Turkey business culture Turkish business culture


Doing business in Turkey

Turkish Language
The official business language in Turkey is Turkish, but occasionally in the tourism business some businessmen are spoken also English and German, as well as other languages such as French, Arab, Russian, and Italian. It is possible hire local interpreter in business services companies, as well as many notaries throughout Turkey.

Turkish Holidays and business
It is Important to respect the local customs.
In spite the fact that Friday is a holy day, it still  a business day.
Turkey is a democratic state, when religion and state are separated from itch other.

Of course it's not likely and most of time it's  impossible to expect to make  business on the Turkish holidays.

Some of the Turkish start their holidays at noon, day before the holiday begin.
In Turkey celebrate the secular holidays as well as the they religious.

The 10 in November is a secular holiday that marks the death of "Mustafa Kamal Ataturk" the founder of the new Turkey republic.

The Moslems holidays schedules are change each year, since they are compatible to the moon cycle.

The Turkish Ramzan Month (Ramadan in other Moslem countries), is holy month. Here also the believers are fast from the sunrise until sunset. Eating, drinking and even smoking next to people that mark the Ramzan, are intend as rude and impolite behavior.

"Sheker bayram " is festival of 3 days in the end " ramazan irritability ".
"Kurban bayram " is holiday of the victim, that marks Halto to the focus of Yitzhak, by Abraham. This is the religious secular most important holiday of this year. The holiday is continuous 4 days, but banks and many business are closed  all week.

Bank business activity hours are 09:00 until 12:00 and from the 14:00 until 17:00. From Monday to Friday.

Business relations
As a rule fostering of personal relations constitutes a strong base to tightening of business relations in the local Turkish business culture.

Like in other parts in the world, in Turkey it's also customary to exchange  business cards in business meeting.

It's recommended to show high appreciation and respect to the Turkish culture and the local customs.

Business dressed
The Turkish business dressed is known as conservative, with dark men's suit  and women suit and heels. Even so, since is very hot in Turkey in the summer. Some time it's quite normal to manage with out them.  Women can definitely wear dressed more comfortable, however it's recommended not to be to much  disclosing, even in high temperature, it's advisable to avoid from décolletage    as well as from short dresses.

In spite of this some times the business dressed code are different and more  liberated in the Turkish vacations cities such as, Marmaris, Bodrum, Antalya and more, comparing to the central cities of Turkey such as, Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.

In order to participate the new year the Christian and the Turkish official holiday balls ( 29 in October ), is must to wear an official dresse . Men need dark men's suit or Tuxedo, women wear long dresses.

Also in case of unofficial dressed it's recommended that will be not to much  disclosing. Short pants are acceptable only in the touristy areas. Pairs of jeans are acceptable both to the men and women, but the have to be in good condition.

First name or degree,
The most easy and honorable way to turn to ask a Turkish professional is by appeal by his\her professional degree. Just say " Dr. " ( doktor ) or " lawyer " ( Avokat ). If the professional is a woman, simply added the word bayan. For example doktor bayan.

When your Turkish colleague is without degree, then the situation are more complex. In this case you have to say firstly the first name and after the family name.

The usually traditional referral is by mark of the first name, after it " bey” to the man or " hanim” to the woman. Use the this form with adults, unless told you differently.

Most of the Turks that will do with you business are using the modern referral form . The modern way is to say the family and after "bey" to a man, or bayan to a woman.

The Turks will very appreciated every attempt to talk there language.

Business hospitality
To the most Turkish business hospitality will occur in restaurants. The Turkish kitchen are well reputed as one of the best in the world. It's quite possibly that your local Turkish host will order you to the restaurant, take care to entertainment and even will insist to pay for all the meal. It's recommended that you will not insist to pay for the meal, or even for your part in the meal.

Only when you will send order to the meal, is more likely that you can pay for it. And even then it possibly that you will need to oppose the desire of your Turkish colleague that are planning to pay for the meal.

The Turks in most cases do not order all the meal immediately, instead of this they order a part of the meal and decide after every part, what there will be the next meal part.

In general the Turks are smoke between the meal portions.

A toothpick are usually served in the end of the meal. You can use the toothpick next to the table, but tried to cover your mouth with your hand.

The national Turkish beverage in is tea. The Turkish tea is served in the little traditional glasses. An tea essence are poured to the glass and then add the warmish water, in order to dilute the essence. It's possible to add a sugar to the tea, but not a milk. As a result of their little size of the glasses, most likely that you will drink a lot of glasses during the meeting. In Turkey there is also many tea gardens that the Turks are usually sit in them

The Turkish coffee is very strong and basically served in the end of the meal.  In general the coffee is cooked, when the sugar add at the time of cooking of the coffee. In general do not add a milk to the coffee, but milk are usually  served with instant coffee, or with the European coffee, or the American coffee that are usually are less intensive.

Giving of presents, guidelines
If your local Turks host is a hosts you only in the public places such as restaurants, you don't have to give presents.

Acceptable presents for business, is quality pens and office accessories, and or a high quality your branded business logo.

If you are invited to a Turkish house, even if is a business colleague or just acquaintance, then a chocolate, or flowers are acceptable things.

If you invited a long stay, say more than a meal, is recommended to give an additional presents. For example, books or music from your country.

It's recommended not to give a wine as a business present, however a quality bourbon, or liqueur, will be accepted as valuable present.

Make sure to bring presents for each one of the house family children such as sweets or little toys.

Lodging
In all Turkey central cities, you can find international hotels such as, Hilton, Sheraton, Hayat, Holidayin not, Conrad, Swiss, as well as many other small hotels, 1- 3 stars hotels, apart hotels, and more.

Health
In all Turkey central cities. you can find varied wide of health care services, such as governmental hospitals, private hospitals and clinics. The treatment level and the service in the private sector are defined between good to very good. There are on duty pharmacies that OPEN 24 hours. It's advisable as well as recommended to the Turkey tourists to acquire a medical insurance.

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