uch, iki, bir, multu yillar
And so the count down went and it was a happy new year in Turkey. (I'll post more on my New Years Night at the wine bar later this week.)
As you could tell I took a week off from writing for several reasons. One of them is I am working on adding a new feature to Loughriedoesturkey that I hope to unveil this month.
But I did want to use the changing of the calendar to reflect on my experience here in Turkey, what I've learned and how wrong so many people in America are about this country and the world for that matter.
Sorry to get Amicoesque, but this is going to be a long blog entry.
When I told people I was moving to Turkey, I got a lot of mixed reactions. Many people were excited for me taking on this opportunity. I noticed that almost everyone who had been to Turkey in the past told me what a great country it was and how jealous they were that I was moving here.
But there were a few, whose names I will not mention, who tried to "warn" me. Those people, I can now confirm, are totally ignorant of the world.
I had one person ask me if I had ever been to the Middle East before and in a long-winded sit down talk, this person tried to relay their own "expertise" in the region.
I even had another person who is a self-described traveller tell me about how dangerous Turkey is, especially outside of Istanbul. I did not then, nor do I now, respect this woman, but since being here I wondered how one could make such a statement that was and is wrong on all levels.
The condescending one-sided talk concluded with me realizing how little people know about Turkey.
Here's what I've learned and what I can share with you since I have been in Turkey.
-Turkey is not the Middle East. Nor is it European. Nor is it Mediterranean. It's Turkey. It really has its own identity and culture. Their religion comes from the Middle East, their cuisine is heavily Mediterranean and their beliefs are a mixture of the three regions. It is its own culture that should not be labelled, especially by people who have not been here or read about the country in any detail.
-Turkish people are extremely kind. They have a Mediterranean sense of hospitality. When you are a guest in their country they are especially nice to you. One of my students explained it was a term "Mese Perve" which means on behalf of the state and people.
-Turkey is safer than America. I feel safe walking down the street at any time of the night. I have never encountered anything close to a situation which would compromise my safety. Turkey, and especially Izmit where I live, is safer than any American city I've lived in.
- Almost everyone here is Muslim, but they are far more tolerant of individual religious practices than many Christians I've met. I think this is a uniquely Turkish aspect, because there is a strong demand for the country to remain a secular one. Church and state are better separated here than in America. I've met a lot of people who are religious but never talk about their religion unless asked. I've met more people who are not religious, do not practise Islam everyday but carry the beliefs with them as part of their life. Religion here is a part of life but not necessarily a way of life.
-"You people" is not an insult. Americans have become so sensitive and politically correct that they think everyone else in the world drank that awful bland kool aid. So many people made jokes about how I would offend Turkish people and it hasn't happened yet. (Well except for a cab driver I told to fuck off in Turkish, but that would happen in America too.) The Turks view the world with a refreshing honesty and do not constantly second guess themselves like Americans who have come under control of politically correct Nazis.
-Women have as many freedoms here as a woman in the United States. I know that might shock some of you, but its true. Women own businesses, are politicians and one has even been Prime Minister (even though she was a disaster, according to my Turkish friends and students.) Some women from back home were upset to hear about the men only Tea Houses they have here - but I'll counter the Turkish men only Tea Houses with women's fitness centers in America that a man cannot go into. Or Ladies night at a bar when women get in free and men have to pay a cover charge.
-Turkey is not a third world country. I've heard this a lot from Americans, but look. We have DSL Internet, satellite television and cell phones everywhere. Technology that's not available in most third world countries.
-Turks do not hate America or Americans. Many of them want to live there. They love Americans, they just hate the American Government, to which I tell them, "so do many Americans."
Looking back on this I am so glad I came here. Getting on that plane was one of the best things I have ever done, because it gave me the opportunity to experience an entirely new culture and meet some great people. Plus there are the wacky adventures, which I hope to have a lot more of in 2007.
Happy New Year to you all with best wishes for 2007.
James
As you could tell I took a week off from writing for several reasons. One of them is I am working on adding a new feature to Loughriedoesturkey that I hope to unveil this month.
But I did want to use the changing of the calendar to reflect on my experience here in Turkey, what I've learned and how wrong so many people in America are about this country and the world for that matter.
Sorry to get Amicoesque, but this is going to be a long blog entry.
When I told people I was moving to Turkey, I got a lot of mixed reactions. Many people were excited for me taking on this opportunity. I noticed that almost everyone who had been to Turkey in the past told me what a great country it was and how jealous they were that I was moving here.
But there were a few, whose names I will not mention, who tried to "warn" me. Those people, I can now confirm, are totally ignorant of the world.
I had one person ask me if I had ever been to the Middle East before and in a long-winded sit down talk, this person tried to relay their own "expertise" in the region.
I even had another person who is a self-described traveller tell me about how dangerous Turkey is, especially outside of Istanbul. I did not then, nor do I now, respect this woman, but since being here I wondered how one could make such a statement that was and is wrong on all levels.
The condescending one-sided talk concluded with me realizing how little people know about Turkey.
Here's what I've learned and what I can share with you since I have been in Turkey.
-Turkey is not the Middle East. Nor is it European. Nor is it Mediterranean. It's Turkey. It really has its own identity and culture. Their religion comes from the Middle East, their cuisine is heavily Mediterranean and their beliefs are a mixture of the three regions. It is its own culture that should not be labelled, especially by people who have not been here or read about the country in any detail.
