Understanding Turkish people is like embarking on an adventure: warm-hearted, hospitable, and always approaching situations with humor, this society’s unique habits might surprise you, especially if you’re a foreigner. While Turkish culture is built on solidarity and love, like any society, Turks have their own unique, somewhat quirky, and occasionally exhausting traits. Let’s take a heartfelt and humorous look at these characteristics! Here are 10 Interesting Habits of Turks!
1. Impatient Yet Warm-Hearted
Turkish people are generally solution-oriented… sometimes a little too quick! Whether it’s honking the horn the second the traffic light turns red, impatient glances in supermarket queues, or asking the waiter to take their order right away at a restaurant, these are classic examples of their impatience. However, what’s fascinating is how quickly this impatience can turn into warmth. Don’t be surprised if, moments after a heated argument in traffic, the same person invites you for coffee. Turks have a unique ability to get angry and then soften up almost instantly. Of course, there are exceptions where the softening doesn’t happen—so, it’s best to avoid arguments, as they can sometimes end badly.
2. Rules? Only If They Work for Us!
Turks loving rules would be an unfair statement because they acknowledge the existence of rules… but only apply them according to their interpretation. This is particularly evident in traffic: those who violate the emergency lane, fail to stop at pedestrian crossings, or even double park. The concept of a “one-time violation” is quite common in Turkish culture. For Turks, the rulebook serves as a guideline: it’s read, but can be bypassed when needed!
3. Excessive Sensitivity to Criticism
Turks generally dislike criticism and may perceive it as a personal attack. In family, workplace, or social settings, criticism often triggers a defensive mechanism. If you tell a Turkish friend, “The food is a bit too salty,” get ready for a 15-minute explanation of the recipe and whether the ingredients were fresh. Along with this comes a bit of resentment and grudge, but it will eventually pass.
4. “What Will People Say?” The Quest for Answers to the Imaginary Jury
“What Will People Say?” is an indispensable and somewhat oppressive motto of Turkish culture. Turks may feel the need to answer to the imaginary judgment of society even when making their own decisions. This is especially evident in smaller towns or traditional families. The term people encompasses a broad range of people, from neighbors and relatives to the local shopkeeper or even strangers. In Turkish society, the approval of this imaginary jury often takes precedence over individual freedoms.
5. Lack of Planning and Being Late
Turks generally like to go with the flow. Planning is important, but the implementation tends to be a bit flexible. If you’re meeting up for an event, be prepared to wait a little. If you plan to meet a Turk at 6:00 PM, it’s normal for them to enjoy a tea first and arrive 15 minutes late. However, this delay is never seen as rude; it’s simply understood as “Turkish time.”
6. Fondness for Gossip
In Turkish society, gossip is not just a way of sharing information but also a social activity. The conversations neighbors have while greeting each other through their windows can sometimes shape the entire neighborhood’s agenda. If you want to spread news in a neighborhood, all you need to do is tell one person. Soon enough, everyone will know!
7. Stubbornness: Being Right, No Matter What!
For Turks, being right in an argument is highly important. Sometimes this stubbornness can stray far from the original topic and spill over into unrelated issues. Stubbornness in Turkish culture can be both a show of strength and a source of humor. If you ask a Turkish friend for directions and another person suggests an alternative route, they might argue for hours about which way is shorter. But regardless of the debate, they will never fail to help you find your way.
8. Hospitality: Abundant Offers and Persistent Invitations
Turks are so passionate about hosting guests that their hospitality can sometimes feel overwhelming to foreigners. When they say, “Have a cup of tea,” it rarely means just tea—there will likely be sweets, pastries, and even a full meal to accompany it. Moreover, refusing these offerings is almost impossible. If you visit a Turkish family, saying you’re full won’t save you from being served, as the guest is considered the source of the household’s blessings. For this reason, whatever is in the house will surely be offered to you!
Recently, a foreign friend of mine met my mom. Within five minutes, my mom offered him tea, pastries, and stuffed grape leaves (special turkish food). When he didn’t eat, my mom jokingly said, “You don’t like anything!” but later read his fortune over coffee and saw him off like a lifelong friend. That’s Turkish hospitality for you! 😄
9. Commenting on Everything: Everyone Has an Opinion!
Turks usually have an opinion on everything and aren’t shy about sharing it. From politics to football, recipes to global issues, you can always find a Turk ready for a lively debate. While this can sometimes be exhausting, it also reflects how vibrant and interactive the society is. If you plan to sit quietly in a café and read your book, don’t be surprised if the group at the next table starts an animated discussion about the latest football transfers. And yes, you’re expected to acknowledge that they’re right.
10. Spontaneous Plans and Unpredictability
Plans made with Turks are never set in stone. A plan made the day before can completely change or even be canceled by the next day. Similarly, you might suddenly find yourself on a spontaneous adventure with a Turkish friend who invites you out at the last minute. If a Turk says, “Let’s see, we’ll talk about it,” don’t count on that plan too much. But if they say, “Let’s meet right now,” drop everything and get ready!
Turks Are a Little Crazy but Very Lovable!
Yes, Turks may be impatient, stubborn, or flexible when it comes to rules. However, behind all these traits lies a warm, hospitable, and kind-hearted society. After meeting a Turk, you’ll soon feel like part of a big family. And this is exactly what makes Turks unique and lovable: their ability to remain friendly despite their quirks. Once you grow fond of a Turkish person, you won’t want them out of your life.
If you’ve discovered anything interesting about Turkish culture, feel free to reach out to us on our social media accounts. We’d love to hear your suggestions and comments. 😊
Like every culture, this one also has its share of positive aspects. Curious? Let us guide you to our article!