Country Profile of IRAN in English

8/20/2019 Country Profile of IRAN in English

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Info4Migrants

IRANCountry prole

Project number: UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-615


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1,648,195 km2

77,176 mlnPOPULATION

GDP per capita

CURRENCY

$4,763

Languages PERSIAN ocial, Azeri,

Kurdish, Lurish, Gilaki, Mazandarani,

Turkmen, Arabic, Baloch, Georgian,

Armenian, Neo-Aramaic (spoken)

Iranian rial (IRR)

2 Country profle IRANLearnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com


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COUNTRY BACKGROUND

Ocial name: Islamic republic of Iran

Locaon: Western Asia. Iran has borders with ten countries:

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan,

Oman, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq and Turkey.

Capital: Tehran

Religion: 89% Shia Muslims and 9% Sunni Muslims make up

the 98% of the populaon, making Islam the dominant reli-

gion. The rest of the populaon consists of people following

Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Chrisanity, and the Baha’i.

Ethnicity: Persians (61%), followed by Azeri (16%), Kurd (10%),

Lur (6%), Baloch (2%), Arab (2%), Turkmen and Turkic tribes

(2%), and other (1%), make up the ethnic composion of Iran.

Climate: Iran has a hot, dry climate characterized by long, hot,

dry summers and short, cool winters. The climate is inuenced

by Iran’s locaon between the subtropical aridity of the Ara-

bian desert areas and the subtropical humidity of the eastern

Mediterranean area.

Natonal Flag

Natonal emblem

IRAN

Turkmenistan

Iraq

SaudiArabia

A

f g h a n i s t a n

Tehran



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IRAN FACTS

LanguageThe largest language group consists of the speakers of In-

do-Iranian languages, who in 1986 comprised about 70

percent of the populaon. The speakers of Indo-Iranian

languages are not, however, a homogeneous group. They

include speakers of Persian and its various dialects; speak-

ers of Kirmanji, the term for related dialects spoken by the

Kurds; speakers of Luri, the language of the Bakharis andLurs; and Baluchi, the language of the seminomadic people

who live in Southeastern Iran. Approximately 28 percent of

the populaon speaks various dialects of Turkish. Speakers

of Semic languages include Arabs and Assyrians.

Flag

The current Iranian ag was adopted in 1980 and hasthree equal horizontal bands of green, white, and red.

Green is the color of Islam and represents growth, white

symbolizes honesty and peace, and red stands for bravery

and martyrdom. Centered in the middle, the white band

is the stylized representaon of the word “Allah” and the

phrase La ilaha illa Allah (“None is worthy of worship but

Allah”) in the shape of a tulip. Along the inner edges of

the green and red bands are 22 copies of the phrase Alla-

hu Akbar (“God is great”).

Persian catThe Persian cat is one of the world’s oldest breed of cats. The

rst documented ancestors of the Persian were imported

into Western Europe from Persia around 1620. The cat haslong silky fur to protect it from the cold in the high plateau

regions of Iran.



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IRAN FACTS

Iranian PolitenessTaarof is a system of politeness that includes both verbal

and non-verbal communicaon. Iranians protest compli-

ments and aempt to appear vulnerable in public. They will

belile their own accomplishments in an aempt to appear

humble, although other Iranians understand that this is

merely courtesy and do not take the words at face value. In

adherence to taarof, if you are oered something, like a teaor a sweet, even if you want it, you should at rst decline it

unl their insistence becomes greater.

Capital relocaonWith a populaon of around 8.3 million and surpass-

ing 14 million in the wider metropolitan area, Tehran is

Iran’s capital, largest city and urban area, and the largest

city in Western Asia. A plan to move the capital due to

the earthquake hazard has been discussed many mes

in previous years. In 2010, the government of Iran an-

nounced that “for security and administrave reasons”

the plan to move the capital from Tehran has been nal-ized. There are plans to relocate 163 state rms to the

provinces and several universies from Tehran.

