While visiting a Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, I witnessed a culture clash. More perhaps, an act of cultural insensitivity that nearly came to blows. It happened as we were leaving the building. A European man put his shoes back on his feet just outside of the door—Muslims and their guests take their shoes off when entering a Mosque—he then turned to go into the building to look for his friend. A Turkish gentleman was incensed that he had gone into the Mosque with his shoes on and he confronted him. Hard words were exchanged, until his friends calmed him and he wandered off.
Later in a museum of Persian carpets next to the Mosque, I saw him sitting near the door. He greeted me and my companions with enthusiasm as we entered the museum. He shook our hands and smiled generously. I believe I understood his earlier frustration. We were guests in their Mosque, in their city, and in their country; it's only proper that we should respect their culture. The blithe European fellow was obviously trespassing where others had been before and the passions of our Turkish friend were enflamed. It's how I feel when people travel to my America, my New Hampshire, and my town and they don't understand they're our guests.
Many thanks to our friends T— and F—, who are both gracious hosts and charming guests, for introducing us to the wonders of Istanbul.
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