Blood Money Gives Back
I gave blood this morning for my boss’s mother, who just recently got out of the operating room after a big bypass operation. It was an interesting experience, as this was a very posh private hospital. Being used to the M.A.S.H.-triage type situation befitting an American blood drive, it was interesting to go into a room with a single big chair backed up against a wall. Some kind of Green Mile-ish feeling for a second there.
As anyone who’s ever shared a hot drink or warm room or A.C.-less car with me will know, I have fairly staggering circulation (which leads me to think just about any enclosed place is hot). I filled that bag (I think it was the mL equivalent of a pint) in 4 minutes, against a 15 minute expectation. Maybe Turks genetically have poor circulation? This might explain the 27-30 C heated rooms in which people are still wearing heavy coats.
Anyway, it was a good thing I could do it, because O-Neg is hard enough to find, without being in a country that clearly doesn’t have as developed of a blood donation system (although there is one to some extent).
I might posit that one of the most culturally-uncomfortable situations in which you can find yourself might be when somebody in a different culture feels indebted to you. It’s hard to know how to act and what to say, and you’re kind of in the drivers’ seat as far as situation management goes. But, I feel pretty comfortable here now, and I feel like I did the right stuff (meaning, to let them know it was no big deal for me, and to let them know I felt their appreciation). When somebody puts their hand/wrist to their forehead here it’s a pretty serious display of respect or thanks. It’s a cool Eastern kind of thing I’ve only seen a time or two.
One interesting hospitality quirk here is that you should really try not to finish whatever food or drink someone gives you. If you finish, it kind of implies you want more. I suppose American table etiquette mentions this in the most formal of situations, but here it even applies to a serving of tea.
Another unrelated social convention is that people often say “no, thanks” here just by saying “thanks.” That’s hard to adjust to.
People also blink really purposefully to say hi. I had just fairly recently in the US adapted fully to a head-bob and eyebrow raise, and here that’s recognized but not really the right thing. And, while this isn’t at all a bowing culture, it seems a dip of the head is a good idea for basic respect or appreciation. That’s another fun thing.
Kristin caught me several times back in the States using Turkish traffic flow techniques, basically meaning I was subtly jostling people around to get through traffic jams. It seems like nearly all of Europe sees a lot more crowding than does America, but here it can get pretty serious trying to exit mass transit and such.
The folks at work are starting to teach me some slang, which can really build some confidence. I haven’t used my eywallah thank-you yet, but it’s locked and loaded.