Turkish Greetings & Gestures
In Turkey, men greet one another by shaking hands and maintaining eye contact. A firm handshake is proper. Hugs and gentle pats on the back are common gestures between close friends and family. Other men may kiss both cheeks. Men may also greet one another by touching their temples, as in a political party greeting. While women may greet each other with gentle handshakes on first meetings, close friends frequently kiss each other's cheeks while lightly hugging.
The best advice for a man greeting a lady is to follow the other's lead. Shake their hand if they extend it. If they offer you their cheek, kiss both of them. If you cannot extend your hand, simply nod or say "Merhaba" (hello) respectfully. A person's faith may prohibit them from touching someone of the opposite sex. Many everyday and special occasion terms are used. "Kolay gelsin," which means "May it be easy for you," is a unique Turkish phrase with no English equivalent. This is an excellent way to recognize the efforts of another person, even a stranger on the street who is working on a project.
When you enter a shop, cafe, or any other establishment, you may hear "Hos Geldiniz," which means "welcome." "Geçmiş Olsun" is a genuine "Get well soon" wish for someone who is ill. In Turkey, a backward tilt of the head, frequently accompanied by raised eyebrows or simply raising the eyebrows alone, denotes "no," whereas in most other countries, a nod denotes "yes." Placing one's hand on the heart or towards the chest region is a common gesture in Turkey. This gesture is used to express gratitude as well as to express greetings. In a Turkish restaurant, customers will ask for the bill by combining their index and thumb and making a "writing on the air" gesture with their fingers.
