Türkiye is a unique country where you can step onto two different continents by crossing a single bridge over the Bosphorus Strait! Having lived in Türkiye for two years, I learned a lot about Turkish culture – things that you won’t find in guidebooks or travel blogs. Turkish culture has a lot of unique features one can appreciate.

I also had the chance to teach English as a second language for two years, meeting so many wonderful young people along the way. So here’s what I noticed about the rhythm of everyday life in Türkiye.

This perspective is not a tourist, nor a local. Just a stranger living and learning among Turks!

Where There’s People, There’s Tea

There is this obsession over tea among all generations in Türkiye. Wherever you go, you see some people relaxing and drinking tea. The signature of Turkish tea is that it’s served in a small, tulip-shaped glass placed on a tiny saucer. Baklava or cubed sugar are served as sweet sides alongside the tea. If you go to cafes at midday or mid-afternoon, you will probably see people drinking tea with börek – cheese, potato, or even minced meat wrapped in lavash, which is a local bread.

Seagulls, Ferries, and the Shoreline

The sea is a big part of Turkish culture, and most cities are coastal along the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Sea. The call of seagulls echoes over the shore is another unique feature! If you ask Turkish people what you should do this afternoon or this weekend, they will most likely suggest walking alongside the beach before sunset or a cafe nearby the beach area!

In Istanbul, it’s even common to take a ferry and visit the Princes’ Islands briefly for lunch or even tea! That’s a cool trip where you get to see seagulls chasing the ferry!

City of Cats (and Dogs, Too)

Cats in Turkey, especially in Istanbul, are so lucky! Turks treat them like friends. You’ll see cats and dogs all around the city in peace with humans. What sets them apart is their privilege to live and stay wherever they want. It’s not surprising to spot a cat in a Mango store lying on some clothes! It’s not even surprising to see cats living in malls, stores, cafes, or subway stations!

A Culture Built Around Family

Something I noticed a lot while living in Türkiye — people are really family-oriented. I haven’t been to many other countries, but compared to where I come from, they usually start families at a younger age. And it’s common to have more than one kid, even at an early stage in life.

They also show affection in a way that feels very open. Like at metro stations, you’ll often see couples or friends hugging and kissing on the cheeks as soon as they meet. Even on an escalator — which is, what, a 10-second ride? — they might hold each other tight. And walking hand in hand is something you see all the time.

Weekends are usually for family. You see groups walking together, going out to eat, or just sitting somewhere with tea.

Public Transport and Incredible Buskers

There are several public transportation options, including buses, minibuses, metro, and Marmaray (it’s a fast metro-bus that connects Asia and Europe in Istanbul). Metro is usually crowded, but at the same time it’s neat. People walk in lines, and take escalators standing on the right side; the left side is available for anyone wishing to climb the stairs!

Another thing you can’t miss is buskers! Most metro stations are connected to big malls, and it gets crowded in the evenings! So you will see some incredible buskers, singing, playing, or even dancing! You can’t really ignore their talent, you’ll feel like pausing and admiring their art for a few minutes! People even clap and support them!

Atatürk Everywhere: One Foreigner’s View of a National Icon

Something you often see is “Atatürk”! He was a big name in Turkish history. He was the first president of the Republic of Türkiye and someone people deeply admire. There are quite a few national holidays on the Turkish calendar, and many of them are all about Atatürk! On those days, you’ll see fireworks, celebrations, and huge banners with his face everywhere. These banners are not limited to public spaces. Even “Atatürk lovers” hang his images and the national flag from their balconies!

It’s not surprising to see the younger generation wearing clothes with Atatürk’s face printed on them. A funny memory I can tell is how I would pronounce Atatürk’s name! For me, it was difficult to adopt the correct way of pronouncing “ü,” in which your tongue is forward and your lips are rounded. I would just pronounce it like the usual “u”! My students would always correct me and ask me to say it just like them! And it was always a failure!

Meze, Raki, and the Joy of Turkish Tables

Turks are foodies; they love food and they spend well on food! There are many different kinds of Turkish food—most of them made with red meat— but they also enjoy fish (balık in Turkish)! It’s very common to see people having fish with a Turkish alcoholic drink called Rakı. So most Turks love to have Rakı-balık vibes at the weekend!

It’s also common to see several small plates filled with meze! Meze is not a main course, it’s usually something to have with rakı. For example: smashed potato, herbed yogurt, or mashed eggplant.

Turks are masters of food, and you’ll have fun hanging out with them. They always know the best spots to take you, and surprise you with something new!

Learning the Language, Feeling the Welcome

Turks are so kind and curious! The majority of people don’t speak English, but the younger generations usually do — as long as they don’t feel shy! I lived and learned their language, not a perfect Turkish speaker, but I could almost handle daily conversations and needs! I always remember how helpful they were towards someone struggling to speak their language. They’d often keep the conversation going by asking about your nationality, where you live, and so on.

Unlike in some countries, where people switch to English the moment you try speaking their language, Türkiye is actually a great place to practice.

A Warm Culture, A Beautiful Country

Türkiye is a beautiful country with a warm and welcoming culture. There’s so much that captures your attention when you live and work among its people. It’s definitely different when you live in a country; you’re not a tourist, but you’re not a local either. Things are new, and at the same time, you try to learn their culture, because you know you’re there to stay – at least for a while.

If I were to pick one thing from their culture, it would be the simple yet powerful way of greeting others. I learned that you don’t need to know someone’s name to say, “Hello, have a nice day!” My early days in Türkiye were full of surprises, like when random people would greet me with “İyi günler” (good day) — a gesture that made me feel instantly welcome. The lessons I picked up here will stay with me long after I leave.

Living in a new country means so much to learn and experience. For me, it was a great pleasure to live and learn from the Turks.

Have you ever lived in a country? Share your experiences in the comments below!