Practical Tips for Visitors Etiquettes & Customs Social Customs In general, Iranians are warm, friendly and generous individuals with a strong interest in foreigners and other cultures. In dealing with Iranians, the following tips relating to customs and etiquette may prove useful: When visiting an Iranian household for the first time or on a special occasion it is customary to bring a small gift. Flowers, sweets or pastries are popular gift choices. Meal times in Iran vary considerably from those in Europe and the US. Lunch can be served from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and dinner is often eaten after 9:00 p.m. These and other social occasions in Iran are often long, drawnout affairs conducted in a relatively relaxed tempo, often involving pastries, fruit and possibly nuts. As it is considered rude to refuse what is served, visitors should accept the items offered, even if they do not intend to consume them. Business Etiquette Along with the social customs, certain additional business etiquettes should be realized prior to interaction with Iranian businessmen. Although officials of the Islamic Republic are not allowed to wear a tie, it is very common for visiting foreigners to do so though proper business attire need not include a tie in Iran. Women must adhere to the Islamic dress code referred to below. It is important to note that most officials will not shake hands with a member of the opposite sex, especially in public. It is highly recommended not to create an awkward situation by extending one's hand. The same is true for private citizens who are particularly religious. Iranian officials are extremely sensitive to references to the Persian Gulf, and insist that this internationallyrecognized name to be used. It is highly recommended to avoid using "the Gulf" and especially "the Arabian Gulf" when addressing this body of water. Languages The official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi), written in a script derived from Arabic. It should be mentioned that while a small number of Arab tribes exist is Iran - especially near the border with Iraq - Iranians are not Arabs and might be offended if mistakenly referred to as Arabs. English is not widely spoken outside of hotels and airports. Shopping, obtaining taxis and other everyday functions require a basic knowledge of Persian, though in a jam most visitors find that locals try hard to communicate in broken English. Islamic Standards Islamic Requirements The importation and consumption of alcohol is strictly banned. Penalties are severe and could include corporal punishment. Religious minorities, however, are allowed to manufacture and consume alcohol, but not to sell or import it. Pork and pork products are forbidden and, like alcohol, their import is illegal. Atieh Bahar Consulting - Practical Tips for Visitors Page 1 Last Update: March 2004
Western music and dancing is also banned in Iran. However, the visitor may notice that even shared taxis openly play the music of their choice. Still, customs may confiscate any music tapes or CDs brought in. Dress Code Men: Dress attire for men is similar to that in Europe. However, visitors should note that shorts should not be worn outside the house and garden. Short sleeved shirts used to be frowned upon, but are much more acceptable lately. They should be avoided if visiting one of the more conservative government bodies. Ties are acceptable although worn rarely by Iranian men since the revolution. Government officials never sport a tie. Jogging in tracksuits (but not shorts) is acceptable for men. Women: In most private residences, women can dress in normal western clothes. However, in public, Islamic covering of the body and hair is mandatory. This consists of a "rupush" (a long-sleeved, non-form fitting coat that resembles a raincoat) and a headscarf covering the hair, ears and neck. This outfit must be worn all year around regardless of the temperature. Scarves should be large enough to cover the head and tie under the chin. They should be of a non-slip material, generally cotton. Usually more tolerance tends to be shown towards foreigners over the detail of the dress code than is the case for Iranian women. However, this does not include leaving one s hair uncovered under any circumstance. "Acceptable" outfits may include a long, loose dress or shirt worn over loose skirt or pants and a scarf in the summer, and a full-length woolen coat and scarf in the winter (calf-length is acceptable if worn over pants). All colors and modest designs are generally acceptable, though it is best to stay away from particularly loud colors. Even when undertaking sporting activity in public (such as tennis or jogging), the dress code described above must be maintained. Calendar The Iranians use their own calendar, which does not correspond to the Gregorian calendar. The calendar has 12 