Language
The official language of Iran is Persian (the Persian term for which is Farsi). It is the language of government and public instruction and is the mother tongue of half of the population. Persian is spoken as a second language by a large proportion of the rest.
The official language of Iran is Persian (the Persian term for which is Farsi). It is the language of government and public instruction and is the mother tongue of half of the population. Persian is spoken as a second language by a large proportion of the rest.
Religion
The religion held by the majority of the Iranian population is Shia Muslim (89%). Sunni Muslims in Iran constitute about 9% of the population and the remaining 2% of Iranians are from ‘other’ religions – primarily Zoroastrian, Christian and Jewish.
The religion held by the majority of the Iranian population is Shia Muslim (89%). Sunni Muslims in Iran constitute about 9% of the population and the remaining 2% of Iranians are from ‘other’ religions – primarily Zoroastrian, Christian and Jewish.
Cultural Traditions
Christmas in Iran is known as the Little Feast. For the first 25 days of December, a great fast is observed, during which no meat, eggs, milk, or cheese is eaten. It is a time of peace and meditation; a time for attending services at the church. When the fast is over, the feast is begun, for plenty of meat is prepared for the Christmas dinner.Christmas Eve is the last day of the fast. Almost before dawn on Christmas Day, the people attend Mass to receive Communion and it is not until they have received this Communion that they are permitted to break fast.
The boys and girls of Iran have never heard of Santa Claus, so they do not exchange gifts at Christmas. But they do receive new clothes, which they proudly wear all during the happy Christmas week.
A dish eaten for Christmas day is a kind of chicken stew called 'harasa'. It is cooked in large quantities and lasts several days.
Cultural Norms
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 relationship, even business. Nepotism is considered a good thing, since it implies that employing people one knows and trusts is of primary importance.
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 relationship, even business. Nepotism is considered a good thing, since it implies that employing people one knows and trusts is of primary importance.
Music
Persian classical music is one of the most elaborate and inspiring artistic forms ever created. The musical system consists of twelve modal units called dastgah.
Dance!!
Art
Iranians have one of the richest and most elaborate artistic traditions in the world. Two Islamic prohibitions affect arts in the most direct way: a prohibition against music, and one against the depiction of humans and animals in art. The prophet Muhammad disapproved of music because it acted to transport listeners to another mental sphere, distracting them from attention to the world created by God.
Etiquette
The social lubricant of Iranian life is a system known as ta'arof , literally "meeting together." This is a ritualized system of linguistic and behavioral interactional strategies allowing individuals to interrelate in a harmonious fashion. The system marks the differences between andaruni and biruni situations, and also marks differences in relative social status. In general, higher status persons are older and have important jobs, or command respect because of their learning, artistic accomplishments, or erudition. 
- http://www.iranchamber.com/culture/articles/iranian_marriage_ceremony.php
- http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Iran.html#ixzz1InQduhfu
- http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293998-s202/Iran:Culture.html
Wow! what an interesting post. I've been keeping in touch with my friends in Iran and i must say i didn't believe them till this moment that Iran was a fun place to be in. I guess my next cheap call to Iran will to reserve a flight.
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