Communication Skills Report on:

CULTURAL DIVERSITY ( IRAN )

By:
Syeda Mahnoor Fatima (10519)
Kainaat Yaseen (10515)
Rifaquat-E-Zehra Malik (11096)
Wajeeha Ahmed (10840)

Presented To:
“Uzma Atif Jafri”

(18/07/2019)

Submitted as mandatory requirement for the course “Communication Skills” in the

Program, Bachelor of Business Administration
INTRODUCTION:
Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in
Western Asia with over 81 million inhabitants, Iran is the world's 18th most populous
country. Its territory spans 1,648,195 km sq (636,372 sq mi), making it the second
largest country in the Middle East and the 17th largest in the world.
LOCATION:
Due to its bordering with 10 countries like: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq & Turkey give it
geostrategic importance. In addition to this Iran is the only country that borders both
the Indian Ocean and the Caspian Ocean. Tehran is the capital, largest city, and
leading economic and cultural center.
Iran has a total population of about 64 million people. Only Persians, the largest
ethnic group, live in the developed farm areas and in the large cities of the northern
and western plateau.

LANGUAGE:

Iran's official language is Farsi, which is also known as Persian. Farsi is also spoken
in parts of Turkey and Afghanistan. Many Iranians understand Arabic, the language of
the Qura’an.

SUPREME AUTHORITY:

The Leader of the Revolution ("Supreme Leader") is responsible for delineation and

supervision of the policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Iranian president has
limited power compared to the Supreme Leader Khamenei. The current longtime
Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has been issuing decrees and making the final
decisions on the economy, environment, foreign policy, education, national plannings,
and everything else in the country.

RELATIONS WITH PAKISTAN:

After Pakistan gained its independence in August 1947, Iran was the first country
to recognize its sovereign status. Pakistan is also the only country where Iran is
viewed positively as per the polls conducted by Pew Research Center. Polls have
consistently shown that a very high proportion of Pakistanis view their western
neighbor positively. Ayatollah Khamenei has also called for the sympathy and
assistance of many Muslim nations, including Pakistan.

NORMS & TRADITIONS:

Norms:

Religious etiquette:

Women should wear a chadar before entering a masjid and do remove your shoes
before entering prayer area of a masjid. Furthermore, do ask before entering a room at
a holy shrine if you are a non Muslim. Don’t take photos of a masjid while people are
praying.

Dining etiquette:

Check to see if the host is wearing shoes. If not, remove yours at the doors. They are
very much punctual that is why they are arrive at the invited time, they show respect
to the elders by greeting them first. They shake everyone hand respectively. They
accept any offer of food and drink. Remember to do Taroof. They only eat with the
right hand. They leave some food on your plate when you have finished eating.

Greeting Etiquette:

Don’t extend hand to a female if you are a male and vise verse. Any physical contact
with the opposite gender is forbidden. Shaking hand with the children is considered
respectable. Man are addressed with “Agha” and female are addressed with
“khanam”.

Festivals:

Nowruz

NowRuz, means new and the word ruz means day, so Nowruz means starting a new
day and it is the Celebration of the start of spring. It starts on the first day of spring
(also the first day of the Iranian Calendar year), 21 March, in that 12 days as a sign of
the past 12 months, all Iranian families gather around and visit each other. In Nowruz
all families talk about their best experiences of the last year and the things they are
looking forward in the next year and they all become bonded again in peace.

Shabe Chelle:

The turning point. End of the longest night (darkness) of the year, and beginning of
growing of the days (Lights). A celebration of Good over Evil. Also known as Shab-e
Yaldā they have special nuts for that night.

Tasua and Ashura

Tasua and Ashura respectively the 9th and 10th days of moharram Muslims
commemorate the battle of Karbala that occurred in 1680 AD , the Muslim prophet’s
grandson Hussain and his 72 relatives and supporters were killed.Tasua and Ashura
are somehow symbols of standing up for justice. Tasua and Ashura are ceremonies are
example of cultural and religious ceremonies among Muslims. They are held annually
in the form of mass movement in Iran.people usually dress in black and rally in the
streets. Many families cook food that is called “Nazre”. Nazre is distributed among all
people whether rich or poor.

Verbal Communication:

Indirect Communication:
Iranians are usually indirect in their communication. They generally look
towards non-verbal words and speak figuratively in order to make a point. The
purpose behind this is to avoid embarrassment or offence and respecting the
other person in the conversation.
Language Style:

They can take quite a long time in order to get their point as they often explain
themselves by using the example of a story, poem or traditional saying. Sometimes
the ‘lesson’ embedded in these allegories is not immediately evident to a non-Iranian
who is not familiar with the cultural context. It is okay to flag this to Iranians you are
close with and ask them to be clearer.
Refusals: 

In Iran, Direct refusals can be interpreted as rude and may indicate that the person
wishes to end a relationship. The best to say ‘no’ in Iran in an indirect way is to say
“I’ll see what I can do”. This advice does not apply when it comes to the first initial
refusals one makes to show politeness (taarof) – see Etiquette for information on
this.
Non-Verbal:

PHYSICAL CONTACT

In Iran, It is inappropriate for both men and women to interact and affectionate
physically with the person who is opposite to their gender.

