The everyday manners that make visits go smoothly — from greeting and eating to gestures, bargaining and the respect expected for national symbols.
Last reviewed on 27 September 2026.
Turkish social life runs on hospitality, respect for elders and a large stock of set phrases for everyday situations. Visitors are rarely expected to know all of it, and mistakes are usually forgiven with good humour, but a little knowledge is noticed and appreciated. Norms vary: Istanbul's professional classes and the Aegean coast are more relaxed than conservative towns in central and eastern Anatolia, and religious observance ranges from none to strict. When in doubt, follow what people around you are doing.
Turkish has a formula for most situations, and using one is an easy way to show goodwill.
| Phrase | When |
|---|---|
| Afiyet olsun | "Enjoy your meal" — said to someone eating |
| Elinize sağlık | "Health to your hands" — thanks to whoever cooked or served |
| Kolay gelsin | "May it come easy" — to someone working, including shopkeepers |
| Geçmiş olsun | "May it pass" — to someone ill or who has had bad luck |
| Başınız sağ olsun | Condolences after a death |
| Çok yaşa | "Long life" — after a sneeze; the reply is sen de gör |
| Hayırlı olsun | Good wishes on a new home, car, job or purchase |
| Kusura bakmayın | "Please excuse me" — an all-purpose apology |
Hospitality (misafirperverlik) is a point of pride, and the guest is treated as a gift. Invitations to someone's home are sincere and are a good opportunity to see everyday life.
Meals are social and unhurried. Wait to be seated by the host, and let the eldest start. Bread is treated with respect — it is not thrown away casually, dropped bread is picked up and sometimes kissed, and leftover bread is often hung in a bag or put somewhere high rather than in the rubbish.
In restaurants, one person usually pays for the table and splitting the bill item by item is uncommon among Turks, though increasingly accepted among young people and in cities. Expect a friendly struggle over the bill; if you have been hosted, return the favour another time. Blowing your nose loudly at the table is considered rude; excuse yourself. For tipping, see money and costs, and for the dishes themselves, Turkish cuisine.
You will be offered tea — in shops, offices, homes and even while waiting at a garage. Accepting is polite and does not oblige you to buy anything. To refuse more, lay the teaspoon across the top of the glass or say "yeter, teşekkürler". Tea is drunk without milk, from small tulip glasses; see tea and coffee.
Raising the eyebrows or tilting the head back, often with a click of the tongue ("tsk"), means no. It is not rude, just brief.
Shaking the head from side to side usually means "I don't understand" or "what?", not "no".
A hand on the chest signals thanks, sincerity or a polite refusal.
"Come here" is a downward scooping motion of the hand, palm down.
Avoid the fig gesture (a thumb pushed between two fingers), which is obscene, and be careful with the "OK" ring sign, which can be read as offensive in some contexts. Do not point the soles of your feet at people or put feet on furniture, and pointing directly at someone is rude.
In Istanbul, İzmir, Antalya and the resorts, dress is much as in southern Europe. Beachwear stays on the beach; walking around town in swimwear or shirtless is frowned upon, and topless sunbathing is not accepted. In conservative towns, and anywhere in the interior and east, both men and women blend in better with long trousers or skirts and covered shoulders. For mosques, cover shoulders and knees, women cover their hair, and shoes come off; see religion in Türkiye for full mosque etiquette.
Holding hands is fine in cities; more intimate displays of affection in public draw disapproval, especially outside tourist areas. On intercity buses, companies generally avoid seating unrelated men and women next to each other, and people on public transport may shift seats for the same reason. Some traditional tea houses (kahvehane) are, in practice, male spaces, while many restaurants have a "family" section (aile salonu) for women and families. Women travellers generally find people protective and helpful; a firm response usually ends any unwanted attention.
Bargaining is normal in bazaars, souvenir shops, carpet and leather shops, and when hiring a boat or car privately. It is not done in supermarkets, chain stores, pharmacies, restaurants or anywhere with printed prices. Keep it good-natured, make offers only if you intend to buy, and walk away politely if you cannot agree. Market stallholders selling produce by the kilo usually have fixed prices. For carpets specifically, see carpets and kilims.
Respect for Atatürk and the flag is deeply felt and backed by law. Insulting Atatürk's memory is a criminal offence under a 1951 law, and the Turkish Penal Code also criminalises insulting the Turkish nation, state institutions, the flag and the president. Do not deface or treat carelessly images of Atatürk, banknotes, flags or the national anthem, and avoid jokes on these subjects.
If the national anthem (İstiklal Marşı) is played, stand still. Every 10 November at 09:05, the moment of Atatürk's death in 1938, sirens sound and the country falls silent for a minute; traffic stops and pedestrians stand still. Visitors are expected to do the same. At Anıtkabir, his mausoleum in Ankara, behave as at a memorial.
Some political and historical subjects — the Kurdish question, the events of 1915, Cyprus, current politics — are sensitive. Listening is safer than offering opinions, particularly with people you have just met.
During the two religious holidays, Ramazan Bayramı and Kurban Bayramı, families visit their elders first, then relatives, neighbours and friends. Younger people kiss the hands of elders, and children receive sweets and sometimes small amounts of money. Hosts keep sweets, kolonya and tea or coffee ready for a stream of visitors. If you are invited during bayram, bring sweets and expect a short, friendly visit rather than a long meal; saying "bayramınız kutlu olsun" (happy bayram) is appreciated. Dates are in holidays and festivals.
Yes. Shoes are taken off at the door of Turkish homes, and hosts often provide guest slippers. You also remove shoes before entering the carpeted area of a mosque.
Sweets from a good pastry shop, such as baklava, lokum or chocolates, are the classic gift. Flowers or something from your own country are also welcome. Avoid alcohol unless you know the household drinks.
Tilting the head back or raising the eyebrows, often with a click of the tongue (tsk), means no. Shaking the head from side to side usually means I don't understand rather than no.
Bargaining is normal in bazaars, souvenir, carpet and leather shops, but not in supermarkets, chain stores, pharmacies, restaurants or anywhere with fixed printed prices. Keep it friendly and only make offers you intend to honour.
At 09:05 on 10 November, the moment of Atatürk's death in 1938, sirens sound across the country and people stop for a minute's silence. Traffic halts and pedestrians stand still, and visitors are expected to do the same.
In Istanbul and the coastal resorts, ordinary summer clothing is fine, but beachwear belongs on the beach. In conservative towns and the interior, long trousers or skirts and covered shoulders fit in better. For mosques, cover shoulders and knees, and women should cover their hair.