Posted on 03/09/2026 11:48:19 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Despite their proximity as neighbors and many shared elements in terms of food, music, and culture, Turks and Greeks are often perceived as enemies rather than friends.
On the world stage, Turkey and Greece seem to constantly butt heads, but do Turks and Greeks themselves harbor animosity toward their neighbors?
Despite political tensions, Turks and Greeks, who are both known for their generosity, warmth, and welcoming spirit, seem to have much more in common than many would believe.
Both Turks and Greeks share a beautiful geographic location in the Mediterranean and a climate that makes people in other parts of the world jealous. As neighbors, Turks and Greeks should enjoy all the beautiful things—the culture, food, music, lifestyle—that they have in common.
And as these videos of the Easy Languages project with authentic on-the-street interviews from people by both countries show, the two peoples are much more comfortable and sympathetic with each other than one might believe.
The two videos, shot in Istanbul and Athens, contain interviews with everyday people from various age groups sharing their experiences and views about their neighboring country across the Aegean.
And, indeed, the vast majority of the people interviewed speak of their neighbors with warmth and friendliness and express their desire for a peaceful co-existence in this wonderful part of the world that dozens millions of people visit every year.
Turks and Greeks alike agree that the hostility between them is nothing more than the product of vested interests and of governments that have their own agendas.
“I really think there is a hostility created by the encouragement of these governments,” says a Turkish man in his late fifties who is happy to have visited eighty percent of Greece, as he says.
“I really found them warm and sincere,” he says about the Greeks he encountered in his visits to the neighboring country.
“I know the current tensions between Turkey and Greece are for the sake of political goals,” says a Turkish man in his twenties with certainty.
When asked what the first thing that comes to mind when they hear the word “Greece” is, most Turkish folks replied that they think of “neighbor.”
“Two societies that lived side by side is the first thing that comes to mind,” a man in his late fifties replied.
“Turks are very nice people”
Similarly, young Greeks who were interviewed have nothing against their Turkish neighbors.
“They are very nice people,” answered a couple in their twenties who had visited Turkey. “Their country is very nice.”
At the same time, the couple believed that Turks in a similar age group would say the same about Greece and the Greeks.
“They are neighbors,” said a Greek man in his forties. “We have co-existed with them for many years. We have taken a lot of things from them and have also given them things,” he said referring to cultural influences.
However, he expressed insecurity in light of Turkey’s provocative acts in the past few years.
“I feel insecurity because it’s a very big country and I would not like to have any attacks against each other and fear one another,” he said.
At the same time, a Turkish man in his thirties who lives in Athens was enthusiastic when interviewed by Easy Languages.
“It is the best time of my life here,” he said, and “I have made much more valuable friendships here than in Turkey…I thank them all for being so hospitable and tolerant.”
As people living across from each other for centuries, Turks and Greeks have only good things to share on a personal level, as these videos show.
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That’s nobody’s business but the Turks
Before Erdowan was in power, Turkey wanted very much to be thought of as a western country and were very secular. They tried to get into the EU and each time they tried, Greece blocked their membership bid.
In the late 90s I was in a NATO billet in Northern Italy during the Kosovo bombing campaign. I worked with two Turkish Officers and they were the nicest guys and it never occurred to me that they were muslim. One of the officers, was extremely extroverted, flashy, and always had a smile and wanted to be called by his call sign, “Hollywood”. lol. The other officers was just as nice but more conservative and low key. I believe he was very connected because of his last name which was the same as a high up Turkish gov official. They invited the team to their apt and made us a traditional Turkish dinner with Turkish coffee. It was a great time.
However since Erdowan came to power Turkey is leaning islamic more and more and has lost interest in joining the EU.
Yes, Turkey and Greece hate each other.
That came to mind myself.
Greece still calls it Constantinople.
Free Anatolia for its indigenous Greeks!
Google the military actions over Cyprus in the Sixties and Seventies..... Also, the ethnic cleansing of Anatolia and Rumealia after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire post
Then tell me everybody loves everybody.
After what the Turks did to the Acropolis, anybody should hate them.
Jihad is apparently a powerful drug.
Yes, but probably Armenians hate them more
And everybody hates the Jews.
The western powers actually occupied Constantinople for a few years after WW1. Then they returned the city to Turkey.
But suppose they had given the city to Greece instead? Greece would have had lots of trouble holding on to it. But it’s an interesting what-if.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupation_of_Istanbul
Who doesn’t hate the Turks?
Russians. At least, for now.
Great point.
Yes.
The name was actually changed because the new Turkish government associated it with the oppression of the Ottoman Empire’s dictators vs. its overall history...the Ottomans actually kept the name as Constantinople after conquering it.
The Greeks Don’t Want No Freaks
https://youtu.be/bEiDPGoMhMw?si=p-Pum5eqRBVXJyKC
In The Long Run...😜
BKMK
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it can also be said the Turks hate the Armenians!
I should know- I was stopped many times travelling thru
Turkey and my American passport was requested from sector or
counties there. When my passport was looked at it showed my
last name snd I was immediately under suspicion.
WHY? because my last name ended in “ian” aka “ yan”
Anyone’s last name ending in those two is clearly
Armenian. It was hurtful to think I was being discriminated
like this..
Its total discrimination, worse than color discrimination.
When you are called a “yan” its the same thing
as using the “N” word.
Take note of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 & ser the pics
of naked Armenian women hung on crosses for a starter.
I highly recommend listening to Jivan Gasparyan in concert
on the “duduk” playing “They Took My Love Away”.
This is a ytube chan named TM Productions.
Leon Minnassian also appears on Ytube playing duduk
” They Took My Love Away.
There are others you may find on Ytube playing duduk
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