What should I avoid in Iran?

American

What should I avoid in Iran?

Iran has a set of features that make it a very suitable destination for international traveling. Traveling to this wonderful country will not cost much. Iran has a rich history, therefore many ancient monuments will delight you to see them. In general, there are many sightseeing places and amenities in Iran that will bring you memorable times. But to travel to Iran, you should be aware of the dos and don’ts and be conscious of what should we avoid in Iran.

Is Iran a nice country?

First of all, before we talk about the dos and don’ts in Iran, it is better to answer the question of whether Iran is a good country. Before taking any action to travel to any country, it is necessary to check whether the desired destination is worth traveling to or not. If you have chosen Iran for travel, you have made a smart choice. Iran is generally a safe country.

Thousands of people who have traveled to this country believe that Iran is one of the safest travel destinations they have visited. The crime rate in Iran is much lower than in most African and South American countries. The architecture will astonish you, Iran is an amazing country to travel to, the culture is engrossing and the geographies are incredible. Finally, the people are some of the kindest you will ever meet.

What should we refrain from doing in Iran? 

Since you are going to travel to a country whose culture, laws, etc. are very different, now is the time to know what we should avoid doing so that our trip will take place in the best way. Most of what should we avoid in Iran is based on three reasons. These three reasons are laws, the religion which is Islam, and culture.

doing in Iran

What should we refrain from doing in Iran?

Since you are going to travel to a country whose culture, laws, etc. are very different, now is the time to know what we should avoid doing so that our trip will take place in the best way. Most of what should we avoid in Iran is based on three reasons. These three reasons are laws, the religion which is Islam, and culture.

Cultural don’ts

Iran, like any other country, has its own culture, which will be very interesting for you. Participating in celebrations such as Nowruz, which is the beginning of the New Year, Yalda, etc. can be a different and memorable memory for you. In general, it is the difference in cultures that makes them very attractive to travelers.

Of course, this difference in culture also causes you to not be able to do things that you think are completely normal in your culture in another culture. In the culture of the Iranian people, some things are not accepted and may cause Iranians to laugh at what they did or even get upset. Stay with us to get to know them better.

Do not express your love physically

Do not express your love physically in public

Kissing and hugging your spouse or partner in public is indecent and unacceptable. Therefore, this is the first thing you should avoid in Iran if you are traveling with your partner. It is worth noting that the norms of Iranian society are changing rapidly and it may be that such expressions of interest are completely normal for some time to come. Just as holding your partner’s hand was not acceptable until a long time ago.

Do not enter the house of Iranians with shoes

Iranians consider almost everything outside the house to be dirty, especially shoes. It is possible for you to go into your room with your shoes on, but when you want to enter the door of an Iranian’s house, take off your shoes.

Do not use the thumbs-up gesture

Maybe you use the thumbs-up gesture often. But you should know that this action is considered an insult in Iran. In fact, the meaning of it in Iran is the same as the middle finger in Western countries. So, this is the second thing you should avoid in Iran.

As we said, the norms of Iranian society are changing due to getting more familiar with other cultures, especially Western culture. Therefore, most people in big cities are aware of different uses of the thumb-up gesture outside of Iran. However, it is still better to avoid using this because some people may take it to mean something else. At least in dealing with those whom you do not know well and who do not know you well, do not use a thumbs-up gesture.

thumbs-up gesture

Do not blow your nose in front of others

Blowing your nose is another thing you should not do when other people are around you. Whether you are in the presence of one person or a hundred people, blowing your nose is considered rude. If you do this, you will lower your social prestige and others, especially women, will consider you a person who does not know social etiquette. Most people find this practice disgusting.

Religious don’ts

In this section, we discuss religious taboos. You probably know that the religion of most people in Iran is Islam, and most of the orders of this religion are implemented in the form of law. This religion has many differences from other religions including Christianity. Therefore, it is better to get acquainted with the actions that we should avoid in Iran.

hijab

You should not appear in public without a hijab

As one of the orders of Islam, Muslim people should not appear in public without a hijab. Of course, the hijab is not very restrictive for men, so they can wear most of the clothes they want unless the social situation requires a certain type of cover.

But women should cover their bodies and hair. Women should wear a scarf and a dress that covers their hips. This is not as strictly observed as it used to be, so don’t think that you will encounter a community full of women wearing chadors or full hijabs. As such, there is very little sensitivity towards the hijab of female tourists.

So just wearing a scarf and a dress with not too short sleeves is enough. Should be mentioned that, like all over the world where one must appear in religious places with special clothing, in order to enter religious places in Iran, you must wear a chador.

opposite sex

Do not shake hands with the opposite sex

Another thing that you should avoid in Iran is shaking hands with the opposite sex. In Islam, any physical contact with non-mahram (in general, any opposite sex except immediate family) is prohibited. Therefore, you should put aside your habits and if you are a man, do not touch the women you meet. If you are a woman, you should not shake hands with men.

not to shake hands with opposite sex

So just wearing a scarf and a dress with not too short sleeves is enough. Should be mentioned that, like all over the world where one must appear in religious places with special clothing, in order to enter religious places in Iran, you must wear a chador.