EYE CONTACT:

The people of Iran are mainly follow Islamic rules and regulations. In Iran, males and
females are expected to lower their gaze and avoid sustained eye contact with each
other. This is considered respectful and observant of the partition between genders
while younger people are instructed to lower their gaze when speaking to elders out of
respect.
Expressions:

People tend to smile less whilst in public in Iran. To smile casually while passing a

stranger of the opposite gender on the street could easily be interpreted as

provocative and escalate to questions quickly. Therefore, try not to be intimidated by

an Iranian’s apparent ‘serious’ demeanor.

Gestures and body language:

The thumbs-up gesture is considered rude and has the same connotation as

raising one’s middle finger for traditional Iranians. Standing up for someone
especially elders indicates a sign of respect. When meeting with someone of the same
gender, it is common to shake hands and kiss on both checks which is called
“RUBOOSI”.Common gestures include raising eyebrows that are commonly used by
Iranians for refusing something or someone in their conversation.

Business Cultural Of Iran:

Greetings:

The most greeting in Iran is ‘salam’ (peace be upon you). One would also reply with
‘salam’. When departing, Iranians will generally usually use, ‘Khoda-hafez' (may God
preserve you).

Dress code:

Iranian officials and business people’s clothing comparing of trousers, shirts and
jackets. Males are expected to dressed smart.Wearing a tie is not a common fashion
choice in Iran. But otherwise stick with conservative attire, such as dark-colored
suits. Women must make an effort to cover as much skin as they can, including arms
and legs, as well as covering the head with a scarf. 
Business Meetings:

It is traditional to exchange gifts with your business associate. Business hours are
Saturday to Thursday and Friday is a holiday. Other times to avoid doing business are
Ramazan, Eid-e-fitr, Eid-e-azah, Ashura. Businesses are usually closed for two or
three weeks around the Persian New Year, called Nowruz, at the start of spring.

Punctuality in Iran is rare, try to never be late. Show respect for elders by greeting
them first. Meetings in Iran may be between men only or women only as genders
sometimes socialize separately. At the beginning of any meeting engage in niceties
and ask after people’s health, families, work, etc. Iranians want to know that they can
trust you before they will proceed further in business dealings with you. Your primary
goal should be to gain this trust. Patience is key in Iran. Try not to pressure your
colleagues or rush the process of doing business. In meetings, they sit attentively and
avoid watching the clock, as it shows a lack of interest and boredom.

Business Relation Customs:

Iranians prefer to do business with those they know and respect, therefore they expect
to spend time cultivating a personal relationship before business is conducted. Who
you know is often more important than what you know, so it is important to network
and cultivate a number of contacts. A relation can be established by first inviting your
colleague or business partner to a meal. They also avoid anything too personal and
stick to small talk such as hometowns, work and family. In business, education,
experience and leadership are the most highly regarded qualities. Expect to be offered
tea whenever you meet someone, as this demonstrates hospitality. Iranian judge people
on appearances, dress appropriately and stay in a high standard hotel.

Business Negotiating:

Iranians can be tough, persuasive negotiators and will expect you to persuade them in
return. Iranians may display emotion, or even walk out of the meeting, or threaten to
terminate the relationship in an attempt to convince you to change your position. The
final word will be decided at the top, by an individual or panel of high-ranking
employees who head the company. It takes time for Iranians to warm up towards
foreign business people. Until then, they may appear somewhat stiff and formal.
Personal relationships from the basis of business dealings. And decisions are made
slowly.

Interesting Facts:

 Iranian have woven beautiful rugs for over 2500 years. When creating rugs,
Iranians weavers often make a mistake intentionally. They want to show their belief
that “only God is perfect”. After oil, Iran’s second largest export commodity is
carpets.
 They confusingly use three separate calenders in Iran, but the holidays are
based around the lunar calender. For the past 30 years, Iran has had around 25 public
holidays.
 They’ve banned all US products and produce their own products. Like in the
replacement of Pepsi Cola products they produce Zam Zam cola and Rani.
 There are more than 21 types of Rotis in Iran like Nan-e sang, Samoon. Their
famous foods are Chulu Kabab, Chulu Murgh, Chulu Joja. Every meal should include
rice. Their famous sweets include Khamai, Sohan and Naan-e-Rizvi.
 The Persian Gulf holds 60% of the world’s oil reserves. Iran alone has
reserves of 125 billion barrels of oil, or 10% of the world’s total reserves.
  In Iran, yogurt is referred to as “Persian Milk”, and many Iranians consider
yogurt a miracle food. It is used to treat ulcers, relieve sunburn, and even prolong life.
Some people use yogurt as a face mask.
 Soccer is a huge sport in Iran and they are good at it. They have qualified for
three World Cups and won three Asia Cups. Women also play this internationally
while wearing hijabs.
 Their marriage ritual is very interesting. When the bride is asked during
Nikkah that will she marry the groom, she is not supposed to answer the first time.
Family member close to the bride answers, ‘she is out piking flowers’. The bride is
asked the second time, and she still is not supposed to answer, ‘she is putting flowers
in a vase’. When she is asked a third time if she will marry the groom, then she
answers, ‘yes with the permission of my parents and elders’.

References:

https://www.daijob.com/en/crossculture-
expandingbus/businessiniran.html

https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/iranian-culture/business-culture-
d29d2d45-a9d8-40d4-b507-7a58b0e4db18

file:///C:/Users/User/Desktop/Iran

%20-%20Language,%20Culture,%20Customs%20and%20Etiquette.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran