The interview with the Iranian female can provide the significant information on the Iranian culture, on the particular customs and traditions, and on the woman’s role in the country.
The answers to the questions on the cultural aspects are helpful to learn specific details about the Iranian culture because they are presented from the perspective of the Muslim woman.
Concrete Expressions
The dress of Iranian males and females is rather conservative, in spite of the impact of the Western culture. Females still need to have their heads, necks, and arms covered, and males are not expected to come into public in short pants or T- shirts. However, modern Iranian women can wear head scarves and long coats with jeans.
The Iranian architecture is characterised by the focus on traditionalism and Western patterns. There are many buildings with mosaics, decorative elements, arches, and columns situated near the contemporary buildings made of steel and glass. The city centre traditionally has the functions of the Eastern bazaar.
The functions of the public space differ significantly from the functions of the private space. Modern Iranian women need to struggle for their right to be actively represented in the public space and activities. Those women and men who do not belong to one family cannot interact or hold hands.
Recognized Behaviours
Only men have the right to greet each other openly, in public. Their physical contacts while greeting are also expected to represent their respect. The members of different families and of opposite gender cannot interact, especially with the focus on the Western tradition of shaking hands.
Modern Iranian families can be discussed as Westernized in relation to the family traditions. However, the main attention is still paid to marriage traditions.
Future spouses are expected to develop a formal contract before the marriage because of the necessity to state all the details regarding the household and property. Divorces are not frequent, and they are especially traumatic for the Iranian females who traditionally belong to the males’ households.
Explicit Beliefs
Gender roles are the matter for discussion in the Iranian culture because modern views differ significantly from the traditions. Modern Iranian women need to prove their right for good education and job positions because their roles are mainly discussed with references to the family.
Today, more and more women become represented in different public activities and as supporters of women rights movements.
Iranians pay much attention to dividing the public and private life. In public, the leading roles are played by men, and in the private settings, the leading roles are often played by women, although they need to follow their husbands’ opinions.
Deeply Embedded Beliefs
Iranians prefer to have close contacts with relatives, friends, and the persons they respect. If a man from the Western world is respected by the Iranian, he will be polite and sensitive while interacting with this person.
Changes are not perceived as good in the Iranian culture that is based on customs and traditions. Therefore, changes are often discussed as predicting negative consequences because the traditional rule is often perceived as almost ideal.
The number of children and their successes are traditionally considered as the criteria for the individual success for both Iranian males and females.
The relationship between humans and nature is close because the changes in the nature influence the life of the Iranians significantly. They respect the nature in form of flowers and animals and prefer the representations of the natural objects on decorative elements in their houses.
The information about new things often comes from the advice of elderly or respected persons. Furthermore, families prefer to contact closely and share all the views regarding new products, services, observed situations, or learnt facts.