What are some cultural differences between Turkey and the Middle East?

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Leprechaun

Istanbul bogazi just mentioned an important difference, the location. Not only todays locations but also where Turks are originally from is middle asia. They still have the signs of that culture.

Although they are both muslims,they have differences in the beliefs. As an example, middle easterns don't place gravestones for their dead but Turks do. That is coming from middle asia culture,in which to carve gravestones is an art itself.

If you look through the history, you will see another big difference,that Turks always established strong states but middle easterns couldn't.That is why even today they can't unite and let Turks,English,French, Americans rule them.But Turks will give their lives for freedom as we have seen about 80 years ago.

Also,Turks always been in cultural relations with Europeans and that effected their culture unlike middle easterns whom are more closed.

@Pinky, a major difference between Lebanese and Turkish: Turkish would never allow an Israel army to invade the country and kill hundreds of civilians. And then beg them to push their forces back.Turks would stand up and fight instead of hiding in dark holes. You see the real difference now?

@Pinky; sure i get it. I even hear the voices in your head,like:

Pinky voice: Hmm he is right,but i don't like it,how should i bite him back?
Pinky voice2: Oh yeah, i heard about something about armenians i can tell that.

But it is not unexpected for you not to see that it is a political game.That's why some stupid people try to use that against Turks although there's sole proof that it never happened.

You go and party hon, leave serious subjects to people who can think with their own brains.

I will say no more.People like you don't worth it anyways.

istanbul bogazi in the Queendom

Good morning,
This is going to be from my point of view:
Turkish people are not originally from middle east and now where we are we feel Mediterranean or European or some people will say "I don't know i just feel Turkish".
Turkish people lived in the matriarchal system in the past.
You can still see in Anatolia there is the oldest woman of the family who protects, gives advice and highly respected in the family.
Turkish women and men lived equal lives they went to wars together, they decided together what to do when they were living a nomad life.
Turkey had philosophers,poets like Yunus Emre, Mevlana who gave importance to tolerance and said" whoeever you are come" so cultural differences don't matter you are accepted as you are.
The given above facts are very important things that make difference.
Turkish people love dancing together even in the past you will see a lot of Turkish folkloric dances hand in hand shoulder to shoulder men and women together.
Another thing we don't have very firm rules (in fact Turkish people don't really like rules) we are cool.
Even some who will claim himself to be religious will drink raki every now and then with his friends. Needless to say we love drinking, socializing...
I lived in some Western European countries and have a lot of friends from nearly everywhere.
I felt myself closer to west although there are some differences. But unfortunately i found Middle Easterns very different from my own culture.(They are firm, not open) Their regard to religion does not match with how we think of religion. Most of the Turkish people claim to have X,Y,Z religion but most of them are only on paper. Again needless to says there are every kinds of beliefs in Turkey from Buddhism to Deism, Jewish,Muslim,Christian,Atheist etc etc etc etc....
We are cool, tolerant and open.
And the most important Turkey had a person like Ataturk who was followed by whole nation who made a lot of things for Turkish people's development.
Well , that's i repeat my point of view.
Your question is a very good one and i am aware that talking in a little box will not be enough but these are the first things that came to my mind.

The Babe is Armed!

The comparison is impossible.

Turkey is a single country. The Middle East as we call it, is an arbitrary geographical term lumping together various states with superficial similiarities.

ISRAEL IS IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

LEBANON AND IRAQ ARE NOTHING ALIKE.

It's like comparing Lithuania and Africa, or Australia and ball bearings, or Mao Zedong and Hannah Montana

Matt

what was the question again?... sorry I was distracted by that photo...

No but seriously, I live in Turkey, and have been to Dubai... but I still don't know any in-depth differences. From my little experience I can see that Turkey is more laid back, secular and open to other religions, cultures, etc. Some Arabic places seem to be more strict with the whole Islam thing.

I've been to Greece also... so I wouldn't say Turkey is like Greece, but it's probably more like Greece than it is like Arab countries.

I hope that helps

Bored

Dear Greek Barbie,

It appears that you have asked a very serious and genuine question yet the responses you have received to date by and large are deficient in intelligence and goes no where near answering your legitimate question.

There are far more similarities between Semites (Arabic people) and Turks then there are differences. The reason for this because of the cultures mixing for well over 700 years. As with Greeks and Turks there are far more similarities then there are differences. What we should concentrate on are the similarities rather then the differences. The main differences in cultural terms would relate to geographic location, traditions and customs. The question you ask is far too general for me to do it any justice in the space of a few words, lines or sentences.

Culture and cultural elements in human society is a very large area of discourse and people actually spend years and years studying the same at University level hence Sociology degrees.

I really hope I have gone a little way in giving you a straightforward answer which helps somehow.

