Myths about Turks

Having spent a couple of months in Turkey, I want to say that I am really glad to have come here, and not to some European country. Why? Because we – Lithuanians, Europeans – have countless stereotypes about Turkey and its people, have heard many bad stories, traditions that we do not understand, and many, many things that are unclear. So, living here, I can see everything with my own eyes, hear everything, and finally understand how everything is happening in that country that is still completely unknown to us.

Blonde hair no longer surprises Turks

When I was going to Turkey, all my relatives were afraid that I would not return with a Turk and that I would not return at all, because we have many stereotypes about them in Lithuania, having heard many bad stories about how they do not respect their wives, children, etc. However, now, after living here for several months, getting to know their culture and way of life, I can say that these are just misconceptions.

Before Erasmus, I really thought about dyeing my hair dark, because Turks can sell five camels for a blonde. But it's a good thing I didn't. To be honest, Turks aren't interested in me at all, I don't know whether to be happy or not, but they really don't care what you look like or where you're from. Why? Because the locals here are the same as Europeans, only a few wear a headscarf and dress in completely closed clothes. So we don't surprise anyone here with our blonde hair... I think this stereotype arose because in resort towns, merchants try so hard to attract buyers by praising their appearance and showing off their beauty.

And how do you justify all those stories about kidnapped wives or children taken away? Very simple. How many fingers are there on a hand? Five, are they the same? No, they are all different, but they belong to the same hand. It's the same with people, just because one or a few did it, it certainly doesn't mean that all the remaining 74 million people are the same.

Very very hospitable and warm people

Only upon arrival did we feel the hospitality of the locals. Strangers can pay for a train ticket if they see the panic and confusion in your eyes, which was definitely there in the first few days when I didn't understand anything. They can prepare a traditional breakfast or a sumptuous dinner, even though you're seeing them for the first time in your life - of course, these are the parents of our Turkish friends. Neighbors will offer to use their internet so that you don't have to pay for theirs, and they will also give you unnecessary dishes or even a section so that we don't have to buy anything and don't lack anything. They will take you home, even though they are completely out of the way. They will buy water, coffee or tea, because as they say, it's just water here. These people really have that innate desire to help others, without any evil intentions, just out of basic friendliness. In the first few days it was really hard to believe, but now it's just a normal phenomenon.

A woman is above everything for them

What do we know about Muslims? They can have several wives, they pray a lot, they tell women to wear a veil, not to communicate with other men, to be like a servant, they cannot do normal work, a woman can be used by the entire male family and so on. No, it is not like that. Turks cannot have more than one wife, because it is forbidden in their religion. Yes, some Turks pray five times a day, but there are really not many of such people, similar to how many of us go to church every Sunday. Yes, there are women who are very religious and wear a veil so that there are no temptations for other men, but men also dress in closed clothes so that there are no temptations for women, although there are really few such people, really. A servant? Can't work? Exploited? No, if a woman doesn't work and is a housewife, it is only because she wants to. A man earns enough, so why not stay home with the children and just devote his time to the offspring? Women are really happy to have such a life. There is no question of exploitation itself, because Turks, as I mentioned, can only have one wife, because for men, women are higher than God and they believe that the basis of everything is a woman.

Doesn't preserve impressive cultural heritage, but will do anything for the president

The Turks can be proud of their past, they have a lot of preserved impressive historical buildings and cities, but the current government is not interested in this at all. Local people take care of all the historical heritage, and we can see as much as they put in the effort, money and desire. Even in the capital, we have the opportunity to see the ruins of a once impressive castle, where very poor people live. I was very surprised by the visit to the newly built old town. Does it sound strange? This is Turkey. If they were protecting what they have now, then they wouldn't have to build new old buildings.

Such a lack of preservation of historical heritage creates the opinion that Turks are not at all interested in their past. However, this is not the case. When it comes to the country's first president, Atatürk, the opinion really changes. Since a huge mausoleum was built in his honor, a huge museum was installed, the entire territory is guarded by soldiers - those who cannot move and change every couple of hours and who have dedicated their entire lives to protecting the president's tomb. Every day, about four hundred different people bring flowers to his tomb, simply paying their respects in this way. There is not a single person in Turkey who would say a bad word about Atatürk, and everyone pays respect when passing by the president's statue. It is very impressive and commendable that after so many years, they so respect the leader of their country, who won them freedom. We still have to learn that.

AUTHOR: Žydrūnė Rukuižaitė