Cultural Differences Guide for Moving to Turkey

Published on October 4, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Relocating to Turkey isn’t just a geographical adventure—it’s an immersion into a world rich with millennium-old traditions and distinct customs. To integrate smoothly and fully appreciate life in this fascinating country, it’s crucial to understand certain cultural differences that characterize daily life in Turkey.

From the subtleties of nonverbal communication to social rituals like Çay tea, and the importance of family values, every aspect of Turkish culture offers a unique opportunity for personal enrichment.

This article will serve as your guide to navigating your new life with ease and avoiding any cultural misunderstandings that might arise.

Decoding Turkish Social Norms

Turkish social norms are based on traditional values where family, hospitality, respect for elders, and politeness structure daily interactions.

Here’s an overview of their main characteristics:

Aspect	Description
Hospitality	Warmly welcoming guests and strangers is a core value. Offering tea or a meal is part of Turkish friendliness; refusing without valid reason may be seen as impolite. Gatherings are often generous and centered around food.
Respect for Elders	Respect toward elderly people is shown through formal language, attentive listening, and sometimes even hand-kissing during family or official greetings. Their opinion is sought in important decisions; interrupting an elder is highly frowned upon.
Family at the Heart of Society	The extended family (parents, uncles/aunts, cousins) plays a central role in social organization: daily mutual aid, intergenerational solidarity, and moral support are naturally expected among members. Family stability takes precedence over individualism; this influences both personal and professional choices (preference for working with/recommending someone from the family circle).

Cultural Practices Influencing Daily Life:

• Dress codes vary by region but generally favor a certain modesty.
• Punctuality isn’t always strict for social events.
• Showing humility in speech is appreciated.

Politeness Expectations and Customs at Social Gatherings:

• Consistently use polite phrases (“thank you,” “please,” “excuse me”).
• Greet all present individuals personally.
• Bring a small gift (local pastry or flowers) when invited to someone’s home.

Religion’s Impact on Social Norms:

The Muslim majority strongly influences:

• The importance given to religious holidays (Ramadan/Ramazan, Kurban Bayramı).
• Informal rules regarding alcohol consumption or public attitudes during certain periods.

However, there’s diversity between more liberal urban practices and more conservative rural traditions.

Comparison with Other Cultures & Practical Tips for Expatriates:

Distinctive Turkish Elements	Tips for Expatriates
Collective centrality vs. Western individualism	Showing interest in family before any professional topic facilitates integration.
Weight of nonverbal communication in interaction	Observing gestures/expressions before responding hastily helps avoid misunderstandings.
Major role of hierarchical respect	Always address elders/leaders first during professional meetings.

Key Tips to Avoid Cultural Faux Pas:

• Always greet everyone individually when arriving/leaving.
• Be discreet when discussing politics/religion: sensitive topics that can create unnecessary tension.
• Scrupulously respect local customs during religious holidays or major family events.

Human relationships in Turkey are based on a subtle combination of spontaneous warmth and formal respect—understanding these nuances promotes harmonious integration both personally and professionally.

The Art of Traditions and Customs in Turkey

The family holds a central place in Turkish society, considered the foundation of values and traditions. Traditional roles within the household remain very present: often, the man is seen as the head of the family and primary breadwinner, while the woman manages domestic tasks and oversees child-rearing. Respect for elders is paramount; their opinion matters in major decisions such as marriage or buying a home.

Tea (çay) and Turkish coffee ceremonies are essential to social life. Offering a cup of tea or coffee symbolizes hospitality, friendship, and respect. Black tea, mainly cultivated in the Rize region since the 1920s, is omnipresent at family or professional meetings. It’s served in small tulip-shaped glasses without handles; refusing tea may even be perceived as a lack of courtesy.

Turkish coffee has its own rituals: it often accompanies wedding ceremonies where the bride-to-be prepares coffee for her suitor and in-laws to demonstrate her domestic skills. The quality of the coffee served is an integral part of the judgment made of her on these occasions. After tasting, it’s common to invert the cup to read the grounds—a divination practice called fal that strengthens social bonds among guests.

