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Volodiya · Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:42 am Post subject: Turkish culture and society

For newbies considering Turkey, I'd like to share some of my observations.

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I've had a chance to observe the people in Turkey- especially in Istanbul- quite a lot.

They are friendly and polite- except when driving, perhaps. There is almost no pushing or shoving. They behave well in lines.

Turkish people are rather jolly, and like to laugh.

If you enter a shop or cafe, you will be greeted, almost without exception.

Turkish family and home life consists of lots of contact with relatives- meals and picnics together, etc. The men are helpful, and share, from
time to time, cooking and cleaning up chores; but, the women serve the men at table, with the women making sure the men get enough to eat.

Men and women eat together, at the same time; but, around a table, the men and boys will be shoulder to shoulder, and the women and girls, likewise.

Prayers at table are said after the meal, not before.

Turks eat fast, relative to what I'm used to. Many cold dishes and salads
are eaten from a common bowl or plate, with the attendent reaching across the table accepted as normal.

Drinking alchohol on a daily basis is probably not part of the life of most Turks, the majority being abstainers.

Turks greet each other effusively with many words- and kisses, one each on the left and right cheek. To show respect to someone honored, they take that person's hand, kiss the back of it, then touch it to their foreheads, all in one smooth gesture.

A framed verse from the Khoran is hung over the door: written prayers, and written expressions of those things the family are concerned about, such as an unpaid bill, are placed near it.

Most Turks would probably fall in the mid-range on religion. The men attend the Mosque from time to time, on Fridays: Turks pray privately more or less frequently, and respect the Muslim religion. Calls to prayer, broadcast from the mosques by loudspeaker, occur five times/day, but few stop what they are doing- whether talking, eating, driving, etc.- to pray. Some will pray at the call to prayer if they are home, and not otherwise occupied.

Turkish men are passionate about politics, complaining endlessly about their politicians; but, they are most passionate about football! The women, in general, are not, and tolerate, goodnaturedly, this seemingly
mad pastime and obsession of their men. Men meet in sports clubs to watch the games, drink tea, shout and stomp about. They will watch a game in person at a stadium; then, go home and watch the same game in re-broadcast on TV; then, read about the same game the next day in the paper. A Turkish man often subscribes to two or more daily sports newspapers- just to be sure he doesn't miss anything.

In Istanbul, women dress as they like, and as they like is often just like European women- lots of tight pants and bare skin, weather permitting. In spite of this, there are parts of the city where women will be dressed in a style more in keeping with Muslim tradition. Young men dress very casually for the most part- in slacks and short-sleeve shirts, often with the tails out. You see a few business men and women in suits and fashionable clothes, but not many.

As the most "eastern" of western cities, and the most "western" of eastern cities, Istanbul continues to fascinate and charm me, and many others.

Spinoza · Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 194 Location: Saudi Arabia

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Excellent post voldiya. Having spent over 10 years in Turkey pretty much everything you say is accurate. I would however disagrre with what you say about religeon. Maybe it is true out of town. I stay in the centre of Istanbul and none of my friends are religous. Some have never even been in a mosque.
spinoza you ask about employment in Turkey. There are many well paid jobs here. I think Turkey is one of the last places in Europe where you can earn a decent salary and save money without doing overkill in the number of hours. For those looking for info about living and working in Turkey just have a look at the Turkey forum- it's a fairly busy one.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

The Ministry of Education require a degree plus a teaching cert of some sort. However, there are probably more 'illegal' teachers here than legal. You come on a tourist visa and have to leave the country every 3 months. Most people take a bus or train to Bulgaria or Greece. It can be done over the weekend quite easily. As I said there is a shortage of teachers here.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

you have already mentioned them. If you are legal you will get all the usual benefits. If you are illegal you will be either be on an hourly rate or monthly salary. (sometimes with accom. ) Some schools also pay for the visa run. The best way of finding employment is to come to Istanbul and visit the schools. Finding private students is also very easy.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

A 3 month toursist visa. If you are from the uk it costs 10 pounds on arrival at the airport.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

You don't need to go to the consulate to get a tourist visa. If you get a legal job then you may have to go to the consulate in you own country to get the full employment and and residence permit.

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

Nice one.

Encouraging someone without a degree to come to a country and work illegally. You know that this person will have no:

rights
benefits
sick pay
holiday
medical cover
monthly salary
accomodation

Instead this person will get shafted and end up leaving after a harrowing and expensive time.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Not encouraging 31. Just giving the facts.

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

Turks expect their teacher to have a degree. With the right qualifications finding a decent job is hard but without even the basics you will just be working illegally for a pittance. Likely you will be ripped off and you won`t be able to do anything about it. One of the posters here is a DOS and if things are so great why doesn`t he offer you a job?

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

DMB

Top sende.

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

DMB

Top sende.

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

marblez · Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 248 Location: Canada

You can't ask for a job teaching English if your grammar and spelling is wretched. It's like writing "RESUEM" on the top of your application. It will go into the garbage.

Your Journalism diploma and volunteer experience will be attractive to some employers - so clean up your posts and you may get a shot. Also, insulting posters (in other threads) does not help your chances. Why am I saying this to an adult? Yeesh...

marblez · Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 248 Location: Canada

I must admit, I don't think anyone would be interested since you were also lying about your qualifications...

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?p=213400&highlight=#213400
"hey i have a TEFL certificate from WINFIELD COLLGE in VANCOUVER, CANADA. I also have a Journalism diploma and a Bachelors in Communication. My instructor says im a natural teacher..."

Or was that just a grave typo?