Iran Travel Forum

Hi, touring Iran very soon, part of my trip I'm staying with different nomad tribes, and in local houses etc. What gifts would be appreciated? Need to be easy to carry etc. Also to give to children, and my (male)guide -(as well as a tip, I wanted to bring a gift.)

I understand chocolates or flowers are the usual gift if visiting for a meal (which I would buy locally)

Another question - I'm really confused about acceptable clothing when visiting a family home for a meal. I understand that the hijab is discarded, but what is allowed/ acceptable in 'normal' clothing - short sleeves/ to the elbow, neckline?
Any advise welcomed!
Best Wishes,
Sue x

Flower/chocolates are fine.

>I understand that the hijab is discarded, but what is allowed/ acceptable in 'normal' clothing - short sleeves/ to the elbow, neckline?

Unfortunately your are ill-informed. The chador, while definately still common, especially outside of Tehran, is no longer required. However hijab (which translates loosly as "dress-code" is still very much compulsory ! You must wear a head-scarf and a loose coat covering arms and knees at all times, when within (possible) sight of a non-related male. Short sleeves are definately out of the question !
When going to private homes western guests are sometimes permitted to remove the head-scarf, but you should only do this when encouraged to do so by your host, and only if you are certain that you will not be in sight of anyone except your hosts. (i.e. only in private homes).

When my boyfriend's mum comes to England she tries to get as much English Chocolate as she can to take back. They apparently love it.

With regards to clothing, although I'm not exactly sure what is acceptable I would err on the side of caution and take a thin cardigan that covers your top half but doesn't make you too hot.

I'll try and find out about clothing and get back to you soon.
Have a lovely trip and I look forward to seeing your photos of Iran.

Hi, Thanks for the useful info.

I took bags of sweets, stickers, pens, stationery from home. Bought chocolate bars at the airport (some survived without melting!)These were all well received by the local children, nomads etc.

Although I wore my scarves most of the time, along with loose fitting shirts/ trousers, I wore sandals with no problem. I did feel quite frumpy though in the cities, as the Iranian women are so elegant. Many wore quite tight fitting clothes, the younger ones with geometric patterned tunic tops over jeans with heels or traners. I tried to find something suitable, but didn't have too much opportunity for clothes shopping - The clothes I saw were mainly polyester/ man made fibres - so I stuck with my cotton/ linen and silk tops.

I also found I was wearing eye make up every day, while I don't normally bother at home, except for 'going out'.

My guide told me I didn't have to wear my scarf, when we were driving away from towns and villages, though I found it was often easier to keep it on.

While camping, My guides friends (female) and I wore t-shirts and discarded our scarves, likewise, when I was invited for a meal, my female host wore a sleeveless t shirt and cut offs I wore a 3/4 sleeve top.
They advised me to buy light coloured cotton scarves in Shiraz and Esfahan. I had a silk paisley pattern square, which I wore knotted under the chin, a long silk red and blue scarf which I'd bought in Kerala- which I wore at night loosley wrapped around my hair. I had a pashmina (which I only wore whilst camping one bitterly cold night) and a long black cotton scarf, which I wore early in my visit - I was advised by the same females not to wear this. Colour and patterns are the way to go!

As the trip went on, my scarves went further back on my head, and instead of tucking my hair back, I wore a fringe.

I hadn't considered the novelty value of my light coloured hair and blue eyes- and found this being commented on quite a lot, with many people asking to have their photo taken with me because of this!


Hopefully I'll get the chance to visit Iran again, and then I'll be packing more glamorous tops!