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Personal space tends to be very close, sometimes disconcertingly so for foreigners used to more space. An arm’s length is generally considered an appropriate amount of personal space when speaking, particularly when interacting with colleagues and acquaintances. For friends and family this space is often smaller and a fair amount of touching is common.
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It is common to see men hold hands with men. Women hold hands with women. Women also can be seen with arms around each other’s waists while walking and female friends often hold each other’s hands while talking
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Turks tend to be very touchy-feely in friend to friend conversations, but everything is about the waist. Touching a leg is often regarded as a sexual and therefore inappropriate gesture.
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Touching between members of the opposite sex is limited in public unless well-known as “friends-only.”
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Business colleagues do not usually do the Turkish kiss.
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When two business partners are talking to a third person, it is a demonstration of mutual trust to briefly put a hand on the shoulder or the upper back. Avoid lower back contact as it can be regarded as sexual.