Public vs. PrivateIranians see themselves as having two disnct idenes:

“zaher” (public) and “ban” (private). 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 like they can be themselves. Family members

are always part of the inner circle. The inner circle forms the

basis of a person’s social and business network. Friendship is

very important and extends into business. The people from

the inner circle can be relied upon, to oer advice, help nd

a job, or cut through bureaucracy.



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IRAN FACTS

Three Wise MenThe Medes were of Aryan origin and the rst people to unify

Iran by the 6th century B.C. One of the tribes, the Magi,

were powerful Zoroastrian priests. The most famous Magi

are the Three Wise Men of the Chrisan Navity story who

brought gis to the newborn Christ. The 13th century Italian

explorer Marco Polo claimed to have visited the graves of

the Three Wise Men in what is now Iran’s capital Tehran.

RevoluonIran became an Islamic republic in 1979, when the monarchy

was overthrown and clerics assumed polical control under

supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini.

The Iranian revoluon put an end to the rule of the Shah, who

had alienated powerful religious, polical and popular forces

with a programme of modernizaon and Westernizaon cou-

pled with heavy repression of dissent.

Internet and censorshipIn the rst decade of the 21st century, Iran experienced a

great surge in Internet usage, and, with 20 million people onthe Internet, currently has the second highest percentage of

its populaon online in the Middle East, aer Israel. When

inially introduced, the Internet services provided by the gov-

ernment within Iran were comparavely open. Many users

saw the Internet as an easy way to get around Iran’s strict

press laws.

In recent years, Internet service providers have been told to

block access to pornographic and an-religion websites. Theban has also targeted such popular social networking sites as

Facebook and YouTube, as well as news sites.



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Lunar holidays

Muharram 9

Muharram 10

Safar 20

Safar 28

Safar 29 or 30

Rabi’-ul-Awwal 17

Jamaad-ath-Thaanee 3

Rajab 13

Rajab 27

Sha’aban 15

Ramadhan 21

Shawwal 1Shawwal 2

Shawwal 25

Dh-ul-Hajja 10

Dh-ul-Hajja 18

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Naonal Holidays

Nowrooz (New Year)

Islamic Republic DayNature Day

Khomeini’s death

Revolt of Khordad 15

Victory of the Iranian Revoluon

Naonalizaon of Oil Industry

Naonal holidays

Tasu’a of Imam Hussain

Ashura of Imam Hussain

Arba’een of Imam Hussain

Demise of prophet

Muhammad and Martyrdomof Imam Hassan (Mujtaba)

Martyrdom of Imam Reza

Birth of Muhammad and

Imam Jafar

Martyrdom of Fama

Birth of Imam Ali

Mission of Muhammad

Birth of Imam Mahdi

Martyrdom of Imam Ali

Eid ul-Fitr (End of Ramadhan)Eid ul-Fitr (End of Ramadhan)

Martyrdom of Imam Jafar

Eid ul-Adha (Ghurban)

Eid al-Ghadeer

Persian calendar

Farvardin

OrdibeheshtKhordad

Tir

Mordad

Shahrivar

Mehr

Aban

Azar

Dey

Bahman

Esfand

Islamic calendar

Muharram

Safar

Rabi’ al-awwal

Rabi’ al-thani

Jumada al-awwalJumada al-thani

Rajab

Sha’aban

Ramadan

Shawwal

Dhu al-Qi’dah

Dhu al-Hijjah

Gregorian calendar (2015)

October-November

November - December

December - January

January-February

February-MarchMarch - April

April - May

May - June

June - July

July - August

August - September

September - October

Solar holidays

Farvardin 1-4

Farvardin 12Farvardin 13

Khordad 14

Khordad 15

Bahman 22

Esfand 29

Gregorian calendar

March - April

April - MayMay - June

June - July

July - August

August - September

September - October

October - November

November - December

December - January

January-February

February-March

The Islamic or Hijri calendar abbreviated as AH is

a lunar calendar, and months begin when the rst

crescent of a new moon is sighted. The Islamic lunar

calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar

year consisng of 12 months in a year of 354 days.

The Solar Hijri calendar, also called the Solar Hejri

calendar, and abbreviated as SH, is the ocial calendar

of Iran and Afghanistan. The determinaon of starngmoment is more accurate than in the Gregorian calen-

dar, because it uses astronomical observaons rather

than mathemacal rules.



