Friday 15 July 2011

we want roses in turkey too


i am sometimes puzzled at the peculiar and peculiarly evolving situation of women in turkey. and while there is a reknown (absolute) gap between the condition of women in the west and the east...in general terms - the perception of women in turkish society and the way younger generations of women here are changing their awareness and mentality is something unusual for any european observer. the way i see the broader picture here - in terms of equal opportunities is a mix of signals blending a huge variety of scenarios: still unglobalised patterns, sometimes surprisingly modern trends, sometimes surprisingly clueless attitudes, sometimes odd habits, sometimes plain naive opinions, with young women expressing at times unrealistic expectations about life and relationships.
in this sense - i found enlightening the documentary "we want roses too" (vogliamo anche le rose) - by italian director alina marazzi. the movie gives a very interesting portrayt of what women experienced in italy (through the sixties and seventies) to get their "emancipation" - and while considering myself no feminist...i could not help but smile. turkey in fact reminds me so much of italy at times. a certain sexism is innate in both countries - not to mention the laughable macho / bravado culture that is typical of both turkish and italian men - despite the latter ones prefering to think of themselves as trendy and wordly.
on youtube - these are the links to watch "we want roses too" with english subtitles.

Wednesday 6 July 2011

listening to people


1. THE ONLY FOREIGN FOOD I HAVE TRIED IS CHOCOLATE. FROM SWITZERLAND.

2. I LOVE CHEESECAKE. MY FRIEND SAYS IT IS FROM FRANCE.

3."My father used to say LOVE MANY. TRUST FEW. PADDLE YOUR OWN CANOE"

4. The expression "to look forward to something" gets translated in turkish as "TO WAIT WITH FOUR EYES".

5. THE OLYMPIC GAMES ARE A BAD IDEA. INTERNATIONAL EVENTS CREATE A LOT OF TRAFFIC.

6. THEY REJECTED MY VISA APPLICATION TO GO TO THE STATES BECAUSE THEY SAY I AM YOUNG AND IF I GO THERE I WILL NEVER COME BACK. AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY VERY RIGHT.

7. MY SISTER IS VERY OLD. SHE IS ALREADY 34.

8. CHINESE FOOD IS VERY TERRIBLE. AND FULL OF THAT GREEN WASABI SPICY THING.

9. I THINK HERE WE DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST ANY COUNTRY. PEOPLE HERE ARE GOOD AND WARM. BUT I HATE ISRAEL.

10. AMERICAN MOVIES USE VERY STRANGE SENSE OF HUMOUR. THEY JOKE ABOUT RACE; APPEARANCE AND MAYBE SEX. IT IS ALWAYS THE SAME. NOT FUNNY.

11. I WANT TO RETIRE WHEN I AM FIFTY OR SO. SO I WILL ENJOY MY GRANDCHILDREN.

12. I LOVE TO TRAVEL. BUT MY FATHER IS JEALOUS - SO I NEVER GO.

13. OUR DRIVING TEST IS EASY. THEY TAKE YOU TO AN EMPTY ROAD AND TELL YOU "GO STRAIGHT".

14. THIS WEEK I HAVE MANY EXAMS. I STUDY ALL DAY. WHEN I HAVE FREE TIME I JUST SQUEEZE MY PIMPLES.

15. I COME FROM THE BLACK SEA. PEOPLE THERE LOVE GUNS AND USE THEM A LOT. THEY LOVE TOURISTS. BUT THEY DO NOT LIKE FOREIGN PEOPLE WHO VISIT TO STAY.