What is a man called in Iran. Iranian men - personal experience. New Iranians. Who are they
Well, with Devuli,
I decided to write and report on my relationship with Iranian men. This topic may be close to someone. Feel free to comment. I want to make a reservation right away that we do not live in Iran, and I have never been there. But not in Russia either. My experience with Iranian men comes down to my husband, his numerous relatives, and my husband's friends.
I'll probably start with the looks.
On an average cut, men are attractive. Despite the fact that the southern swarthy type of appearance prevails, Iranians often have fair skin. And in the north of Iran there are quite a lot of blue-eyed blondes. I've met those too. They have such a universal type of appearance that they rarely admit that they are from Iran abroad (especially when they meet girls), and like to take European names for themselves, and introduce themselves as Alejandro from Spain or Mario from Italy. They take care of themselves, they love branded clothes. In general, their love for expensive things Undoubtedly, they can determine by eye what and for how much you are wearing. And the labels do not necessarily have to be visible. Carpet fans. No not like this. CARPET FANS. Just accept that there will be a lot of them in the house
Character.
Persistent, Nordic.
If only... Southern character, with a whole range of feelings - from warmth and sincerity to drama with slamming doors, wringing hands, tears, etc. and so on. Well, in general, peace is not about the Iranians. Very hospitable hosts, love and know how to receive guests. In general, they like to invite to their place, arrange gatherings. During which they are very often divided by gender, well, that is. women with women help in the kitchen, and men separately. It turns out it goes by itself. But I'm not used to it, so I hung out here and there.
Here you can write a lot. Iranians love delicious food. They eat a lot, they know a lot about food. They have very delicious cuisine which is the best for them. Your Iranian man may take a poorly prepared dinner as a personal insult. My advice is to cook more. Well, i.e. you have cooked and thought enough is enough, do not think, cook more. When you decide it's too much, buckle up and cook more. In general, there is no such thing as a lot of food, forget about it. And don't stop cooking.
I do not advise pampering Iranians with delicacies of Russian cuisine, like herring under a fur coat, God forbid, aspic or lard. Only Olivier salad goes with a bang, because (you will be surprised) but they also cook it.
The food is picky, it is understandable, Iranian cuisine, indeed very, very tasty.
Not religious, from the word at all. Here, of course, it is worth mentioning that I still spin in the circle of people who immigrated immediately after the Iranian revolution, i.e. they did not want to stay in a country where religious fanatics came to power. But again, according to the Iranians themselves, who continue to visit their relatives in Iran, it is difficult to meet a truly religious person among the educated part of the population.
It is of great importance for a man, often large families and contacts are maintained with all uncles, aunts, cousins up to the tenth generation. What would you understand the size, my husband's mother is one of 10 children, all her sisters and brothers had 3-5 children. Well, i.e. my husband has about 50 cousins and cousins who range in age from 20 to 60. And that's on my mom's side, now imagine a wedding. And God forbid you forget to invite someone. If your goal is to marry an Iranian, please his family and, of course, his mother. By the way, the Iranians are very material, and snobs. Your education and what family you are from will be important to them. Despite the fact that Iran is now a religious country, without exception, all girls receive higher education and do not strive to settle at home with the birth of children.
To summarize some common features of the nation that impress me, these are sincerity, warmth, hospitality, cordiality. In men - reliability, generosity, in general they are gentlemen, they will give you a coat, they will open the door, they will pay in the restaurant. Of the negative traits - talkers, pontogons, they are very fond of embellishing their significance and position in society. Everyone does this, not just men. probably still slowness, not to rush from the word at all. Do not count on punctuality, save yourself a lot nerve cells, take it for granted and say the time an hour earlier than the implied, well, that is. date at 8, say 7.
Therefore, I take my leave, all the beaver, kindness, and those who wish and the Persian cat.
Iranian men are very fond of marrying foreign women. Why - a separate song. Firstly, it is expensive to marry Iranian women (the bride really needs to be redeemed for a lot of money), and secondly, local men complain that young Iranian women do not want to do housework, they spend all day in beauty salons, gyms, in cafes with girlfriends. It seems to be true, because the make-up and manicure of local girls does not correlate in any way with washing dishes or cooking dinner.
Iranians bring their wives from everywhere, because the nation is very mobile. Most, however, prefer to settle in the homeland of the spouse (and I cannot blame them for this). However, with the onset of the global economic crisis, many Iranians who had settled around the world hurried back to their historical homeland. Together with children and household members, of course.