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• The word Iran means the Land of the Aryans.

• It snows in Tehran.

• The former name of Iran was Per¬sia, which was in use

unl 1935.

• Iran ranks seventh among countries in the world

as regards number of World Heritage Sites recog-

nized by UNESCO.

• Iran ranks second in the world in nat¬ural gasand third in oil reserves.

• Iran’s Constuon and Parliament were

created on August 5th, 1906.

• Famous bib lical people buried in Iran:

Queen Esther, Daniel, Cyrus the Great, Dar-

ius the Great, St. Thaddeus.

• Iran is one of the world’s oldest connu-

ous major civ ilizaons, with historical andurban selements dang back to 4000

BC.

• In spite of erce compeon, Persian

rugs are sll the best rugs in the world.

• The word mausoleum comes from the

famous grave of King Mausolus. Iran’s

Mausoleum of Maussollos was idened

as one of the Seven Wonders of the An-

cient World.

• Persian (Farsi) is sll spoken in Tajikestan

and Afghanistan. It was the ocial court lan-

guage of India for 200 years.

• Sur prisingly, Persia built the ear liest known

windmills, which resembled large paddle

wheels. Iran was pio neering wind energy long

before any other naon realized the energy benet

of natural energy powerhouse.

• Iran provides home and social security for approximately a million foreign refu-

gees – the biggest number in a single country in the world. Most of the refugees are

INTERESTING FACTS



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from Afghanistan or are Iraqi Kurds.

• Females over the age of nine must wear a hijab in public. “Bad hijab” ― exposure

of any part of the body other than hands and face – can be subject to punishment

of up to 70 lashes or 60 days imprisonment.

• While homosexual relaonships are banned in Iran,

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini decreed that transsex-

uals are allowed to have sex change operaons in

Iran. Since 2008, Iran has conducted more sexchange operaons than any other country

in the world, second only to Thailand. The

government even provides nancial assis-

tance.

• Iran is one of the world’s largest pro-

ducers of caviar, pistachios, and saron.

• Short-term marriages are called

Sigheh. These are permied in certainShia schools. These marriages last for

an hour or several years depending on

the contract.

• Iranian households are forbidden to

have satellite television

• In Iran, men who do not marry stay with

their natal family their enre life and are de-

scribed as na-mard (not-men)

• In Iran, yogurt is referred to as “Persian Milk”

and many Iranians consider yogurt a miracle food.

It is used to treat ulcers, relieve sunburn, and even

prolong life.

• Women are prohibited from watching sport matches. They

resort to cross-dressing to watch the games.

• The rst day of spring in Iran is a fesve day. Women prepare huge feasts and mothers

eat hard-boiled eggs, one for each of their children. According to Persian ritual, the table

is set with seven items, each beginning with the leer “s” in Persian: such as apples (sib),

green grass (sabze), vinegar (serkey), berries (senjed), ground wheat (samanoo), a gold

coin (sekke), and garlic (sir).

INTERESTING FACTS



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Tchogha Zanbil

This tourist aracon and historic site is

a ziggurat-shaped temple built under the

kingdom of Elam, c. 1250 B.C. It is sur-

rounded by three huge walls and can be

seen from far away. Millions of bricks have

been used in the construcon of this tem-

ple.

Persepolis

It is the palace complex built under Darius

the Great in 518 B.C. Persepolis was the

capital of the Achaemenid Empire. It was

built on an immense half-arcial, half-nat-

ural terrace, where the king of kings creat-

ed an impressive palace complex inspired

by Mesopotamian models.

Bisotun

This tourist aracon and historic site is

the largest inscripon of the world, con-

sisng of 1119 lines of cuneiform in three

languages. The rock relieves depict Darius

the Great aer an inial endeavor to arrest

the rebels who had introduced themselves

falsely as sons of Cyrus the Great.

