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Comparing Turkey to Lebanon


Intercultural communication has a very wide presence globally. Having lived in Dubai all my life, I am well aware of the fact that no matter how close two countries are from each other, and how similar the languages spoken are, the cultural differences have a major impact on communication and the standards of the lives of those that are traveling and experiencing various cultures. Although I have lived in Dubai for 18 years, I have decided to base this blogpost on a country that I have only visited once, in order to expand my knowledge and conduct research as to explore the differences and the many similarities that exist between this country and Lebanon.


Turkey is a destination that thousands of Lebanese people visit a year due to the short flight and time distance. Also, it is fairly inexpensive, making the demand for tourism there much higher. I have always wondered what the differences between Turkey and Lebanon are as they have always shared very similar aspects, in terms of cuisine and environment.

This is what I found...

Since the Ottomans have occupied Lebanon for over 400 years, Turkey and Lebanon have many things in common, and of course, many differences as well. 

Similarities: 

  • Lebanon and Turkey are both located in Asia 
  • Many of the recipes in Lebanon are originally Turkish, such as Zaatar, Baba Ganoush, Labneh, etc.
  • The Arabic sweets that are served with Arabic food are Turkish 
  • They both use hookah (shisha) on a daily basis
  • The coffee that Lebanese drink is Turkish coffee. It is available in every Lebanese house.
  • Different languages however some similar words such as "Marhaba" which means "Hello", and "Feture" which means "receipt/bill", "Masefe" which means "Distance"
  • The physical attributes of Turkish men are very similar to the physical attributes of Lebanese men
  • The environment is very similar, both consisting of similar weather, nature, and beaches. 
  • Religious-wise, there are similar religious values in both countries as they both practice Islam. 

This is a picture taken by me of Arabic/Turkish sweets from Hallab, a restaurant located in Lebanon.




 This is a video taken by me at the famous Turkish restaurant called Nusr-Et which is located in Dubai. The dessert is called Baklava.


This is a video that was taken in Istanbul, Turkey at a restaurant called Mersin Hatay and the dish is called Belen Tava, it is similar to Arabic food as it includes meat and vegetables.

Differences: 

  • The languages are different
  • Not all the religions that are practiced in Lebanon are practiced in Turkey 
  • The national clothing in Turkey is the Turkish salvar (baggy trousers) with a jubba (coat) whereas in Lebanon the clothing worn in mainly Western clothing, and European style clothes.
  • The holidays celebrated in Lebanon are Muslim and Christian holidays, such as Christmas, Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha and national holidays such as Workers Day, Independence Day, Rafik Hariri Memorial Day, Feast of the Annunciation, Easter, Assumption day, Hijri New year, and Prophet Mohammad’s birthday. Many music festivals are also hosted in Lebanon. (https://www.officeholidays.com/countries/lebanon/index.php).
  • Whereas in Turkey, they celebrate national sovereignty and children’s day (which is the anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Grand National Assembly), Ataturk Commemoration, Youth & Sports Day, Democracy and Freedom Day, Victory Day, and Republic Day. (http://www.allaboutturkey.com/bayram.htm)
  • Football and Basketball are the most popular sports in Lebanon, whereas the most popular national sport in Turkey has been Oiled Wrestling since Ottoman times. 


Until this year, I would only visit Lebanon in the summer and the winter so most of the videos and pictures that I have taken were taken in the summer time or in the winter time. 


This is a picture that was taken in December in the Cedars of God in Arez, Lebanon. 



This is a video that was taken in the Rabbit Island in Lebanon in the summer.


This is a picture that was taken in September in Marmaris, Turkey. This indicates the very similar weather and environment that Turkey has in comparison to Lebanon. 


Since I have lived in Dubai all my life and visit Lebanon every year and Turkey not as much, I decided to conduct research on tourism in both countries as it is interesting to know the difference in tourism in both countries, as both seem to be widely visited in terms of tourism. 

TURKEY

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LEBANON

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As you can see, the tourism in Turkey was more than twice the amount of Lebanon in 2016.





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