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WORLD CULTURES & FOLK CUSTOMS

      SIMO JELAČA, PhD

FOREWORD

This book summarizes information about culture and customs of different nations. Noticeable differences in customs are among Christian, Islamic and Buddhist’s nations, although in all prevails intention for nice and greatest.  

It will be too much to include every country, as there are similarities among many nations of the same or close nationalities. Characteristic are Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Belarus, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, or as well as Germany and Austria. The similar conclusion values for Latin nations, among themselves too.

Readers will find basic information about each country, such as its location and size, population and Ethnic Make-up, Religion, Climate, Language, Etiquettes and others. 

This book can equally be used for travelers, either as tourists or business people, therefore everyone will find necessary information about Etiquette of people at their homes as well as at the business.

My intention was to find as much good information as possible. How much I have succeeded readers will judge it. 

                                                                                                            Author

IRAN

CULTURE AND FOLK CUSTOMS

Facts and Statistic

Location: The Middle East, bordering Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km. Its area is 1,648,000 square kilometers. 

Size: 1,648.000 sq.km.

Capital: Tehran. population about 9 million.

Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast.

Population: about 70 million.

Ethnic Make-up: Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Balochi 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1% .

Religions: Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 9%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 2%.

 Government: Islamic republic.

Identification: 

The terms "Iran" as the designation for the civilization and "Iranian" as the name for the inhabitants occupying the large plateau located between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf have been in continual use for more than twenty-five hundred years.Ancient Greek geographers designated the territory as "Persia".

The Iranian Language:

Iran has a heterogeneous population speaking a variety of Indo-Iranian, Semitic, and Turkic languages. The largest language group consists of the speakers of Indo-Iranian languages, who in 1986 comprised about 70 percent of the population. Persian is the official language of the country, and its various dialects; speakers of Kirmanji, the term for related dialects spoken by the Kurds who live in the cities, towns, and villages of western Iran and adjacent areas of Iraq and Turkey; speakers of Luri, the language of the Bakhtiaris and Lurs who live in the Zagros; and Baluchi, the language of the semi nomadic people who live in southeastern Iran and adjacent areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

Islam and Shi'ism:

Islam is practiced by the majority of Iranians and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives. Islam emanated from what is today Saudi Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last of God's emissaries. During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day.When the prophet Mohammed died, the question over who should be his successor divided the Muslim population. 

 Family Values:

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

. The concept of family is more private than in many other cultures. 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. 

. Iranians take their responsibilities to their family quite seriously.

. Families tend to be small, only 1 or 2 children, but the extended family is quite close. 

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

. Elderly relatives are kept at home, not placed in a nursing home.
. Loyalty to the family comes before other social relationships, even business. 

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

Public vs. Private:

Iranians see themselves as having two distinct identities: "zaher" (public) and "batin" (private).

. When they are in public, they must conform to accepted modes of behavior. 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. 

. 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: offer advice, help find a job, or cut through bureaucracy. 

Taarof (Iranian Politeness):

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

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

. They will belittle their own accomplishments in an attempt 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 ever offered something, like a tea or sweet, even if you want it, at first decline it until their insistence becomes greater. 

             Etiquette and Customs in Iran

Meeting Etiquette:

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

. 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

. When Iranians greet each other they take their time and converse about general things. 

. The most common greeting is "salaam alaikum" or more simply "salaam" (peace). 

Gift Giving Etiquette:

. Iranians give gifts at various social occasions 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 office and do not expect to receive gifts. 

. It is common to give monetary gifts to servants or others who have provided services during the 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 elegantly wrapped - most shops will wrap them for you.

. Gifts are not generally opened when received. In fact, they may be put on a table and not mentioned.

 Dining Etiquette: 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 conservatively.

 . Try to arrive at the invited time. Punctuality is appreciated.

. Show respect for the 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 modern 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 shower guests with abundance. 

. Expect to be offered second and even third helpings. Initial refusals will be assumed to be polite gestures (taarof again!) and are not taken seriously. 

. Leave some food on your plate when you have finished eating.
Restaurants generally have two sections - "family" where women and families dine and "men only". Tips of between 10 and 15% are appreciated in hotel restaurants.

Business Etiquette and Protocol in Iran:

. Iranians prefer to do business with those they know and respect, therefore they expect to spend time cultivating a personal relationship before business is conducted. 

. Who you know is often more important than what you know, so it is important to network and cultivate a number of contacts. 

. Expect to be offered tea whenever you meet someone, as this demonstrates hospitality. 

. Since Iranians judge people on appearances, dress appropriately and stay in a high standard hotel. 

Business Meeting Etiquette:

. Appointments are necessary and should be made 4 to 6 weeks in advance.

 . Confirm the meeting one week in advance and when you arrive in the country.

.  It is a good idea to avoid scheduling meetings during Ramadan as the need to fast would preclude your business colleagues from offering you hospitality.

 . Arrive at meetings on time, since punctuality is seen as a virtue.

. The first meeting with an Iranian company is generally not business-focused. Expect your colleagues to spend time getting to know you as a person over tea and snacks. 

. Be patient - meetings are frequently interrupted.

 . Written materials should be available in both Farsi and English.

 . Do not remove your suit jacket without permission. 