In the same group with me, a German woman taught Farsi, a red-haired woman who lived peacefully with her husband in Vaterland for 20 years, gave birth to three children for him, and then they all fled to Persia. The lady told about her impressions in German sparingly: Arbeiten uber alles. There are no more jobs in Germany, and the children have to be fed.
Another German came the next semester. More precisely, her husband brought her, because she did not know a word of either Farsi or English. Grandma was 62 years old. The story is the same. My whole life with my husband was spent in West Germany, and under the crisis of old age - moving to my husband's historical homeland with all its originality.
In another group, a Persian wife from New Zealand was cramming. Also under 50 years old, but hopes are still glimmering: "We've only been here for two years. We'll sell some real estate that my husband inherited, and we'll come back." I hope she gets really lucky.
Of course, in the palette of wives, the whole East shines with bright colors: Chinese women, Korean women, Thai women, Indian women. There are such exotics as wives from Peru and Venezuela (they also taught Farsi in the same group). Of course, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan - these generally do not have to change either the mentality or Islamic values.
I met an American wife, and a completely Anglo-Saxon appearance. Also exotic, because in the States there are entire Iranian provinces, and why this family decided to live in Iran is not clear.
And of course, the Iranians could not ignore our one-sixth. No one can get around her at all ... well, yes, I'm not talking about that.
Girls from the territories of the former USSR are imported by Iranians literally on an industrial scale. Despite the rather strict conditions of marriage legislation.
First, who wants to become an Iranian wife must accept Islam. And although this is just a formality - a short procedure at the embassy - and does not seem to oblige the girl to really believe in Allah, anyway, this business somehow jars me personally. Well, religion is a private matter. As, however, and marriage.
Secondly, and this is more serious, in the event of a divorce, your child will remain with the father and only with the father. That's what the law says. And it doesn't matter where you stay at the same time - even if in Tehran on the next street. Then, however, there is a chance to see your child on the way to school. But if you hurry home under the wing of your mother, you can forget about your own motherhood.
So. Love, as you know, is evil, and the Iranians are also worthy of love. Most of the girls come from Ukraine and Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. People also come from Russia, but mostly from provincial towns. The main and deadly argument in terms of accuracy is that the Iranians do not drink and actually support their families. Everything else fades into the background.
And then it comes back. Rest.
In one of the corners of the popular social network, Iranian wives come from the territory of the USSR hang out. They share culinary recipes, provide addresses of stores where you can buy something worthwhile for yourself or your child, and enlighten newcomers about the intricacies of Iranian culture. And - crying into each other's vest. Because even a Russian (Russian-speaking) woman's patience is not unlimited.
And although there are girls who have completely found themselves in this country, and those for whom family values are above everything else, and they are trying their best to cheer up their compatriots, and learn the language, and master taarof ... It's still rather dreary to read. Therefore, if you don’t want to spoil your mood, it’s better not to climb under the cut.
Kristina from Kazakhstan (Russian), 25 years old
If it happens that we have to live here, then we need to somehow get used to something, close our eyes to something, swallow something ... but what to do?
Galya from Moscow, 28 years old
But unlike you, I didn’t end up here very consciously, we generally lived in Dubai, but you yourself know how it is now. My husband closed the office, and there seemed to be nothing to do there. We decided to live here for the time being - my mother-in-law with the baby helps me a lot, but we are waiting for a residence permit in Spain. This does not mean that I don’t like anything in Iran at all - we have Friendly family, many friends, good house etc. But I don’t want to become a real Iranian, and I probably won’t be able to. By the way, my husband is a native Iranian, but he also literally suffered all over many issues.
My son is only 9 months old yet, and one of the reasons I want to leave here as soon as possible is that I am wildly afraid that someday my child will say to me something like: “Mom, you can’t come here , here only for uncles" or even worse: "Mom, where is your handkerchief!", and then I don't know what I'll do with it ...
Apparently, it’s really that one “has to” live here - I don’t like that there is a lot of “has to” here in general.
Christina from Armenia, 28 years old
How I understand you! I also ended up here because of the economic crisis. We moved here with the hope of leaving as soon as possible, my husband is also Iranian, but he has changed a lot in Armenia, there is almost nothing Iranian left of him, he himself will never get used to his country. Yes, that's right, a chic house, a summer house, a car, his family, friends .... but this is not enough for me .... I'm losing myself .... and it hurts ....
