Job Discussion Forums

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

Do the Turks STARE in SHOCK with silly giggling at "foreigners" like the Koreans do here? Wouldnt want "out of the fry pan into the fire" ........ its so annoying to us its 1 of the reasons we're leaving here.

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

No, no, no..... but if you open your mouth and speak English they will try to do anything and everything to assist you. Turkey is a wonderful place and you'll love it with all it's good and bad. I was in Korea and hated it. I was continually ill from the "yellow dust" and the schools work you to death. Come enjoy a land of adventure, been here four years and don't want to leave. *Even if I bitch and complain at times. Very Happy

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

Well with raves like that I think its quite tempting to give it a try. Im Armenian-American and my wife is East Indian, i.e. quite a mixed couple. We're looking for an open-minded place like what we're used to, i.e. New York, New Jersey, USA, where ANYTHING you see won't bat an eyelash.

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

Well, you should be fine. Istanbul, is a very big place and with a wide range of attitudes and people. In the other areas of Turkey it's a bit different. The people are kind, helpful and very social. There are some cultural things you will learn along the way but overall I think you and your wife would enjoy it.
Just don't bring up the Armenian issue, Ataturk in a negative way and politics and you'll be fine. Smile

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 8:54 pm Post subject:

Yip. Turks are generally a relaxed accepting bunch. Just don't tread on their corns, of which there are more than a few. But you'll be all right in Istanbul, despite being from Mars as far as your neighbours will be concerned.

They do stare a bit, though. But not with giggles - just genuine curiosity. Very harmless.

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

well i can take that without a prob, and my wife will be glad as well.
No I would never bring up the Armenian issue, the Kurdish issue, the Greek issue, or any other corns they may have! Laughing

Listener · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

I have to say that I've had a couple experiences with this situation. If you are white or Mediterranean looking then no problem.

If, however, you look significantly different then you can run into the behaviours that the OP mentioned. Let me share 2 examples:

My husband used to work for a major Korean company here in Turkey and we used to often help out the Korean expats when they needed to do something in public. People used to stop in the street, stare, point, comment (loudly) to each other "Ching-chang chong" and it used to really really make those men and women feel awful. This was not just a one-off, it happened again and again and again.

Also: my adopted sister who is African-american came to visit us a couple times, and though she loves coming to see us here, anyplace outside of Taksim, Nisantasi etc she would have people staring, pointing, following her, in fact children used to walk up to her and try to touch her skin.

I really don't think that any of these people meant anything bad by their behaviors, but the fact is that the majority of the people here haven't ever seen anyone who looks different before (perhaps like in Korea too) and they have no idea that the things they are doing will be taken badly. When you see it happening repeatedly though, you can understand how the person suffering from it can get worn down pretty darn quick.

PC Parrot · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 11:10 am Post subject:

It helps if you don't understand the language.

Years ago, on their equivalent of the big brother show, they were referring to an African-Turk as chocolate boy. Around the same time, the head of Trabzonspor referred to the African-English footballer, Kevin Campbell, as a cannibal.

It's better you don't understand some of them.

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

teachinggypsy · Joined: 07 Feb 2009 Posts: 13

Though it doesn't get quite as bad here as I have heard it described in Korea, I am daily appalled by the stupid behavior people exhibit here toward foreigners. Yes, you get the "ching chang chong" stuff as well as deeply ingrained xenophobia. For a supposedly cosmopolitan place like Istanbul an awful lot of the people here behave like ignorant villagers. Another 150 years of social development and they'll be ripe for the EU.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 5:44 am Post subject:

Most of them are villagers. But there is still far less real nastiness than in other places I've been.

teachinggypsy · Joined: 07 Feb 2009 Posts: 13

Agreed. Most are not nasty. As a permanent lifestyle it can still be a bit wearing however.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 6:03 pm Post subject:

It is wearing. And even for blue-eyed Nordic types like me. Still, compared to other things one needs to put up with in Istanbul, I found it minor.

As for EU entry, I believe that dream is dead and Ottomanism is reviving. Neo-Ottomanism, or Pan-Ottomanism or something. Sounds vaguely more realistic...

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I just came from a class full of European law Phd students. If their ideas and biases are anything to go by, EU entry for Turkey is.......well, decades away at least.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 7:41 pm Post subject:

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