Turkey Social Life
Food & Drink: Turkish food combines culinary traditions of a pastoral people originating from Central Asia and the influences of the Mediterranean regions. Lamb is a basic meat featured on all menus, often as shish kebab (pieces of meat threaded on a skewer and grilled) or doner kebab (pieces of lamb packed tightly round a revolving spit). Fish and shellfish are very fresh and barbunya (red mullet) and kiliç baligi (swordfish) are delicious. Dolma (vine leaves stuffed with nuts and currants) and karniyarik (aubergine stuffed with minced meat) are other popular dishes. Guests are usually able to go into a kitchen and choose from the pots if they cannot understand the names of the dishes. There are also a wide range of Turkish sweets and pastries including the famous Turkish Delight (originally made from dates, honey, roses and jasmine bound by Arabic gum and designed to sweeten the breath after coffee). Table service is common. Ayran (a refreshing yoghurt drink), tea, and strong black Turkish coffee are widely available. Turkey is a secular state and alcohol is permitted, although during Ramadan it is considered polite for the visitor to avoid drinking alcohol. Turkish beer, red and white wines are reasonable. The national drink is raki (anisette), known as 'lion's milk', which clouds when water is added. Drinking raki is a ritual and is traditionally accompanied by a variety of meze (hors d'oeuvres).
Nightlife: There are nightclubs in most main centres, either Western or Oriental, with music and dancing. There are theatres with concerts in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir and most towns have cinemas. Turkish baths (hamam) are popular.
Shopping: Istanbul's Kapali Carsi Bazaar has jewellery, carpets and antiques for sale. Turkish handicrafts include a rich variety of textiles and embroideries, articles of copper, onyx and tile, mother-of-pearl, inlaid articles, leather and suede products, jewellery and, above all, carpets and kilims. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1300 and 1400-2000 (closed Sunday). Istanbul covered market: Mon-Sat 0800-1900.
Special Events: For a detailed list of special events, contact the Turkish Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Turkey in 2005:
Jan Camel Wrestling Festival, Aydin and Izmir. Mar Ankara International Film Festival-Ankara; 1915 Sea Victory Celebration-Canakkale. Apr 2-17 24th International Istanbul Film Festival. Apr Traditional Mesir Festival, Manisa; International Ankara Music Festival. Apr-May Ankara International Arts Festival. May 18-Jun 4 1-31 Turkish Theatre Festival, Istanbul. Jun 4-Jul 2 The 33rd International Istanbul Music Festival. Jul 7-17 12th International Instanbul Jazz Festival. Aug Troy Festival, Canakkale. Sep Seyh Edibali Commemoration and Culture Festival, Bilecik; Grape Harvest Festival, various locations. Oct International Bodrum Sailing Cup.
Social Conventions: Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Hospitality is very important and visitors should respect Islamic customs. Informal wear is acceptable, but beachwear should be confined to the beach or poolside. Smoking is widely acceptable but prohibited in cinemas, theatres, city buses and dolmuses (collective taxis). Tipping: A service charge is included in hotel and restaurant bills. |