Pasargadae

Pasargadae is the rst example of Achae-

menians’ palace compounds, as well as

one of the rst examples of Persian gar-

den planning in Iranian history. Its palaces,

gardens and the mausoleum of Cyrus are

outstanding examples of the rst phase of

royal Achaemenid art and architecture andexceponal tesmonies of Persian civiliza-

on.

Bam

Kariz, an ancient Iranian underground water

supplement system, known as qanat, made

life possible in this oasis. Bam is situated in

a desert environment on the southern edge

of the Iranian high plateau.

Soltaniyeh

This masterpiece of architecture is a unique

example of the Iranians’ precision in math-

emacs and calculaon in engineering. The

mausoleum of Oljaytu was constructed

in 1302–12 in the city of Soltaniyeh, the

capital of the Ilkhanid dynasty, which was

founded by the Mongols.

Meidan-e-Emam

Built by Shah Abbas I the Great at the be-

ginning of the 17th century, and bordered

on all sides by monumental buildings linked

by a series of two-storey arcades, the site is

known for the Royal Mosque, the Mosque

of Sheykh Loollah, the magnicent Porco

of Qaysariyyeh and the 15th-century Timu-

rid palace.

Shushtar Waterfalls

These waterfalls are the masterpieces of

engineering at the me of ancient Iranians.

The enre collecon includes waterfalls,

dams, bridges, basins, mills, etc.

Armenian Monasc Ensembles

There are three monasc ensembles of

the Armenian Chrisans living in the NorthWest of present-day Iran: St Thaddeus, St

Stepanos, and the Chapel of Dzordzor.

ATTRACTIONS



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DOS AND DON’TS

DressDO understand that women are expected

to wear loose clothing covering everything

but their hands, face, and feet. Female

travellers in Iran are also expected to abide

by this dress code. In homes, western-style

clothing is acceptable.

DO wear pants and short-sleeved shirts ifyou are man. However, long-sleeves may

protect you from the sun beer.

DO dress conservavely for business oc-

casions. Ties are not tradionally worn by

Iranian men but they are not looked down

upon.

Table Manners

DO note that in some homes meals areserved on the oor without utensils, but in

more modern homes meals will be served

on a table with a spoon and fork.

DON’T sit unl told where to sit.

DON’T use your le hand while eang.

DO try a lile bit of everything and expect

to be oered seconds and even thirds!

DO understand that refusals are considered

polite and not taken seriously, so if youdon’t want more food you will likely have to

insist.

DO understand that restaurants will oen

have two secons: “family” and “men only.”

“Family” is for women and their families.

DO leave a lile bit of food on your plate to

indicate that you are done eang.

DO note that alcohol is illegal under most

circumstances.

Gi Giving and Accepng GisDO wrap a gi nicely.

DON’T open a gi immediately.

DON’T give overly lavish gis. Pens, art,

home decor, or something from your home

country are generally appreciated.

GreengsDO understand that since conservave

men and women do not socialize together,

greengs are done only among members of

the same sex. Because of this, wait for the

member of the opposite sex to put their

hand out for a handshake before shaking

hands.

DO shake hands upon greeng or greet

with an aeconate kiss.DO greet by saying “salaam” which means

hello.

Visitors EqueeDO bring owers or desserts for your hosts.

DO arrive on me. Lateness could be con-

sidered rude.

DO look to see if your host is wearing

shoes. If they are not, take yours o before

entering.

DO accept food or drink.

Business MeengsDO make appointments at least a month in

advance and conrm a week before.

DON’T be late!

DO have all wrien business materials and

business cards translated into Farsi.

DON’T take your suit jacket o without

permission.



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DO be paent. Decisions are made slowly and Iranians can be tough business-people.

They may get angry, storm out, or threaten to end the business relaonship in order to

get their way. Negoaons might be quite long.

DON’T be forceful or use pressure taccs. It may wind up working against you.

Socializing and ConversaonDON’T cricize Islam or the Iranian government.

DO discuss soccer (football) because it is very popular in Iran.

DO ask about family, but don’t be too intrusive.

Religious EqueeDO understand that in order to visit a mosque or holy shrine, women should wear a

chador before entering. Chadors are sort of like cloaks. If you don’t have a chador, some-

mes there are kiosks where you can rent one.

