Is it rude to refuse food in Turkey?

It is best to arrive to a meal on an empty stomach so you can accept multiple servings. If you cannot eat the food, you may have to be quite insistent and give a legitimate reason (e.g. I'm vegetarian). Your host may take initial refusals as politeness and serve more anyway.

What is the food etiquette in Turkey?

Is it rude to refuse tea in Turkey?

Refusing tea or a gift is rude.

After a meal in a good restaurant you are usually served a free chai (black tea), often with some pastry or lokum. Turks are famous for their hospitality and rejecting a gift must be well justified. You do not have to eat or drink it completely.

Is it rude to leave food on your plate in Turkey?

The host does not get up from the meal before the guest; this is considered impolite to the guest. Turks must make sure to eat all the food that is on their plates, and scrape the bottom of the plate. Leaving a portion on the plate is considered a sin; this is based on a religious law regarding avoidance of waste.

What not to do when visiting Turkey?

10 Things NOT to do in TURKEY - MUST SEE BEFORE YOU GO!

What is not acceptable 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.

Is Turkey friendly to tourists?

Yes, Turkey is a popular holiday destination and generally safe, particularly if you remain in tourist districts. You'll find that most people report feeling safe during their stay in the country. Foreign residents and freshly returning tourists laud the Turkish people's kindness and hospitality.

Is tipping rude in Turkey?

Tipping at restaurants has become much more common and expected throughout Turkey. A tip of 10% - 15% is considered appropriate at most places. You can leave it in cash on the table, or ask the waiter to add it to the bill.

Is kissing in public allowed 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.

What should female tourists wear in Turkey?

No shorts, sleeveless tops (tank tops) or revealing clothing should be worn by women or men. Shoes don't matter as you will be removing them before entering the mosque (so slip-ons make it easier). At the most-visited mosques, skirts, scarves, and sometimes robes are provided to make sure you are dressed appropriately.

Can you not flush toilet paper in Turkey?

While Americans in particular are used to flushing their used toilet paper down the pipe, they must break that habit if they are traveling to Turkey, Greece, Beijing, Macedonia, Montenegro, Morocco, Bulgaria, Egypt and the Ukraine in particular. Restrooms will have special waste bins to place used toilet paper.

Why is it illegal to drink coffee in Turkey?

Sultan Murad IV, a ruler of the Ottoman Empire, would not have been a fan of Starbucks. Under his rule, the consumption of coffee was a capital offense. The sultan was so intent on eradicating coffee that he would disguise himself as a commoner and stalk the streets of Istanbul with a hundred-pound broadsword.

Can you wear shorts in Turkey?

In Turkish cities, shorts and T-shirts are acceptable. There is no problem wearing shorts for comfort, except when you visit mosques. As for Turks, most of them will be wearing "smart casual" clothes: sleeved summer dresses or sleeved top and skirt for women, short-sleeved shirt and long trousers for men.

What is the 1 5 rule in Turkey?

Employers are required to employ a minimum of five Turkish nationals in the workplace, for every one foreign national (the “1:5 rule”).

What do Turkish people say before eating?

5. Afiyet olsun. The Turkish equivalent of “Enjoy your meal,” the phrase is said at every table before eating. Unlike English where saying this is seen as formal, afiyet olsun is used in formal and informal language alike.

How do you greet a 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. For example, “Yusuf Bey” and “Elif Hanim”.

How often do Turkish people shower?

Most Turks went into hamams once a month, or on special occasions like before a wedding, in Ramadan etc. You can imagine the layers of dirt that accumulated by the time these infrequent visits came along.

Can I stay in hotel with my girlfriend in Turkey?

Yes, unmarried couples can share a room in Turkey. Actually it is forbidden for hotels to ask for a marriage license.

How do you respond to Merhaba?

Merhaba (Hello) or Sana da merhaba (Hello to you, too) are good replies to a casual merhaba. Other time-specific greetings such as good morning, good day, and good night, can be answered with the same phrase. The only difference is in answering Selamun aleyküm.

Is $5 a good tip in Turkey?

Tip between 5 – 10 TL, more for exceptional service. You can leave 20–50 Turkish Lira at the reception when you are leaving, if the service was noteworthy.

Can you drink tap water in Turkey?

Officially, Turkish tap water is safe to drink. However, heavy chlorination used to purify the water often makes the taste unpalatable. The tap water in Turkey often has a chemical, chlorine taste which can be off-putting. Therefore, many tourists and locals opt for bottled water instead.

Is 10 a good tip in Turkey?

As a general rule, expect to tip around 10% of the bill. If you get exceptionally good service, say thank you with a tip closer to 15-20%. Whether you're tipping with cash or card, always use the local currency to save money.

Is it safe for American tourists in Turkey?

Exercise increased caution when traveling to Turkey due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

How safe is Istanbul for US citizens?

Overall, Istanbul is very safe for travelers coming from abroad. However, this doesn't always mean that crime doesn't happen. Just like everywhere else in the world, you'll want to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings when flashing cash or walking down back streets.

Is it safe for an American woman to travel to Turkey?

Is Turkey safe for solo female travelers? Turkey is in fact a safe destinations for solo female travelers (see our video at the top of this page). But it is important to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings, as you would when traveling in any foreign country.