iranian culture vs american culture
Despite the difficulties, modern technology like cellphones and illegal Twitter and Facebook accounts, often serve as tools for resistance to government control. Some Iranians are, in fact, firmly opposed to interacting with the United States or other Western nations. I followed the dream of most Japanese working for a big company. Blog. 70% of the Iranian population, for example, is made up from Iranian people while the remaining part of the population is made up with Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, Armenians, Circassians, Turkemen and Qashqais. Similar scenes are found in cities throughout Iran; a travel log by an Iranian journalist for Vice describes teenagers riding mountain bikes across centuries-old town squares in Isfahan, and vendors at bazaars in Shiraz and Tehran selling mountains of spices next to counterfeit Gucci bags. Instead of McDonald’s, Iran has its own, highly popular Mash Donalds. As the travel journalist describes, Iran is “a country where vastly different understandings of the world live side by side.”. Indeed, even as the anniversary of the Iranian Revolution coincided with Trump’s travel ban announcements and thousands of Iranians gathered to burn American flags this February-- others attempted an alternative approach. The New Yorker. While, in the West, we depict the USA as ‘free’ and democratic, Iran, is typically reported as oppressive, authoritarian and in the grips of ‘crazed’ mullahs. They are close to extended family members, and they have great respect for the elderly and are very hospitable to foreigners. Iranian Americans in Southern California; Iranian American Jewish Federation 10 Very Cool Facts About South Korean Culture. SUNY Press, November 1, 2012. And, some protestors in Tajikistan are using Persian poetry, a defining cultural product of the Iranian people, to comment on central Asian political affairs. Persian Customs: Heritages from old Persia There are three major national festivals (religious festivals not included) being celebrated nationwide every year. But with 60 percent of Iran’s population below the age of 30, and closer to 70 percent of the population born after the 1979 revolution, the country’s younger generations are not burdened by the history that led to aggressive anti-American sentiment in the first place. Why educators should appear on-screen for instructional videos; Feb. 3, 2021 Instead of Pizza Hut, Pizza Hat. * The concept “time is money” is taken seriously in this business culture. After so many years of hostility between the US and Iran, it is understandable that many may not recall a time when the US and Iran were strong allies and when life in Iran was nearly synonymous with US culture. While a group of people cannot be generalized as a whole, and culture in any country can vary from region to region, here are fifteen cultural differences that typically stick out to American expatriates in Japan. With the concepts of multiculturalism, religion, patriotism, elitism and a sense of ‘us and them’ in both Iran and America, indicating just a few of the cultural synergies across both countries, maybe it’s time to start moving away from stereotypes of cultural difference and instead start exploring shared values? The best way to make sense of the complicated history of Iran is to see it as the interplay of a set of cultural patterns and tensions, some of them going back to ancient times. The patriotic culture of America is evident in the widespread flying of the American flag and the annual celebration of ‘Flag Day’. This was an important time for fostering the cultural, technological and religious growth and even today, visitors can see remnants of this incredible period in Iran's past. Muslim clerics sitting on a park bench smile for the camera. The younger generation of men are very supportive, but also the older generation have daughters and children and they want them to have the freedom of choice.”. However, American citizens and policymakers holding this view might be surprised to discover that daily life in Iran is replete with the same technology, brands, and interests that are common in the West. In J… This was noted in every travel account that I read, and I can confirm the fact. In turn, 75% of the population in the USA are of white European heritage, with the remaining part of the population made up by African Americans, Indian and Alaska natives, Asians, Native Hawaiian, Hispanics, Latinos and those of mixed race. Partly as a result of these continued connections, Iranians enjoy Western products and brands. He was distinguished with bringing a message for the whole of mankind, rather than just to a certain peoples. These traits remain highly visible parts of Iranian etiquette. © 2011-2016 American Iranian Council | Home | Contact Us | Privacy Policy, Iran Digest: Week of February 26 - March 5 -, AIC Update: The Future of U.S.-Iran Relations Under President Biden’s Administration -, Iran Digest: Week of February 19 - February 26 -, MYTH vs. It is also the only nation on earth marking the advent of the New Year at the spring equinox. +44 01963 23253 or +1 (818) 532-6908. If you want more in-depth insights into either country, then check out our online training courses for. •Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi overthrown by Ayatollah Khomeini. •Iranian Monarchy replaced by an Islamic Republic •Since 1979, 2-3 million Iranians have left the country. As Brandon Stanton, the founder of Humans of New York, remarked on his trip to Iran, “Americans are especially loved. One million immigrated to the US, with an estimated $600,000 in Southern California. Among Iranian American high school students in Los Angeles, Hoffman found both an acknowledgement of the necessity to acquire proficiency in English in order to achieve scholastically and a resistance of the … A shopkeeper at Tommy Hilfiger stands behind a Christmas tree, peering out the window at the photographer. In these photographs, the subjects embody a combination of global modernity and Iranian tradition. Both Iran and America tend to have a sense of ‘us and them’ embedded in the culture; meaning that the citizens of both countries are unified against a common enemy. One example is the project My Stealthy Freedom, started by Masih Alenijad, an Iranian journalist living in exile in the U.S., where women post photographs of themselves in public defiantly holding their hijabs in their hands. By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://www.commisceo-global.com/, 34 New House, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY, UK. What they know about the West they don’t like, as evidenced by their chants of “Death to America.”