Nate Marsh - Blog post

The single most impactful experience in my week in Istanbul wasn't seeing the breathtaking monuments or enjoying the night life, but a friendly conversation and series of gestures in the narrow back alleys of a wholesale market.

While looking for souvenirs for friends and loved ones with Julio, Maria and Andrea we came to a small shop selling prayer beads for cheap -- a good souvenir. Having the majority of my shopping done and not wanting to crowd the tiny shop I stood outside taking in the last day or two of the city. The owner of the store, not knowing any English, kindly gestures for me to go inside and look at his wares, and I thanked him, but respectfully declined. Like many merchants, he wouldn't take no for an answer. To his right was a stand with thousands if small prayer beads he was selling for one Turkish Lira, so about $0.50. Because they were adorned with the Turkish flag and the man had been so friendly, I said why not and purchased them, along with another set of prayer beads with the "evil eye" on them.

Quickly the man smiled and rushed to an old wooden bench outside of the shop and cleared a space for me, putting down what looked like shoe inserts as a cushion and moving his plants for me. He then asked if I drank coffee, the thicker, richer Turkish coffee. Knowing from my reading and experiences, it is considered dude to decline tea or coffee from a Turk. I happily accepted.

Soon the rest of the group finished their shopping and the owner soon ordered ayrahn for them as well, a type of yogurt drink that, admittedly, has an acquired flavor. Soon the drinks arrived, he rubbed perfume used before going to pray in the mosque on all of our shirts, and he started calling many of the surrounding merchants to come over and take pictures and shake hands, none of whom spoke much, if any, English.

Signs and gestures were made, business cards were handed out, and most if the intent of the sign language was assumed and not truly understood. The important thing was that smiles were shared along with pictures and laughter.

 

The generosity of someone who doesn't speak a word of the same language, in a country that is so often misunderstood by Americans, was the chance of a lifetime. A friendly gesture speaks more than words.