months, with 31 days in the first six months, 30 days in the next five months, and 29 days in the last month, except during a leap year, when this too becomes 30 days. Iranian Calendar (1383) for Gregorian year (2004-5) Farvardin Ordibehesht Khordad Tir Mordad Shahrivar Mehr Aban Azar Dey Bahman Esfand March 20-April 19 April 20-May 20 May 21-June 20 June 21-July 21 July 22-August 21 August 22-September 21 September 22-October 21 October 22-November 20 November 21-December 20 December 21-January 19 January 20- February 18 February 19- March 20 There is a concentration of public holidays during the first two months of the Iranian calendar, March and April. Moreover, with an exception of Ramadan (the holy month of fasting), none of the Iranian public holidays coincide with those normally observed in the west. Essential services Transportation Taxis & Buses Telephone taxis are available through local agencies in Tehran and most hotels in provincial centers can arrange taxis for hire although it should be noted that there are no meters. Cheap bus transport is available but is not often used by foreigners in Tehran. Local orange taxis (or private vehicles operating as "taxis") are numerous and efficient for Iranians as they provide an interlocking network of north-south and east-west Atieh Bahar Consulting - Practical Tips for Visitors Page 2 Last Update: March 2004
transportation on an ad-hoc shared basis. There are road, rail and air services to most key centers. The bus network is reliable and efficient. Information on services can be obtained from: Bayhaghi Parking and Bus Terminal Argentine Square Tel: 874-3762 (Information) / 874-3416-9 (Ticket Reservation) Metro (underground) Tehran Underground Metro started its official operation in 1999. Currently two of the metro lines (one North- South and the other East-West) are operational in addition to the line connecting West Tehran to Karaj. With its cheap ticket rate (650 Rials), using metro for transportation is becoming more and more popular amongst Iranians and one of the most convenient ways to reach down-town Tehran. For more information regarding Tehran Metro and its routes map visit: http://www.tehranmetro.com Airport Mehrabad International Airport serving Tehran is about 10 kilometers from the city center. Access is by road. There are separate international and domestic terminals that are approximately five minutes apart by motor vehicle. To travel between terminals by public transport, visitors can use taxis that are available readily. There are now official taxi stands from which all the official airport taxis are dispatched and will charge a fixed rate. Individual cabs may also try to hawk a passenger. It is advisable to avoid such cars, even if they offer lower fares. By mid-2004, all international flights are scheduled to move to the newly-built Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) located 35 km South-West of Tehran. Access roads to this airport are via Tehran-Qom highway, Tehran-Saveh road and Tehran-Saveh highway. One special railroad linked to the metro network is also predicted to provide fast access to the airport. There is a 20 km long access highway to the passenger terminal between Tehran-Qom and Tehran-Saveh highways. Airport facilities are now relatively streamlined although delays can arise over minor bureaucratic issues. For international departures, visitors are advised to be at the airport at least two hours before the scheduled departure time. For domestic flights, travelers should check in one hour before their flight. Customs checks and inspections, even for domestic flights, are rigorous. Media In addition to a large variety of Persian language newspapers, four daily English language newspapers are available in Tehran and other major cities. There is also a daily English language television service (Channel 4 at 11:00 p.m.) with limited coverage. It must be noted that satellite TV is prohibited in the Islamic Republic, even though many households possess one. Churches As already mentioned, Islam - specifically Shi'a Islam - is the official religion of Iran. However, there are numerous religious minorities in the country, including Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians. A number of Christian denominations are represented in Iran including Protestant, Roman Catholic and Orthodox. Major Christian churches in Tehran that welcome visitors include: Protestant: Armenian Evangelical Church 3 Mirzay-e Shirazi Ave Tel: 890-3458 Roman Catholic: Saint Joseph's Church Shariati Ave, No. 1639 Tel: 880-3549 Atieh Bahar Consulting - Practical Tips for Visitors Page 3 Last Update: March 2004
