7. It’s the Nose Job Capital of the World
Despite the ban on fashion magazines and the cover-up mentality, vanity is alive and well in Iran. In fact, the country has the highest rates of rhinoplasty on the planet – and not just by a small margin. They go through seven times as many nose job procedures as Americans. It’s not uncommon to see men and women walking the streets with bandages on their noses.
8. Just Say No, and Then Yes
When someone in Iran offers you something, the proper etiquette it to politely refuse at least once or twice before reluctantly accepting their hospitality or generosity. Other cultures have this circular dance too, but Persian politeness takes this to the extreme. It’s called ta’arof and it’s an important cultural practice of respect and hospitality. Even shop keepers or taxi drivers may play the game of “oh, no, please, you don’t need to pay me” but, of course, they silently expect you to insist and ultimately pay up. It may sound like a disingenuous game from a Western perspective, but their intention is to be kind, welcoming and polite.
9. Boundary Issues
One traveler who stayed with locals while traveling through the country said that the people’s hospitality can be a little overwhelming at times. They’re just looking out for you, but you can still expect to be mothered to a good degree as they’ll happily tell you to not go out when it’s cold or wait for your drink to cool. It’s actually quite flattering; it just means they care.
