A Cup of Hospitality

Through a glass of the Turkish çay (pronounced chai), the amber red glow of light passes through, casting it onto the two sugar cubes placed on the saucer. This is a traditional glass of Turkish tea, or çay, which encompasses all walks of life in Turkey.

On average, a Turkish citizen consumes 6.29 pounds of tea a year, making it the highest per capita for tea consumption in the world. An overarching question was raised as I took the long flight to Turkey: “How can the Turkish people possibly drink this much tea?”

As I landed in Turkey I soon learned what çay meant to the Turkish people. Both a symbol of respect and welcoming to guests in the home or workplace, it is considered good manners to at least offer three cups of çay to your guests, creating a feeling of acceptance and allowing for open discussion with them.

My journey through Istanbul took me to the smallest back alley shops, to the warehouses where çay is packaged. Every step of the way I was met with loving, hospitable people who were glad to share what they knew about çay.

Throughout my experience of the vibrant art filled streets of Istanbul, often the sound “çay, çay, çay!” can be heard over the bustle of the crowd. A walla, bearing a tray dangling from his outstretched arm, glides over the uneven streets with blurring speed. Somehow he keeps all of the small cups of çay with their sugar cubes and saucers balanced on top from toppling to their inevitable demise.

The ancient cobbled streets winding up and down coastal hills are often obstacles wallas need to traverse many times a day to deliver their wares, often available for the small price of two Turkish lira (about 32 cents). The affordable price brings together rich and poor to humanize each other over conversation and çay.

The hospitality and generosity I experienced in Istanbul left me inspired. At the center of a welcoming tradition is çay, which flows freely into all walks of life in Istanbul, and, if you are lucky enough, you will be swept into this marvelous and giving culture.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!