Galya from Ukraine, 24 years old
I married an "uncivilized" Iranian consciously, I went to Iran, realizing what I was doing. When I gave birth, I also realized that my child would grow up in such conditions and, willy-nilly, would be in many ways like all Iranians. If I were going to Afghanistan, I would also prepare for this. It’s easy to talk about psychology now, but when a child tells you: “Mom, don’t come to my school for meetings, because you are not like everyone else,” it hurts. The children of many of my friends suffer from various complexes, some even hate Iran, but are forced to live here, so I want to learn to love this country for what it is and not complain about what is here and what is not. We must learn to live in these conditions.
Galya from Azerbaijan, 37 years old
I always adhere to this point of view - "Could be worse."
I have lived in Iran for 15 years. I will say one thing: each country has its own customs and practices. When marrying an Iranian, and even more so when you come here for permanent residence, you must understand what awaits you. It's hard, you can't say anything... but you yourself have chosen this path. Learn the language, their customs, cultures, cuisine. But at the same time, try to invest in your child the culture of your homeland. I understand that it will be very difficult, but thank God there are antennas in every house. A lot of things do not suit me either, and it is also very difficult for me to this day. In material terms, I think that all of you girls are provided for, but life is not about cheap fruits!! The man here is suffocating...
Natasha from Ukraine, 27 years old
IF IT ALREADY COMES TO THIS, THEN WHY TO TORTURE YOURSELF, OF COURSE YOU NEED TO LEAVE, OR CLOSE YOUR EYES AND HOPE FOR THE BEST AND LIVE TODAY, YOU NEED TO FIND THE POSITIVE SIDES OF OUR LIFE, DON'T YOU? YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE LIFE WILL TAKE YOU TOMORROW AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU!
Irina from Estonia, 32 years old
And I was ready to see what I saw. I have been to African countries, and I can even say that everything is sanitary and clean here.
I won't say that Iran is the country of my dreams, but I try to notice only positive things. And I believe in a bright future for Iran. Besides, it's not all that bad now. I was told that it was here 10 years ago, so should I complain.
And most importantly, there are no drunks and tipsy staggering down the street - I can’t stand them !!
So focus on the positive or leave. We were born to be happy, not to suffer. When I walk around the city, I try not to dwell on what I don’t like and unpleasant. And I look only at what makes me happy and thank God for all the good things that I have.
Tanya from Belarus, 23 years old
Of course, a foreign land is a foreign land ... I was also dissatisfied with something, but when I returned to my homeland, I immediately felt bad at the airport ... I wanted to go back ... my opinion is that it’s good in Tehran, but in other places it’s just terrible. And in principle, all Iranians say so ...
Sariya from Azerbaijan
I think if you are already married to an Iranian, then kindly fall in love with the country in which he was born.
Svetlana from Russia (Vladimir), 3 children, 10 years old in Iran
You are lucky, because you arrived much later, or thought soberly, and I was in Russia with a passport, etc. so they pulled, and the husband had already left, i.e. I flew alone, so I screamed before departure: “Thank God I’m going to civilization,” but these words turned out to be exactly the opposite for me, in short, I was waiting for ABROAD, and I got - shabby IRAN.
MK special correspondent spent a month in the country of victorious Islam
Recently, the most popular occupation among political scientists and military analysts of the leading countries of the world is to predict the date of the start of the war in Iran. It is generally accepted that the revolutions in the Middle East inevitably bring foreign invasion closer, and Iran will become the next after Syria. Since 1979, after the victory of the Islamic revolution, the Persians have actually lived in isolation from the outside world. The eight-year war with Iraq, tough economic sanctions from the countries of the West and America, large-scale NATO military operations near the borders of Iran should have left the country on the sidelines of life. That's what it looks like from the outside. From the inside, the situation appears in a slightly different light.
