Business Etiquette in Türkiye for Chinese Companies

Business in Türkiye is built on personal trust: most Turkish partners prefer to deal with people they know, so expect tea, unhurried small talk and several meetings before a deal takes shape. Address people by first name plus Bey (men) or Hanım (women), be punctual, let the host pay for meals, and confirm what was agreed in writing. Plan around Friday prayers, Ramadan and the two religious festivals, which shift each year.

Key facts

• Trade context: China was Türkiye's second-largest trading partner and largest source of imports in 2024, with bilateral trade of USD 42.9 billion (MOFCOM, 2025).
• Working week: Monday to Friday in most offices; Labour Law No. 4857 caps working time at 45 hours a week. Friday is a normal working day.
• Forms of address: first name plus Bey or Hanım, for example Mehmet Bey or Ayşe Hanım.
• Language: Turkish; English is common in internationally active firms, but a family-company founder may prefer Turkish.
• Hospitality: tea (çay) or Turkish coffee is offered at almost every meeting; the host normally pays for meals.
• Ramadan 2027: expected from about 8 February to 8 March 2027, followed by Ramazan Bayramı on 9 to 11 March; Kurban Bayramı falls on 16 to 19 May 2027 (Diyanet).

Relationships, trust and decision-making

Building trust

Personal relationships are the foundation of business in Türkiye, and friendly conversation before the agenda is normal. A personal introduction, or at least a letter of introduction, helps a first approach. Expect the first meeting to be about getting to know each other; serious terms often come later, once senior managers join.

Negotiation

Negotiation is unhurried, and pressing to get straight to the point is seen as a breach of etiquette. Bargaining is normal and opening offers are rarely final, so leave room to concede. Deadline pressure such as offers that expire tends to backfire, because Turkish partners frame a deal as the start of a long relationship.

Who decides

Decision-making is hierarchical: the most senior person usually decides, often after consulting staff. Family-owned companies are the most common business structure outside the public sector, and in them the key decision-maker may be an older family member treated with great respect. Your first contact may need to refer back, so build in time. Our investment advisory and M&A and corporate advisory services help Chinese groups map who decides on the Turkish side.

Meetings, greetings and business cards

Scheduling and punctuality

Book meetings well ahead and confirm them in writing. Arrive on time despite Istanbul's heavy traffic, and message ahead if you will be late.

Greetings and titles

• Shake hands firmly and greet the most senior person first.
• With women, wait for her to offer her hand; some devout people of either sex do not shake hands with the opposite sex, and a nod with a smile is fine.
• Use first name plus Bey or Hanım; for doctors and professors, the title alone or title plus first name. Use the formal "siz" until your counterpart moves to "sen".
• Tell partners which part of your name is the family name: Turkish speakers put the given name first, so "Wang Bey" and "Wei Bey" may both be used, each meant politely.

Business cards and dress

Business cards are almost always exchanged, increasingly in digital form. An English card is fine; there is no need to translate it into Turkish. Give one to everyone you meet and take a moment to read the one you receive. Dress is formal and conservative: a suit for men (a tie is often optional) and modest business wear for women, especially outside the large cities.

Language and communication

Turkish, English and interpreters

Turkish is the language of business and of every official document. English is widely understood among internationally active businesspeople, but a family-company founder may prefer Turkish, so bring an experienced interpreter to important meetings and brief them on technical terms in advance. A few words of Turkish, such as "merhaba" (hello) and "teşekkür ederim" (thank you), are warmly received.

WhatsApp as a business channel

WhatsApp is the most used messaging app in Türkiye, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), and many managers use it for scheduling, quick questions and voice notes. Chinese teams often work in WeChat, so agree early which channel to use. Keep messages courteous and within working hours, and put decisions, prices and specifications in email or signed documents.

Written follow-up and documentation

After each meeting, send a short written summary of what was agreed and the next steps; if email replies are slow, a polite call or message is normal. For contracts, plan a Turkish version: Law No. 805 requires Turkish companies to use Turkish in their business dealings, and Turkish courts have at times questioned contracts and arbitration clauses drafted only in a foreign language. Which language prevails, and who may sign for the Turkish company (shown in its signature circular, imza sirküleri), are questions for an independent Turkish lawyer. Documents for Turkish authorities need a sworn translation certified by a notary.

Hospitality: tea, meals and gifts

Tea and coffee

Visitors are usually offered a glass of tea or a cup of Turkish coffee, and it is customary to accept. Refills keep coming through a long meeting; politely declining another glass is fine.

Meals and who pays

Business meals, often dinners, are part of building the relationship. The host is expected to pay, and insisting on splitting the bill can cause offence; return the gesture by inviting your hosts later. Many Turks do not drink alcohol and toasting customs differ, so let the host set the pace. When you host, choose venues that suit Muslim guests, which usually means no pork.

Gifts

Gifts are appreciated but not expected. Choose something modest from home, such as good Chinese tea or a craft item, rather than anything lavish; give alcohol only if you know the person drinks.

The working week, Ramadan and festivals

Most offices work Monday to Friday, within the 45-hour weekly limit of Labour Law No. 4857. Unlike in some Muslim-majority countries, Friday is a full working day, but some colleagues attend the midday Friday prayer, so avoid scheduling key meetings over Friday lunchtime.

During Ramadan, business continues but slows, as many colleagues fast from dawn to sunset. Avoid eating or drinking in front of them, meet earlier in the day, and treat an invitation to iftar (the evening fast-breaking meal) as a sign of goodwill. Ramazan Bayramı (9 to 11 March 2027) and Kurban Bayramı (16 to 19 May 2027) are public holidays, and business slows around them; see our guide to public holidays in Türkiye.

Notes for Chinese and Turkish teams working together

• Plan around two calendars. Chinese New Year and the October Golden Week follow a different calendar from Turkish holidays, so share both calendars at the start of a project.
• Shared instincts help. Both business cultures place weight on personal relationships and respect for seniority, so a patient, courteous approach works well on both sides.
• Be explicit about timelines. Agree milestones and response times in writing, so both sides share the same expectations on speed.
• Avoid sensitive small talk. Family, football, food and travel are safe topics; leave politics and religion unless your counterpart raises them.

Our import and export consulting and our overview of China–Türkiye business opportunities cover the commercial side.

Frequently asked questions

How should I address a Turkish business partner?

Use their first name followed by Bey for a man or Hanım for a woman, for example Mehmet Bey or Ayşe Hanım. For doctors and professors, use the title alone or the title plus first name.

Is Friday a working day in Türkiye?

Yes. Offices work Monday to Friday, with Saturday and Sunday as the weekend, but avoid key meetings over Friday lunchtime because of the midday prayer.

Who pays for a business meal in Türkiye?

The host. Offering to split the bill can cause offence, so accept graciously and invite your hosts to a meal another time.

Should I bring a gift to a meeting in Türkiye?

It is not expected but is appreciated. A modest item from home, such as quality Chinese tea, is a good choice; avoid lavish gifts.

Can I do business in Türkiye in English?

Often, yes, with internationally active firms. Senior managers of family companies may prefer Turkish and official documents must be in Turkish, so plan for an interpreter and sworn translations.

How does Ramadan affect business meetings?

Business continues but slows, as many colleagues fast from dawn to sunset. Meet earlier in the day and expect few meetings during the Ramazan Bayramı holiday that follows.