I am planning to visit in about 18 months. I would love to hear your cultural experiences, favourite locations, tips and highlights/lowlights from a western perspective.
2006-09-29 22:47:37 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ Other - Africa & Middle East
I want to visit Iran and stay for a while, learn Parsi.
2006-09-29 23:12:59 · update #1
Personally I love it. I worked for a year and a half in Afghanistan (please don't go on holidays) and I really learned to appriciate the culture and experience. It was strange at times. Generally in the city they treat white women like men only they stare a little more but mostly they would never do anything offensive, but out in the country it is a little bit different. Some of them have never really seen a white woman and it is hard to see women in burkas and kept away.
Now it is quite different in a place like the UAE. Again men are mostly very respectful (Arab men anyway not so much the Indian and Banglideshi men that live there) and local women are quite covered. Although it was interesting as a woman to got to the spas and see these women taking off their covering and being dressed like anyone else underneath. As a women in the middle east you often get to see things from the mens side and the womens which is really interesting.
Now it does all depend on where you are going exactly. I hated Turkey because the men were extremely disrespectful. I was often followed and harassed. I had a friend who went to Lebanon on holidays and was harassed and sworn at, called a whore, things like that.
You always have to be on the conservative side at first and observe what is happening before you do anything, especially as a woman. I mean in Dubai you can obviously walk around in a miniskirt but I wouldn't do that in Iran.
I do really like Dubai but I would like to go to Iran (only been in on the tarmac in Tehran). I do love Afghanistan but I think it will be a long time before I go back. Jordan is supposed to be pretty nice too.
2006-09-29 23:00:26 · answer #1 · answered by Constant_Traveler 5 · 6⤊ 2⤋
Be nice to the people you meet.
It's the Ramazan, so try not to eat or drink much in public. It will show how much you respect the others. And, unless you're visiting places like Dubai, always wear long clothes even on very sunny days.
And, don't forget to enjoy yourself, yet keep a very open mind.....'cos the Middle- East is a very beautiful place with culture that dates back to thousands of years ago. It will be quite an experience!
Good Luck!
2006-09-29 23:00:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well I am Iranian so I think I can help you.Farsi language is so cool and somehow easy to learn.You can visit Esfahan the best Iranian city.And you'd better come after the Ramedan.You can ask me for help dear,my e-mail address is nazanin_zdh@yahoo.com
2006-10-06 03:51:22 · answer #3 · answered by nanaz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an Iranian, I would be happy to help you :-) I just don't know what to say now. Feel free, ask me whatever you want, and I will be more than happy to help you :-) (you can find me through Yahoo 360, you can find the link on my page) oh btw, it's great you want to learn Persian *smiles*
Good luck
2006-10-06 04:41:59 · answer #4 · answered by myfl_a 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I were visiting in the Middle East I would dress like the country, respect them, honor their country. Be like the women over there I respect them alot.
2006-10-07 22:50:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Which countries will you visit? They are not all the same especially for women and it's hard to preview, at least for some of them how it will be in 18 months...
2006-09-29 22:57:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I live in India and I had been to Middle East for over dozen times (Dubai). It's difficult to give you tips on here, if needed buzz me on aa39india@yahoo.co.uk but few important things....
1. Never drink too much in bar. They thinks that a woman who drinks is so easy to get in bed.
2. Make sure that you wear clothes that cover you up properly if you do not want male to stair at you like hungry dogs.
3. 99% male thinks that it's so easy to convince a white lady for sex.
4. Control your usage of Dear/Honey/Sweetheart/Darling etc. with unknown man. Usually these words are used when people is in love !! LOL !! It will be difficult for you to digest but it's a fact !!
5. Take enough sunscreen lotions
6. Go on the Internet and find about Food, it's interesting !! You should know what exactly you can find to eat and you will love the food ! Know enough before landing.
7. I don't know where do you live but if you are in USA, spend $ 50 in a dollar shop and get those cheap frangrances to give as gift. This will be our own secret and I will not tell to any one that you gave them $ shop's stuff !! LOL !! It will surely make them happy........I mean waiters, cab drivers, porters etc. And if you will give them tip of $ 1 they will not consider as a good tip.
8. Take proper vaccinations.
9. Keep a stock of Tissue paper roll because at lot many places they use water to wash after potty !!
2006-09-29 23:19:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 3⤋
visit my page i would provide you any information you need about Syria history and more.,,,
Iran is very nice, i was in Tehran and went to Esfahan too
very nice country
2006-09-29 22:51:29 · answer #8 · answered by tours 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont know about Iran, but I just want to say its nice of you to actually go out and see stuff for yourself
2006-10-02 02:27:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there.
Here are some important notes about travelling in Iran. Hope it can help you.
About wearning, you should cover your hair by headscarf and wear a dress that covering your body.
Don't worry about it. Even you can come here and buy them at the Airport shopes, but they will sell you them costly ;)
Some useful links:
http://www.irantravelingcenter.com/womn_iran_zan_girl_cloth_hejab.htm
http://www.blessitt.com/iran_journey.html
Iran's banks don't support some American credit cards, "Mastercard" & "Visa" are accepted, so it's better you carry enough money, US dollar or other currencies. You can exchanged it in banks.
About Iran:
http://www.itto.org/aboutiran/index.asp?aboutid=all
Questions & Answers:
http://www.itto.org/question/quest_index.asp
****
If you can spend enough time, don't lose visiting "Shiraz" (Fars state), "Esfehan", "Tehran", etc.
Iran has a deep history and culture with more than 4000 years history and 2500 years civilization.
Iran has a variety of weathers. While the weather in the South of Iran is hot, some other cities in the North-West like "Ardebil" has very good weather.
Also, the weather in the North of Tehran is different with the South of this city.
While some people are doing summer sports in the South of Iran, some others are doing winter sports in the North of Tehran and in the North of country. Especiall in spring the weather in Iran is wonderful.
In Iran you can see different cultures, different traditions, different foods and different places, including ancient cities in "Shiraz", "Kermanshah", "Esfehan", etc.
Takht e Jamshid or Persepolic (Shiraz), Pasargad (Shiraz),
Hafezyeh (Shiraz), Saadyeh (Shiraz), etc.
Anahita temple (Kermanshah), Biston (Kermanshah), etc.
Naghsh e Jahan (Esfehan), Chehel Sotoon (Esfehan), etc.
Religious cities such as "Qom" and "Mashhad",
Traditional houses, nice and interesting old houses that made by Iranian architects in "Kashan" (Esfehan state), "Yazd", "Tabriz", etc.
Natural malls such as some Northen cites like "Chalus (Mazandaran)", "Kelar dasht (Mazandaran)", "Anzali" (Gilan), "Torkman sahra" (Mazandaran), "Masoleh" (Gilan), etc.
Come here and enjoy :)
2006-10-05 07:09:02 · answer #10 · answered by ±50% 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