Main Traditional Holidays:

Holiday	Cultural Significance	Associated Practices
Ramadan	Sacred month of fasting	Daily family breaking of fast (iftar), solidarity with the needy
Feast of Sacrifice (Kurban Bayramı)	Commemoration of Abraham	Ritual animal sacrifice shared with relatives and those in need

During major religious holidays or family ceremonies (especially weddings), strict adherence to dress customs is observed: men often wear dark suits; women favor long dresses or modest outfits covering shoulders and legs, particularly during mosque visits where a headscarf may be required.

Turkish cuisine highly values sharing: every meal becomes an opportunity for conviviality around a generous table mixing flatbreads (pide), varied mezzes (marinated vegetables, spiced yogurt), and sweet desserts like baklava or Turkish delight.

Traditional Craftsmanship Reflects Cultural Diversity:

• Hand-knotted carpets embody symbolic patterns passed down through generations.
• Anatolian pottery offers colorful vases with geometric designs.
• The delicate art of ebru involves creating colored marbling floating on water before transfer to paper—a technique classified as intangible heritage by UNESCO.
• Items related to tea/coffee service (decorated cups, engraved trays) are among typical souvenirs celebrating this ancestral know-how.

These practices testify to a rich heritage where every daily gesture is part of a historical continuity valuing warm welcome, family solidarity, and intergenerational transmission.

Tips to Avoid Cultural Pitfalls in Turkey

Practical tips to avoid cultural pitfalls in Turkey:

Greetings and Politeness

• Learn and use some basic Turkish expressions:

• Merhaba (Hello, formal)
• Selam (Hi, informal)
• Günaydın (Good morning)
• İyi günler (Good day)
• Teşekkür ederim (Thank you very much)
• Lütfen (Please)

Greetings are often accompanied by a firm handshake between men. Between women or mixed genders, wait for the other person to make the first move.

It’s common to ask “Nasılsınız?” (“How are you?”), even during initial exchanges.

Expression	Meaning	When to Use
Merhaba	Hello	All day, formal
Selam	Hi	Informal
Günaydın	Good morning	Morning
Teşekkür ederim	Thank you	To thank someone
Lütfen	Please	When making a request

Showing politeness in all circumstances is highly appreciated.

Gestures and Social Rituals – Çay

Offering çay (Turkish tea) is an integral part of Turkish conviviality.

Refusing a first offer may be perceived as a lack of interest in the social relationship; it’s advisable to accept at least one glass if possible.

When tea or coffee is served, wait for the host to start drinking.

Table Etiquette and Dining Customs

Typical meals include bread, mezzes, grilled meats (kebabs), and often several shared dishes.

Wait for the host to begin before eating.

Always use your right hand for eating or offering/receiving something.

Systematically refusing food or drink may be frowned upon; prefer to respond with gratitude even if you decline after insistence (“Thank you very much, but I’m not hungry anymore”).

• Accept at least a small portion when invited
• Never openly criticize a local dish
• Don’t stick your utensils upright in rice

Time Management and Punctuality

Strict punctuality isn’t always expected in private contexts; arriving a few minutes late generally isn’t frowned upon in personal settings.

For professional appointments: be punctual, but be prepared to wait if your counterpart arrives late.

Religion and Religious Sites

Religion holds an important place in daily life.

To respect during visits:

• Wear covering attire: shoulders/legs covered, headscarf for women in mosques
• Remove your shoes before entering a mosque
• Avoid any noisy or demonstrative behavior

Place	Main Rule
Mosque	Remove shoes at entrance
Mosque	Proper attire required
Prayer Time	Respect silence

Sensitive Conversation Topics

To avoid misunderstandings:

Avoid spontaneously discussing:

• Turkish domestic politics
• Sensitive historical conflicts (Armenia/Greece/Kurdistan)
• Religion from a critical angle

If a delicate question is posed by your local counterpart, respond briefly without judgment or controversy.

Final List of Attitudes Promoting Successful Integration

• Observe before acting – discreetly imitate what your local hosts do
• Show cultural humility – ask questions about their habits rather than imposing your own references
• Value every opportunity offered to share a moment over tea

Respect these simple rules not only to avoid faux pas but also to more easily build authentic connections with your Turkish counterparts.