Culture Smart Turkey

Visitors leaving the poolside and stepping outside the hotel, independent travellers and people planning to work in Turkey will find this an invaluable guide.

Turkish people are polite and friendly. They are happy to greet visitors and never show any displeasure when their cultural etiquette is ignored. Conversely, a new warmth enters the relationship when an understanding of their values is displayed. This is where this guide is a real bonus. Written in a matter-of-fact style it covers virtually all aspects of Turkish life, religion, customs, traditions, leisure, social, hospitality etc.

It occasionally illustrates with examples like the problems of asking a meaningful question. Turks are so willing to please they will give you the answer you want to hear. ‘Will the bus leave very soon?’ will bring an answer of yes. It is much better to ask what time the bus leaves. However, it falls short on both examples and anecdotes which robs the book of colour.

I remember fairly recently a visit to a Turkish village. A wagon rolled through full of live sheep and stopped outside the butchers. The butcher selected his animal and promptly cut its throat at the roadside leaving it there to drain the blood away. Nobody turned a hair but this is the sort of cultural shock in store. Life in the countryside is much more traditional than in the towns which the book fails to stress A woman could get away with wearing shorts in Istanbul but certainly not in a country village.

These criticisms apart, I heartily recommend this compact guide which should be in the pocket off every visitor to Turkey.

Culture Smart Turkey by Charlotte McPherson published by Kuperard 2005  ISBN 1 85733 3268. Available from their web site or from Amazon

Culture Smart Greece

Greece has long been a magnet for those in search of sun, sand and sea but how many actually get to know the real Greece! There is nothing more satisfying to the traveller and curious tourist than reaching below the surface, usually transient, bonhomie of a different culture.

Wandering outside the boundaries of organised tourism can prove a richly rewarding experience. This can be particularly true in Greece, especially, and is where this little book really comes into it’s own. Even those who don’t wander far from the familiar will gain a deeper insight into the Greek people armed with this book. It’s an easy read but the comments and observations are spot on.

I particularly appreciated points being reinforced with illustrations and anecdotal comments to clarify a particular scenario. The book, though compact, contains an amazing spectrum of information. A readable potted historical and political intro paves the way through customs and traditions to language and communication. Reading this book will lead readers to a greater understanding of the Greek psyche but, as Greek friends say to us, you have to be a Greek to really understand them!

Fortunately, the London/Greek author has put together an excellent little gem of a book which is an accessible read for everyone. It’s an illuminating insight into the Greek culture and might well shock those who view the Greeks and their culture through rose-tinted glasses. Grecophiles will love reading through this and recognising all the traits of a familiar, gregarious people whilst newcomers to Greek culture will learn how to get the most out of a visit to Greece. Absolutely brilliant!

Culture Smart Greece by Constantine Buhayer ISBN 1 85733 369 1 Published by Kuperard and available from their web site or from Amazon