Saint Abraham's Church 100 North Jamalzadeh St Tel: 692-9203 Orthodox: Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church Corner of Taleghani and Mofateh Ave Tel: 884-4288 Banking & Currency The currency is the Iranian Rial (Rls). The "Toman" (10 Rls) is a non-official monetary unit commonly used by the Iranian people. Prices are usually quoted in Tomans. Credit cards are not widely accepted and therefore are difficult to use. Their only use is for room payments at major hotels although some Iranian businesses (e.g., carpet shops) will sometimes accept credit cards on a private basis. Visitors should note that currently MasterCard is the only credit card being accepted by major hotels. Given the fact that credit cards are rarely accepted in Iran, visitors are advised to bring US dollars in cash form with them. Traveler s checks are also very hard to convert. Newer notes and larger bills in good condition are easier to exchange and get a better rate than old notes and small bills on the black market. Notes pre-1990 can prove difficult to exchange. Tourists should avoid currency exchange touts offering to change hard currency at black market rates. These are illegal. Currency should only be changed at authorized offices and banks. All the same, many Iranians themselves use the black market. Health / Medical Care Tehran is a relatively healthy city although air pollution and altitude can cause difficulties for individuals with chest or lung complaints. Tap water is potable and in fact, Tehranis claim to have the best water in the world. However, some foreigners prefer to use bottled water, which is available. In rural areas this is advisable. Hospitals Public hospitals do not provide the same standards of service as in the U.K., but may be used in an emergency and are generally good. It is highly recommended to refer to private hospitals in such a case. In Tehran these include: Day hospital Valiasr Ave, Corner of Tavanir Street Tel: 801-7111, 879-71111, 878-5820 Iran Mehr Hospital Shariati Ave and Gholhak Tel: 200-9071, 200-9072 Tehran Clinic Motahari Ave, corner of Ghaem Magham Tel: 871-2931/4 Education The government has established separate English-speaking international schools for the English-speaking children of returning Iranians. These international schools follow the American curriculum. In addition, there are French, German, Italian and Japanese schools available to foreign children. These foreign schools operate in their respective languages and follow their own national curricula. Here is some further information on foreign schools: Atieh Bahar Consulting - Practical Tips for Visitors Page 4 Last Update: March 2004
School Tel. Address Condition French 2031705 Shariati Ave. next to the The father should be foreign British Embassy Italian 2286502 Saidi Str. Farmanieh Ave The father should be foreign English 2604909 Shahid Kashani Alley, next to The father should be foreign & also the post office, before Sadr employed at a foreign firm Highway, off Shariati Ave Accommodations Residential Accommodations There are a number of tax related issues pertaining to residential leases, so some consultation with a lawyer or an accountant in Iran is advisable. In Tehran, villas, flats and serviced apartments are easily available for both short-term and long-term rentals. It must be noted that foreigners are not allowed to own flats, houses, apartments or offices; they may only lease. In order to lease at a notary public with a tenancy term, the permission of the Property Registry should be obtained. The various prices depend on the standards of accommodation and vary from US$500 per month for a small, but luxurious apartment to US$10,000 for a big villa with all the facilities. Hotel Accommodations International standard hotels are available in major cities of Iran. Currently, in Tehran there are four international standard hotels available: the Laleh Hotel, the Esteghlal Hotel, the Homa Hotel and the Azadi Hotel. Rates depend on the standard of accommodation and vary from US$120 for a single room to US$250 for a double room. However, Tehran also offers cheaper accommodation, starting from $30 per night, in hotels such as Karun and Ramtin. Several companies offer serviced apartments with breakfast and laundry facilities, which foreign executives often prefer to the big hotels. Just to name a couple in Tehran: Hotel Apartment Mellal NO.68 Naseri Street, Valiasr Ave Tel: 8776626 Hotel Arian Tajrish Square, Jafarabad Street, NO. 24 Tel: 2708545 Tipping Tipping is common in Tehran and elsewhere in Iran. Visitors should tip porters, room service, etc., small amounts (e.g. Rls. 2,000) when appropriate. In a restaurant, a small tip is sufficient as a service charge is included in the bill. It is customary to tip hairdressers and others who provide a service. Communications Telecommunications Reliable telephone services exist for domestic and international calls. In hotels long distance calls are usually made through the operator. There are also public phones that take phone cards located throughout Tehran, Atieh Bahar Consulting - Practical Tips for Visitors Page 5 Last Update: March 2004
