“Kız İsteme” Customs in Turkey - an Article on Turkish Culture by Ersan Korucuoğlu

“Kız İsteme” Customs in Turkey

In Turkey, marriage is considered one of the most important social events so people are expected to follow some traditional procedures. Although these procedures differ region to region, they have some similar features. Here, we will look at “Kız İsteme” customs. In Turkish culture, “Kız İsteme” is the very first step of marriage and it is mainly about making a family decision.

When a couple decides to marry, the son's family is supposed to make an appointment with the daughter's family to get permission for the couple to marry. If the daughter's family accepts the appointment, it is the custom to go to girl’s house as a family. It is not acceptable for the boy to go there alone. The boy is supposed to bring chocolate and a bouquet of roses. When the boy’s family arrives the girl’s house, the girl’s family is supposed to welcome the guests warmly. It is not acceptable for the boy’s family to tell your request immediately. They are supposed to chat for half an hour. Meanwhile, the girl is supposed to make Turkish coffee and offer it to the quests. After the Turkish coffee is offered, it is the custom for the boy’s family to tell their request. Girl’s family is not expected to accept the request. It is acceptable for them to say ‘we want to think about it.’ Sometimes, boy’s family has to visit girl’s family twice or three times until a decision is made.

If families agree on the marriage, it is not acceptable to marry without a big ceremony and people are supposed to follow many more customs in the following days.

ERSAN KORUCUOĞLU

Hi , I am ersan Korucuoğlu. In this website I am going to publish my writings in English. Here is a list of writings:

1. Unlucky Day - An adventure story
2. Kız İsteme Customs in Turkey - An article on Turkish Customs

TRAFFIC - A story by Orçun Yurtseven

TRAFFIC

Three weeks ago, on Friday, We were very busy, because of the final exams. After the final exams had finished I met with Sare. I missed her. Firstly, we made plans for a beautiful day and we decided to go on a picnic. After, I had prepared everything for the picnic; I went her home to pick her up.

When we had arrived the picnic area we started to have a breakfast. After the breakfast, we went for a walk together. Everything was perfect. While we were doing puzzle, we were drinking tea. Suddenly, the sky became very cloudy and started to rain heavily. Immediately, we got into my car. Unfortunately, the picnic was over. After that, I took her home and set off to go my home.

While I was driving the car, I stopped at the red light. Suddenly, a truck crashed my car. Then, I called the police. The police wrote a report. Although the truck crashed my car from the behind, the police said that it was my mistake. Unfortunately, either the rule was wrong or the police was wrong.

ORÇUN YURTSEVEN

Hi!
I am Orçun. In this website, I will publish my writings in English.

Here is a list of writings I have done in my English course.

1- TRAFFIC - An Adventure Story

A DAY AT THE CINEMA- a story by Sare Koca

A DAY AT THE CINEMA

It was a beautiful summer day in the evening. While I was sitting in the veranda there was a gentle breeze and I could smell the nice scent of flowers. Suddenly, I decided to go out with Orçun. After that, we get dressed and we got ready to go out.

Before we went out, we had made a plan. Firstly, we went out for a walk together. And then, we went to open-air cinema. When we arrived the cinema, everybody had sat down. The cinema was very crowded. By the time, we sat down, the film had started. I thought it would be a beautiful night.

A few minutes later, we heard a scream. A woman was shouting: '' catch that man.'' We couldn't catch the man, because the man was running very fast. Luckily, the security guys were waiting at the cinemas' door. The security guys caught the man. Security guys asked the woman; '' What happened? What is the problem? '' She said that; ''That man had stolen my wallet.'' Immediately, the security guys called the police. Finally, the police came to cinema and arrested him.

Despite this event, that day was beautiful for me...

SARE KOCA

Hi! I am Sare.
In this webpage, I will publish my writing in English.

Here is a list of them. Just click on the links to read my writings.

1- A DAY AT THE CINEMA- An Adventure Story

FIRE- A story by Hatice Serpek

FIRE

One Friday evening, I was walking home from school. It was raining and starting to get dark. I was waiting for the tram. Suddenly, I heard a scream from somewhere above me. I looked up and saw a woman at a window. She screamed “fire!!” Immediately, I called the police station.





Five minutes later, the police car and fireman came there. At last, They rescued the woman and extinguished the fire. Luckily, nowhere was damaged by the fire. Only the women’s kitchen was damaged.

In the end, the woman came to me and thanked me for calling the police. When I went to home, I told about the fire to my family.