Turkey is an extremely hitchhiking-friendly country. Your waiting times will rarely exceed 15 minutes on reasonably used roads, even off the main roads. On smaller roads, the first vehicle passing you is likely to stop for you. Also you're very likely to be invited for tea and food, and often also to home stays.
Very few people speak English, while German might be a little bit more useful, especially in the east. However, it's essential to learn at least a few words of basic Turkish , also for your safety. Turkey has a very distinct reputation, especially when it comes to female hitchhikers, but once you get on terms with the dynamics of interacting with Turks likely only after you make your first mistake, though you'll usually be fine. See the Safety Chapter below.
It's not very likely that drivers will ask for money, but it happens occasionally. If you feel your status as a free hitchhiker is unclear, make sure to say para m yok before you get into the car. On the other hand, this might offend drivers who genuinely want to help you and do not expect money. While these things shouldn't deter anybody from travelling in Turkey, they certainly prove that there is a specific code of conduct different from any other country that needs to be respected in order to avoid unnecessary problems.
It will take a little bit of travelling in the country first to get used to this different dynamic, so this will be the time to be extra cautious. Further reading for female hitchhikers β and anybody travelling in Turkey β is this blog. Safety is always important while hitchhiking, so check the Safety article before hitting the road! What follows is a list of general guidelines for hitchhiking in Turkey. Remember, however, that you cannot fully master the different dynamics of social interaction, especially between members of opposite sexes, until you've been exposed to the inital special attention you'll receive as a foreigner and possibly made some beginning's mistakes.
As a brief summary: As a girl, be aware of your body language - smiling, eye contact, being flattered by compliments are all bad ideas. As a guy hitchhiking with a girl, stand your ground, show presence; always make sure to sit next to the driver. If the driver talks mostly to the girl, it's a bad sign. Girls should dress modestly and make sure not to be confused with Russian prostitutes "rus", "natasha".
