By Roadjunky, Posted Dec 01, 2006
Sections: Guide to Iran Articles Iran Basics Transport History of Iran The People Travel in Iran Romance and Dating Money and Work Health and Safety Iran Culture Food in Iran Accommodation Isfahan Shiraz
The Iranians are a kind, patient lot and in many ways are untouched by the worst of the modern world without the ignorance and poverty of the Third World.
Hospitality is a genuine delight here and they will feel happy as long as they can be of service.
People are immensely proud of their country even if they are less than enthusiastic about its politics.
You get a sense of a nation of young Iranians bored out of their minds. For those who have a family, everyday life occupies their attention but for the young there is nothing to do. Music, dance, girls chatting to boys and just about anything fun is considered un-Islamic and illegal.
As such students will take every opportunity to talk to you and will soak up information about the modern world like sponges.
In Iran you often get this amazing sense that while you’re speaking no one is waiting to interrupt you. It takes a moment to understand that they are listening. MTV hasn’t reached Iran yet and so many still have a fine sense of patience and courtesy.
People are utterly sick of politics but cannot speak up if they don’t want to lose what’s precious to them. Occasionally you’ll come across some bigot mouthing the state slogans but most Iranians find this kind of thing embarrassing.
Women are not obliged to wear the chador, only a head-scarf. Many are still immersed in the austere dictates of the 80’s though and some even like the anonymity.
Guys and girls do everything they can to meet and just hold hands but the secret police make this a hazardous affair.
Iranians are a family-culture and the whole clan sits down on the carpets twice a day for banquets prepared by the women of the house. Then the men will drink tea and play chess upon the carpets. Later on the guests will be given a blanket and a pillow and will go to sleep on the carpets. You get the idea.
When whipped up by the media Iranian mobs may well shout “America is Satan!” and burn the Stars and Stripes. This is partly to do with the propaganda of the state-controlled media and partly from an indignation that America should make war at will on their Muslim neighbors.
But Iranians won’t bear a grudge against any individual American. They will be as welcome in Iran as anyone else.
Some real Iranians:
