26 Things You Should Never Do In Iran

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Don’t Get Confused With Taarof

Source: https://www.persiansarenotarabs.com

There is a complex system of insincere politeness which is embedded in Iranian culture. It is known as Taarof, and you should understand how it works before you go to Iran. What confuses most visitors is when it is implied that you do not have to pay. A taxi driver will refuse payment, just like a shop or restaurant. But it does not mean you can skip payment, there are no freebies. It is just that there is a “ceremony” of sorts that must be done. A see-saw of insisting and refusing is done (at least 3 times to be sure) to deny your will to please the other person. Eventually, the cab driver will accept payment, and not lose face in the process. Same thing when invited to dinner, do refuse until they insist for the third time, then you can agree. Weird, but that’s how it is, understanding Taarof is essential when visiting Iran.