Job Discussion Forums

[turkishlover25]

Just wondering if some of you guys would be willing to lend us a helping hand: it seems to be a toss-up whether more people like or dislike Turkey, so if you pool your knowledge that could definately prove useful, whether you have positive or negative things to say. So please, feel free to list as much as you want!!! Thanks again.

[jamessmart50]

Never eat yellow snow.

[justme]

For men, wear your vest at all times, or you'll get sick and die.
For women, wear your slippers indoors at all times, or you'll get sick and die if your eggs don't freeze first.
It's okay to attract wild birds to your home, but don't eat chicken or eggs or you'll get sick and die.
A little Turkish goes a long way. A little Kurdish goes even further.

Ahem.

Discipline for children is unnecessary, especially in crowded restaurants.
Don't tell someone their child is cute or pretty or anything, or the child will get sick and die.
Don't get a cat or you'll get sick and die.
Getting cold causes sickness and death.
The slightest sign of sickness, including a headache, sniffle, or general malaise, is a good excuse to not do anything (like work), maybe because you would die if you did.
Don't make jokes about the things that cause sickness and death. It's not a laughing matter. To speak of sickness and death is to invite them to your door.
Watch out for strange or scary people wearing green-- they could be jinns. If you're not sure, check their feet. If it's a jinn I don't know what to do because you shouldn't speak of it.
If something seems to not make sense, don't worry. In fact, it does make sense, just not to you.

[Baba Alex]

[mongrelcat]

[turkishlover25]

ahem... perhaps some serious advice would be more useful. For some of us, this first step is quite important... what happened to "No Trolls in 2006"?

[dmb]

Those suggestions ARE serious!

it's quite a difficult question to answer for those of us who have been here for eons. Does your place of employment offer orientation of any sort, or do have an approachable boss. The reason I ask is because there are so many different teaching situations here and things have changed quite a bit since we were newbies.
however, I'd suggest trying to learn everyday turkish asap(it does make life easier, and I know you are one step ahead tl). on a teaching note are you in this for the long haul or a brief stint. If you are a newbie just off the Celta then the learning for you as a teacher begins here. listen to your peers, do some reading, ask questions to those with experience who know your work environment, experiment, get to know your students.

I wish 31 was here to disagree with everything I say. You have to learn for youself through your own experiences and take what we middle age old farts say with a pinch of salt

[turkishlover25]

I'm not sure if this is going to be a career or just an experience. I guess it just depends on how it goes and if I feel teaching is something I like and can do. I taught Englilsh in Ankara for 3 months - strictly part time - so I have a tiny TINY amount of experience, and while I do not have a CELTA or anything like that, my BA is in English and English Teaching, so I hope that will prove helpful. As for learning Turkish, I am really hoping to pick up some hours at a Turkish-language teaching school asap: my knowledge is rusty and my vocabulary could definately use some help.

I'm sure once I'm there I'll be relying on you "middle age old farts" more!

[Ebenezer]

yeah... we must be very, very careful not to get cold and everything single thing that happens to you: "headache, stomache, itchy feet, backache" or whatsoever is because of the cold weather, so make sure you keep warm, really warm... let's raise this flag, let's fight for a warmer world, I invite you all for a march where we can all shout together: "wind kills!" (even in Summer!)

[yaramaz]

Actually its not so much the wind (which is, admittedly, lethal in its own right) as the cross breeze. If you have a cross breeze, certain death is imminent whereas an open window will merely shrivel your ovaries and bring on a bout of pneumonia.

We won't even get into the terrors of cold water.

[tekirdag]

Points for Newbies:
1. Learn to understand and speak Turkish numbers. Very important for shopping as many stores don't put prices on things.

2. Investigate prices of things before you shop. Saves being ripped off so much.

3. Go back to the same shops (if you didn't get ripped off, of course). They give the better merchandise and deals to regular customers.

4. Be a little paranoid ( a healthy amount-not as much as me). Check that things are safe in your flat (no live wires, etc.). Check for possible entry ways for cat burglars and keep balcony doors closed at nights in warmer weather. Beware of pickpockets. Keep your backpack to your side, not actually on your back. Turkey is pretty safe but ounce of prevention, blah blah...

5. Keep your curtains drawn to stay on the good side of your neighbours. Turks DO NOT like to see into each other's flats!

6. Try every kind of food you can. Yum YUm yuM!

7. Make a Turkish friend, or two or three. Don't live in the foreigner bubble.

8. Get out to the museums.

9. Get one of those key ring thingys that you can use to board buses, ferries...(Help! What's that called?!)

10. Don't let anyone send you a large international package! It will arrive at the post office from HELLp. Small packages and letters are no problem. The last time I went to that post office (In Topkapı ?) it took 90 minutes and 9 different desks to get the package....

[yaramaz]

9. Akbil

[billybuzz]

On this subject, I agree its a good thing to have at your finger tips ,however, never use it in front of your students ,and most defintely NEVER,EVER, use it in front of your work collegues make them think you haven't got a clue what they are saying about you when you share an office with them ,such fun ,then you can put super glue on their chairs with a clear conscience .

[Ebenezer]

Oh, cross breeze! God forbid! I wouldn't even mention it in a public forum...

[yaramaz]

I can feel my ovearies shrivelling at the mere mention of it. Maşallah.