Dear MEL
Topic Readers,
The
Persian art of etiquette
Say no three
times before saying yes. It may sound complicating to you but this is the way to
say yes courteously in Persian culture. For example, accepting a gift requires
several back and forth replies and compliments before the gift is handed. Even
a taxi driver refuses to take the fair that he deserves declines a few times.
It might be very confusing when you negotiate with an Iranian counterpart for
business or politics. But that seems the way to show respect and to be polite
in Persian society, called taarof or tarof. Similar attitudes for respect are also
seen in Chinese culture called limao and in Japan as reigi.
Hospitality
is another distinct tradition in Persian culture. If you ask a way to
somewhere, the person may take you there. If you’re invited for a tea, you may
end up staying overnight.
Do you
prefer being declined before accepted, or declining before saying yes?
Enjoy
reading about this unique Persian tradition and think if you want to experience
it in Iran.
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