This past week, we had a 4 ½ day Turkish holiday. Coupled with Columbus Day, we’ve had the whole week off. The holiday is Kurban Bayrami – a religious festival which includes sacrificing an animal in a special ritual. It is also visiting relatives and helping the poor. From what I understand, it’s like combining a bit of Thanksgiving with a bit of Christmas.

I worked in Turkey several years ago and one of the first things I noticed is the Turks are service oriented people. They make the best hosts at any dinner. The restaurants in Turkey (and elsewhere throughout Europe) are places where people come to eat, and usually stay for hours. Once you sit at a table, that table is yours until you decide to leave. None of this “Get the people out so we can put someone else there. More people = more tips.”

Turkish foodThe first Turkish restaurant I sat at (above), the waiters brought several plates of salads, sauces, cheeses and breads, honey, yogurt (Turks eat a great deal of yogurt) and some stuff I didn’t recognize, before the menu was presented. After ordering, you enjoy the dishes and your drink while waiting for your food. When it does arrive, the waiters will take away your plates and utensils and return with clean sets. As you eat, if there is a pause in your dining, they will do it again. During the 2-3 hours you may sit eating, drinking and visiting with friends, you will have a three or four sets of clean dinnerware.

Now, with that in mind, I went to a barber shop the other day to get a quick trim. Using a fellow customer who could speak English, I told the barber just a trim all over and keep it above the ears. Afterwards, the barber asked through the interpreter if I wanted a shampoo.   I replied, No, thank you.

Shave?

No, thank you.

Perhaps some gel?

No, thank you.

Trim the eyebrows?

No, thank you.

Wax the hair in your ears?

No, thank you.

Neck massage?

No, thank you.

I notice your hair is quite thin on top. Would you like some hair growth product?

No, thank you.

It’s as if I was expected to sit in the barber chair for a few hours. In the States, a favorite hairstylist would cut my hair and be done in 10 minutes. Evidently not here. And after getting up and paying my tab and giving the barber a tip, I was asked if I would like some chai. (tea)   No, thank you.

Then as I was leaving, the barber sits at a small table outside and lights up a cigarette and has himself some chai. The next customer didn’t seem to be upset at having to wait, but just continued reading his newspaper. This is going to be an interesting three years.

D.