DO wear long-sleeved shirts when vising a mosque or holy shrine if you are a man.

DO remove your shoes before entering a prayer area of a mosque.

DON’T take photos of a mosque while people are praying.DO ask before entering a room at a holy site, because some places forbid non-Muslims

to enter.

Good Topics of ConversaonIran, its language, culture and history

Discussing family in general, in a non-intrusive way

Food, especially the variety of local cuisine

Sports, especially football is always a good topic

Professionals will enjoy talking about their educaon and employment

Avoid discussingQuesons about Islam, unless they are very simple, inquisive quesons

Contenous issues that may lead to heated discussion like the Revoluon of 1979, Irani-

an-US relaons, and Israeli foreign and domesc policy

Sex and roles of the sexes

Personal quesons, unless a very close relaonship has been established. Also don’t

divulge too much personal informaon about yourselfAny negave comments about Iran regarding the leadership, infrastructure or people

DOS AND DON’TS



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IMPORTANT TIPS

Dining Equee

If you are invited to an Iranian’s house:

• Check to see if the host is wearing shoes.

If not, remove yours at the door.

• Dress conservavely. Dressing up formally

and appropriately is also regarded as a sign

of respect and people may get oended

if their guests arrive in casual ouits and

sneakers.

• Try to arrive at the invited me. Punctual-

ity is appreciated.

• Show respect for the elders by greeng

them rst.

• Check to see if your spouse is included in

the invitaon. Conservave Iranians do not

entertain mixed-sex groups.• Expect to be shown into the guests’ room.

It is usually lavishly furnished with Europe-

an furniture.

• Shake everyone’s hand individually.

• Accept any oer of food or drink.

Common Gestures

• Raising your eyebrows means no.

• Bing your lower lip with your upper

teeth expresses disbelief or shame that

someone did something.

• Placing your hand over your heart (and

slightly bowing your head down/looking

down) expresses sincerity.

• Bing your index nger or the web be-

tween your thumb and index nger is sortof an an-jinx.

• In Iran, counng things o is done in two

ways: by touching the nger to thumb,

starng with the pinky, or by folding each

nger down with your other hand, starng

with the pinky, or by folding each nger

down with your other hand, starng with

the pinky.

Gi Giving Equee• Iranians give gis at various social oc-

casions such as returning from a trip or if

someone achieves a major success in their

personal or business life.

• On birthdays, businesspeople bring

sweets and cakes to the oce and do not

expect to receive gis.

• If you are invited to an Iranian’s house,bring owers, or pastry to the hosts. When

giving a gi, always apologize for its inade-

quacy.

• Gis should be elegantly wrapped - most

shops will wrap them for you.

• Gis are not generally opened when re-

ceived. In fact, they may be put on a table

and not menoned.



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IRANIAN FOOD

Fesenjan (Pomegranate Walnut Stew)

This stew is an essenal part of every Per-

sian wedding menu. At the ruins of Perse-

polis, the ancient ritual capital of the Per-

sian Empire, archaeologists found inscribed

stone tablets from as far back as 515 B.C.,

which listed pantry staples of the early Ira-

nians. They included walnuts, poultry andpomegranate preserves, the key ingredients

in fesenjan.

Bademjan (Eggplant And Tomato Stew)

This stew has the shimmering red-gold col-

or of tomatoes cooked with turmeric, with

a sheen of oil on top. Like all Persian stews,

bademjan is thick and meant to be eaten

over rice with a fork.

Zereshk Polo (Barberry Rice)

Iranians love sour avors. Like cranberries,

barberries have a vibrant red color, but they

are even more sour. This classic rice dish

is studded with the red berries, which are

dried and rehydrated before cooking.

Gormeh Sabzi (Green Herb Stew)

Made from herbs, kidney beans and lamb,

deep green gormeh sabzi sases two Per-

sian avor obsessions: it is sour and full of

herbs.

Ash e Reshteh (Noodle and Bean Soup)

A richly textured soup full of noodles,beans, herbs and leafy greens like spinach

and beet leaves. It is topped with mint oil,

crunchy fried onions and sour kashk, a fer-

mented whey product eaten in the Middle

East that tastes akin to sour yogurt.

