Proper Turkish business etiquette is essential to gain new partners and clients in the Turkish business community. Because global expansion is de rigueur today, when you are confident in practicing the proper procedures involved in Turkish business etiquette you will achieve the business success desired. Your Turkish colleagues want to ensure that you have a strong appreciation for respect and loyalty. When you are aware of Turkish values and share in Turkish etiquette, you will easily impress your Turkish colleagues and thereby enhance your entry into the Turkish market.

1. Foreign Staffing, Inc.

2.  Proper Turkish business etiquette is
essential to gain new partners and
clients in the Turkish business
community.
 Because global expansion is de
rigueur today, when you are
confident in practicing the proper
procedures involved in Turkish
business etiquette you will achieve
the business success desired.
 Your Turkish colleagues want to
ensure that you have a strong
appreciation for respect and
loyalty.
 When you are aware of Turkish
values and share in Turkish
etiquette, you will easily impress
your Turkish colleagues and
thereby enhance your entry into
the Turkish market.

3.  Turkey is an ancient and regal country.
As such, earned titles are valued.
 When addressing your Turkish
colleagues, show respect for their status
and use these titles, if appropriate,
without needing to include the
surname.
 This includes not only professors or
doctors but also lawyers, engineers and
managers.
 When greeting a Turkish colleague,
greet him or her by first name, and then
add “bey” (pronounced like “bay”) for
men and “hanim” (pronounced “ha-
num”) for women.

4.  Be prepared for a slow decision
making process.
 You will meet with lower ranking
members of a company first, to prove
that you are a trustworthy potential
colleague.
 Then you will meet the more senior
members of the company.
 The most senior member of a
company will always be the only one
who makes the decisions.

5.  Always use both hands when
exchanging business cards.
 Print one side in Turkish and one in
English.
 Show your Turkish colleagues how
much you value them by
presenting all of your business
materials translated and printed in
Turkish and English.
 Go that extra mile by getting a
Turkish translation of all pertinent
documents.

6.  Always be punctual and if you are
unavoidably delayed, promptly notify
your Turkish colleagues.
 Avoid scheduling meetings in July and
August, which are the most valued
vacation months.
 Avoid scheduling meetings during
Ramazan (known in other Muslim
countries at Ramadan).
 This is a religious month of fasting. Also
avoid scheduling meetings from June
through August as many Turks are
away on vacation to spend more time
with families.

7.  Building relationships is vital to any
successful endeavor.
 Turks like to do business with people
they know.
 Relationships are often best solidified
over meals.
 Expect small talk at the beginning of
any meeting as it gives your Turkish
colleagues a chance to get to know
you.
 Often a first meeting will be spent
simply allowing you and your Turkish
colleagues to get to know one
another.

8.  Much of Turkey is Muslim and Islam
dictates five prayer times each day.
 It is important that you are aware of
these prayer times to best schedule
your meetings around them.
 If you go out to a restaurant with a
Turkish colleague remember that the
host always pays the bill.
 Turks will not split bills.
 You will be refused if you offer to pay.
To return the gesture, offer to host your
Turkish colleague at another time.

9.  Dress conservatively always.
 Men and women should wear suits.
 In the summer, you can avoid wearing a
jacket and tie as the weather tends to be far
too hot and humid.
 Outside of large cities and especially in
Eastern Turkey, be sure to dress even more
conservatively.
 Women should cover their arms and legs
and men should wear long pants.