There is a sense of predictability here in Holland. People are safe, secure and confident in their routine. In Turkey, political and economic instability is reflected in daily life. People follow the news and stock market as though it were religion. The sense that we do not know what tommorow will bring is manifested in our dramatic and excitable manner. You can see this in popular music, at football games, gatherings or any other publicly shared domain. There is a sense of togetherness in the slightest cause for celebration. The public consciousness is much more pronounced than it is here in the Netherlands. Even in our language, we can often use family titles such as 'aunt', 'uncle', 'grandma' or 'sister' to speak with or of people we do not know. I think it reflects the assertion of a collective culture which is not as obvious here in Holland.

In Turkish language, we also have many words that are used to wish well upon people or circumstances. For example, 'Kolay Gelsin', means 'May it come to you easily' and can be used when someone is working towards something. It can be said to anyone, and people often use it when they see someone doing manual labour, even if they do not know them. 'Inshallah' means 'God willing' and calls upon a higher force to help the situation at hand. In Dutch vocabulary there don't seem to be as many words to bless circumstances. It is also less poetic, which I feel is partly why the Dutch are so practical and matter-of-fact.

Some other observations:
– The Dutch are not as focused on luxury objects.
– In Turkey there is a café culture, here there is a bar culture
– Here it is normal to drink beer at any time of the day
– Fruit and vegetables are not as important as cheese and bread
– In Turkey, women getting a manicure or their hair done at the hairdresser is almost as normal as brushing teeth.
– Here you can't bend the rules, and noone even wants to. Rules are like religion.
– People's facial expressions are much more limited here. So is the body language and personal space.
– Dutch infants have the most high-tech strollers I have ever seen in my life.
– Dutch people are much more patient. There seems to be less urgency. People take their time with things.
– People here keep to themselves. In Turkey, people are nosier about other's business.
– People here take less time to eat.
– In Turkey, curtains are much more elaborate – people choose also for how they are seen from the outside.
– In Turkey, most people live in several-storey apartments. Here it is houses or high-rises.
– Dutch people don't have a balcony culture. In Turkey, balconies are utilized to eat, clean, socialize, read the paper and watch the neighbours or the street.
– There aren't as many street sellers in Holland.
– In Turkey, you can by a cheaper, fake version of any merchandise (e.g. DVDs, clothes, bags, electronics)
– Traffic rules do not apply as much in Turkey, which makes the roads much more chaotic.
– Foreigners in Turkey are regarded first with curiosity, not discrimination.
– Turkish streets are shared with stray cats and dogs. I have not seen a stray animal here to date.
– In Turkey, there is an extra water pipe in the toilet so one may wash oneself after use. Here, toilet paper seems to be enough.
– In Turkey, many places have toilets where you cannot throw toilet paper in the toilet, but must discard it in a bin next to it.
– Construction sites do not interfere with people's lives as much here. In Turkey, there is constant construction which blocks of streets/highways for weeks on end.
– Turkey has a sense of constant societal change, of moving forward and back and side to side. Here there is a sense that an order has been achieved and people are quite content to stay as they are.