Physical Touch Etiquette in Turkey

Physical touch is usually reserved for people who know each other well, so same-sex friends may walk arm-in-arm or greet with cheek kisses, while more public touching between unrelated men and women is often kept modest. In conservative settings, especially outside big cities, avoid casual hugging or touching the opposite sex unless the other person initiates it, and note that older people may prefer a more formal, hands-off style.