. Sharif University of Tehran | ©MasoudK/flickr. The Cultural Atlas aims to inform and educate the public in cross-cultural attitudes, practices, norms, behaviours, communications and business skills Indeed, Western tourists often find Iranians to be far more welcoming and kind than flag-burning images of them in the media suggest. Likewise, in Iran, the flag is treated with great respect and widely flown. https://www.commisceo-global.com/blog/american-and-iranian-cultures In the aftermath of 9/11, candlelit vigils appeared throughout Iran in an expression of support that was unique amongst Muslim countries. I've been going back and forth between the US and Israel for four years, and there are still many cultural differences that take me by surprise. Once again, tensions between America and Iran are high; inspiring the usual flurry of media accounts keen to elaborate on the cultural and political differences between the two countries. If war were to occur, then members of both countries would be more than ready to defend their country and great honour would likely ensue from dying for the cause. I don’t care,” one young professional recently said, applying for an American visa. When it's compared to the United States there are certainly a lot of similarities, but Japan and the U.S. also have many cultural differences. These insights focus on key intercultural issues from a Canadian and a local point of view. Many Americans picture Iranians marching through city squares in Tehran, burning American flags and effigies of American presidents. © Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. 2021 All Rights Reserved. Iranian state television channels have been known to broadcast Western films and television shows from illegal pirating sites; copyright laws protect Iranian work, but nothing else. In China, bu… Dating back to the 6th century BC, they ruled a huge area that covers modern day north Africa, Turkey, parts of the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, all the way to west India. After graduating college, I came to the US to work briefly and spent 4 years in a traditionally, big company in Japan. Let’s go through some of the most important issues about Iranian culture, Persian customs, and do’s and don’ts you should know before visit Iran. The most important things in Iranian culture are: Loving God Loving Iran Loving family “We thank Americans who stood up for the seven countries blocked from entering the US by the new travel ban,” one Twitter account stated with the hashtag. Shirin Barghi, an Iranian journalist now based in New York, began Humans of Tehran to dispel myths about modern-day Iranians so “demonized and divorced from reality.” In Humans of Tehran photo albums, young girls ride skateboards with iPod earbuds poking out of their mandatory hijab. With the hashtag #LoveBeyondFlags, Iranians proclaimed their support for American allies on social media. Recently, Swedish ultrarunner Kristina Palten ran across Iran to confront her misconceptions of Iranian culture. Chinese potty training takes place in the streets. “We must burn the U.S. flag, as long as they are hostile to us,” argues one conservative analyst. Through the project, Alenijad notes that many Iranian men have been unexpectedly supportive, contrary to arguments by the morality police and conservative religious leaders that women without hijab are tempting men to attack and take advantage of them. “Death to America? ISBN 1438443838, 9781438443836. Iran •Iranian Revolution 1979. These divergence have also been the root of their prolonged struggle all […] [8] In contrast, Arabic is an Afroasiatic language, influenced by ancient Semitic tongues like Aramaic, and took root in the second-century B.C.E. "Persia On the Pacific." What 3 Cultural Differences should Americans know when Working with the French? Barghi describes the challenge of convincing people to pose for her Humans of Tehran photographs; in the past, the government has published photos of protesters in newsletters as a means of political intimidation and blackmail. Japan is often considered to be more culturally \"western\" than other Asian countries. Although the leadership of Iran is ultra conservative and religious, Iranians themselves tend to be far more heterogeneous in their approach to religion. While sanctions and government restrictions have kept many Western businesses out of Iran since the revolution, Iran’s lax copyright laws allow for imitations and knockoffs. The vast majority (68%) favor increased cultural, economic and educational exchanges, and over 80% of Iranians wished Americans and Iranians would visit each other’s countries as tourists more often. The area that is Iran today is home to one of the oldest human civilizations and was the center of the Persian Empire, officially the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Arab Culture vs American Culture The global masses have always tried to distinguish the culture of Arabs and Americans, why? The concept of elitism tends to be embedded in the culture of both countries. Iran and Islam. If you want more in-depth insights into either country, then check out our online training