Bureaucracy and Patience (Bürokrasi)
Turkish bureaucracy can be slow and complex, requiring multiple offices and forms. Patience and personal connections help. The system is improving but can still frustrate foreigners.
Usage contextsocial
Do
- Bring all documents (originals and copies)
- Be patient with processes
- Build rapport with officials
- Offer tea or coffee during long waits
- Use 'torpil' (connections) if you have them
- Expect multiple visits for one task
Don't
- Don't lose your temper with bureaucrats
- Don't expect fast service
- Don't assume logic will prevail (rules can be arbitrary)
- Don't go without Turkish speaker if your Turkish is weak
- Don't forget any document (will require return trip)
- Don't bribe overtly (corruption is illegal and risky)