Turkey Discussion Forum

Discussions regarding holidays in Turkey.
Re: Ramadan
76 Posts
Reply
Don't worry you wont cause offence. You proabably wont notice any difference at all, some Turks will be fasting but others wont. When we lived there some years my husband would fast but other years when it was very biusy he didn't and it didn't affect me, I would just make sure I had dinner ready for when it was sundown as he was extremely hungry and thirsty by then. At the end of ramazan there is a festival nd you may find you are given sweets in shops and restaurants.
Reply
I've been in Turkey during Ramadam with my muslim Turkish partner, and we have had many a long, leisurely lunch sat outside a seafront restaurant - with a couple of beers and glasses of wine to wash it down.

Not all Turkish people fast for Ramadam anyway! And those that do still need to work, irrespective of their religious beliefs. They are not so radical as to expect Christian holidaymakers to go without lunch on account of their own religion - that would be very foolish and bad for business.

Turkish people are usually very accommodating and pleasant, and will go out of their way to make a tourist feel welcome. They will also want them to dine in their restaurants at lunchtime.

You really wouldn't realise Ramadam was on - everything is still exactly the same for the tourist (and for many muslims' too).

Strawberry
Reply
No one ever said it was against the law or was not allowed ,only that it was insesitive to walk along the street munching a burger when people were fasting .

Bluepeterno1
Reply
Well all I can say is that my husband has never had a problem with tourists eating when he is fasting, it makes no difference to him. I can't say about anyone else abviously but if they work in toursim they must be used to it.
Reply
bluepeterno1 wrote:
No one ever said it was against the law or was not allowed ,only that it was insesitive to walk along the street munching a burger when people were fasting .

Bluepeterno1


It is not insensitive to eat in front of a fasting Muslim - they really would not be offended in the slightest - especially in a resort full of shops selling FOOD! And especially the fact that THEY themselves would be selling you that food!

Do you think Turks would be offended if they saw a child (or an adult) walking along eating an ice-cream, or drinkng a slush-puppy? Of course they wouldn't!! And it's the same principle.

On the subject of walking along while munching a burger - that's OK at funfairs - but people usually sit down to eat in a resort. The lack of etiquette is probably more upsetting to the Turks than the fact its Ramadam.

Strawberry
Reply
Please read the link i posted and the the post i made about being pulled up for chewing gum in front of an old muslim woman during ramadan , not everyone is of the same opinion of you strawberry ,but then i would have been surprised if you had nothing negative to say about anything i said.

Bluepeterno1
Reply
The thing is both Strawberry and myself have Muslim partners so I think maybe we understand the views of a fasting Muslim better than some others, we have also both lived in Turkey (I think that is true Strawberry?).

Obviously you do get some very traditional and strict Muslims, especially among older people but the majority of people working in a tourist resort really aren't bothered by what tourists do.
Reply
Well would it not be good manners to respect the views of the older more traditional muslims as well as the others . And to say that people dont walk along the street eating burgers and such is just not true ,i have done it myself as i am sure thousands of others have done in the past and will do again .After i was pulled up about eating the gum in front of an elderly muslim woman ,i searched the net for information sbout this and the popular belief is that it is impolite to eat in front of muslims who are fasting ,whether they choose to voice there opinion of this is purely a matter of choice .I for one will not have to be told again ,but that is my choice.

Bluepeterno1
Reply
Fair enough. I personally don't walk down the road eating food anyway and I guess off I was told off by an older person I would feel rather bad too, but eating in a restaurant on holiday shouldn't make people feel uncomfortable and the people working in these situations wouldn't be upset. If I had said I wouldn't eat at lunchtime in my husband's bar becuase they were fasting then everyone would have said not to be silly. It's very different if you are in a traditional setting where everyone is fasting and I certainly wouldn't eat then.
Reply
But the original point remains, that in resorts, most people there won't bat an eye at a tourist walking down the street eating or drinking during Ramadan.

Of course you're going to go by your own past personal experience Peter, anyone would.

Just as I would :) .

Elaine
Reply
That is all i have ever said Elaine ,just personal expierience ,and now i am aware that things like this may cause offence ,i just try not to do them .I would not walk into a weight watchers meeting with a bag of chips. :yikes :D

Bluepeterno1
Reply
That is all i have ever said Elaine ,just personal expierience ,and now i am aware that things like this may cause offence ,i just try not to do them .I would not walk into a weight watchers meeting with a bag of chips. :yikes :D

Bluepeterno1
Reply
Sorry for the double post ,my mouse needs renewed.

Bluepeterno1
Reply
Oh LOL Bluepeterno1 you have made me giggle especially as I'm on a diet at the moment! I feel just the same way as you and squirm at any time when I see people walking around eating a burger or something. Most nationalities don't walk along the streets eating or drinking alcohol, just Brits.
Reply
On a turkish bus going from marmaris to aydin with us being the only english people onboard, i had a packet of crisps and some water for my kids a hostess on the bus ( yes a hostess on a bus!) said sorry but you may be upsetting other people as they are fasting for ramadam. I put the crisps away and the drink and felt very uncomfortable for the rest of the journey!

I still would eat in a resort or anywhere else in turkey for that matter as i am not part of the muslim faith, therefore its not my problem, if they want to fast they can! And im not racist or disrespectful

Lol i sound as if i am having a rant but im not! :wave:
Reply
Just goes to show it can upset some folk.

Bluepeterno1
Reply
we are due to go to icmeler, turkey on 04--9-08 and i was told it is ramadan, is this right or have i been told wrong..... if it is correct, will it make any difference to our holiday? with it being a religous time etc?
Reply
Holiday Truths Forum

Post a Reply

Please sign in or register an account to reply to this post.

Sign in / Register

Holiday Truths Forum Ship image

Get the best deals!

from our cruise, ski and holiday partners

You can change your email preferences at any time.

Yes, I want to save money by receiving personalised travel emails with awesome deals from Holiday Truths group companies which are hotholidays.co.uk,getrcuising.co.uk and getskiing.co.uk. By subscribing I agree to the Privacy Policy

No, thank you.