Language/Iranian-persian/Culture/Communicate

Taarof behavior

One of the characteristics of communication in Iranian culture is that it lacks clarity and transparency.

For example, the host wants you to eat the food he has prepared. First you refuse to do it and the host insists again;

The host insists and you refuse.

This is called Taarof behavior.

The host insists on not being known as a miserly person.

You refuse to be recognized as someone who eats a lot of food (Eating too much in Iranian culture is bad).

Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: The Practice of Taarof in Iran, Castles, Lesson 24: Modern history and contemporary issues & Lesson 23: Persian civilization and ancient history.

Other Lessons

• Iranian calendar
• Castles
• Nowruz
• Ramadan
• The Bakhtiari
• Transportation
• New year
• Sizdahbedar
• Official Farsi and informal Farsi
• Iran Timeline