Similarities -Turkish man (Izmir) and claims he is more Mediterranean?

Question

If a guy claims that he is more Mediterranean and is Turkish, what are some chacteristics/beliefs/values in the overall mindset. Especially when it comes to having relationships with an Asian woman? I'm just wanting to get a better understanding of the cultural similarities (please describe). I understand that it's a generalized question and I do find his personality so charming (just wonderful) and fascinating. Just curious to find out more about the cultural aspects because it's s**y and probably one of the most intriguing relationship I've been in for a long time.......thank you. : )

Answer 1

The only reason why people from Izmir are morE modern is because Izmir (Smyrna) was a Greek city up until the 20's so Greek culture has been heavily influenced on the island!!! Still Izmiries are not as modern and cultured as Greeks but more cultured than mainland Turks who are ultra conservative and have a very Arabic culture compared to Izmir.

Answer 2

There are many successful relationships between Turkish people and Far Eastern people despite a general lack of cultural similarities.  If both people are inherently "good" and "virtuous" then I suppose the rest is not much of a hindrance.  It depends on what importance each person places on religion, language, place of living, etc..

I know many mixed Turkish-Far Eastern couples: Turkish man and Filipino woman, Turkish man and Japanese woman, Japanese man and Turkish woman, and even Thai man and Turkish woman!  Some of them are very modern, others conservative (i.e. the Japanese woman converted to Islam and wears a turban).  One of the modern married couples is such that the man is from Istanbul, the extremely conservative couple is such that the man is from Konya.  In the case of the Turkish woman and Japanese man, I believe that both know each others' languages fluently -- at least I know for certain that the Japanese man spoke Turkish fluently, and I guess that the Turkish woman knows some Japanese.  My Turkish friend who is in a steady relationship with the Thai guy is actually half-American (on her father's side) and so accustomed to multi-cultural relationships from birth.  Sadly, actually her family created some problem regarding her previous African American boyfriend, but it seems that every culture (including American) still has some racist elements. :(  And, it is equally important to ask whether Thai parents will accept non-Thai children-in-law as it is to ask whether Turkish parents will do so.

A guy from Izmir who describes himself as "more Mediterranean" will most likely be relatively liberal, and certainly not place emphasis on religion.  Maybe not, but probably.  He is your "intrigue" and "fascination" though, not ours, so you should know him much better than any of us. :)  Of course, in the beginning, "mutual exoticness" can be a strong driving force in a relationship.  People are curious about creatures from other places that they have hardly met before.  How long that lasts depends on something deeper.  I hope that your intrigue and fascination will last even after you know each other both inside and out.

Answer 3

I don't look at Izmirli guys very closely but the women from Izmir are claimed to be the most beautiful ones from Turkey. As far as I can say it, that claim is true!

OK... This is of course a stereotype and I'm sure that there are also ugly people in Izmir like elsewhere in the world.

Nevertheless, there is really something special with the Mediterraneans. First of all, it's the joy of life. Then, it's the compassion in love and lust. I guess the movie "Alexis Zorbas" gives a very fine description of us. Watch that great movie, and you'll understand. IMO, Mediterraneans have more similarities with each other than with their other countrymen. I have experienced that myself when I was in other Mediterranean countries or when I met people from the Mediterranean.

I was in Thailand after my studies and I know a woman from Bali quite well. Comparing the Asians with the Mediterraneans, I really don't see any cultural similarities.

But this is not really important....

Enjoy

Answer 4

Whilst culture, to a degree, plays a part in someone's personal traits, it is certainly not an over-riding factor to the point that all people from one culture act & behave the same way.

Personally I would say get to know him for who he is.  His personality (be it nature or nuture driven) and his life experience both play a much bigger role in forming the person that he is today, and the one he is with you

So, take it slowly, get to know him, enjoy your time.... and just see where it goes.

Answer 5

I haven't heard anyone from Izmir, or from any other place in Turkey, putting more emphasis on being 'Mediterrenean'. All countries, regardless of their ethnicity, who have a coast to the Mediterrenean sea are considered Mediterrenean, unlike what that oestrogen inflated moron writing about things beyond her peanut brain (greek barbie (!) lol) said above.

He sounds like a nice guy, I think you can spend more time with him and find out what his beliefs/vales are because as you've said, it is a question that requires generalizations, and that I really don't like.

Answer 6

A genuine Izmirli would be modern, openminded and attractive. That's the stereotype about Izmir.

Edit: So, four people think a genuine Ä°zmirli cannot be modern, openminded and attractive. Or, I have four stalkers. Hey, I'm a celebrity! :)

Edit 2: Barbie forgets that Ä°zmir was Ottoman before the Republic and a part of the Eastern Roman Empire before that.

I don't know why they insist that Eastern Roman Empire, which was ruled first from Rome and then from Istanbul after the split up, was Hellenic.

The Hellenic period came and went thousands of years ago. Sure, cultural heritage remained, but so it did after the Ottomans, too. What makes the Hellenic period so special?