Just Say Thank You

Merhaba! Cay? Hello, would I like any tea? Well, yes, indeed I would, thank you. This seems like a very common phrase to hear while walking the streets of Istanbul. The hospitable mindset of the locals is mind blowing. I feel like no one in America in their “right mind” would ever invite strangers into their home for a cup of coffee, especially the foreigners. I would completely agree that offering a total stranger to sip from your favorite china cup, scuff up your rug, and use your facilities, let alone talking to them in the first place, would have been a terrible idea, but I have changed my tune. Turks have the mindset that everyone is their friend and all newcomers are guests that should be welcomed with open arms. It’s not always a case of someone wanting to sell you a knockoff Gucci purse in a back alley that someone will approach you, but more so that they can tell you are from America and they want to see what’s up. They want to know you’re life story and why you have traveled to their homeland and what you are studying in school and how old you are and where you are from and if my mother would like a son-in-law. So many questions! As annoying as it may be at times, I think the Turks sincerely mean their compliments and are honestly interested.

An example of this hospitality came to me when I bought a nargile pipe in a shop among shops at the Grand Bazaar. Our group has made a few local friends and they showed us around a bit, so I was taken to a friend of a friend’s little business there. He offered every one of us tea and coffee and a full display of water pipes and lanterns to boot. He kept repeating, “You must understand, I make you good deal anyway because you are pretty, but because my uncle is friends with his dad, it is more than business.” He also threw in the fact that his coals were not very good, and I should buy more (at least he was honest). Not only did I appreciate that I was getting a deal, but more so that this young guy was so committed to his social ties.

I had many people ask me before this trip if it would be safe for me to travel here. After being in the city more than a week, I can safely say, that besides the occasional pickpocket, I am quite comfortable wandering the streets of Istanbul. Not only is everyone nice enough to offer you tea and directions to whatever you are wanting to go, but every male in the vicinity will catch you if you trip, and if they are your friends, they will be upset if another man looks at you wrong. J