In this blog I will primarily be focusing on the people of Turkey. It is so interesting to be a half a world apart from a culture and have many differences yet still have so many similarities and be able to communicate and have fun in a country where you barely know the language. It seems as though the Turkish people rely heavily on non-verbal communication. They use hand gestures to welcome, offer and show approval and disapproval. A smile from one stranger to stranger seems to alleviate some discomfort and unfamiliarity between the two people. After two people have moved out of the stranger relationship and it is time to depart from one another kissing both cheeks of the other person seems customary. Touching in general seems to be more acceptable. Men can hug, kiss cheeks, and touch without the thought of anything more than friendship between them.
I almost always feel welcome where ever I go. People of all areas of life, sales people, people on the street, people on public transportation, and people in our hotel seem to realize I am a foreigner but usually accept me. I have seen some people, usually women, stare at me or look at me in a way that makes me feel uncomfortable. The look seems to stem from my different ethnicity or dress, or maybe from a feeling of intrusion, as if I have intruded rudely into their country. I must explore other possibilities.
The relationship between individuals is unique and significant. Most of time these relationships can be seen in the United States too but some of them you can’t. You can see how much parents care for their children, how much love is between a couple, and how there is fellowship between men. I also see unique sets of individuals that similar interests or lifestyles. For instance, a group of traditional Muslim women in traditional dress versus a group of more secular, modern dressed women, both groups gravitated to those individuals like themselves. All of these relationships can be seen in America but in different ways. The fellowship here in Turkey is expressed in different ways. As mentioned above, when speaking of non-verbal communication, the men in Turkey do tend to touch and be more boisterous in their affection for one another than in America. Women in America also tend to gather in groups in relation to their lifestyles or interest.
Leisure time and the food drink, and activity that go with that leisure time are very important to Turkish people. The meals here are an important time to converse with friends and family and that time is spans a long period in which games like backgammon and multiple courses are enjoyed. Turkish coffee and tea is something the Turkish people relish and take pride in.
After visiting and experiencing the culture it is more apparent how alike our cultures are and why it is so easy for us to communicate.
I almost always feel welcome where ever I go. People of all areas of life, sales people, people on the street, people on public transportation, and people in our hotel seem to realize I am a foreigner but usually accept me. I have seen some people, usually women, stare at me or look at me in a way that makes me feel uncomfortable. The look seems to stem from my different ethnicity or dress, or maybe from a feeling of intrusion, as if I have intruded rudely into their country. I must explore other possibilities.
The relationship between individuals is unique and significant. Most of time these relationships can be seen in the United States too but some of them you can’t. You can see how much parents care for their children, how much love is between a couple, and how there is fellowship between men. I also see unique sets of individuals that similar interests or lifestyles. For instance, a group of traditional Muslim women in traditional dress versus a group of more secular, modern dressed women, both groups gravitated to those individuals like themselves. All of these relationships can be seen in America but in different ways. The fellowship here in Turkey is expressed in different ways. As mentioned above, when speaking of non-verbal communication, the men in Turkey do tend to touch and be more boisterous in their affection for one another than in America. Women in America also tend to gather in groups in relation to their lifestyles or interest.
Leisure time and the food drink, and activity that go with that leisure time are very important to Turkish people. The meals here are an important time to converse with friends and family and that time is spans a long period in which games like backgammon and multiple courses are enjoyed. Turkish coffee and tea is something the Turkish people relish and take pride in.
After visiting and experiencing the culture it is more apparent how alike our cultures are and why it is so easy for us to communicate.
No comments:
Post a Comment