Do not shake hands with the opposite sex

Another thing that you should avoid in Iran is shaking hands with the opposite sex. In Islam, any physical contact with “na-mahram” (in general, any opposite sex except immediate family) is prohibited. Therefore, you should put aside your habits and if you are a man, do not touch the women you meet. If you are a woman, you should not shake hands with men.

It is worth mentioning that shaking hands and even kissing the same sex is common among Iranians and a sign of respect and intimacy. Therefore, if you become intimate with a person and he wants to kiss your face, do not take it badly.

Legal don’ts

The laws of this country may differ greatly from the country where you live. This difference may be due to various reasons including religion. In addition, in some cases, despite the fact that Islam has not prohibited a specific practice, according to the discretion of the rulers, that practice has been declared illegal.

Avoiding legal obligations, such as cultural and religious obligations, is not difficult at all. Therefore, it is better to be familiar with them so that you can bring yourself a more enjoyable trip by following these simple tips.

Do not drink alcoholic beverages

This question has stuck in the minds of many people, whether you can drink alcohol in Iran. The answer to this question is no. Drinking alcohol is another thing that you should avoid in Iran. Islam has forbidden drinking alcohol, so you should not drink alcohol in this country. The reason why we have not mentioned this in the religious don’ts section is that there is more emphasis on this issue from a legal point of view.

Prohibition of alcohol does not mean that you cannot find alcoholic beverages in this country or that no one drinks them. But it is better for you as a traveler not to do this and continue your journey safely.

beverages

Do not eat in public during Ramadan

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast for thirty days. They neither eat nor drink anything from shortly before sunrise to shortly after sunset. Accordingly, eating and drinking in public during this period is illegal. But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you can’t eat something too.

Your hotel kitchen will still prepare food for you and you can enjoy incredibly delicious Iranian food in the hotel restaurant or your room. You can also buy anything you want from grocery stores. In addition, dinner is served in all restaurants. So the only thing you should avoid in Iran at this time is not to eat or drink anything in public.

Ramadan

Everything about what not to do when traveling to Iran

All the countries of the world have differences from each other. Among the neighboring countries, these differences are a little less. But the greater the distance, the greater the differences. Iran also has many differences from your country. These differences are rooted in culture, religion, law, etc. Therefore, some activities that are considered normal in your country may be unacceptable or illegal in this country. This article will help you become aware of what should I avoid in Iran.

What should I avoid in Iran?

American

What should I avoid in Iran?

Iran has a set of features that make it a very suitable destination for international traveling. Traveling to this wonderful country will not cost much. Iran has a rich history, therefore many ancient monuments will delight you to see them. In general, there are many sightseeing places and amenities in Iran that will bring you memorable times. But to travel to Iran, you should be aware of the dos and don’ts and be conscious of what should we avoid in Iran.

Is Iran a nice country?

First of all, before we talk about the dos and don’ts in Iran, it is better to answer the question of whether Iran is a good country. Before taking any action to travel to any country, it is necessary to check whether the desired destination is worth traveling to or not. If you have chosen Iran for travel, you have made a smart choice. Iran is generally a safe country.

Thousands of people who have traveled to this country believe that Iran is one of the safest travel destinations they have visited. The crime rate in Iran is much lower than in most African and South American countries. The architecture will astonish you, Iran is an amazing country to travel to, the culture is engrossing and the geographies are incredible. Finally, the people are some of the kindest you will ever meet.

What should we refrain from doing in Iran? 

Since you are going to travel to a country whose culture, laws, etc. are very different, now is the time to know what we should avoid doing so that our trip will take place in the best way. Most of what should we avoid in Iran is based on three reasons. These three reasons are laws, the religion which is Islam, and culture.

doing in Iran

What should we refrain from doing in Iran?

Since you are going to travel to a country whose culture, laws, etc. are very different, now is the time to know what we should avoid doing so that our trip will take place in the best way. Most of what should we avoid in Iran is based on three reasons. These three reasons are laws, the religion which is Islam, and culture.

Cultural don’ts

Iran, like any other country, has its own culture, which will be very interesting for you. Participating in celebrations such as Nowruz, which is the beginning of the New Year, Yalda, etc. can be a different and memorable memory for you. In general, it is the difference in cultures that makes them very attractive to travelers.

Of course, this difference in culture also causes you to not be able to do things that you think are completely normal in your culture in another culture. In the culture of the Iranian people, some things are not accepted and may cause Iranians to laugh at what they did or even get upset. Stay with us to get to know them better.

Do not express your love physically

Do not express your love physically in public

Kissing and hugging your spouse or partner in public is indecent and unacceptable. Therefore, this is the first thing you should avoid in Iran if you are traveling with your partner. It is worth noting that the norms of Iranian society are changing rapidly and it may be that such expressions of interest are completely normal for some time to come. Just as holding your partner’s hand was not acceptable until a long time ago.

Do not enter the house of Iranians with shoes

Iranians consider almost everything outside the house to be dirty, especially shoes. It is possible for you to go into your room with your shoes on, but when you want to enter the door of an Iranian’s house, take off your shoes.

Do not use the thumbs-up gesture

Maybe you use the thumbs-up gesture often. But you should know that this action is considered an insult in Iran. In fact, the meaning of it in Iran is the same as the middle finger in Western countries. So, this is the second thing you should avoid in Iran.

As we said, the norms of Iranian society are changing due to getting more familiar with other cultures, especially Western culture. Therefore, most people in big cities are aware of different uses of the thumb-up gesture outside of Iran. However, it is still better to avoid using this because some people may take it to mean something else. At least in dealing with those whom you do not know well and who do not know you well, do not use a thumbs-up gesture.

thumbs-up gesture

Do not blow your nose in front of others

Blowing your nose is another thing you should not do when other people are around you. Whether you are in the presence of one person or a hundred people, blowing your nose is considered rude. If you do this, you will lower your social prestige and others, especially women, will consider you a person who does not know social etiquette. Most people find this practice disgusting.

Religious don’ts

In this section, we discuss religious taboos. You probably know that the religion of most people in Iran is Islam, and most of the orders of this religion are implemented in the form of law. This religion has many differences from other religions including Christianity. Therefore, it is better to get acquainted with the actions that we should avoid in Iran.

hijab

You should not appear in public without a hijab

As one of the orders of Islam, Muslim people should not appear in public without a hijab. Of course, the hijab is not very restrictive for men, so they can wear most of the clothes they want unless the social situation requires a certain type of cover.

But women should cover their bodies and hair. Women should wear a scarf and a dress that covers their hips. This is not as strictly observed as it used to be, so don’t think that you will encounter a community full of women wearing chadors or full hijabs. As such, there is very little sensitivity towards the hijab of female tourists.

So just wearing a scarf and a dress with not too short sleeves is enough. Should be mentioned that, like all over the world where one must appear in religious places with special clothing, in order to enter religious places in Iran, you must wear a chador.

opposite sex

Do not shake hands with the opposite sex

Another thing that you should avoid in Iran is shaking hands with the opposite sex. In Islam, any physical contact with non-mahram (in general, any opposite sex except immediate family) is prohibited. Therefore, you should put aside your habits and if you are a man, do not touch the women you meet. If you are a woman, you should not shake hands with men.

not to shake hands with opposite sex

So just wearing a scarf and a dress with not too short sleeves is enough. Should be mentioned that, like all over the world where one must appear in religious places with special clothing, in order to enter religious places in Iran, you must wear a chador.

Do not shake hands with the opposite sex

Another thing that you should avoid in Iran is shaking hands with the opposite sex. In Islam, any physical contact with “na-mahram” (in general, any opposite sex except immediate family) is prohibited. Therefore, you should put aside your habits and if you are a man, do not touch the women you meet. If you are a woman, you should not shake hands with men.

It is worth mentioning that shaking hands and even kissing the same sex is common among Iranians and a sign of respect and intimacy. Therefore, if you become intimate with a person and he wants to kiss your face, do not take it badly.

Legal don’ts

The laws of this country may differ greatly from the country where you live. This difference may be due to various reasons including religion. In addition, in some cases, despite the fact that Islam has not prohibited a specific practice, according to the discretion of the rulers, that practice has been declared illegal.

Avoiding legal obligations, such as cultural and religious obligations, is not difficult at all. Therefore, it is better to be familiar with them so that you can bring yourself a more enjoyable trip by following these simple tips.

Do not drink alcoholic beverages

This question has stuck in the minds of many people, whether you can drink alcohol in Iran. The answer to this question is no. Drinking alcohol is another thing that you should avoid in Iran. Islam has forbidden drinking alcohol, so you should not drink alcohol in this country. The reason why we have not mentioned this in the religious don’ts section is that there is more emphasis on this issue from a legal point of view.

Prohibition of alcohol does not mean that you cannot find alcoholic beverages in this country or that no one drinks them. But it is better for you as a traveler not to do this and continue your journey safely.

beverages

Do not eat in public during Ramadan

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast for thirty days. They neither eat nor drink anything from shortly before sunrise to shortly after sunset. Accordingly, eating and drinking in public during this period is illegal. But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you can’t eat something too.

Your hotel kitchen will still prepare food for you and you can enjoy incredibly delicious Iranian food in the hotel restaurant or your room. You can also buy anything you want from grocery stores. In addition, dinner is served in all restaurants. So the only thing you should avoid in Iran at this time is not to eat or drink anything in public.

Ramadan

Everything about what not to do when traveling to Iran

All the countries of the world have differences from each other. Among the neighboring countries, these differences are a little less. But the greater the distance, the greater the differences. Iran also has many differences from your country. These differences are rooted in culture, religion, law, etc. Therefore, some activities that are considered normal in your country may be unacceptable or illegal in this country. This article will help you become aware of what should I avoid in Iran.

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