though public phones are not always in service. There are also telecommunication centers where a long distance call can be placed. It is common to ask a shopkeeper to use his phone, and many shop owners in fact have a "public" phone that can be used for a small fee to make local calls. It is worth noting that there is no GSM coverage in Iran. For those bringing their laptop and who wish to connect to the Internet please be advised that phone jacks in Iran are usually the regular two-prong type. Adaptors are available readily and cheaply if you forget. Local ISPs sell pay-as-you-go type internet use cards, which is a very efficient way to connect to the internet. A variety of brands exist and in big cities, most newspaper vendors and corner stores carry internet cards. Small Cyber cafes are available in most residential areas as well. Useful Telephone Numbers Airport Information: 199 or 91028 Ambulance: 115 or 643-6622/26 Police: 110 Directory Assistance: 118 Tehran Radio Taxi: 133 Sightseeing & Recreation Restaurants Dining is a very popular activity in Iran, and even though the range of foreign cuisine is limited, the excellent Iranian cuisine compensates for this. Domestic food relies heavily on rice, meat (usually chicken, mutton or lamb), fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits. Our most popular dish is the chelo kabab. A few good restaurants that offer excellent Iranian cuisine, including chelo kabab are: Nayeb Restaurant Khaled Eslamboli Ave (Vozara), 11 th Street. Tel: 871-3474 Aali Qapou (a traditional restaurant and tea house) Beginning of Gandhi Street Tel: 877-7803 International restaurants in Tehran are limited and include: Monsoon (Asian Cuisine) Gandhi Shopping Center Gandhi Ave, First Floor Tel: 879-1983 (reservations required) Chinese Restaurant No 3 Abdo Street, Valiasr Ave (opposite Fatemi Ave) Tel: 890-0714 Japanese Restaurant No.30 Shahid Khaddami (Bijan Street), before Hotel Homa Tel: 877-6301 Lopeto Saba tower, North Sheikh Bahaei Tel: 805-4378 Casa Mia (Italian) Gandhi Shopping Center Gandhi Ave, First Floor Tel: 879-1959 Atieh Bahar Consulting - Practical Tips for Visitors Page 6 Last Update: March 2004
L'entrecote (French) Tel: 805-8310-1 Chili (Mexican) 1st floor, No. 184, Before Amiratabak, Ostad Motahari St. Tel: 884-3620 / 883-5543 The fast food and burger restaurants are abundant in Tehran, a few popular ones include: Boof Pasdaran Ave, by Borj-e-Sefid tower Tel: 258-1129 Dar-be-Dar No 21, Jafari Street, Tajrish Tel: 270-8185 Museums Tehran is enriched with various museums. Some museums no visitor can afford to miss are the following [1] : National (Archaeological) Museum of Iran Visiting Hours: 9:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:00 everyday, except Tuesdays 30 th Tir St, Imam Khomeini Ave. Tel: 6702061-6 Malek National Museum Visiting Hours: 8:30-17:00 everyday Panzdah-e Khordad Ave, Bein-ol-Haramein Bazaar Tel: 5620492 National Jewels Museum Visiting Hours: 14:00-16:30 Sundays and Tuesdays (Children underneath age of 15 are not allowed) Bank Markazi Iran building, Ferdowsi Ave, Opp Turkish Embassy. Carpet Museum Fatemi Ave. Tel: 896-7646 Reza Abbasi Museum Shariati Ave., before Seyed Khandan Tel: 851-3001/3 Sa'dabad Museum Complex Tel: 228-2031-9 Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art Karegar Ave. Tel: 896-5411 Sights Iran, with its rich history, offers plenty of opportunities for sightseeing. A famous attraction is Perspolis, situated about 60 km from Shiraz. Perspolis, dating back to ca 500 BC is the remaining ruins of a magnificent palace. The cities of Shiraz, known for its importance during the medieval Islamic world and Isfahan, known popularly for its impeccable blue-tiled buildings, are cities worth visiting. Atieh Bahar Consulting - Practical Tips for Visitors Page 7 Last Update: March 2004
Recreational Activities Even though most recreational activities common in the rest of the world are not available in Iran, there are several good outdoor recreational activities. One activity, popular among the wealthier Iranians, is skiing. In fact, just a couple of hours from Tehran a skiing destination called Shemshak offers a good base for downhill skiing at low costs. Another popular excursion destination is Karaj, a small but growing town, situated 35 km to the west of Tehran. From spring on, inhabitants of Tehran and even foreigners like to come out on Fridays and holidays to enjoy the coolness of the countryside near the flowing Karaj River. Moreover, the Amir Kabir Dam located on Karaj- Chalous road attracts people not only for fishing, but also water skiing and boating facilities. [1] For further information about museums and tourist attractions, you may refer to A travel Guide to Iran written by M.T Faramarzi. Atieh Bahar Consulting - Practical Tips for Visitors Page 8 Last Update: March 2004