Turkey is a large country situated on the crossroads between Europe and
asia. The culture of Turkey combines a heavily diverse and heterogeneous set of elements that
have been derived from the various cultures of the , Western Asia, Central Asia, Middle East, with
Eastern European traditions
Regional difference: The Turkish population has become increasingly
urbanized, with the majority of people (75.1%) living in industrialized
metropolitan areas. This has influenced a shift towards more cosmopolitan
lifestyles. For example, it is now far more common for urban Turks to
have dinner at a dining table, as opposed to a traditional floor table. Major
cities, such as Istanbul are typically very modern and multicultural.
However, many classic Turkish institutions remain very popular. For
instance, local bazaars contin1ue to be the main trading centers instead of
shopping centers.
Honor: The concept of honor (onur) is deeply embedded in Turkish
culture. A person’s honor is determined by their personal actions as well
as the behavior. There are many ways by which one can gain or lose
honor. Typically, honorable behavior relates to having a high social status,
maintaining sexual modesty, honesty and hospitality. ‘Seref’ describes
honor gained from accomplishments or achievements, whereas ‘izzat’
refers to honor that is derived from being good and generous to others.
When one loses honor and feels a deep shame, this is referred to as ‘yuzus.
Community networks: Turkey People’s relationships with their neighbors
and community are generally closer than any another country. turkish
pe`ople are incredibly friendly, love to help. Friends are often very loyal,
performing favors for each other on a regular basis. Turks generally
remain open and inviting to strangers and outsiders.
Hospitality: We all know Turks are famous for their hospitality, The
Turkish people take great pains to make their guests feel comfortable
and happy. This is not only on a special day, for a special celebration, or
for a bayram. Bayram is a nationally-celebrated festival or holiday for Turks
Turkish people value their guests so highly, they also pay special
attention to the items that will be used by their guests.
Daily life : In Turkey, daily activity is approached at an easier pace and
more time is devoted to personal interactions. There is rarely a great need
to rush and so people generally allow engagements to run over-time.
Attending to relationships with others is sometimes considered more
important than being punctual and cutting a conversation short
National origin and identity: Turkey was previously part of the Ottoman
Empire that ruled for six centuries over multiple nations and cultures in
Europe, Africa and Asia. Turks were at the center of this mega-conquest,
with the capital Istanbul (known then as ‘Constantinople’) acting as a
central trade hub between the East and West. The Ottoman Empire
dissolved following its allies’ defeat in World War I. The Republic of
Turkey was founded in its place in 1923.
The formation of the modern Turkish state was accompanied by the
development of a strong national identity