Many Turks over the centuries have emigrated from Anatolia to the “New World.” Sadly, Turks have not always had a good image abroad.
The first wave of Turkish immigrants battled against the images conjured up by Western travelers that were less than complimentary. Usually when tourists visit Turks in Turkey, they quickly realize the hearsay is false.
Rıfat N. Bali describes in one of his articles how the great majority of immigrants from the Ottoman Empire and the early Turkish Republic would end up disproving the image of Turks, long portrayed by Western travelers as lethargic, cheating tricksters or scimitar-brandishing, frightful Turks spotting fezzes and curling moustaches.
The first impression that a visitor usually gets of a Turk nowadays is that they appear rather laid back in many ways and are very hospitable. Of course, when you are traveling around the city in a car, you'll quickly notice that many Turks have a short fuse when it comes to driving. Appearing very passive on the surface, the surprise burst of anger will catch non-Turks off guard. Shouting and fistfights are more common than not -- particularly when there is a car accident, a family issue or money matters involved.
A few visitors have commented that sometimes they were confused when they were out and about and came across Turks in public who seemed to be excited about something -- the crowd and the combination of volume and forceful gestures make it difficult for you to know whether the two parties are having a normal conversation or an argument.
A recent guest shared with me that she was surprised by some of the direct questions that she was asked by Turks she had just met. Turks can be curious about you. They generally do not mean any harm. There is no taboo subject and you may be asked personal questions which may catch you off guard.
Here are a few comments on what some Westerners have expressed when asked what they think of Turks and what they know about Turkey:
“I don't know for sure. There's a part of me that says to be careful because of what they had done to others. But that's the past. Having been to Turkey and made some good friends when I studied there, I think of all the wonderful vegetables and fruits and kebabs and beautiful carpets and music and good conversations.”
“Having taught in Turkey for a number of years, I see people who believe they must work hard to provide for their children and drive their children so that they learn that they must live by the rules of being the best, getting into the best university, studying hard, honoring the family name, etc.”
“I have been married to a Turk for a few years and from my experience I believe that sometimes the society and family put too much pressure on an individual. My Turkish wife and I, when we were at the university in New York, had a close friend who committed suicide because he did not achieve his family's goals for him. He felt like he had failed them and lost hope. He couldn't face them and took his own life.”
“I would love to travel more around Turkey! Mainly, because of the rich and diverse history. Although I know very little about the Ottoman Empire, I admire the architecture and want to learn more.”
“I love the Turkish people and am considering moving there, but are they really honest?”
“I do not know much about Turkey, but I love traditional Turkish music and dance and I love Turkish food.”
For many years, the first three things that came to mind upon hearing the name “Turkey” were:
1. fierce soldiers 2. Turkish coffee 3. Turkish carpets
After a visit, you learn about many other things, such as İskender kebap, a roasted and very delicious meat; baklava, a dessert; and Turkish delight as well as great literary figures such as Yunus Emre and Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi.
Oh! And don't forget soccer, which has helped Turkey's image as its teams have shown good sportsmanship.
Not all Turks are like the images portrayed by Western travelers of yesteryear. A word of advice: If you are with some Turks and they want to speak negatively about themselves and their culture, let them, but you should be diplomatic and not join in.
As visitors discover Turkey, they will find a new world of their own…
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