Turkish body language
| Raising your chin, moving your eyebrows up
and simultaneously clicking your tongue means "NO."
(Try it. It is fun ! ). This one is one of the most different
gestures of the Turkish body language.Please check the picture
at the right hand side showing this gesture. A sharp downward
nod means yes. |
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- Kissing each other on both cheeks (actually this
is touching the cheeks). This is done to greet each other, and can
be done man to man, wonam to woman or man to woman. Shaking hands
is also used but if you just shake hands this means you are not
very close to that person. When you meet a friend, you generally
kiss on both cheeks. When you se two guys hugging and kissing each
other in both cheeks in Turkey, don't think they are gays
Some very religious people, hovewer, avoid any contact with the
opposite sex.
- In Turkey, you can see guys (who are close friends)
in more physical contact than in the western countries. It is normal
to hold the hand of a friend or walk with your arm over your friend's
shoulder. This does not mean you are gays, this is a sign of close
friendship.
- Shaking your head to sides means "I don't
get it" or "I don't know"
- Nodding your head to the front means "yes".
- Throwing your head slightly to the back while
raising your eyebrows up and clicking your tongue at the same time
means "no".
- Waving your hand up and down to somebody, with
inside of your palm looking down means "come here"
- Place your thumb between your index finger and middle finger,
then close your fist. If you show your fist like this to someone
from Turkey, this is offensive It is almost the same as showing
the middle finger.
Hand kissing is also a very important and traditional
gesture in Turkish culture. It is a way of greeting a person significantly
older or than you. In religious holidays, for instance, children kiss
the hands of their grandparents. It is also a tradition to give children
kissing your hands some money on these special days. The action can
be described as follows:
- The grandparent (or let's say the older person) puts his hand
slightly forward, with the palm facing down. The child (if necessary,
bends a little and) kisses the hand offered.
In Turkish culture, while you are together with the older family
members, putting one leg over the other when sitting is regarded
as manner that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous. Depending
on how traditional the family is, this might be a life saving hint
for those who are planning to visit a Turkish friend's family especially
if they want to impress them.
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