The MK special correspondent went to Iran to observe the life and life of ordinary Persians.
| photo: Irina Kuksenkova |
Everyone flying to Iran will have to say goodbye to their usual way of life and habits already on board the plane - it doesn’t matter if it is an Iranian airline or not: firstly, you will not be sold alcohol (since the transportation, manufacture and consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Iran at the legislative level, alcohol equated to drugs- and the last the death penalty for drinking was executed about two months ago). That is, even if a passenger arrived in Iran drunk, the police have every right to arrest him and impose a punishment in the form of a certain number of blows with a stick. This is for the first time. If you get caught a couple more times, your trip to Iran will end on the gallows (they are officially executed in this country by hanging). And it is unlikely that the Iranian authorities will worry about the fact that the defendant is a foreigner. However, alcohol is not the biggest problem...
Secondly, men and women should change their clothes according to the official dress code that has been in effect in Iran since the victory of the Islamic revolution. In some provinces it is more strict, in some with some concessions - but it is mandatory. On the street, men cannot wear T-shirts (like "alcohol" and "wrestlers"), only T-shirts or shirts that cover their arms to the middle of the forearm, shorts can also be safely left at home - in Iran they cannot be worn in public places. And the fashion hit of Persian men - they are all forced to wear socks with sandals in the summer. Since there should not be bare legs either ...
With the female appearance is even more difficult. Jeans are allowed, but something covering the body from the neck to the knee should be worn on top - a shirt or coat (although the majority of Iranians wear a black veil). And most importantly, a covered head. To do this, you can use a scarf (the easiest way), local ladies also wear hijab and rusari (traditional Iranian headscarf).
Adapt to the time zone in Iran to a person from middle lane Russia will not have to - the time difference with Moscow is only half an hour ahead. Roads in Iran - unlike ours - are excellent, and throughout the country. I had to be convinced of this during a long business trip, during numerous car trips to the north of the country, to the Caspian coast, and to the south - to Isfahan. In general, the fact that the Persians build a lot is immediately striking: bypass roads are being punched in the tunnels, tower cranes are everywhere in the cities ... Giant windmills that generate alternative energy rise in a neat order. Despite the huge oil reserves, there are also very common in Iran solar panels. They can be observed on lanterns, traffic lights and on the roofs of houses.
Tehran seemed to me a very Soviet city, only with an oriental flavor. There are many mosques, but even more gray residential buildings, similar to Soviet Khrushchevs, and higher - 9 and 12 floors. There are many places worth seeing in the capital, but the overall impression of everything is Soviet Union. And everything seems to be there: sights, and cafes, and shops, but a feeling of dullness and a lack of bright colors.
Tehran's longest street, Valiasr, is full of shops, including some modern brands. But mostly they go to the bazaars, which are completely inundated with consumer goods from China and Turkey. There you can find absolutely the entire range of the former Moscow "Cherkizon". Prohibited items are also sold - miniskirts for example. As local beauties explained to me, such skimpy outfits are worn at closed house parties, where the vibrant nightlife is in full swing ...
Sex in big and small Iranian city
There is no sex in Iran, just as there was no sex in the Soviet Union. At least officially and openly, no one discusses this topic. And although ancient Chinese diplomats in the era of the Sassanid dynasty wrote that the Persians are the most depraved of peoples, and even in the history of Iran there are descriptions of those other perversions, today the official Iranian ideology will outdo any puritanism. Iranians are not only not allowed to have sex before marriage, but also not to touch a being of the opposite sex.
“However, the situation is much better now than it was a few years ago. On the streets of megacities, you can see young people walking, and some couples even hold hands, my Iranian friends tell me. “Nevertheless, people are still very strict.
We were sitting in one of the trendy restaurants in the wealthy area. From there, the whole capital was visible at a glance, glowing in the night from lights and illuminations, among the organic architectural ensemble, the Borje Millad - the local Ostankino - towered. As soon as it got dark, a lot of young people, stylish and fashionable, were drawn here. There were dyed blondes with bright make-up, manicures and pedicures, with a kerchief dangling on top of their heads, in tight jeans and sweaters that barely covered their hips. Some girls were incredibly stylish, elegant, wearing scarves and dark glasses of world famous brands, with natural, discreet make-up. But most of the girls are still made up tastelessly and clumsily. In Iran, women put on a lot of make-up because their face is the only thing they can openly show. In addition, many Iranians make themselves a nose job and now fashionable puffy lips "duck".
We have everything, only unofficially. Those who need it also find alcohol (mainly from taxi drivers and Armenians), and you can also find a bottle of high-quality imported alcohol from the Persians at home - they sell everything from under the floor, you need to know the place, - says Daria. - At closed house parties, we communicate with the guys: look at my photos on Facebook ...
