Job Discussion Forums

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Is that one where he sticks a pyjama chord up his nose and learns that he can read other people's thoughts? That's a silly irresonsible thing to write. I wonder how many people tried it?

dagi · Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Posts: 425

Now that is not too difficult, they just sit down. Like girls do. I mean we can take a wee and not make a complete mess....

Caterinamh · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Wow, tell me how you really feel. he he. JK Before I came here I was a "reverted" Muslim but day by day I am questioning why I made that choice. I see things much differently here in Turkey. You would think it would have brought me closer to the faith but actually, it has driven me away. I do not like things being pushed upon me and often feel a lack of tolerance on both sides of the coin. I am a strong believer in women�s rights and do not want anyone pushing me around. I always stand up to my husband�s family but fail to do what I really want to do and say, �I don�t think this religion is for me�.

So much of what you said hits home for me. Why did I revert? Was it just a very bad time when I needed to fill a void? When I read many of these comments, I feel surer that my questioning is leading me to something. I do not know why I am writing this, I guess I'm typing out loud per say.

Please no ball busting comments I�m feeling a bit vulnerable these days. (5 months in Turkey alone with no family, husband is on the way and lots of pressure from the in laws.)

Vixter · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 64

Caterina - Is your husband very religious and/or do you think he would be OK with you becoming less so? I know what you mean about being here changing the way you think about things. For my first four years I looked through rose tinted specs at Turkey, loving the closeness of family and the emphasis on family values. However, with mother-in Law now just 5 mins walk away, not a 10 hr bus journey I'm reviewing my opinion! I still really love the family closeness, yet am finding opinions about where I store my detergent and have my washing machine slightly irritating. (should be in the bathroom not the kitchen as the detergent smell will get into food and poison my husband). hmmm choice between that an possible electrocution.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Golightly · Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:27 am Post subject:

The fungal poison is most likely Ergot, which leads to hallucinations and mass hysteria. It has been blamed for outbreaks of St. Vitus Dance in Medieval Europe, where whole villages would literally shake and denace themselves almost to death, and for the Hysteria that surrounded the Salem Witch trials.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

*10 simits for dmb please*^
no, its a carcinogen called aflatoxin.

sorry, the only link I can find is in Turkish.... and bugun
http://www.bugun.com.tr/haberler/191206/p27432.asp

Golightly · Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:51 am Post subject:

Read all about Aflatoxin on Wikipedia!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin

It sounds suspiciously like the Turkish media have got their pestemals in a twist over big companies not buying Turkish, guaranteed aflatoxin-free sesame.

Caterinamh · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Oh my God I laughed so hard at your story. Laughing

No he wouldn't be happy with me becoming "less so". Actually, after I wrote this last night I emailed him back in the States. I've been here since late August and he is only coming back to Turkey after 7 years in NYC. I have been thinking more and more about how I feel about this. To say I feel confused is a major understatement.

I just feel like everyone has their two cents to throw my way about MY life. It drives me absolute ape s h i t . Social pressure is so obvious here compared to back in the states. Of course this is only my personal experience and can't speak for everyone. There are many things I love about Turkey but many things that shake my very existance. Religious behavior topping the list. I see many unislamic types of behavior from obviously so called observant people. It makes me want to scream!

What drives me the most nuts are the constant meddlingly behaviors of people into my spirituality. Any thoughts on this?

Vixter · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 64

How do people meddle in your spirituality here? Not being Muslim or practising Christian, I haven't come across that here.

I know what you mean about the hypocrisy shown on ocassion. one of my friends moved here 5 years ago, got married to a fairly traditional but no very religious man 4 yrs ago. Then suddenly religion became a big thing in his life, he went to mosque as often as he could, prayed 5 times a day, stopped drinking alcohol, hassled my friend if she drank alcohol. It turned out he'd been having an affair for all that time. Perhaps he was making himself seem good to make up for the lies and deception. They are now divorcing.

lovelace · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 190

I find myself constantly having to take advice here - from everyone, about every little thing! What to eat, what to wear, how to wash a frigging cup so I don't kill myself with detergent residue...its endless. Sometimes its useful and I appreciate it, on other days I find it a supreme struggle to smile and stay polite. Like the posh Turks who've never taken any kind of public transport in their lives but feel they know enough to advise me on how to get across the city - and do I know how useful an Akbil is? And it's very unwise to walk 100m alone after 10pm, you should be careful, Istanbul is really dangerous, keep hold of your bag at all times, bleurgh bleurgh bluergh.... Sad

Vixter · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 64

ah yes, Death by Detergent. I'm surprised it doesn't receive more press coverage in the UK.

Golightly · Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 4:13 pm Post subject:

And don't forget that eating chocolate and smoking at the same time gives you cancer. God Help You if you do that in a draught while not wearing a vest or slippers while also drinking ice cold water and eating a simit covered in Non-Turkish sesame seeds.

Caterinamh · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul