Turkish Etiquette: Greetings, Tea, Mosques and Bargaining

Turkish etiquette comes down to warmth and respect: greet people, accept the tea, take your shoes off in homes and dress modestly in mosques. Turks are generous hosts and forgive visitors’ mistakes, so people notice a little effort and return it. These are the customs you will meet most often on a trip.

What are the basics of Turkish etiquette?

The basics of Turkish etiquette are a greeting, a thank-you and patience. Say merhaba when you enter a shop and teşekkür ederim when you leave. Also, take time over a conversation instead of rushing to the point. Then people treat you as a guest rather than a customer. Our list of useful Turkish phrases helps with the words.

How do people greet each other in Turkey?

A handshake is the usual greeting between strangers. Friends and family often kiss on both cheeks. Young people, for example, may kiss an older relative’s hand and touch it to their forehead as a sign of respect. When you address people, add bey after a man’s first name and hanım after a woman’s. So you say Ahmet Bey or Ayşe Hanım.

What should you know about tea and hospitality?

Tea is the language of hospitality in Turkey. A shopkeeper, a carpet seller or a host will often offer you a small glass of çay. Accepting it is polite, even if you do not buy anything. This tea grows on the eastern Black Sea coast, around the tea gardens of Rize, and in Rize town the Çay Çarşısı market sells it from 28 shops. In a home, guests take their shoes off at the door, and hosts may offer slippers. When someone invites you for a meal, a small gift such as sweets or flowers is a kind gesture.

Is Turkish etiquette different in mosques?

Yes. In a mosque, Turkish etiquette asks for modest dress and quiet. Cover your shoulders and knees, women also cover their hair, and shoes come off at the entrance. Mosques close to visitors during the five daily prayers, and Friday noon is the main weekly prayer. Read our guide to mosque etiquette in Istanbul and what to wear in Turkey.

How do bargaining and tipping work?

In the bazaars, a price is an opening offer, and polite bargaining is part of the fun. In modern shops and supermarkets, however, the price on the label is final. Tipping is welcome but not rigid. In restaurants, leave a tip for good service if you wish, and round up a taxi fare; our tipping guide has the details, and our guide to money in Turkey covers the rest.

What is Turkish etiquette during Ramadan?

During Ramadan, many people fast from dawn to sunset. Still, restaurants and cafés stay open, and visitors eat and drink as usual. Be a little discreet near people who are fasting. Then enjoy the evenings, when families break the fast together and the squares around the great mosques fill with life. For the dates and the iftar traditions, read our guide to Ramadan in Turkey.

The Presidency of Religious Affairs publishes daily prayer times for every city, which helps you time mosque visits.

Would you like a guide who helps you feel at home from the first glass of tea? The tea, the greetings and the shoes at the mosque door come easily with a guide; send us your dates and interests. Start with our guides or a tailor-made trip. For a guided day in the mosques, see our Islamic Heritage of Istanbul tour.