European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 20, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse Sunday August 20, 1989 the stars and stripes Page 9 Over Here newcomers get How tos at Ankara by . Arrington Dok Stafl writer Ankara. Turkey soon after he arrived in Turkey airman 1st class Terry Coltman flashed turkish Man the of sign. Although he was new in town he realized that he had made a cultural Stum ble. The Young Security policeman apologized. I made a Coleman recalled. Making that sign was a habit or me in the states. Then i tried to apologize which still was weird because i did t speak turkish. But i think he making a Circle with the forefinger and thumb while raising one s three other fingers is acceptable american body Slang for of Fine everything s Cool. In Turkey it s an obscene invitation that most Turk ish men consider an insult to their manhood. Coleman was Lucky an acquaintance had let him in on this cultural idiosyncrasy. . Military officials in Ankara also want to avoid unpleasant american turkish misunderstandings fuelled by ignorance. Ankara air station uses a double barrelled approach to introduce newcomers to the Dos Don stand How los of life in the turkish capital one lays the groundwork for incoming Arri Val. The other helps them help themselves once they re on turkish soil. Since november the first line of attack has been to carefully select and train sponsors of new arrivals. When i was a detachment commander in Italy i saw the people that had Good sponsors had a much easier time of settling in and had a better tour said col. Stephen Simpson 7217th air base group com Mander. When i came Here i saw the same under Ankara s program not just anyone can be a sponsor. For instance there Are several automatic disqualifies facing a discharge action being within three months of one s departure from Ankara and being new to the base yourself. And if you Don t want to be a sponsor Simpson does t want you to be one either. We had a Young airman Here who was being Dis charged Simpson said. While he was wailing around someone made him a sponsor. He wrote the most negative letters you could imagine. It was sort of incredible. Fortunately the Young Man he was writing to had enough sense to realize something was wrong Here. But after something like that you won Der gee How Many times has that happened " a perceptive sponsor in touch Early on with a incoming Servic member also can help detect circumstances that May make an assignment to Ankara inappropriate for some because of the City s Winter smog for instance a tour there May be hazardous to the health of those with chronic respiratory prob lems. In a 90-Minutc session sponsors learn the most up to Date information to pass along on base serv ices such As schools medical facilities temporary lodging and housing referral. Among the material sent to incoming service Mcm bars with families Are booklets created for Chil Dren by students at the local elementary and High schools. On the drawing Board is a videotape to familiarize new arrivals with the Ankara Community before they get there. We think that s going to pay off More than any thing Simpson said. Tech. Sgt. Leo Mcghee has been a sponsor numer Ous limes but he recently went through the plugs a lot of holes the Laboratory technician said. If you be been a sponsor 10 times there s still something you can learn. They should do it air Force wide i the second step in acclimating new arrivals to Ankara is a 40-hour course in the turkish language and culture that All incoming Scricc members mus take soon after their arrival. The two week course which they attend during work hours was initiated earlier this summer. Family members May attend of our people work daily with the turkish military Simpson said and it s absolutely Essen tial that they get these language and cultural skills As quickly As they cultural training for new arrivals had been limited to a Small Block during our newcomers Orienta Tion " Simpson said. We just Felt it was t teacher Sahel Moran helps two newly assigned master servants Barbara Hawthorne left and Ronnie Robinson. Sibyl Moran a Turk married to an american. Teaches the -40-hour course. A graduate of facet Type University in Ankara Moran crams a Potpourri of information into her course turkish history,.tradi tons manners Art history shopping hints and tips on bargaining with local merchants As Well As guiding students tongues around the unfamiliar sounds of the turkish language. I was educated to Leach English but to Tell the truth 1 enjoy this More Moran said during a class break. I m learning a lot of English words. They have one teacher i have 25. It s in a recent session Moran coached her students on dealing with maids and advised them on shopping for fruit in a local Market most shopkeepers Don t like people touching the fruit but it s not unusual to ask to taste part of an she said. If you buy a kilo of oranges Jou la get five Good ones and two bad Vou kind of accept it from the beginning. And before you buy Moran added. Make one Lour and then do our shopping. You la see five different prices for oranges. They la say the difference is in Quality but sometimes it s True and sometimes it in s practical information like this that makes the difference when adjusting to a foreign culture. Airman 1st class David Hunter was t Happy when he Learned he was heading for an assignment in Turkey particularly since it was to be his first trip out of the United states. But since his arrival the 20 year old californian has got used to the Early morning prayer Calls from nearby mosques Hal summon the moslem faithful and turkish taxi Drivers Breakneck driving. His fears about terrorism in Turkey also have diminished because of the tight police Security that blankets the City. And he feels his 40 hours of Classwork Are giving him an Edge to adjusting to unfamiliar m still suffering major culture Shock Hunter said. I guess the language Barrier s the toughest part. It s hard to communicate in Public. But you should be Able to speak the language at least a the base commander said a few bugs still must be worked out to Case newcomers arrivals in , which Simpson said is a consistent problem is getting information packages out in a timely second is Short notice assignments which Don t allow enough time for people to prepare properly for the move newcomers Are asked to evaluate their experiences Vii sponsors and other arrival related issues at least twice after they gel to Ankara. Their answers will help the base close in on improvements that can be made to newcomer sponsorship training program already is turn ing a profit in base officials families Are being met by their sponsors at the Airport and we re finding fewer families coming with poor screening Simpson d encourage other commanders to give it a try. It takes a Little time out of the duly Day. And it May Cost a few Bucks but it s Worth