Oh yes, Daria and her friends had very candid photos for Iranians on the social network. True, the page is "only for friends."
Iranians get to know each other in different ways, but the most exotic ways are when guys throw notes with their phone numbers to girls in a car at full speed. Or in fitness clubs - as in Chechnya - swimming pools and water parks, they are all separated by gender. But! They go there not at all in order to have an elastic ass and slim stomach. Mothers go there with photos of their sons (in Iran, by the way, men get married late by our standards, after 30, 35, or even after 40, they need serious financial support for a wedding) and show them to every girl they like. Here the mother of a potential groom sees a beauty on a treadmill, approaches her, pokes her a photo of her child and asks: “Do you like it? Will you marry him?"
Of all the entertainment available to the Persians, they prefer evening walks around the city with their families, young people drive wheelbarrows (usually Iranian-made) or hang out in parks in the evening, but the most common option is a picnic on the grass. As it gets dark, all the lawns are occupied.
Blue sky of Qazvin
To the north of Tehran there is a small town of Qazvin. As in all provincial cities, in Qazvin "Kharajiyan" - that is, strangers - cause a real sensation. When I walked through the bazaar with one of the escorts, we gathered around us a large crowd of women and men who simply followed on our heels. Probably, with the same surprise, Muscovites would have looked at a group of Zulu tourists in feathers and with spears on Red Square ...
After a few days in Qazvin, I began to notice guys walking around the streets holding hands. This, perhaps, is nothing to worry about (although it is strictly not recommended for a guy with a girl to walk hand in hand), but they appearance! Tight pants, tight-fitting T-shirts, hair pomaded with kilos of gel... This is how unfashionable gays walk around here. Later I was told that, it turns out, Qazvin is famous for its gay movement, and there is even a saying about this: “Even a crow, flying over Qazvin, covers it with one wing ...”. I can’t imagine how this phenomenon coexists with all religious strictness, especially if you remember the video that at one time walked around YouTube with footage of two homosexual guys being executed in Iran...
However, it’s even better this way - there is a way out of the situation and the opportunity to protect yourself from a foreign military invasion: after all, gays have a powerful lobby all over the world - and they just need to organize a campaign in support of eastern San Francisco. They won't let theirs be bombed...
Jewish question
During the Islamic Revolution, one of the programmatic theses of Ayatollah Khomeini called for a struggle against world Zionism, which, in his deep conviction, is "a cancerous tumor of the earth." The Persians were historically distinguished by a special "love" for the Jews, but officially Judeophobia was entrenched in state level in 1979. Prior to this, Iran did not recognize the formation of the State of Israel and to this day is its ardent opponent - even the Arabs in this matter are flowers compared to the Persians. Moreover, such an attitude towards the Jews in Iran is not only at the state level, local residents are also sincerely sure that all the troubles in the world come from the people of Israel and poison cynical but funny jokes about them.
The Jews are the only people on earth who were persecuted from everywhere. Everyone doesn't like them! This is no accident, - the seller in the capital's souvenir shop assures me. “Buy me a mug of Hitler!” Only 50 thousand reais is two and a half dollars ...
- With whom? - I see, indeed, in the souvenir shop there are a lot of mugs, among which there are also with the image of the Fuhrer, the same pictures with posters hang nearby. - Well, this is not the most pleasant character in the story ...
Are you talking about the murder of Jews? In fact, they themselves invented the Holocaust ...
- Well, actually, I meant that Hitler attacked our country, and as a result, about 27 million of our compatriots died ...
This fact was clearly not interested in the seller of the store. Then I went to Enkelabe Islami Street - the Islamic Revolution - there are the most bookstores. I noticed that in addition to the publications I need, you can easily buy Mein Kampf in Farsi and various books about Nazism here ... Then I began to notice Israeli, British and American flags painted on the asphalt, on which vehicles pass. And one day I saw a rug in the form of an American flag in front of the door of my friend's house. He explained to me that it was also pleasant for him to wipe his feet on the flag because the Jews supposedly also rule America ...
Europeans in Iran
One late evening in the city center, I saw a girl in yellow leggings, an orange coat and stiletto sandals (she still had a headscarf on her head). She was dressed defiantly by local standards. When I asked who she was, they answered me: a prostitute, although they did not name her nationality, noting that she was not a Persian. There are indeed prostitutes in Iran, but just like that, having paid money, you can’t sleep with her. To do this, you need to conclude a temporary marriage with the mullah - “shige”. You can marry at least for an hour, at least for two, at least for the night.