courses for Iran and the USA. FACT: Despite years of sanctions from abroad and a government that censors much of the media and internet, Iranians actually have broad understanding of and access to Western culture and products. In China, establishing cordial relationships in business is extremely important, no matter how much time that takes. Although statistics of this nature are understandably difficult to collect in Iran itself (apostasy is punishable by death in Iran), the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Muslims conducted a survey indicating that identification with the Islamic religion plummeted from 42% in 2008 to 30% in 2012. Add to Plan. For Iran, this concept is derived from the historic position of the Persian Empire as one of the strongest empires the world has ever seen. In Iran, media narratives tend to describe Americans as immoral, concerned with nothing but money, power hungry and interfering in the rights of other countries. In fact between 0.5 million and 1 million people across the United States identify as Iranian-American, with the largest portion of this group--nearly 90,000 people--living in Los Angeles (one community in Beverly Hills is commonly referred to as “Tehrangeles,” where the streets are lined with signs in Persian). “Men in Iran are educated and cultured,” Alenijad states. Islam is practised by the majority of Iranians and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives. Iran is the only nation in the Middle East that uses the solar calendar. Both America and Iran have patriotic cultures, with citizens tending to believe that their country is ‘up there’ with the best. From the Turkish border to the Caspian Sea, Palten discovered people who were “overwhelmingly” generous and hospitable. There are different cultural aspects that are definitely different in both countries. External links. What matters more to Iranian government controllers, it seems, is whether films feature nudity than whether they are violating intellectual property laws. Daily life for young Iranians - particularly those in the major cities - would look quite familiar to most Westerners. November 10, 2003. The culture itself determines the management of the company in the country. It seems that the lifting of sanctions against Iran will in some ways simply legitimize existing Western influence, and in other ways provide competition from the real companies that Iranian entrepreneurs have copied; McDonald’s is already petitioning to re-open franchises that were closed in 1979. These constantly repeated narratives have created such a strong hold in both Iran and America, that if you ask people what the cultural differences are between the two countries, you are likely to get an abundance of answers. As I have reflected back on the last 6 months I have spent working in the U.S., there are some cultural contrasts as well as commonality in the work environment. Let’s take a look at some of the key areas. As a result of the history between the two countries, many aspects of American culture are already quite familiar to Iranians. * The North American culture stresses the individual initiative and achievements. Religion tends to be an important driver in both Iranian and American cultures. Feb. 16, 2021. Even after the revolution, it is common for Iranians to travel back and forth visiting family since many families were split during the revolution (some stayed under the new regime and some fled -- mostly to the U.S). Why Do Middle Eastern Men Wear a Chequered Head-dress? Bahrampour, Tara. The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last of God's emissaries (following in the footsteps of Jesus, Moses, Abraham, etc) to bring revelation to mankind. This includes advocating for a democratic secular government in Iran, founded on respect for human rights, religious tolerance, and equality among all citizens. As former president Ahmadinejad once mockingly noted, there is a stereotype amongst Americans that Iranians spend their waking moments “sitting in the desert, turned toward Mecca and waiting to die.”. While conservative Western and Iranian leaders alike suggest that their countries are diametrically, even morally opposed, regular citizens tell a different story. This informal exchange that takes place between communities in the U.S. and Iran contributes to familiarity with popular American entertainment and trends. Without doubt, this sense is a strong driver in the patriotic cultures of both countries. * Business executives are used to making up their minds quickly and decisively. While the concept of contracts does exist on quite a large extent in China, they are not given as much importance as in the West. FACT: Despite years of sanctions from abroad and a government that censors much of the media and internet, Iranians actually have broad understanding of and access to Western culture and … “It is also not a crime for an Iranian to chat on an iPhone, jog in a pair of Nikes or brush with Crest,” according to a column in the New York Times. This Reddit discussion about the pre-1979 Iranian advertisement pictured here, and about Iranian culture in general, recently rose to the top of Reddit, reflecting the popularity of the topic and highlighting this lack of awareness. Without venturing into this deeply complex subject, it’s fair to say that this concept brings people together, unites them and strengthens their perceived need to ‘protect their culture’ and way of life. What are 3 Core Values of Canadian Business Culture? When Americans picture Iran, they tend to recall the events of 1979: the Islamic Revolution that overthrew a westernized monarch in favor of an Islamic Republic, or the storming of the American Embassy and the ensuing hostage crisis. H… Whereas Iran was historically ‘great’, America is the world’s current most powerful country, which, like Iran, influences the culture of the people and creates a sense of cultural elitism.