Information on Turkish Food, Climate and Culture

Mar 9, 2010Venice Kichura

Turkey is a country situated between Europe and Asia, connecting western and eastern cultures. although it has a rich biblical history, it’s actually an exceptionally modern country that keeps its traditional culture. There are scores of historical attractions and activities which are not to be found in other regions. Before leaving home, it’s important to know what to expect regarding food, climate and cultural etiquette.

Turkish Food

A common Turkish breakfast consists of white cheeses, tomatoes, black olives and bread. Sometimes eggs are offered. Lunch may include lamb, chicken, fresh fruit or a bulgar pilaf dish. Prizollas are thin-cut lamb chops seasoned with thyme and sumac. Soups are popular both at lunch and dinner such as the Wedding Soup that’s made with lamp shanks. A typical dinner begins with appetizers, followed by eggplant, salads and “manti” which is a filled pasta. Other common foods include mackerel, sardines and spiced lamb meatballs. Melons and fresh fruit are popular desserts, with sweets served with Turkish coffee.

Turkey’s Climate and Best Seasons to Visit

Overall Turkey has a continental climate. Turkey’s climate is mild in its coastal regions because of the sea. Central areas are shielded from the sea by mountains ranges. the best times to visit Turkey are spring and autumn. in spring the days are long with April usually rainy. Autumn is the second best time to visit because of the mild weather, although October can be rainy. the rainy seasons are summer and winter because of precipitation from the humid Black seas. Turkey’s winters are cold and long with heavy amounts of snow. On the other hand, summers are hot and short.

Turkish Customs

Turks highly regard politeness with traditional Turks using many set phrases in numerous situations. Shaking hands upon meeting someone of the opposite sex is sometimes considered inappropriate due to religious customs, but shaking hands with someone of the same sex is fine. Exposing the sole of a foot in a way that it points in the directions of others is considered rude. Pointing fingers at someone is another rude gesture. While nodding yes means “yes”, shaking the head indicates confusion, so the way to indicate a “no” answer is to nod the head while raising the eyebrows. Overt displays of affection with some of the opposite sex is inappropriate, as well as blowing your nose or picking teeth in public.

Etiquette for Visiting Turkish Mosque

When visiting a Turkish mosque it’s important to remove shoes before going inside. Women should cover their hair and not expose anything below the ankles and men shouldn’t wear shorts. Never walk in front of someone praying and do not take photos during worship.

Turkish Currency

The Turkish lira is the country’s unit of currency. It’s recommended to exchange money after arriving in Turkey rather than doing so before leaving the United States because exchanges rates aren’t as good outside of Turkey as they are inside the country. Sometimes foreign currency is accepted. the most widely used foreign currency is Euros. United States dollars and good, while United Kingdom pounds sterling are only accepted in some places. the best way of acquiring liras is simply sticking a credit card or bank card into a Turkish ATM.

Turkish Public Restrooms

Most Turkish public restrooms require a small fee for use, so it’s important to have enough currency. What’s more, it helps to be prepared by carrying a roll of toilet paper as sometimes this is necessary, just as when traveling to most foreign countries.

Finally, determine to enjoy the trip despite any minor inconveniences. the experience of being in this historical land where the apostle Paul established several churches far outweighs any small discomforts.

Resources:

Kwintessential: “Customs in Turkey”

Turkey Travel Planner: “Turkish Money”

Preparing for a Trip to Turkey: Information on Turkish Food …