Crazy Customs: 5 Strange Turkish Traditions You Didn’t Know About

Are you planning a trip to Turkey? If so, you’d do well to get acquainted with some of the more prominent Turkish traditions.

See, Turks have a lot of traditions, and many of them can seem pretty strange to outsiders. More importantly, they often take those traditions very seriously. If you don’t do your research, there’s a big chance you’ll offend someone on accident.

Now, some of these traditions are more important than others. Before your luxury travel to Turkey, take a look at these 5 common Turkey traditions.

1. Lemon Cologne

In Turkey, lemon cologne is everywhere.

Every time you enter or leave someone’s home, they will spray you with some lemon cologne. If you’d like some more, you’ll have it offered up before a meal.

Lemon cologne is also popular for its reviving qualities. If someone’s feeling faint or depressed, they’ll inevitably get sprayed with this fragrance. When you’re sick, you’ll use lemon cologne to clean your face, hands, and doorknobs.

2. Close Talking

If you live in the west, you’re used to keeping a respectable distance while talking to someone. In Turkish culture, things are a little different. Over there, your personal space is rarely seen as a commodity.

In other words, expect to see complete strangers cozying up to you and staring into your eyes. In these situations, don’t back away — that’s considered rude. If you don’t feel like conversing, take a polite step back and excuse yourself.

3. Hanging Bread

From an Islamic perspective, bread is more than food. It represents prosperity, as well as the ability to feed your family.

That’s why many Turks believe that throwing out bread brings bad luck. Instead of doing that, they’ll hang it outside for others to find. As for leftover bread, they’ll sometimes break it up and feed it to the birds.

Also, stepping on a piece of bread is a big no-no. If you see some lying around, pick it up while saying “Bismillah” (in the name of God).

4. Tea Offers

Much like bread, tea is more than a drink in Turkey. Whenever someone offers you tea, they’re offering you their hospitality. As you may imagine, refusing it is considered rude.

How much do Turks love their tea? Well, let’s just say they’re the largest tea-consuming country in the world. The average Turkish citizen consumes more than 3 kg of tea each year.

5. Throwing Water

Quick: what’s the last thing you do before leaving for a trip?

If you’re like us, you’re probably looking for your car keys or passport. Well, Turks have their priorities in check. Over there, every journey begins by throwing a cup of water behind you for good luck.

Though the exact origin of this custom remains unclear, its meaning is obvious. By throwing water behind someone, you’re expressing a desire that their journey goes as smooth as water.

More on Turkish Traditions

As you can see, Turkish traditions are diverse and complex. Given the diversity of heritage in the country, that’s hardly surprising. While you’re in Turkey, make sure to keep an eye on these local customs, as they can enhance your holiday.

Interested in some more holiday weirdness? Take a look at our blog!

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