PRINCE STEFOUN III

I think they are as close as Sweden and Greece( or Irlande and Armenia, or Portugal and Russia,etc )may be close one to other.
The confusion is probably due to the religion ( christianity), and because a same religion always brings some similar caracteristics to various countries : cultures sometimes may look the same, but they are very different.

hanibal

There are thousands of differences.

Why don't you ask similarities between... for a short and clear answer.

Mr. Bugsme

Turkey was premised on the secular society created by Attaturk; most Middle Eastern countries have islamic theocracies. That's a big difference. Of course, the muslim hoarde is trying to change that.

Steve C

The Ottoman Empire ruled over Arabia, and the various countries of the Middle east have little respect for Turkey. Saudi Arabia won its independence from Turkey. The Ottomans did try and rule other religions and culture with some moderation, despite some serious shortcomings on that issue. I think the people are much freer and nicer than Arabia, but the new Islamic Government needs to be watched carefully.

Slick Rick

Yeah, Mrs Jones is absolutely correct. they Burp loudly after eating as well. and of course most middle eastern countries are run by complete fanatical nutters.

Ã§etin

Hi Barbie,
I recommend to you this e-free book
Author:J.McCarthy-Who are the Turcs
http://www.divshare.com/download/1953207-81b
here are some other Anatolian culture examples...
http://www.kultur.gov.tr/en
http://www.hitit.co.uk
http://www.cappadociaonline.com/

http://www.peramuzesi.org.tr/index_en.html
http://www.istanbulmodern.org/en/f_index.html
http://www.istanbuloyuncakmuzesi.com/eng/default.asp
http://www.videosofturkey.com/category.asp?id=2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Z2bVuEYUY
http://vdo.mynet.com/video/1013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5ETNGMphYM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YAvfxA6a94
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUgLbfwMCFw
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BeIOAnRe87k
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AVcoDnlekIE

Wellcome to TÃœRKÄ°YE...

Totally Blunt

Middle East can be meddled with by the Powers easily. For Turkey they need to apply subtler methods.

Trotsky vs Kerensky- ÐÐµÐºIÐ¾!

I don't know what are some cultural differences between Turkey and Iceland?

edit: I congratulate Leprechaun for spotting the most important difference between Turks and Middle Easterners. Turks were never submissive like the Middle Easterners are. It is a joke that an Arab from Lebanon criticizes Turks for being pro-European, it has always been the Middle Easterners throughout who just looooove to please their "white" masters.

Also it is so true that they talk and laugh loudly. I was very much disturbed during a flight with Middle Easterners. I could hear the woman sitting 6 rows behind me.

"Plus" evidently the Lebanese army was very successful against Isreal. I offer my compliments lol I'm sure middle easterner suicide bombers would be vexed at your comment about civilians.

\

just add : middle easterns eat food with their fingers, they dont use fork spoon, also agreed with hanibal

Michael D

I know that they are both Muslims and they used to live in same Empire during several centuries, but I think that they are very different.
Maybe it's like comparing Japanese people and Chinese people. We sometimes may think they are similar, but actually that is just a physical look similarity.

HolyWars

The main difference between us and the other Middle East countries is; Turkiye is a ''nation state'' but the others dont have a National identity...

see, the word ''Arabian Countries'' means ''Saudi Arabia, Iran, Irak, Amman, Dubai, Syria, Egypt, and some other little countries...) and they dont have a National identity...

I love Snoop Dogg <3

do your own HOMEWORK

genÃ§ tÃ¼rk

Hmmm. There are many differences which will distance turkey very much from arabic countries... Turks are smart and hardworking people, disciplined and collectivist, courageous and ready for changes. They don't speak loudly or laugh loudly at stupid jokes in public, are not ego centric. They have a real culture, cuisine, lifestyle. They are tolerant for differences. They don't have oil. Their lands are fertile, there are no deserts in turkey. Lots of history and sights to see. There is more but I don't have the time.

EDIT: Turks were the masters while middle easterns were the mere subjects of an empire. Lebanese and egyptians are my favorite arabs and are excluded from some of the commentary above.

EDIT2: Try to stay away from kurdish construction workers during your stay.

Rampage

Turkey and the Middle East are beautiful locations..!! The only place that sucks is Armenia..!!

Little Foot

Turkey contains a chemical called tryptophan which makes you sleepy. It also taste really good with stuffing and is usually served with gravy during thanksgiving.

The Middle East eats camels during this holiday.

TeCh N9ne

i agree with pinky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHE3LMAN

Turkey is a food the Middle East is a country
Turkey gets fried once a year the Middle East gets fried daily
Turkey gobbles the Middle East blabs

The rest you have to get yourself

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