Sure. Turkey does not have shariah law, and you can absolutely kiss, hug, hold hands, whatever. I wouldn’t suggest going too much further in public though, as it might irritate/offend some of the more religious folk.
Is kissing in public OK in Turkey?
Getting Your PDA On
Turkey is a largely Muslim population and showing your affection in public can sometimes be frowned upon, especially in the more traditional neighborhoods. Make sure to keep your amorous moments private so that you don’t have to deal with unhappy stares.
Can we hold hands in Turkey?
It is impolite to stand with your hands on your hips when talking to others – or to put your hands in your pockets. Good friends will often touch each other (it’s common for women to hold hands with women, and the same for men), but you will rarely see members of the opposite sex touching in public.
Can you hug in Turkey?
Among close friends and family members, hugs or gentle pats on the back are quite common. Other men may kiss each other on both cheeks as well. You may also see men greeting each other by making their temples touch, a greeting among people supporting one of the political parties.
Do Turkish people kiss cheeks?
Social Greetings
Turkish people often greet each other with a kiss on each cheek. If a Turkish person is greeting a grandparent or elder, it is customary for them to kiss the right hand of said person and place their head to the hand, as a mark of respect.
What should I not do in Turkey?
14 Things Not To Do In Turkey
- Don’t Wear Shoes In Worship Places.
- Do Not Forget Table Etiquette.
- Avoid Obscuring A Praying Person’s View.
- Do Not Disrespect Ramadan Customs.
- Do Not Board A Cab Without A Taxi Logo.
- Do Not Wear Revealing Clothes.
- Do Not Misuse The Turkish Language.
- Avoid Leaving Food On Your Plate.
Is public affection illegal in Turkey?
Turkey isn’t some strict sharia law Muslim state. You can kiss, hold hands and hug with no issues.
What is dating like in Turkey?
“Dating” (in the Western sense of the word) is not common in Turkey outside of universities or large urban areas. There is a strong social expectation that unmarried people from opposite genders should not show interest or affection towards one another alone in public.
What does thumbs up mean in Turkey?
Raising thumb is one of the universal gestures which are also seen in Turkish society and carry meanings like “all right, okay, successful, very good” etc.
How do you greet a woman in Turkey?
People commonly greet each other by saying “Nasilsiniz” (How are you?) or “Merhaba” (Hello). The Islamic greeting is “Asalamu alaykum” (Peace be upon you). People are often addressed by their first name followed with “Bey” for men and “Hanim” for women.
Why do Turkish people kiss hands?
In Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, Somalia, and Brunei, hand-kissing is a common way to greet elder people of all genders, primarily the closest relatives (both parents, grandparents, and uncles or aunts) and teachers. Occasionally, after kissing the hand, the greeter will draw the hand to his own forehead.
Why do Turks kiss on the forehead?
A forehead kiss is a social kissing gesture to indicate friendship and/or to denote comforting someone. A forehead kiss is a sign of adoration and affection. In some Arabic cultures, the forehead kiss is a gesture of apology as well as a sign of acknowledgment of grievance on the part of the person being kissed.
Are Turkish people nice?
Their hospitality
Hospitality is first and foremost what Turkish people are known for, and almost every visitor will have some story about a kind person who helped them or even invited them into their home for a meal with the family.
What’s considered rude in Turkey?
It is considered rude/disrespectful to chew gum whilst talking to someone of a higher status or at a formal occasion. Avoid sitting in any position that allows one’s shoe to face another person. This is considered insulting. Similarly, it is inappropriate to cross your legs when facing someone.
Can you wear sleeveless tops in Turkey?
At the beach, anything goes. At Turkish beaches, some foreign female visitors remove their bikini tops while lying in the sun, but put them on again to walk around or enter the water. Shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops or bare feet are normal wear for both Turks and foreigners.
How do you show respect in Turkey?
Etiquette & Manners in Turkey
- When meeting shake hands firmly.
- Friends and relations would greet each other with either one or two kisses on the cheek.
- Elders are always respected by kissing their right hand then placing the forehead onto the hand.
Is it rude to tip in Turkey?
Tipping: It is customary to leave a tip in restaurants (10%), for hotel chambermaids, in reception for hotel staff . Taxi drivers do not normally expect a tip, but they do appreciate it, and it’s acceptable to “round up” the fare.
What places to avoid in Turkey?
Dangerous Places In Turkey: 9 Places To Stay Away From
- The Turkey-Syria Border.
- Diyarbakir City And Province.
- Tunceli Province.
- Hakkari Province.
- Sirnak Province.
- Kilis City And Province.
- Hatay Province.
- Mount Ararat.
Can you drink tap water in Turkey?
Yes, you can drink water from the taps in Turkey but we highly recommend our guests use bottled water during their stay.
What is the drinking age in Turkey?
18
The sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages is age limited to persons 18 and over.
Can you smoke in Turkey?
Smoking is prohibited in most indoor workplaces and public places. There are a few exceptions where ventilated designated smoking areas are allowed, including care facilities for the elderly, psychiatric hospitals, prisons, and hotel rooms.