What Surprises You in Iran (Part Two)

In Part one, we explained some habits and traditions of Iranian lifestyle. You learned about eating habits, transferring currencies and some other facts. Now, in part two, we are going to talk more about some other facts about Iran which might be interesting to know.

Clothing Restrictions

Iran is located in Middle East, like many neighbors, Iran is an Islamic country. Therefore, it has Islamic rules and there are Islamic codes which should be obeyed by people.

One of these rules is wearing hijab by female. It means women and girls more than 9 years old have to cover their hair and body. Every passenger entering Iran should obey these rules whether he or she is Muslim or not but these dress codes are not observing strictly, especially for tourists and foreigners.

These rules don't mean Iranian women are wearing like Arabs. As you arriving Iran and walk through streets you can see many of them care a lot about their look and wear colorful dresses while covering their body and hair. As you can see, sandals are allowed and even wearing long sleeved tonics would be alright. You can wear hats if you have short hair. Sometimes it's interesting for tourists to see elementary school girls with special uniform contained scarves. Uniform contained scarves.

Besides, there are not just women who have limitations in wearing cloths. Men should not wear shorts and sleeveless T-shirts in the streets while you can not wear them in pilgrimage and holy shrine. You have to put on Chador which is long clothing covers your head and body entirely.

No Handshake Always

Don't get misunderstood! it is not impolite and it doesn't mean discourtesy. Again because of being an Islamic country, Iranians do not shake hand with their opposite gender. Handshaking is between two men or two women especially in public. So if you are meeting elder people or religious friends let them to decide to handshake or not. 

It is interesting to know that in Islam handshaking is allowed between different genders when they are related. For example, brothers and sisters or siblings. 

So don't judge, it's their culture and doesn't mean the person you are meeting is impolite or rude.

Twenty-two Heritage Sites of the World

As we explained in Part One, Iran is not just contained deserts and sound dunes. There are jungles and mountains and even seashore. On the other side we have different cultures and traditions during history. Because of these, Iran has many historical and natural sites which are that much important to be in the list of World's Heritage.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established a convention in 1972 named World Heritage Sites. Iran accepted this convention after 3 years in 1975. And there are twenty-one sites included the main list and also forty-one in tentative list.