Customer Reviews

Turkey - Culture Smart!: the essential guide to customs & culture

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My wife and I have been to Turkey five times. In 2010 and 2011 we spent two months each in central and eastern Turkey. We have learned some Turkish and a smattering of Kurdish. For our purposes, we found this book useful.

It was not so much that it taught us how to act, but it helped us understand much that we observed and experienced. We spent much of our time in Kurdish areas, but the book was equally enlightening there.

One shortcoming is that the book does not delve into the intricacies of dealing with both Turks and Kurds. We sometimes inadvertantly made mistakes, such as asking a Turk if he were Kurdish, or saying "thank you" in Turkish while in a 100% Kurdish village, or later saying "thank you" in Kurdish to a Turk.

This book is most appropriate to the west, particularly Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Nevertheless, I know of no other book that is as helpful, and I recommend it to anyone who intends to leave the predominately tourist areas.

If you are a casual traveler to Turkey or a serious one, these books are essential to read, to know the customs and habits of the country. It is not only useful, it is a courtesy you should show to ever country you step foot on their soil. We'd want people visiting America to know about us what this book tells us about Turkey. Read it, absorb it, and follow it.

I think this is the best guide for Turkey on the market. If you're going there you need to look at this book.

I wanted to go to Turkey before reading this book, and now I reallly want to go. This book basically covers anything you want to/need to know about that country and their people.

This is a great guide to help you understand the culture change that you will experience if/when you are moving to turkey!

Did not enjoy this. I felt like it's not updated at all. Wasted my money.