Although Turks are very tolerant and friendly; expressions and attitudes insulting the Turkish flag, the republic and Turkish traditions are considered offensive.

The Armenian Genocide and Kurdish separatism are extremely sensitive topics and are best avoided. Major parts of the society have an emtional approach and Kurdish and Armenian friends might be seen with friction.

Turkey is a mostly Muslim country, though secular, and although you will see varying degrees of Islamic practice in Turkey, with most Turks subscribing to a liberal form of Islam, it is rude to insult or mock some of its traditions, and ensure that you do not speak badly of the Islamic religion. In regard to the Call to Prayer, which is read 5 times a day from the speakers of the numerous mosques throughout Turkey. Do not mock or mimick the recordings, as Turks are extremely proud and sensitive of their heritage and culture, and will be very offended.

Certain gestures, common in the western world, are considered rude expressions in this culture. People tend to be tolerant if they can see you are a foreigner. They know you are probably doing it subconsciously, but if you take the time to keep these in mind, you won’t have any misunderstandings. Making an ‘O’ with your thumb and forefinger (as if to say “OK!”) is rude because you are making the gesture for a hole - which has connotations refering to homosexuality in the Turkish psyche. Avoid clicking your tongue. Some people do this subconsciously at the beginning of a sentence. It is a gesture of dismissal.

If you are invited into a Turkish house, remember to put off your shoes just outside or immediately inside the door.

If you want to make friends quickly, talk football. Turks, especially men adore football. And with the help of the betting phemomenon iddaa, most of the Turkish men know about your local football teams more than you do. So do not get suprised, (apart from premier league, Serie A or La Liga) if some guy tell you that Finnish football league are so boring, or this year's Latvian champions didn't deserve the title!