen (Ramadan) observation

‘Ramazen Kafasi’—Ramadan irritability;

Ramadan head

Kubran Bayram

Topics of Conversation

Welcome topics: -personal, hobbies and interests -professions -non-controversial international affairs -Always ask a Turkish father about his family; few

subjects give a Turk more pride than his sons.

Topics to avoid: -taking sides in any Turkish political questions -taking sides on the Turkish-Greek dispute over

Cyprus.

First Name or Title The most respectful way of addressing someone: occupational title only “Doctor” or “Attorney” with women: Attorney Bayen (Avukat Bayan) The traditional way: first name + Bey (men) Hanim (women) The modern way: Bay + last name (men) Bayen (women) Czengiz Dagci (a male novelist) Nezihe Merie (a female author)

Business Dress

Conservative Formal dress required for attending the balls

held during New Years and the Turkish national holiday

Dress code for visiting a mosque -modest -shoe-off -women: covering heads, shoulders and

arms

Gift Giving

Bring a gift when invited for dinner Further gifts are advisable if invited for

extended stay Be sure to bring gifts for children No alcohol and depictions of the human body

to Orthodox Islam

Gift Giving—cont’d

Wine or liquor if appropriate Candy Pastries Roses Carnations Glassware

Public Behavior Shake hands firmly A two-handed handshake and a kiss on

both cheeks among close friend Elders are respected in Turkey Tobacco is everywhere. Keep both feet flat on the ground when

sitting. It’s impolite for women to cross their legs

while facing another person.