Hello all,
it may only be me, but whenever I am in Istanbul (maybe half-a-dozen times by now) it rains. Last time I went, in October there was actually a flood warning. Now don't get me wrong: I love Istanbul - even in the rain. But the thing is, when it rains you may have to sneeze and blow your nose and that - it turns out - is sometimes not such a trivial matter in the biggest city in Turkey.
Sure, there is no problem if you have a hearty blow over your Köfte and the problem you might have sneezing over your neighbour's is the same you would have anywhere else (where there are Köfte and neighbours to sneeze on). The real trouble springs up when you're in a more classy environment - like the wedding I attended when there was a flood warning - people in expensive dresses and suits all around you. If you give in to your urge in those surroundings, your nose-blowing will likely be greeted with sniveling from the others. Blowing your nose in public, particularly when food is around is considered extremely bad style in the higher circles in Turkey. Correct procedure is to retire to the bathroom and succumb there - well away from the other guests - as I had to learn the hard way.
The moral is then, when in Istanbul or the rest of Turkey and feeling sick it's best to avoid parties - if you can't it's best to wear comfy shoes to be quick to the bathroom - if that doesn't work play the dumb foreigner card and put up with the reactions.
Cheers,
Ralph
Feel free to sneeze onto the Istanbul Travel Guide. It's on your computer after all...
it may only be me, but whenever I am in Istanbul (maybe half-a-dozen times by now) it rains. Last time I went, in October there was actually a flood warning. Now don't get me wrong: I love Istanbul - even in the rain. But the thing is, when it rains you may have to sneeze and blow your nose and that - it turns out - is sometimes not such a trivial matter in the biggest city in Turkey.
Sure, there is no problem if you have a hearty blow over your Köfte and the problem you might have sneezing over your neighbour's is the same you would have anywhere else (where there are Köfte and neighbours to sneeze on). The real trouble springs up when you're in a more classy environment - like the wedding I attended when there was a flood warning - people in expensive dresses and suits all around you. If you give in to your urge in those surroundings, your nose-blowing will likely be greeted with sniveling from the others. Blowing your nose in public, particularly when food is around is considered extremely bad style in the higher circles in Turkey. Correct procedure is to retire to the bathroom and succumb there - well away from the other guests - as I had to learn the hard way.The moral is then, when in Istanbul or the rest of Turkey and feeling sick it's best to avoid parties - if you can't it's best to wear comfy shoes to be quick to the bathroom - if that doesn't work play the dumb foreigner card and put up with the reactions.
Cheers,
Ralph
Feel free to sneeze onto the Istanbul Travel Guide. It's on your computer after all...
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