Tahdig (Crunchy Fried Rice)

Tahdig is the soul food of Persian cooking.

It is the crisp, golden layer of fried rice at

the boom of the rice pot, and it tastes likea combinaon of popcorn and potato chips,

but with the delicate avor of basma rice.

Jeweled Rice (with Nuts and Dried Fruit)

Doed with brightly colored dried fruit and

nuts, like lile jewels, this is a sweet-and-

savory dish that shows o some of the na-

ve ingredients of Iran, including pistachios,almonds, candied orange peel, barberries,

carrots and saron.

Kebab (Lamb, Chicken, Ground Meat)

Kebabs have more variety than you might

think. First, there’s koobideh, ground meat

seasoned with minced onion, salt and

pepper. Chicken kebab, known as joojeh, is

tradionally made from a whole chicken,bones and all, for more avor, marinated in

lemon and onion, and basted with saron

and buer.

Sabzi Khordan (Herb and Cheese Plate)

No Persian meal is complete without a dish

of sabzi khordan, or edible herbs. The plate

can include mint, tarragon, basil and cilan-tro, alongside scallions, radishes, walnuts,

feta cheese and Iranian nan (atbread).



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Iranian culture is class-based, tradional and patriarchal. Tradion for most

is rooted in religion, and class and patriarchy have been constant features of

Iranian society since ancient mes.

PEOPLE IN IRAN

Body Language

A downward gaze in Iran is a sign of re-

spect. For men, downcast eyes are a de-

fense measure, since staring at a womanis usually taken as a sign of interest, and

can cause dicules. On the other hand,

staring directly into the eyes of a friend is

a sign of aecon and inmacy.

Very conservave Muslims may avoid

shaking hands or kissing unrelated indi-

viduals of the opposite sex. At the same

me, it is well accepted for individuals of

the same sex to touch each other, wheth-

er they are related or not.

Meeng Equee

• Introducons are generally restricted to

members of the same sex since men and

women socialize separately.• Greengs tend to be aeconate. Men

kiss other men and women kiss other

women at social events. If they meet on

the street, a handshake is more common.

• When Iranians greet each other, they

take their me and converse about gener-

al things.

The most common greeng is “salaam

alaykum” or more simply “salaam”.



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IRAN AND ITS PEOPLE

Some groups living within Iranian borders do assert autonomy occasionally, however.Chief among these are the Kurds, living on Iran’s western border. Fiercely independent,

they have pressed the Iranian central government to grant economic concessions and au-

tonomous decision-making powers. However, outside of the urban areas in their region,

the Kurds already have formidable control over their regions. Iranian central government

ocials tread very lightly in these areas. The Kurds in Iran, along with their brethren in

Iraq and Turkey, have long desired an independent state. The immediate prospects for

this are dim.

The nomadic tribal groups in the southern and western regions of the Iranian central pla-teau have likewise caused problems for the Iranian central government. Because they are

in movement with their sheep and goats for more than half of the year, they have histor-

ically been dicult to control. They are also generally self-sucient, and a small minority

are even quite well-o. Aempts to sele these tribes in the past have met with violent

acon. At present, they entertain an uneasy peace with Iranian central authories.

The Arab populaon of the Southwestern trans-Zagros Gulf province of Khuzestan has

entertained polical aspiraons of breaking away from Iran. These aspiraons have been

encouraged by Iraq and other Arab states. In mes of conict between Iran and Iraq, Iraqi

leaders have supported this separast movement as a way of antagonizing Iranian o-

cials.

The severest social persecuon in Iran has been directed at religious minories. For cen-

turies, periods of relave tolerance have alternated with periods of discriminaon. Under

the current Islamic republic, these minories have had a dicult me. Although theoret-

ically protected as “People of the Book” according to Islamic law, Jews, Chrisans, and

Zoroastrians have faced accusaons of spying for Western naons or for Israel. Islamic

ocials also take a dim view of their tolerance of alcohol consumpon, and the relave

freedom accorded to women.

