Manners

A month or two ago I went to meet the friend I stayed with when I first got here, He was seeing his friend who has been studying in America and thought I would enjoy meeting him too. I remember askign him about differences good and bad in the US. One thing that he said fairly early on was how polite people in America are. I sat for a minute a little dumbfounded, then realized how true he was. All the examples of lack of manners in Turkey were flashing through my head at this point. Today in particular that discussion came to mind. I went for a walk because it is a beautiful day and I don't have class until night. I was walking through the park near my house. It was pretty desolate, I brought a book and thought I would read outside for a bit. I pick a nice spot. (there were at least 20 benches to choose from in this area, as i was the only one around) about one minute after I sat down a lady made a comment about the sun and from my understanding I believe she was asking to share the bench. Ok i think, then it was odd to me, there are literally 20 benches, why was mine special. No problem. maybe i could practice my turkish with her eventually. Promptly as she sits down she pulls out her phone and starts yelling on it. Very difficult to read when there is turkish yellign on on next to me. Ok maybe this will be a short conversation, i mean really, who sits down on the ONLY occupied bench in the park where a person is reading and then proceeds to make loud obnoxious phone calls. Nope i sat there for like 5 minutes making it through about 2 pages of my book and decide to leave. As i walk away I hit the next bench and already there the yellign is quiet, at least quiet enough to read. REALLY WHY DISTURB ME?!!?

That was one example, another one, in my class my students phones ring all the time, (there is no such thing as putting your phone on silent of vibrate in this country) I'm used to that by now, but what amazes me is that some students ANSWER their phones in my class and proceed to have a conversation while I'm teaching. really, take it outside.

Another example: shopping, normally when you are going to pay for something you go to the back of the line and wait your turn. THere has been countless situtions where I'm about to pay and a girl walks up throws her stuff on teh counter and holds out money, clearing no caring that there is such thing as a line, or heaven forbid some sort of order. Now this practice is framiliar to me as I think we do it in America. Bars. If the bar is crowded, you know that first you send up the prettiest looking girl (if its a male bartender) you push your way no matter who is waiting, you shove your money - defintely big bills as they think they will get a big tip then in their face and wait to get drinks for the group.

Somethings are starting to bug me. I love this city and country, but I'm tired of being the foreigner, getting ripped off all the time, saying two words in turkish and all of sudden they are impressed, but still try to rip me off. Still loving life here regardless of the frustrations cause lets be honest these come with every country, every city and every nationality. Its apart of adjusting.