Culture Wise Turkey
Robbi Forrester Atilgan
Travellers often underestimate the depth of cultural isolation they can face abroad, particularly in a country with a different language. Most newcomers find Turkey a very ‘foreign’ country, despite its western-looking secular society, long history of absorbing different cultures and hundreds of thousands of annual visitors. Not surprisingly, many people find certain aspects of Turkish life alien – customs, food, language and politics – and some come unstuck as a result. Culture Wise Turkey will help you understand Turkey and its people, and adapt to the Turkish way of life. Most importantly, it will enable you to quickly feel at home.
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Extracts from the book…
Turkey is Different
Many people underestimate the cultural isolation that can be experienced in a foreign country, particularly one with a different language. Even in a country where you speak the language fluently you’ll find that many aspects of the culture are surprisingly foreign (despite the cosy familiarity that can be engendered by cinema, television and books).
Turkey is a world away from Europe (although it’s often considered to be a European country and is a member of many European institutions, most of the country is physically situated in Asia) or America. Not only is it a Muslim country, where religion is an integral part of daily life, but its development, while rapid, is still years behind that of North America and western Europe. The further you go from Istanbul and the tourist resorts, the more devout – and superstitious – the people are, and the more backward life appears to be.
Turkey is popularly perceived by many foreigners – particularly the British, Dutch and Germans – as a fairly easy expatriate option because of the well-established foreign communities on its Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, and the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Istanbul. They see it as a place where they can live the good life on a budget – with access to some, if not all, of the comforts of home.
However, despite the availability of foreign television, Dutch cheese and German newspapers, sooner or later they come up against the real Turkey, in the form of an obstinate bureaucrat, an untrustworthy property developer or a Turkish acquaintance who cannot afford medical care for his sick child. The blinkers drop away and they realise that they’re no longer on holiday but living in a country where they will always be a yabancý (stranger or foreigner) and where life, for many people, is exceedingly tough. It’s at this point that some book their plane ticket home.
Visa Run
A visitor’s visa can be renewed by crossing the border to Bulgaria, Greece or one of the Greek islands, and getting a new stamp on the way back, which is known as a ‘visa run’. An ‘official’ extension can be obtained in Turkey but involves a lot of bureaucracy, and the visa can be extended only once. The ‘visa run’ has become an institution among expatriates, many of whom have been doing it for years. There’s a (slim) possibility you’ll meet an obstructive official, who could hold you up at the border or (at worst) insist that you return to your country of origin and travel back to Turkey from there. If you overstay your visa, you’ll incur a fine as you leave the country.
It’s compulsory to carry photo identity at all times. Suitable documents include your passport, national identity card or residence permit.
Residence Permits
You need a residence permit (ikamet oturma izin) if:
- you want to reside in Turkey for more than three months, without the hassle or uncertainty of making ‘visa runs’ (see above);
- you’re married to a Turkish national;
- you’re applying for a work permit or plan to start a business;
- you want to import personal goods or bring a car into Turkey for more than six months.
Residence permits are issued for between one and five years. You can apply at the Turkish consulate in your country of origin or go directly to a police headquarters (emniyet müdürlüðü) in Turkey – many have a foreigners’ office (yabancýlar bürosu).
It’s a complicated process, which can take up to three months in areas with a large expatriate population. The fee varies according to your nationality – British and American citizens must pay around €275 per year, while some western European nationals pay a good deal less. There are discounts for children.
You aren’t permitted to work unless you also have a work permit, therefore you must show that you have an adequate income from your home country to support yourself – €500 per month is normally enough. You don’t need a residence permit in order to purchase property or a vehicle.
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PRICE: £10.95
PUBLICATION: May 2009
EDITION: 1st
PAGES: 240
BINDING: paperback
SIZE: 200 x 130mm
COLOUR PHOTOS: over 100
