writing_womans_lives_symposium_paper_book_v2

elationships is relevant for the mahalle too. Many sociological and anthropological writings seem to
reproduce this perception, taking the dichotomy of tradition and modernity as their point of
departure. 7 This schematic and reductionist perspective does not contribute to understanding
complex relationships of a neighborhood community and social dynamics of continuity and change.
Moreover, it is an obstacle to gaining insight into the wide variety of struggles over “the past” and
“tradition” strategically waged by neighborhood residents and shopkeepers.
Social relationships between shopkeepers and women
Shopkeepers and women living in a certain district base their conduct upon a series of tacit
agreements. I would like to underline the significance of their relations, which, undoubtedly, display
great variety. Women in Moda are certainly aware of the significance of their relations with
shopkeepers. In my shorter or longer conservations with quite a few people in the district, I have
often observed how women and shopkeepers form a space of social relations. I refer to a field of
social knowledge based on controversies of gender and economy over who deserves to live where,
hence urban identity. What I find striking amongst a lot of characteristics defining shopkeepers is
that they represent a “balancing” factor in the district. Here we come across with a space of
negotiation and compromise as well as a number of opinions about women. Shopkeepers take both
certain stances and unifying roles. Strong social ties between shopkeepers and women in the district
are made up of various positions co‐determined by them. I believe that this corresponds to a social
field, involving a social language and type of knowledge. 8 Thus, it is impossible to speak solely of the
pressure or liberating effects of shopkeepers in gender issues. In short, the positions and positiontakings
of women and shopkeepers in the district should be examined very carefully. In order to
provide a solid base for what I have said thus far, I would try to illustrate my points with example
cases.
“First, let us correct that: women understand these things better than men”
Having created some time amongst her busy schedule, a woman entered one of the old stores in
Kadıköy selling electrical apparatuses and telephones. This small store is crowded even during
daytime. It is usually men who visit this kind of stores, and that was the case that day too. The
shopkeeper, who is a self‐confident old man, gives “good” advice to, even “warns” almost everybody
about buying the “correct” goods, meaning those things that are practical and affordable. He
represents to many the wisdom of an experienced shopkeeper. When the woman reached out to a
black receiver, he warned her: “but that is too expensive! You should buy the white phone for your
home!” While he had to deal with so many people and things at the store, he explained the reasons
to her and all the men there. It was not appropriate for a “true” shopkeeper to allow a customer to
buy something impulsively—a customer should consider the matter carefully, not in a haphazard
fashion. When she took the white, quite cheap phone in her hands, thinking of the restricted time
she had, and forgetting all the warnings about the proper conduct at the store, she said: “I can’t
install the line; you know women don’t understand these things.” Both statements were easy for her
to say, she probably thought by herself: “I said what I wanted. I am sure he understands what I mean.
Maybe he can recommend a practical solution. Or he can make the process easy by affixing
something to the receiver. Maybe he can come home…” While all these quick ideas were about to
disappear, the shopkeeper said to her and the men around with a louder and self‐confident voice:
“First, let us correct that: women understand these things better than men.” By making reference to
misogynistic views on women expressed by some male members of the government party, he added:
“they tell such things about you, but it is true neither for you nor for the other women.” In his
opinion, the women he met at that store were skillful and had achieved so many things; therefore
there was no need for further proof of women’s capabilities. He was happy to point to Turkish
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