There are lots of common beliefs in Turkish culture that I just don't subscribe to.
Like, going barefoot in the house will make you ill.
Sitting on a cement or marble step will make you infertile.
Or, a fan blowing behind you will put a crink in your neck.
You've heard all of these before and more. And for two and a half years, I scoffed at them, laughed at them, smiled politely at people who told me that cat hair will get in my brain, all the while labeling them LOCO.
Last week as I was leaving pilates class and the studio owner was hanging up garland in front of a big window next to the front door, I tried to sneak out without letting too much cold air get inside the studio.
"It's okay," she said. "I don't mind it," gesturing for me to keep the door open.
"But it's cold," I said, pointing out the obvious.
"Really, it's fine. You can keep the door open."
And then...I don't even know where this came from, some strange, hidden part of my brain that I didn't know existed:
"But you'll get sick," I said.
As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I gasped. I don't even know why I said it. I don't even believe that cold air makes people sick. In fact, I don't even think it's a matter of belief; it's simply not true.
I walked home all the while wondering why I told her that a draft of cold air would make her ill. Have I gone soft in the head? Have I been here too long? Am I starting to think like the old Turkish teyze who tells her daughter that her eggs will shrivel up and die if she sits on a concrete step?
Maybe I said it because that's what I think the studio owner was expecting to hear? But even if she was expecting it, she doesn't buy into the old wives' tale either because she waved away my concern that way that I always do.
What about you? Has this type of thing ever happened to you?
