Tea, Traffic, and Turkish Delight:
A Cross-Cultural Business Trip to Türkiye

First Impressions: Fast Cars, Warm Hearts, and Picturesque View
Gail and Nana: With this mission ahead of us, once we stepped out of Istanbul Airport, our first taste of reality was the heavy traffic. Every time we commuted between the hotel and event venues or appointments, the car rides were fast and (quite) furious which contrast sharply to the orderly streets we have grown used to in Japan.
 
Nana: In the city center, traffic is heavily congested, partly due to the trams running through the streets. However, once you get on the highway and the traffic thins out, the cars suddenly accelerate to the point where you would be thrown around in your seat if you weren't holding tightly to the grab handle.
 
Gail: I had somewhat anticipated this, as it reminded me of the driving style in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, perhaps just a bit more extreme. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, be cautioned ahead!
 

Gail and Nana: Yet, in sharp contrast to the aggressive driving, we were immediately struck by the incredible kindness of the Turkish people.
 
Nana: The on-site support team from the Ethnosport Union listened carefully to our requests and accommodated us to the best of their ability, even while busy managing the stage schedule. Furthermore, because they responded to every situation with a smile, we were able to entrust them with our performance adjustments with complete peace of mind.
 
Gail: I received a warm welcome everywhere I went from local stakeholders I met, drivers who thoughtfully offered me drinks before long rides (not just once, but four times!), passersby, to a hotel staff member who remembered my name and greeted me with a cheerful "Ratikorn" every time we crossed paths.
 
Nana: Even while Gail was temporarily away on a business trip to Ankara, the hotel staff was asking me, “Where is Ratikorn?” I truly feel that it is a country full of very friendly people who quickly open up and strike up a conversation with you.
 
Gail and Nana: Just like in any country, navigating public transportation can be a challenge for first-time travelers. Despite our years of experience surviving the notoriously complicated train systems in Japan, during our very first attempt to catch a tram in Istanbul, we (un)successfully managed to get completely lost on the way to our meeting point! It takes time, trial and error until you get used to it. Yet, even with the language barrier, we never hesitated to ask for help. The locals eagerly communicated with us, whether through Google Translate or expressive hand gestures. I quickly learned that Turkish people are more than willing to assist strangers—and even if they occasionally pointed us in the wrong direction, we deeply appreciated their genuine kindness and eagerness to help.

Finding My Pace in Ankara (by Gail) 
Gail: During this business trip, I had the opportunity to visit both Istanbul and Ankara, and the contrast between the two cities was striking. Istanbul, as the largest city, is bustling with heavy traffic and dense crowds, with its city planning, buildings, and historical sites all tightly packed together.

The Surprising Moment ①: A Universal Rule of Hospitality 

Upon returning to Istanbul from Ankara, during my taxi ride back to the hotel, the driver kindly used Google Translate to ask if I wanted some çay  (yet again!) during a brief stop at a gas station. Even though I politely declined, he surprised me by returning to the car with a bottle of water and a delicious lemonade. Buying tasty food for the people around me is my personal love language, so I was incredibly touched by this level of generosity from a complete stranger. Turkish kindness has certainly raised my standards.

Clearly, whether in West Asia or Southeast Asia, there is one universal rule of hospitality: "we must make sure our guests never go hungry."
 

The Surprising Moment: ⓶: "Everything Will Work Out in the End" — A Perspective on Daily Life Learned from a Relaxed Mindset
Nana: Through my work, I often find myself anticipating the vague expectations of others and acting accordingly. I believe this has sometimes served as a demonstration of sincerity and careful planning, rather than mere efficiency. On the other hand, what I observed while working with our Turkish counterparts was their attitude of doing their very best and moving forward toward their goals with flexibility. While it is true that I initially felt uneasy about this difference in approach, in the end, they successfully brought all of our intentions to fruition.
 
They love conversing with people, and I frequently saw them enjoying coffee with friends on the side of the road. Rather than worrying about what others might think, they dedicate their time to themselves and their companions. And to me, they seemed like geniuses at finding small joys in everyday life. There must be so many moments of happiness that we tend to overlook when we are immersed in our everyday routines. This experience made me feel that I, too, would like to start paying closer attention to these modest joys.
 

Cross-Cultural Lens: Japan, Thailand and Türkiye 
Gail: Another standout moment occurred during a meeting with a local stakeholder. Even though it was our first time meeting, she warmly told me that we were already friends and that I could reach out for help whenever I needed. This deeply resonated with Thai culture, where people quickly embrace each other as "friends," and the "friend of a friend is also my friend" mentality is very common. I quickly learned that in this region, building this kind of genuine, warm personal connection is the absolute prerequisite to any successful professional partnership. This offers a fascinating contrast to Japanese culture, where it typically takes much more time and shared experience for an acquaintance (shiriai, 知り合い) to become a true friend (tomodachi, 友達). 
 
Another beautiful cultural thread that binds all three countries— Türkiye, Thailand, and Japan—together is tea culture. In each of these places, tea is never simply a beverage. Instead, it is a profound symbol of hospitality, a welcoming gesture for guests, and a dedicated time to sit, converse, and truly connect with one another.

Of course, where there is tea, there are sweets. At my first bite of a Turkish sweet, like Turkish delight (lokum) and baklava, the sugar level was almost overwhelming, especially compared to the delicate, 'not too sweet' flavor profile of the Japanese confections I have grown accustomed to in Tokyo. However, this intense sweetness quickly made me feel right at home. Traditional Thai desserts are also famously sweet, so my palate adjusted in no time! In the end, I enjoyed them so much that I made sure to buy several boxes of Turkish treats to bring back to Japan with me.
 
Nana: In recent years, with the increase in inbound tourists visiting Japan, Japanese “omotenashi” has been attracting a great deal of attention. However, throughout our one-week stay, I also experience a great deal of heartwarming acts of hospitality from the people of Türkiye. The çay offered to us by the driver of the vehicle that helped us get around; the people who carefully helped us transport the taiko drums before the performance; the interpreter who worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly; and the restaurant waiter who treated us complimentary dessert. The thoughtful consideration and kind hospitality shown to us by the locals we encountered at every turn left a deep and lasting impression on us.
 

Conclusion: The Verdict on West Asia 
Gail: Adapting to an absolute new culture and environment certainly takes time. It can be scary at the beginning of your journey out of comfort zone. However, I learned that it is essential to be as open-minded as a blank canvas. By doing so, you will gradually enjoy life in its new rhythm more and more, just as I did in Türkiye within a week. This business trip is definitely not the last time for me to learn more about the region, but rather an open door that will lead me to better understanding of people, society, culture, and so on. I hope that with my deeper knowledge, I can contribute more as a connector among Japan, West Asia, and Southeast Asia, leading to meaningful cross-border collaboration and sustainable development. I am excitedly looking forward to my next chance to visit West Asia.