Iran has been somewhat blessed by an absence of specic ethnic conict.

This is noteworthy, given the large number of ethnic groups living within its

borders, both today and in the past. It is safe to conclude that the general

Iranian populaon neither persecutes ethnic minories, nor openly discrimi-

nates against them.



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SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Islam and Shi’ismIslam is pracsed by the majority of Iranians, and it governs their personal, polical,

economic and legal lives. Iran is the only country of all Muslim countries that is ocially

a Shi’ite state. The others are considered as Sunni states.

Contrary to the stereotype images of Muslim males in the media, most Iranian men do

not have beards and if they do, it is not necessarily for religious reasons.

Tradional vs ModernIranians are very conscious about the way they dress and on the whole they dress well

and dress codes are very important in disnguishing modern and tradional

groups. Generally among the auent, men and women are expect-

ed to dress in expensive and fashionable clothes with expen-

sive jewelry and accessories (mainly watches and rings for

men) and to drive luxury cars. Among more modern

people, females have no problems wearing heavy

make-up, exposing body parts while in the companyof males. Among more tradional people, female

dress codes are modest and much more conser-

vave, with darker colors and lile make-up. In

mixed gatherings of such groups, males and fe-

males normally end up as clusters on their own

if not segregated in the rst place. However, in

private, in all female gatherings even tradion-

al Muslim women may dress freely or expose

body parts.

Iranians will not normally joke about each other’s

wives or other related females, unless they are

very close friends or related. If alcohol is served,

males will normally serve the drinks and many wom-

en, especially the older generaon, do not consume

alcohol. It is best to ask people if they drink alcohol before

oering any to them – however, very strict religious people

might be oended if you oer them alcohol. Usually such peopleeither do not socialize with non-Muslims, or will make it clear before-

hand that they do observe Islamic codes with respect to eang and drinking.



18/22

SOCIAL TRADITIONS

Food preparaon is a major part of any get togeth-

er, and there will be plenty of dierent dishes. The

higher the status of the guests, the more elaborate

the party. Guests are constantly served with some

food items, tea or drinks, and the hostess – mainly

the lady of the house (somemes daughters too) –

has the task of serving. She refuses to take no for an

answer and insists that guests should have what they

are oered.

Respecng the elderly is another ancient pracce

that has survived. Tradionally, the elderly are re-

spected, listened to and are treated accordingly. It is

customary for all to stand up once they enter a room,

the best seats are allocated to them and they are

oered drinks and food before anyone else.

The priority for females is marriage and childbear-ing. Due to economic necessity and with the phe-

nomenal increase in the number of highly educated

Iranian women, such culturally accepted norms are

creang major problems for working mothers and

challenging the status quo. So far, the soluon for

most appears to be reliance on family members such

as grandparents to look aer the children. Day-care

centres are not generally trusted, and a nanny is pre-

ferred if aordable.

Male/female relaonships seem to be a complicated maer for many Iranians. Educated

and modern classes have lile problems understanding the dynamics of such relaon-

ships and engaging in them. Both sexes respect and treat their partners as equals, and

most have le behind medieval courng habits generaons ago. However, tradional and

less educated groups might have problems with western courng styles. Males belong-

ing to such groups normally marry virgin women, and they can be controlling and expect

obedience, and may not involve their wives in decision-making processes. Any socializing

with the opposite sex might be regarded indecent and oensive. Dress codes are ghtlyobserved and children are also controlled and expected to behave according to the com-

munal codes, rather than following their own individual styles or western ones.



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FAMILY IN IRAN

Iran’s constuon dictates that women are mothers and homemakers. Female relaves

must be protected from outside inuences and are taken care of at all mes. It is inappro -

priate to ask quesons about an Iranian’s wife or other female relaves. If they want to

work outside of the home, they need permission from the male head of the household.

The government also segregates schools by gender, and at the university level, there are

some subjects women are not allowed to study. On city buses, men and women sit apart,

and a woman may not appear in public with a man unless it is her husband or family

member. However, unlike women in Saudi Arabia, Iranian women can drive and vote.

