What Not To Do In Turkey

1. Don’t order filter coffee in local cafes

Instead, drink Turkish coffee and get your fortunes read. Turkish coffee is brewed using finely ground coffee beans and made to boil with sugar and water in a special pot called “cezve”. The coffee is traditionally served in a small porcelain cup which turned upside down and cooled after you have finished drinking. The patterns formed by the sediments of the coffee grounds are then used to read the drinker’s fortunes. Skip the filter coffees and head to one of the cafes that tells your fortunes for your dose of caffeine.

2. Don't enter a mosque dressed scantily

Turkish women dress very modestly in public following the tesettür style that includes a headscarf and a topcoat that covers arms and legs completely. In mosques, clean, modest clothing that doesn’t show thighs, shoulders and upper arms are appreciated. Sleeveless shirts and shorts are not recommended for both men and women. Heed all instructions carefully and don’t forget to remove your footwear before you enter any mosque in the country.

3. Don’t go to an expensive spa

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Instead, head to a Turkish hammam and create memorable experiences. Hammams are public baths associated with the culture of the Ottoman empire. The bathing process in a hammam starts with relaxing in a room heated with a continuous flow of hot, dry air. The bathers are then moved to a hotter room before washing themselves in cold water. The full body wash and the massaging that you experience from the steam-filled ambience in a hammam is incomparable and should not be missed out while travelling through the country.

4. Don't ride a taxi without a logo

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A taxi ride in Turkey can be a real hassle if you don’t take the right taxis and it is quite common for a lot of foreigners to get scammed by the taxi drivers. Taxis that are members of a taxi stand usually carry a logo on the door and are generally safer and reliable. Some of the problems that you can run into if you ride a taxi without a logo include dodgy meters that can be tinkered by the drivers, craftily switching the currencies that you paid, drivers taking longer, roundabout routes and refusals to run the meter. These bad experiences are not worthwhile and it is always advisable to ride one of the licensed taxis that carry a logo.

5. Don’t shop at malls

Turkey is home to some incredible local bazaars and covered markets. These stores sell gorgeous handicrafts and traditional items of accessories and clothing that are exclusive and cannot be purchased in any of the outlets in malls. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is well renowned and includes 61 covered streets with over 4000 shops. The bazaar also has restaurants that allow you to have lunch and take a break from shopping. From elegant Turkish carpets to Meerschaum smoking pipes, you can find a range of exotic items in the beautiful and fascinating bazaars that provide better shopping options compared to the modern malls in the city.

6. Don't expect drivers to abide by traffic rules

Having a great experience while riding one of the many yellow taxis in Turkey is not common. More often than not, the taxi drivers drive around the city at speeds that are not lawfully permissible. Whether you are crossing the street or driving a rental car, make sure you pay extra attention to the yellow cabs in the city and save yourself from any extra hassles.

7. Don’t wear your headphones

Turkish music has its own, unique style with influences from Asian folk, Arabian, Balkan, Greek, Ottoman and Persian music and varies from region to region. From the folk tunes of Anatolia to the latest techno-pop, the vibrant music scene brings the cities of Turkey to life with its regional musical styles. Save your headphones and treat your ears to the Ottoman classic compositions and the upbeat rhythms of belly dancing to explore the cultural richness of the country.

8. Don't show off your wealth

Apart from the neighbourhoods inhabited by rich people, it is better to stay low key when it comes to flaunting your jewellery and wealth. Showing off your wealth can make you stand out in orthodox regions and rural areas. You will be seen as an easy target for scams and it makes it extra difficult to haggle away the exorbitantly quoted prices in bazaars and markets.

9. Don’t miss the ceremonies

Turkey is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world that form the perfect setting for a romantic destination wedding. Some of the weddings happen in luxurious hotels with a set that is fit for the Sultan and should not be missed if you get an invite. Turkey also hosts dancing ceremonies called Semas that features whirling dancers called Mevleviye. The spectacular ceremony involves vocal and instrumental compositions, performances by well-trained dancers, and salutes and prayers to the prophet.

10. Don't walk in front of a praying person

Religious tradition holds that the prayers of a devotee are disrupted when someone passes between the person and the prostration place. In many mosques, a separate area is mounted with railings to minimize such distractions of worshippers. However, you should be extra cautious about where you walk when you visit any of the mosques in Turkey.

Better safe than sorry

Turkey is an enchanting country with ancient ruins, stunning monuments, surreal palaces and idyllic beaches. To have a hassle-free trip and enjoy the best of all that the country has to offer, make sure you stick to the above list of what not to do in Turkey and escape all the “wish they never happened” moments.