Learning the Culture

The group has finally had the full Turkish experience. This past Saturday evening we were treated to a traditional Turkish dinner, dancing, and live Turkish music. I had no idea what I was in for; it was the experience of the trip. For me, it explains a lot about Turkish culture. In the United States we pride ourselves on being the “melting pot”. This is our American way to describe our cultural as mixed, tolerant, and diverse. There are many benefits to our diversity. In any American city you can experience cuisine from all over the world, practice any religion, and find any modern convince. Diversity defines the United States that exists today, and personally, I would not trade it for anything, but after Saturday I am left to wonder what Americans have left behind. As the diversity in the US has increased, culture and tradition has decreased. Traditions may still exist in the family or at holidays and religious celebrations, but would we ever see a celebration of culture just because it is Saturday night? Although I was not able to understand what the songs were about, each and every Turk in the room did. They were not only familiar with the songs, but sang them word for word! First there was clapping, then singing a little louder, and finally the room erupted in loud animated singing and dancing. I was truly amazed by the show. How many years has this tradition gone on? I am not sure of the answer to this question. I attempted some research on Turkish celebration and found two websites that looked promising. I had to laugh when I found them inaccessible due to Turkish law. Maybe the Turks do not wish to share their celebration secrets! Reflecting on the Turkish Saturday night, I can’t help but think that there answers to be found in the way the Turks come together. I was not only impressed that everyone knew the songs and sang them, but young and old were enjoying the chaos. In the United States there would not be the tolerance among older people of the noise or spectacle. They would probably remove themselves from it before it reached that level. Not only do the Turkish people enjoy the music together, but the food on each table was the same. This is also not something that you would find in the United States. Because of the conveniences of American life, Americans have the luxury of being very picky. It is also worth mentioning that even if the menu were to be the same for all; what would it consist of? We do not have traditional American food to the same degree that the Turkish people do. The traditional Turkish drink, Raki, was also served to table after table of drinkers, save one American in the corner, me. I do not have the palette for this one, although, I took great pleasure in watching its effects on the crowd. One young Turkish guy in particular, turned the same shade any young American does after too much drinking and too much dancing! I had sympathy pains for him and his morning, as his friends helped him down the stairs and off to bed. This Turkish party was something to experience and I could not believe that it happens with such frequency! In every area of town and every Friday and Saturday night you can hear the same style of music along with the singing and clapping. It seems to be as a part of the culture as cucumber! This I will save for another blog. This experience left me feeling a little sorry for my own culture. I think we may be missing out on some serious fun. Do we have anything similar; where we all know the words and dance moves? I am at a loss. I can only think of Soldier Boy, the Macarena, and Hokie Pokie…….poor Americans.