Literature and the World

3. President (non-US)
November 12, 1948 (age 68)
University of Tehran,
Glasgow Caledonian University
Sorkeh, Iran
Hassan Fereydoon Rouhani
Diplomat Sheikh
Hassan Feridon
Scorpio

14. IRANIAN SOCIETY & CULTURE

16. In Iran, the family is the bases of the social
structure.

17. The concept of family is more private than in many other culture.
Female relatives must be protected from outside influences and
are taken care of at all times. It is inappropriate to ask questions
about an Iranian's wife or other female relatives.

18. Iranians take their responsibilities to their family
quiet seriously.

19. Families tend to be small, only 1 or 2 children, but
the extend family is quiet close.

20. The individual derives a social network and
assistance in times of need from the family.

21. Elderly relatives are kept at home,
not place in a nursing home.

22. Loyalty to the family comes before other
social relationship, even business.

23. Nepotism is considered a good thing, since it
implies that employing people one knows and
trust is of primary importance.

25. Iranians see themselves as having a two-distinct
identities; “zaher”(public) and “batin” (private).

26. When they are in public, they must conform to accepted
modes of behaviour. It is only within their homes among their
inner circle that they feel free to be themselves. Family
members are always part of the inner circle.

27. The inner circle forms basis of a person’s social
and business network. Friendship is very
important and extends into business. The people
from inner circle can be replied upon to offer
advice, help find a job, or cut through
bureaucracy.

29. Taarof is a system of politeness that includes bot
verbal and non-verbal communication.

30. Iranians protest compliments and attempt to appear
vulnerable in public.

31. They will be bilittle their own accomplishments in an attemp to
appear humble, although other iranians understand that this is
merely courtesy and do not take the words at face value.

32. In adherence to taarof, if you are ever offered something, like a
tea or sweet, even if you want it, at first decline it until their
insistence becomes greater.

34. Introductions are generally restricted to members of the
same sex since men and women socialize separately.

35. Greetings tend to be affectionate Men kiss other men and women kiss
other women at social events. If they meet on the street, a handshake is
the more common greeting.

36. The most common greetings is “salaam alaykum” or more
simply “salaam” (peace).

37. Iranians give gifts at various social occassions such as returning
from a trip or if someone achieve a major success in their
personal or business life.
On birthdays, business people brings sweets and cake to the
office and do not expect to receive gifts.
It is common to give monetary gifts to servants or others who
have provided services during a year on No Ruz (The Iranian
New Year). Money should be new bank notes or gold coins.
If you are invited to an Iranian’s house, bring flowers, or pastry to
the hosts. When giving a gift, always apologize for its
inadequacy.
Gifts should be elegently wrapped , most shops will wrap them
for you.
Gifts are not generally opened when receive. In fact, they may be
put on a table and not mentioned.

38. -If you are invited to Iranian’s house;
-Check to see if the most is wearing shoes, If not, remove
yours at door.
-Dress conservatively.
-Try to arrive at the invited time. Punctualy is appreciated.
-Show respect for elders by greeting them first.
-Check to see if your spouse is included in the invitation.
Conservative Iranians do not entertain mixed-sex groups.
-Expect to be shown into the guests’ room. It is usually
lavishly furnished with European furniture.
-Shake everyone’s hand individually.
-Accept any offer of food or drink. Remember to do
“taarof”.
-Table manners: Iranians are rather formal. Although some
meals in the home are served on the floor and without
eating utensils, it does not indicate a lack of decorum. In
more mordern homes, meals are served on a dining table
with place settings.
-Wait to be told where to sit.
-Eat only with the right hand.
-Try a bit if everything that is served.
-Meals are generally served family style.
-Most tables are set with a spoon and fork only.
-There is often more food than you can eat. Part of Iranian
hospitality is to show guest with abundance.
-Expect to be offered second and even third helpings.
Initial refusals will be assumed to be polite gestures (taaro
again!) and are not taken seriously.
-Leave some food on your plate when you have finished
eating.
-Restaurants generally have two sections- “family” where
woman and families dine and “men only”. Tips between 10
and 15% are appreciated in hotel restaurants.

40. For geology enthusiasts, the curious rocks formation of the Badab-e Surt are
a must see natural wonder. Located in Mazandaran province in northern
Iran, about 100 kilometers south of the city of Sari, the area consist of
golden, orange, and red stepped terraces of sedimentary rock, formed by
deposits of minerals carried from nearby hot springs. The two springs of
travertine landscape are said to have medicinal properties, and the glistening
flats are amongst the most photogenic sites in Iran.

41. A two-hour drive from the city of kashan in Esfahan province, the
Maranjab desert boast some of the sandiest dunes in the country. Whilst
most of Iran’s desert salt, rocky, or scrubland, Maranjab caters to more
stereotypical desert fantasies. You can combine a tour with a visit to the
Namak Lake, not far from here, with the option to rest your head in the
remains of a 16th century caravanserai.

42. More than 65 kilometers northeast of Tehran, at a height of 5,610m, Mount
Damavand is the highest mountain in the Middle East, and a worthy
challenge for any accomplished mountaineer. Visible from Tehran on a clear
day, the mountain is snow capped all year round, features prominently in
Persian foklore and literature. Located in the Alborz Mountain range,
reaching Damavand’s peak will take the best part of two days and earn you
the eternal respect of any Iranians in your life.

43. Situated in the Persian Gulf just south of the port city Bandar Abbas,
Queshm is famed for its unspoilt natural beauty and diversity. The largest
island in the Persian Gulf, Queshm boasts some particularly impressive
geological features; the Namakdan salt caves, for example, are reportedly the
longest of their kind in the world. The intriguing erosions of the Chahkouh
Valley are also worth a visit, if only for the eerie, post-apocalyptic amblance
they provide.

44. The Turkmen Plains, or the Torkraman Sahra, lie in Iran’s north eastern
region, bordering Turkmenistan and the Caspian Sea. The seemingly
interminable rolling green hills remain virtually untouched and tricky to
access without your own car, but th views are simply spectacular. One focal
point to head to is the Khaled Nabi cemetery, notable for its tombstone. Also
nearby is the famous 11th century tower structure Gonbad-e Qabus,
memorialised in the west in Robert Byron’s travelogue The Road to Oxiana