One of my German acquaintances started an affair in Iran with a young Persian. When they decided to go on a trip to the ancient cities of the country, he suddenly hesitated and suggested that she make a “shige”. Indeed, otherwise they will not be able to be accommodated in one room in a hotel, and in general problems may arise. Returning from a week-long trip back to Tehran, the German woman decided for herself that their feelings were more than just an affair and it would be nice to marry this Persian. But by that time, the parents of the “Prince of Persia” were already aware of their “shige” and, accordingly, they would never have given consent to this marriage in their lives. Because decent girls "shige" do not conclude ...
I myself have observed that a Westerner does not understand at all where he is: the same German woman howled like a beluga after the vice police officer forced her to put on socks under her sandals and pulled a shapeless shirt over her tight sweater. "How humiliating!" sobbed a resident of Berlin.
In the first place, I myself fell under the blow of the harsh Iranian society. On the way from Isfahan to Tehran, we stopped at night in a small village. I decided to smoke one cigarette in a dark corner. After a few puffs, stones flew at me. I don't know how, but they saw me...
The Game of Compromises
The religion in Iran - Shiite Islam - is not an empty phrase, it is the basis of everything. All life here proceeds according to Sharia law.
- We, in Russia, held a high-profile trial. Girls from the group Pussy Riot were convicted for a punk prayer in the country's main Orthodox church. Purely hypothetically, what would happen to them in Iran in the same situation? I ask my girlfriends.
— Are you kidding? Firstly, this would not have happened, they would have been stopped at the entrance to the mosque. Secondly, well, even if we imagine that this happened, in a few minutes nothing would be left of them, the people would have done everything themselves ...
In Iran, religious holidays and mourning processions are held every month in memory of those who died a martyr's death. This is an impressive performance, especially when hundreds of women in black veils go crying...
And if in Iran, for example, the holy month of Ramadan, then eating or even drinking water during daylight hours on the street is forbidden to everyone without exception, no matter whether you are a Muslim or not. All cafes, restaurants, fast foods are closed until dark.
In Iran, public transport is divided into male and female carriages, women are not allowed to smoke hookah and be judges, because the decision of a woman cannot be binding on a man. The regime forbade even at official events men to shake hands with women and dressed them in veils and scarves that cannot be removed even in 50-degree heat. You realize the full severity of this after a week, when you want to burn your handkerchief, because it is hot in it and your neck itches. But the majority of the population is fine with it.
“Many Iranian women prefer to go wrapped up for their own safety, our men sometimes behave like savages and can grab a girl by any part of the body,” says Shirin. - At one time I even wore gloves, because once the seller touched my hand so disgustingly when I gave him money.
What is good about the Oscar-winning Persian film “The Divorce of Nadir and Samin” in the title role with my beloved Leila Khatami (by the way, the daughter of Ali Khatami, a well-known director in the Shah of Iran)? It shows very accurately everyday life ordinary Iranians. This society is really divided into those who sincerely support the current Islamic course, they are, as a rule, real practicing Muslims, others are against the forcible imposition of the Muslim way of life on all citizens of the country. Everyone who disagrees leaves the country (the peak of emigration, of course, came in the first years after the Islamic revolution). There are those who do not agree, but for some reason either did not want to or could not leave. Such people adapt to the current Islamic strictness and still live in a European way, just hiding it. They go to neighboring Azerbaijan or Armenia, where they spend a shock weekend. They just adapted to the system. Nevertheless, regardless of different political views, in general, the Persians are an incredibly hospitable people, generous and open. Such were once the Soviet people, not spoiled by the cult of consumption and Western cynicism...
Iran-Moscow.
Persians, or Iranians, are the indigenous inhabitants of Persia (the current official name of the country is the Islamic Republic of Iran), the people of the Iranian group of the Indo-European family. Persians are the ethnic majority in Iran (51% of the country's more than 66 million population); they live mainly in the central and southern regions Iran. A significant part of civil servants is recruited from the Persians. Outside of Iran, the Persians live mainly in neighboring countries - in Iraq, in the west of Afghanistan, in Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. After the political upheavals of the second half of the twentieth century. a large group of Iranians emigrated to Europe and the United States. Today, a large number of immigrants from Iran also live in our country and in the southern states of the CIS. Along with the Afghans, they trade in the markets and conclude small wholesale deals. Many Persians abroad are engaged in religious propaganda.