. Do not look at your watch or try to rush the meeting. If you appear fixated on the amount of time the meeting is taking, you will not be trusted. 

Business Negotiating:

. It takes time for Iranians to become warm towards foreign businesspeople. Until then, they may appear somewhat stiff and formal. 

. Personal relationships form the basis of business dealings.

 . Decisions are made slowly. 

. Iranians are deliberate negotiators who can drive a hard bargain.

. Do not use high-pressure tactics. They will work against you.
. Iranians may display emotion, or even walk out of the meeting, or threaten to terminate the relationship in an attempt to convince you to change your position. 

. Iranians often use time as a negotiating tactic, especially if they know that you have a deadline. Be cautious about letting your business colleagues know that you are under time pressure.

 . Companies are hierarchical. Decisions are made at the top of the company, either by one person or a small council. 

Dress Etiquette:

. Business attire is formal and conservative. 

. Men should wear dark coloured conservative business suits.

 . Ties are not worn by Iranians but it would not be seen as negative if you did so. 

. Dress well to make a good impression. 

 . Women should always dress modestly and cover their hair.

Titles: 

. Address your Iranian business associates by their title and their surname. 

. The title "Doctor" is used for both M.D.s and PhDs Engineers are called "mohandis". These titles are preceded by the formal titles listed below and are used with the surname.

 . The title "Agha" (sir) is used when addressing men. It may be used before or after the first name. The phrase "Agha-yeh" is put before a surname. 

. The title "Khanoom" (madam) is used when addressing women. It may be used before or after the first name. The phrase "Khanom-eh" is used before the surname. 

. Wait to be invited before moving to first names. Only close friends and family use this informal form of address.

Symbolism:

Iranian culture is rich in cultural symbolism, much of which derives from prehistoric times. Iran is the only nation in the Middle East that uses the solar calendar. It is also the only nation on earth marking the advent of the New Year at the spring equinox. Much symbolism in daily life derives not just from Islam, but from the "Twelver" branch of Shi'a Islam that has been the official state religion since the seventeenth century. 

National Identity: 

The establishment of the theocratic Islamic Republic of Iran under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini marked a return to religious domination of Iranian culture.

Urbanism and Architecture

Until recently Iran was primarily a rural culture. Even today Iranians value nature and make every attempt to spend time in the open air. At the same time Iranians will try to bring the outdoors inside whenever possible. An Iranian home is one where any room, with the exception of those used for cooking and bodily functions can be used for any social purpose— eating, sleeping, entertainment, business, or whatever else one can conceive. Iranian families can live and entertain many guests in much less space than in the West. Iranian cities are constructed around the commercial center—the bazaar. The bazaar is punctuated with the "outside brought inside" in the form of pools and running water, and even perhaps a religious school with a small garden.

Food in Daily Life:

Iranians have a healthy diet centered on fresh fruits, greens and vegetables. Meat (usually lamb, goat, or chicken) is used as a condiment rather than as the centerpiece of a meal. Rice and fresh unleavened or semi-leavened whole-grain bread are staple starches. The main meal of the day is eaten at around one o'clock in the afternoon. The Iranian national dish, called chelow kabab, consists of filet of lamb marinated in lemon juice or yogurt. The evening meal is likely to be a light meal consisting of leftover food from the noon meal, or a little bread, cheese, fruit, and tea. Alcoholic beverages are officially forbidden in Iran today under the Islamic republic.

Basic Economy:

Iran has been an agricultural nation with fairly rich resources both for vegetable crops and animal husbandry. Iran has been an agricultural nation with fairly rich resources both for vegetable crops and animal husbandry. The goals of the Islamic Republic include a drive for self-sufficiency in food and manufacture.

Major Industries :

Iran today has a steel plant, automobile and bus assembly plants, a good infrastructure of roads, a decent telecommunication system, and good broadcast facilities for radio and television. 

Trade: 

Aside from oil products, the nation's exports include carpets, caviar, cotton, fruits, textiles, minerals, motor vehicles, and nuts. A small amount of fresh produce and meat is exported to the states of the Persian Gulf.

 Social Welfare:

It is incumbent upon all Muslims to devote a proportion of their excess income to the support of religious and charitable works. There are many small private charitable organizations organized to help the poor, fatherless families, children, and other unfortunate citizens. The Iranian Red Crescent Society is active and important in the instance of national disaster. Iran is a net exporter of charity to neighboring countries. 

Status of Women and Men: 

The question of gender roles is one of the most complex issues in contemporary Iranian society. Women have always had a strong role in Iranian life, but rarely a public role. In Iran women control marriages for their children. 

Education: 

Mothers and children are expected to be mutually supportive. A mother will protect her children's reputation under all circumstances. Small children are magnets for attention from everyone in the society. Older children often raise younger children, especially in rural settings.
The father is the disciplinarian of the family. A girl is literally a treasure for the family. Boys are far more indulged than girls. Families place a very strong emphasis on education for both boys and girls. The education system relies a great deal on rote memorization, patterned as it is on the French education system. 

Higher Education: 

All Iranians would like their children to pursue higher education, and competition for university entrance is fierce. The most desired professions for children are medicine and engineering.

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