-Turkish people are extremely kind. They have a Mediterranean sense of hospitality. When you are a guest in their country they are especially nice to you. One of my students explained it was a term "Mese Perve" which means on behalf of the state and people.
-Turkey is safer than America. I feel safe walking down the street at any time of the night. I have never encountered anything close to a situation which would compromise my safety. Turkey, and especially Izmit where I live, is safer than any American city I've lived in.
- Almost everyone here is Muslim, but they are far more tolerant of individual religious practices than many Christians I've met. I think this is a uniquely Turkish aspect, because there is a strong demand for the country to remain a secular one. Church and state are better separated here than in America. I've met a lot of people who are religious but never talk about their religion unless asked. I've met more people who are not religious, do not practise Islam everyday but carry the beliefs with them as part of their life. Religion here is a part of life but not necessarily a way of life.
-"You people" is not an insult. Americans have become so sensitive and politically correct that they think everyone else in the world drank that awful bland kool aid. So many people made jokes about how I would offend Turkish people and it hasn't happened yet. (Well except for a cab driver I told to fuck off in Turkish, but that would happen in America too.) The Turks view the world with a refreshing honesty and do not constantly second guess themselves like Americans who have come under control of politically correct Nazis.
-Women have as many freedoms here as a woman in the United States. I know that might shock some of you, but its true. Women own businesses, are politicians and one has even been Prime Minister (even though she was a disaster, according to my Turkish friends and students.) Some women from back home were upset to hear about the men only Tea Houses they have here - but I'll counter the Turkish men only Tea Houses with women's fitness centers in America that a man cannot go into. Or Ladies night at a bar when women get in free and men have to pay a cover charge.
-Turkey is not a third world country. I've heard this a lot from Americans, but look. We have DSL Internet, satellite television and cell phones everywhere. Technology that's not available in most third world countries.
-Turks do not hate America or Americans. Many of them want to live there. They love Americans, they just hate the American Government, to which I tell them, "so do many Americans."
Looking back on this I am so glad I came here. Getting on that plane was one of the best things I have ever done, because it gave me the opportunity to experience an entirely new culture and meet some great people. Plus there are the wacky adventures, which I hope to have a lot more of in 2007.
Happy New Year to you all with best wishes for 2007.
James
posted by James at 2:14 PM
8 Comments:
Glad you are having a great time, but I do have to ask one question and bring up one point. Question: Have you asked them about the Kurds? I wonder if they'll maintain that warm loving feeling talking about them. Point of order: While I am sure that you feel safe there.....you are comparing it to where you've been. Palmdale, South Central, Fresno, and Palmdale again. That's not really a fair fight man. Go to a nice city with rich, predominatley white folks (preferably Jewish, but with a tough Christian police force) and then come back and talk about safety.
Oh yeah, I also asked a Greek friend on mine if he thoughts the Turks were such great people....he used a different choice of words than those you used, LOL
Keller, look, the Kurd thing is overrated. You can talk to them about the Kurds - you just can't advocate Kurdistan coming from a piece of Turkey. Then again, how do most Americans react to making California an extension of Mexico. (Despite the fact that it already kind of is.)
The Greek-Turk relations have improved immensly over the last few years.
I would ask your Greek friend first if he has even been to Turkey. Once he says no, that should be enough of an answer for you.
The answer, though, about moving to a wealthy community for safety is telling. Here one does not have to live in a wealthy community to have safety.
Okay, so you can talk to them....as long as you pretty much agree with them, nice.
And you're defending them and talking about equality and peace and justice....what kind of BS is this...you're an AMERICAN!!! We don't believe in those things!!! What the hell have they done to you!?!?!?
Helllooo I went to Turkey for the first time last June for 3 weeks. I also faced those serious talks with people who had never been to Turkey. Also, like you, everyone who I met who had actually been to Turkey, including a very exhuberant man from Israel going off on alma çayı (apple tea, which he claimed is served everywhere) strongly recommended I go. I'm from Canada, but it seems like this Turkey-ignorance is the same. I really enjoy your comments on Turkey. You know what you're talking about and your observations are lovely and intelligent. It's the journalistic training. Race is a bigger issue in North America than in Turkey. Heck, you can't apply for love online on a North American website without divulging your race. I met Turks who hate Kurds and Turks who proudly are friends with Kurds, Armenians. Many Turks are second generation immigrants, but no less Turks in anyone's eyes. The people are so warm and interested in living their life. I am sick of the laid back west coast, I am planning to move to Turkey and teach English in a month or so.. Starting my TESL training tomorrow, already have my BA. I found a family that wants to adopt me. I can't stand individualistic western living alone in a box culture. Ok see ya. I'll be reading..
Hey Penny,
Thanks for the nice compliments. Don't listen to Keller, the guy who posted the anonymous comments. He thinks anyone who makes under $50,000 a year should be euthanized. What part of Turkey do you want to come back to?
You've changed man....now you are caring about people and standing up for them. What happened to my little suicide bomber in the garage running his chair into boxes!?!?!
I was born and grew up in Turkey. After deciding to get my masters in US I flew to Philadelphia and lived there between 1999-2005 for 6 years. I must say that Im really impressed with James's comments. I personally met with him since his roommate Maweja is my close friend here in Izmit. After living abroad for a while you gain different mentality. Now I call myself world citizen and I value and appreciate people not for their religion, race or nations but for their sense of humor, intelligence and amount of tolerance and love that they show for the others.
This is also your Home country dear James and Maweja. Nice to have you here guys.
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