An Essay on the Concept of Hospitality in Turkish Culture and Language

The aim of this paper is to show the concept of hospitality in the Turkish culture and language. Proverbs see, to be the best carrier of culture, as they have transmitted cultural content from generation to generation for centuries. These shortest literary texts, which since its creation have not changed, still exist in the language. On the other hand, the society in whose language they appeared, lives according to the principles contained therein. Hospitality is one of the distinguishing features of the Turkish society. Both good neighborly relations, as well as receiving guest and respect for them are the subject of a number of proverbs. Among the most important elements are: providing guests with the best, responsibility of the host for the well-being of their guests, complete dependence of the guest on the goodwill of the host, brevity of the visit which should not exceed the three days, and the conviction that a guest brings good luck to a home. Proverbs also name the responsibilities of the guest and the host. The guest should accept what the host offers him, and he should also return the favor by means of a suitable gift. The fact that the contents of these proverbs is still part of the Turkish culture is confirmed in everyday life in Turkey, which can be experienced by every visitor to this country.