So if you read my previous blog about the wig lady you might (or might not) be wondering if I ever discovered her secret. The wait is over, ladies and gentleman, the answer is here. Are you ready?
As you might know, Turkey is predominantly a Muslim country and there are especially more conservatives to be found in the East, particularly Diyarbakir. However, even though the main religion is Islam, Turkey is still technically a secular country thanks to Ataturk in the early 1900s. Ataturk made the wearing of the headscarf for women against the law, and although many still don this article of clothing, it is not allowed in places of business - schools, offices, etc.
Therefore if you are a covered woman and you need/want to work, what do you do? You can't get hired wearing a headscarf so . . . you choose the next best option - a wig. :) Ahhh, thank Allah, I have figured it out. I confirmed this with a co-worker yesterday so now we can all rest easy.
Anyway, this is why I love Diyarbakir. Recently (in September, I believe) Turkey instituted a new law which banned cigarettes inside all buildings - bars, offices, restaurants, etc. Before this people used to smoke like chimneys anywhere they pleased - at cafes, in minibuses, on an elevator, you name it :) I've never seen a country that loved their cigarettes more.
Now, however, there are signs up everywhere. Smoking Prohibited, 69 lira fine! Oh no, I thought, what will they do? What's gonna happen now that everyone has to go outside?
Guess what happened - I walked into the veterinarian's office the other day with Levent to take one of the cats to get spayed, and what should be happening upon our arrival but one of the vets sitting next to the penalty sign happily smoking away without a care in the world. Beautiful.
Later I got on the minibus home from work, and the driver lit up a cigarette and blew smoke which ended up in my face. Ah, almost thought I was gonna have to live without that. Close one.
Lastly, I just got a new job, and I was sitting in the main office with the secretary, heater blasting at 30 degrees Celcius because it's freezing outside. She is using the computer, the phone, drinking tea and happily puffing away on her cigarette with all windows closed. Brilliant. The disregard for rules here is just fantastic. It almost makes me wish I smoked so that while in class I could suddenly light up and start chain smoking through the lesson. Who could stop me? I could even blow smoke in students' faces for messing up grammar and stuff. Who wouldn't learn quickly after that? :D On second thought, some of them might enjoy it. Hell, we'd all be smoking together in no time. Good for helping the class bond, I think.
Originally written for GlobeTrotting and Leaping
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