American's are so touchy about their weight

The legend of the freshman 15 is a horror story known by so many first year college students. I was unaware that there is a similar phenomenon for people moving to a new country. I have deemed this the "Welcome to Turkey kilos." For those of you who know Erin ( and probably loathe this about her) you will not be surprised to hear that she wasn't susceptible to the gaining of the weight, but I was. I don't have a scale but it was quickly obvious to me for many reasons. Of course there were the normal ones like my shirts were a little tighter, I no longer needed a belt for many of pants, my belly was catching crumbs...Oh yeah and

ALL OF THE TURKISH TEACHERS FELT THE NEED TO TELL ME!!!

It has quickly become obvious that one huge cultural difference is that Turkish people are honest. I wasn't sure how to take it when the first comment came. It was from my boss who spent 9 years in Missouri. He was quite tactful saying that he had noticed I had gained a few pounds and that the same happened to him when each time he moved. Others are not so tactful treating my extra pounds like Buddha's belly, rubbing away. To be fair they are also very honest about their own weight. I have witnessed so many conversations between teachers in which they stick out their belly and talk about the kilos they have gained.

As Erin quickly points out in America honesty about weight is not acceptable. Even if your friend could stand to lose a few your job as a friend is to respond with some sort of placating response to the effect of "No you look great..." Perhaps that is part of America's weight problem, maybe a little honesty would help. I know it has helped me get back to my exercise routine. We have been in Turkey too long to call these the "Welcome to Turkey Kilos."

On the other hand Erin doesn't get away without her fair share of the comments. The Turkish ideal of a healthy woman is one that I think most of the world values. They all look for a woman with some meat on her bones. The term they use is "balık etli" literally translated it means "Fish Meat." The woman all want to strive for that middle ground between too heavy and too thin. So Erin has now received many offers of food and suggestions that she gain a few kilos. So the honesty goes both ways.