In the first one, a departing younger person (in this movie's case, the young hero) quickly kisses the right-hand of an older woman (his mother) and still holding her hand, he raises it and touches it to his forehead. And, he repeats that exact same act with the older woman's husband (his father). This is the traditional way in Turkey to demonstrate heartfelt respect -- either to someone older than yourself or to someone you admire greatly.

You'll see the tradition practiced a lot by children with adults, especially at bayram (holiday) time...when the kids come to pay their respects -- and to collect candy or your spare-change money or both. But it's also a great thing for a son-in-law (or daughter-in-law) to do when greeting parents-in-law after a long separation from them. It's a very endearing act. Mothers-in-law, especially, melt when younger people do this...

In the enactment of the second tradition, the same young man (after his respectful hand-kissing) jumps in his car with his girlfriend... and as he drives off, the older woman dips a wok-like water scoop (curiously called a saç in Turkish) into a nearby water barrel, scoops out some water and flings the water (only) after the departing car.

This is the traditional way in Turkey to bid fond farewell to loved ones who are setting out on a long journey by road vehicle. Actually any container can be used to throw the water from...a glass or a cup would serve just as well. The tradition itself serves to express a wish -- that the long journey will go smoothly, without mishap. As smooth as water.

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Jim and (co-author) Perihan Masters are a husband and wife team, living on the Aegean Coast of Turkey just 50 miles south of Izmir. Jim was born in Shanghai, China -- of American military parentage. Peri was born on the Black Sea coast of Turkey near Trabzon, of Turkish military parentage...Enticed by a Financial Times advertisement, Jim joined a NATO sponsored enterprise in Ankara in 1974 where he met the beautiful and brainy Perihan, a rising young Turkish banking executive. Settled now in the heart of what was once the ancient Ionian Empire -- the couple live an idyllic life by the sea.. writing, drawing and painting, teaching English, and providing computing service support to local businesses. They also sponsor the MSNBC award-winning Learning Practical Turkish Website which has built an enthusiastic international following of devoted Turkophiles and inquisitive language students of all ages.