Modern Iran is a multinational country. The main national minorities include Azerbaijanis (24% of the country's population), Kurds (7%), Gilans and Mazendarans (8% in total), Arabs (3), Lurs (2), Balochs (2), Turkmens (2), Turks (1), Bakhtiyars, Qashqais, Tajiks and other nationalities (in total - about 2% of the population). Formed as the state of the Persians, Iran in ancient times and in the Middle Ages pursued an active policy of conquest, Persian rulers united multilingual peoples and tribes under their rule. In the 7th century Persia was conquered by the Arabs. They brought with them Islam, which became the dominant religion: now 99% of the inhabitants of Iran are Muslims. At the same time, 89% of Iranians profess Shia Islam, 10% are Sunnis.
The poem "Confession of a Shiite" by the Russian poetess Lyudmila Avdeeva conveys the worldview of a simple Iranian:
There is no afterlife, I know, rich.
There is justice, all the joys are nearby.
And the beautiful Sheida will be with me.
And here on earth I don’t stand her gaze.
Here our family is the poorest of all in the quarter.
I don't dare to dream that Shade would be given to me.
It is hungry to live here, for so many years there is no work.
And there will be happy any unemployed.
There are rivers of mast, there are mountains of meat.
Rip fruit for dinner from the Garden of Eden.
Our neighbor Ali is dissatisfied with something.
He wants to study, but the house is not finished...
Death to America! Death to the "Big Satan"!
War to victory! Islamic victories.
Salvation is in the Quran. There every word
Goes from Allah to the native Imam.
Take our life, our flesh, our souls.
We are all completely yours, almighty.
And even trees, even animals
Everyone believes in the holiness and truth of Allah.
We are waiting for deliverance - the arrival of Mehdi.
Allah save Khomeini before him.
Shiite Islam, professed by only about one-tenth of all Muslims in the world, is the basis of the philosophy of life for the Persians.
Since 1979, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the leadership of the state has been in the hands of Shiite theologians. The Islamic regime created a state unprecedented in modern history, in which all aspects of life were subordinated to the ideas of Shiite Islam. The political, legal, moral, aesthetic, ethical, cultural and philosophical ideas of the vast majority of Persians today are determined by the norms of Islam.
Love of God, clear and firm adherence to the norms and traditions of Islam is the main virtue highlighted by the inhabitants of modern Iran when emphasizing the positive character traits of a person. Of course, the set of positive characteristics of the Persian is not limited to these qualities.
A distinctive feature of the Iranians is hospitality. A polite welcome is the minimum that a foreigner who comes to this country for the first time can count on. The accusation of inhospitality is one of the worst in Iran. In any house you will be greeted with the words "Hosh amadid!" ("Welcome!"). The guest will be provided the best place at the table and feed the best and most varied dishes. Even if this is the house of the poorest Persian, the neighbors will help him meet the guest. For the host, there is nothing more pleasant than hearing from the guest that the efforts were not in vain, that he was amazed by the reception, the richness of the dishes and their taste.
In general, benevolence is one of the hallmarks of the Iranians. Communication with people in a Persian is imbued with respect for the interlocutor. When referring to each other, the Iranians use the words "aga" (master), "saheb" (master), "baradar" (brother), while adding "aziz" (dear), "mokhtaram" (respected). People of equal status embrace and shake hands when they meet. When meeting with elders, Persians bow low. Expressing respect, gratitude and attention, Iranians often place their right hand over their hearts. Sociability, courtesy and politeness are the most frequently manifested communicative qualities of the Persians.
to higher moral principles Iranians include veneration of deceased ancestors, respect for the elders and the elderly. The elders, according to the generally accepted opinion, are the personification of the clan, the family. The well-being of all depends on the success of everyone. Kinship, clan and tribal relations cement the nation. Compatriots who moved from the village to the city earlier than others help the newcomers in finding employment and arranging their lives. Among the Iranians, a tradition reminiscent of the Soviet subbotnik is widespread. Residents of one block, village or street collectively help their comrade in the construction of a new house. This event becomes a real holiday of labor. Singers and musicians come to support the workers. At the end of the work, everyone is treated to pilaf and sweets.
