Turkey: Public Behaviour
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Acceptable public conduct
When meeting, shake hands firmly. When departing, it is not always customary to shake hands--although it is practised occasionally.
Friends and relations would greet each other with either one or two kisses on the cheek. Always respect elders by kissing their right hand then placing the forehead onto the hand.
When entering a room, if you are not automatically met by someone, greet the most elderly or most senior first. At social occasions, greet the person closest to you, then work your way around the room or table anti-clockwise.
Greet people with either the Islamic greeting of 'Asalamu alaykum' [peace be upon you] or 'Nasilsiniz' [How are you? Pronounced na-sul-su-nuz] Other useful phrases are 'Gunaydin' [Good Morning, pronounced goon-ay-dun], 'iyi gunler' [Good Day, pronounced ee-yee gun-ler] or 'Memnun Oldum' [pleased to meet you].
Smoking is practically a national past time in Turkey. Although a law was passed banning smoking in offices, very few comply with the regulations. Luckily, all bus companies, cinemas and some shopping malls are a lot stricter.
When seated opposite someone, try not to sit with your legs apart. Keep them together or cross your legs.
Holding hands with someone from the opposite sex is acceptable in the cities and beach resorts. In rural Turkey and the East, this would be frowned upon.
The Turkish gestures for 'yes' and 'no' can at first be quite confusing. 'Yes' is indicated with a nod of the head upwards, while 'no' is also an upward nod but accompanied by the raising of the eyebrows. A sure sign that a 'no' is meant is if it is accompanied with a hissing of the teeth ['tsk'].
To wave down a taxi or bus, stretch out your right arm and move your wrist inwards repeatedly.
Queues do not seem to operate along the same basis as they do in the US or Europe. It is not uncommon for people to jump queues or even go straight to the front. It is best to be patient. If frustration gets the better of you, politely point out you were in the line before them--although most of the time this will make little difference.
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