Beyond Dalaman Airport Transfers: Things To Know About Turkey

Turkey. While in recent years this Eastern European country has progressively become more and more assimilated into the Old Continent and dissociated from Asia, its culture is still foreign enough to most Westerners that faux pas and indiscretions can easily be committed, simply out of ignorance or lack of awareness for Turkish customs.

This is why it is so important that guests read up on some of the finer points of this particular country’s lifestyle before booking their flights and respective Istanbul or Dalaman airport transfers. After all, no local – Brits and Americans included – likes to see the traditions and cultural particularities of their country disrespected by ignorant tourists!

To help tourists from elsewhere in the world understand Turkish culture prior to visiting this country, we have compiled a list of lesser-known facts about the birthplace of kebabs, which you can find below.

Hospitable And Inquisitive

The first thing it might be useful to know about the Turks is that they are not only hospitable, but also very inquisitive. As such, tourists who get grilled with questions about their country by the drivers of their Dalaman airport transfers or the managers at their hotels should not take this the wrong way: it is simply Turkish people being Turkish. They cannot help it. The upshot of this is, of course, that a Turk will go out of his or her way to make sure you are well treated and provided for during your stay. Foreigners coming in on Istanbul or Dalaman airport transfers can therefore expect to be significantly more pampered than in most other tourist destinations in the world.

Some Stereotypes Are Not True

Another huge part of understanding Turkish culture implies getting rid of whatever stereotypes you may have about the locals in this country. While many Turks have moustaches and run barbershops, for instance, this is far from the norm; similarly, not all women wear headscarves, and those who do do not keep them on all the time either, as it is forbidden for a Turkish woman to wear this kind of headgear inside a public building. Some women are even prevented from attending places such as universities unless they can find a way around this cultural trope.

Very importantly, tourists should be careful to avoid references to the controversial film Midnight Express. It may be tempting to make a joke about being on it when whisking by on Dalaman airport transfers, but since most Turkish people resent their people’s negative depiction in that film, it would be more tactful to refrain from mentioning.

Extra Cheese

Finally, guests arriving to their final destination on Istanbul or Dalaman airport transfers should not be surprised at the seemingly excessive ‘cheese’ that permeates the country’s culture. Turks love nothing better than a good soap opera or melodrama, and singers like Tarkan (of ‘Kissing Song’ fame/infamy) are a dime-a-dozen, and invariably quite popular.

Armed with these tips, a tourist first arriving in Turkey should know enough to prevent major embarrassment or cultural faux pas!

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for Dalaman airport transfers, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.