Polygamy is legal in Iran, and men can marry up to four wives. Once married, a girl can

no longer go to high school. The marriage age of girls is currently 13, up from 9 years old

aer the Revoluon. Boys may marry at 15, the legal age Iranians can vote.

Polygyny is allowed, but not widely pracced, however, because Iranian ocials in this

century have followed the Islamic prescripon that a man taking two wives must treat

them with absolute equality. Women in polygynous marriages hold their husbands to this

and will seek legal relief if they feel they are disadvantaged. Stascs are dicult to as -

certain, but one recent study claims that only 1 percent of all marriages are polygynous.

Divorce is less common in Iran than in the West. Families prefer to stay together even un-

der dicult circumstances, since it is extremely dicult to disentangle the close network

of interrelaonships between the spouses’ two extended families.

Children of a marriage belong to the father. Aer a divorce, men assume custody of boys

over three years and girls over seven. Women have been known to renounce their divorce

payment in exchange for custody of their children. There is no impediment to remarriage

with another partner for either men or women.

In Iran, the family is the basis of the social structure. The concept of family is

more private than in many other cultures. Iranians take their family responsibili-

es quite seriously. Families tend to be small, only 1 or 2 children, but the extend-

ed family is quite close. The individual derives a social network and assistance in

mes of need from the family. Elderly relaves are kept at home, not placed in a

nursing home. Loyalty to the family comes before other social relaonships, even

business. Neposm is considered a good thing, since it implies that employing

people one knows and trusts is of primary importance.



20/22

CORPORATE CULTURE

Relaonships & Communicaon

Who you know is oen more important

than what you know, so it is important tonetwork and culvate a number of con-

tacts.

Expect to be oered tea whenever you

meet someone, as this demonstrates hospi-

tality.

Since Iranians judge people on appearanc-

es, dress appropriately and stay in a high

standard hotel.

Business Meeng Equee

It is a good idea to avoid scheduling meet-

ings during Ramazan (Ramadan), as the

need to fast would preclude your business

colleagues from oering you hospitality.

Arrive at meengs on me, since punctu-

ality is seen as a virtue. The rst meeng

with an Iranian company is generally not

business-focused. Expect your colleagues to

spend me geng to know you as a person

over tea and snacks. Be paent, as meet-ings are frequently interrupted.

Do not remove your suit jacket without per-

mission. Do not look at your watch or try to

rush the meeng. If you appear xated on

the amount of me the meeng is taking,

you will not be trusted.

Business Negoang

It takes me for Iranians to warm up to-

wards foreign business people. Unl then,

they may appear somewhat s and for-

mal. Personal relaonships form the basis

of business dealings.

Decisions are made slowly. Iranians are

deliberate negoators who can drive a hard

bargain. Do not use high-pressure taccs.

They will work against you.

Iranians prefer to do business

with those they know and re-

spect, therefore they expect to

spend me culvang a per -

sonal relaonship before busi -

ness is conducted.



21/22

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

Iranians may display emoon, or even walk

out of the meeng, or threaten to termi-nate the relaonship in an aempt to con-

vince you to change your posion.

Iranians oen use me as a negoang

tacc, especially if they know that you have

a deadline. Be cauous about leng your

business colleagues know that you are un-

der me pressure.

Companies are hierarchical. Decisions are

made at the top of the company, either by

one person or a small council.

Titles

Address your Iranian business associates by

their tle and their surname.

The tle “doktor” is used for both M.D.s

and Ph.D.s. Engineers are called “mohan

dis”. The tle “agha” (sir) is used when ad-

dressing men. The tle “khanoom” (mad-am) is used when addressing women.

Wait to be invited before starng to use

rst names. Only close friends and family

use this informal form.

Dress Equee

Business are is formal and conservave.Men should wear dark colored conservave

business suits.

Ties are not worn by Iranians but it is per-

fectly acceptable for you to do so.

Dress well to make a good impression.

Women should always dress modestly andcover their hair.



22/22

Veronica Gelfgren

Yulia Bazyukina

Marja-Liisa Helenius

Research

Research, layout

Proofreading

Learnmera Oy

Documents

Country Profile of IRAN in English