Turkish speaking people landed on British shores during the seventeenth century, freed from slavery by the Brits. Ever since, Turkish culture made a dramatic impression on British society. In 1652, Pasqua Rosee, a Greek from London, introduced coffee to London with his extensive knowledge of brewing Turkish coffee; he opened a coffeehouse. That was the first time British people interacted with the Turks; strangely – not so much back then – through the work of a Greek person.
Fast-forward: London riots, 2011, put the Turkish speaking community into the limelight; tributes were poured into the community after they resisted rioters and chased them away.
It is safe for to assume Turkish-speaking people to be well integrated, if not, well established in the UK, London in particular.
Having said that; is the community interactive, welcoming, especially of new immigrants from the EU.
“I love Turkish people – at least the customers I have. Visiting their stores has been one amazing experience. But we do not interact with them much; I would love to have more Turkish customers,” said a polish immigrant, Anna, cleaning the coffee machine after making our lattes, in her Haringey cafe.
“II do not know why exactly, but we do not get many Turkish people coming here. I must say; the ones that do, are lovely people. I sit and hold conversations with them for a very long-time. I wish I had more Turkish friends.”
The story echoes the same a little North: Adam – an immigrant from Hungary- from Enfield, spoke of his love of Turkish food and the people who serve it.
“Always, following a night out with friends, I visit the kebab shop – they know exactly what I want, I ask for the same all the time,” said, while waiting for his meal.
“You are the only Turkish friend I, really, even though I have just met you. it is strange that it is that way.”
Enfield is well-populated with a Turkish-speaking people; Turkish food, groceries, brassieres, butchers, bakeries and community centres have a home in furtherest North of London – Enfield. A growing population of Eastern-European migrants have been filling homes and places of work with their own, unique language, culture, cuisine and customs.
It does seem at odds with logic that two cultures so close geographically are so apart. Is it a symptom of current flow of British culture; the urge look down on our phones, Ipads or cover our faces with the free morning papers – metro, evening standard – as part of a larger disease, just another symptom that has inflicted the immigrant communities. Or is it a lack, from both sides, of understanding. Maybe a combination of both is apt – or something totally different.
“Since I have stepped foot into London, five-years-ago, the place kept itself cold; people are so alone with themselves or in groups. I am an extravert, and this seems un-human to me. So, I do not blame the Turkish speaking community for lack of interaction or the new immigrants to suppose others are simply not interested in speaking,” Said Lorraine, a Lithuanian immigrant to London.