One of the distinctive qualities of most Persians is the desire for beauty, love for art. After the proclamation of the Islamic Republic in 1979, the clergy pursued a policy of subordinating culture and art to the task of Islamizing Iranian society. "Western art" became forbidden. This slowed down the cultural enrichment of the country from outside, but at the same time stimulated the rise of folk art. Among ordinary Iranians there are many people endowed with the talents of musicians, poets, reciters, and artists. Persians have a great sense of humor. A joke, timely and appropriately said, allows you to survive adversity.
Iranians are superstitious. Muslims in Iran live in a world of permanent mystical attitude. They believe in evil spirits, talismans, witchcraft, divination, they believe that stones, trees, buildings can be sacred. Bread, water, crops, roads, sky, fire are also considered sacred. The spirits of the dead are considered terrible, which “roam in search of the living” and can inhabit them, especially women. Therefore, the Persians are afraid to appear in those places where, according to their belief, evil spirits live. Amulets are widespread among ordinary Iranians, designed to protect against the evil eye and damage. Amulets are hung around the neck of a newborn child, boy, beautiful girl and newlyweds, as they believe that these people are the least protected from the "wiles of the evil spirit." In the villages they believe in ghosts, witches. Dream interpreters are very popular.
When communicating with the Persians, it is necessary to take into account, first of all, the peculiarities of their cultural and religious development. Earning the respect of the Persians is easier if you know the names of their great compatriots. Quoting Omar Khayyam, Saadi, Hafiz and other Iranian poets and philosophers will raise your authority in the eyes of the interlocutor. But a non-believer should avoid discussing religious topics with an Iranian. An Iranian will never tell you to your face that you offended him by hitting a thin string of his soul. However, in the future, such an insult to them will not be forgotten and may cause a cooling or even termination of relations.
During the Muslim fasting in the month of Ramadan, the way of life in Iranian families changes, it becomes more measured and slowed down. The working day is getting shorter. Important matters are postponed until a later time. It makes no sense to expect a Muslim to quickly fulfill your request. A foreigner who is in Iran during fasting should not smoke, eat or drink in the presence of local residents during the daytime. Irritation can also be caused by the appearance of a European woman who has not covered her legs, arms and face from the looks of strangers. The state of inhibition in which Muslims are during fasting continues for some time after its end. The first days after fasting are considered the most dangerous. They account for the peak of traffic accidents in Tehran and other major cities. Drivers simply do not have time to adapt to the conditions of a sharply increased pace of life and an increase in the number of cars on the roads.
Despite the fact that Article 20 of the Iranian Constitution proclaims the equality of all members of society before the law, Iranian women are practically deprived of many rights. Legislatively, the man is considered as the head of the family, the woman in the family is subordinate to the man. Only men have the right to file for divorce. In the event of the death of a spouse, children are transferred to be raised in the family of the deceased husband, and the woman loses the right to her children. In the event of a divorce, the children also remain with the father. All women, Iranians and foreigners, in public places and institutions are required to wear a hijab - a cape on their heads. During the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-1988. in Iran, the slogan was widespread: "Iranian, the hijab is your trench!". Separate places for men and women are provided in transport and in public places. Women are not allowed to practice many professions (in particular, there cannot be a female singer, female judge, female archaeologist or geologist). The law allows a Muslim to marry a non-Muslim, but forbids an Iranian woman to marry a foreigner if he is not a Muslim. The Iranian woman's freedom of movement is also restricted by a number of Sharia provisions. A trip abroad can only take place if one of the two mandatory conditions: accompanied by an adult male family member or with the written permission of the husband or father (for an unmarried woman).
Criminal penalties for women are more severe than those prescribed by the criminal code for similar crimes for men. In February 2003, two women were hanged for the murder of a man, and two more received life sentences.
To be sure, not everything is as bleak in Iran as the Western media make it out to be. Life in the country goes on. IN last years there has been a certain liberalization in the way of life of the Iranians. Of course, they don't show "light porn" on TV, as in our country. But it is safe to say that the vast majority in Iranian society does not aspire to such "freedoms". The ability of the Iranians to easily and philosophically experience life's hardships is the core that allows this nation to develop, moving in the same direction with all of humanity. Being different from Europeans or Americans is no reason to declare people about whom they know little, "outlaws."
Iran is a multinational state in which religion performs a large number of functions, and the main one is the unification of people.
