Ask An Iranian

Is it safe to visit Iran?

Ask An Iranian — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 08:25:01 +0000

You have lots of questions about Iran, we know! One of which—maybe the third—is likely to be, “Is it safe to visit Iran?”. If you ask us, we’d say yes. If you ask your Home Office, they’d say no. Sure, it’s complicated, and if you’re reading this any time between 1979 and 2029, it’s even more complicated.

Disclaimer about whether it’s safe to visit Iran: We do not, and will never, advocate any travel that contravenes the travel advice provided by your nation’s Home Office. Information about travelling to Iran is constantly changing, so always consult with the relevant authorities before making any plans. Travelling to and inside Iran can be risky, possibly more riskier than visiting London. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

Questions we also tackle in this episode:

How safe is it to travel to Iran?
Who is Micheal of The Red Line podcast?
Where is the Island of Qeshm?
What is Stabberstan?
What language do they speak in Australia? (spoiler, it’s not kangaroo)
Is George an Iranian name?
What does it take to get you jailed in Iran?
What should I do when the Iranian police want to delete photos from my SD card?
Who is TikTok for? (spoiler, it’s commie kids)
Are people and government the same?
Are politics and religion the same? (they are in Iran)
Is it safe to travel as a tourist in Iran?

You can find Daisy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d_lorenzi/

And Michael’s podcast can be found here: https://twitter.com/TheRedLinePod

And you can read more here!

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati | “Ask An Iranian Outro”, The Devildog

Image credit: European tourist begging for help in a fictional traditional Iranian setting, made using images generated with MidJourney and edited specifically for Ask An Iranian, 2023.

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Baba, why did you circumcise me?

Ask An Iranian — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:38:16 +0000

We put it out to our Iranian audience. We asked them if they prefer their men cut, i.e. circumcised. They mostly preferred it. We also asked them if they think being cut is a good idea. They mostly thought it was a good idea. Lastly, we asked them if they would have their next male child cut. They were kinda 50/50 on this. Where did the enthusiasm for circumcision in Iran go?!

The practice of circumcision goes way back — like 15,000 years back. Yes, apparently Egyptians are depicted as performing circumcision before Judaism and Islam adopted it into their rituals. Fast forward to the modern day and we now have health reasons to help perpetuate this practice. In fact, health was the main reason given to us by our audience for why they think it's a good idea. Another top listed reason was beatification.

Some of the questions we get answers to in this episode

Do Iranians circumcise their boys?
Are women circumcised in Iran?
Does female genital mutilation (FGM) happen in Iran
Why do Iranians think circumcision is a good idea?
Where did the practice of circumcision come from?
Why do Muslims circumcise their boys?
How did one of the Ask An Iranian host's circumcision in Iran go?
Is circumcision common in Iran?

How deep will an Iranian uncle’s love go?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 18:01:32 +0000

You might have uncles, and you might have aunties. Iranians, however, have uncles, and they have uncles, and they have non-uncle uncles. This is because the titles given, differ, depending on the relation. Although this is not unique to Iran, there are many uniquely Iranian things that the world needs to know about Iranian aunts and uncles. What are they? Like any good Iranian uncle, we attempt to get deep into things.

In this episode, we discuss the Persian words for aunts and uncles. We also let you know why Iranians, seemingly, have different feelings towards their aunts and uncles, depending on if they are your mother or father's sibling. As if that wasn't enough, we get into the good, the bad and the ugly Persian terms that involve Iranian aunts and uncles.

We believe that comedy can help highlight disturbing topics by helping bring about awareness, and subsequent change for the better. In this episode we tackle one of the more disturbing ones: that of child abuse. We’ve heard anecdotal evidence of such happenings, and elude to this during our conversation. We conclude the conversations about this with a warning to those that might fall prey to such horrors. It goes without saying that we find such crimes against children abhorrent.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

What is the Persian (Farsi) word for uncle?
Why are some Iranian aunts and uncles more important?
What is the Persian (Farsi) word for aunt
How many words are there for aunt and uncle in Persian (Farsi)?
Why do Iranian uncles and aunts answer you with their own title?
How do you say aunt and uncle in Persian (Farsi)?
Why is a Dāi better than an Amoo?
What Persian (Farsi) phrases, idioms or terms use aunt or uncle?
Why is a Khāleh better than an Ammeh?
What are the gender neutral terms for aunt and uncle?
Who is Amoo Sabzi Foroosh?
What Persian (Farsi) phrases use aunt or uncle?
Are there gender neutral terms for the words aunt and uncle?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati | “Ask An Iranian Outro”, The Devildog

Image credit: Remastered image based on the promotional poster for the Iranian movie, "Amoo Sabzi Foroosh", edited by Ask An Iranian, 2022. This artwork has been used for the related podcast episode cover. All of the Ask An Iranian podcast covers are available as NFTs here.

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WTF are NFTs and why are Iranian artists into them?

Ask An Iranian — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 13:53:00 +0000

[NOTE OF WARNING: please read below before setting up an account for NFTs.]

How much is a really good replica of a Mona Lisa worth? It might only be worthy of wiping your rear with — which should come as no surprise to you. This is because she’s a one-off work of art, or “non-fungible”. The digital realm has brought many great things with its advent, but until recently, freely replicating information made digital ownership very fungible. This has changed with the introduction of Web 3.0.

We were joined by the Iranian artist, Nightwatcher, who recently shifted from being a regular real-world artist to an NFT artist. The NF part stands for non-fungible, and the T is for token. This means, his art is minted using certain technologies and made available for people to own the rights to. Control-C and Control-P his stuff if you like, he doesn’t mind. You won’t own it in the true sense.

This gentleman joined us to chat about the changing world of art with respect to NFTs, but also shared with us his experience of the Iranian art scene. He explains these changes are affording Iranian artists—especially—with a new means to be able to avoid restrictions. During our discussion, we also touched upon how emerging technologies, seen with Web 3.0 for example, are changing people's association with the internet and each other.

Read more here to get au fait with all things NFTs in Iran.

NOTE OF WARNING: in this episode, we advocate the NFT platform, OpenSea. This company restricts activity for people that are related to Iran. Do not use their services if this description relates to you. Similarly, be warned, other platforms may also have such restrictions. Always check a platform's restrictions before setting up an account.

DISCLAIMER: Ask An Iranian and Nightwatcher are not investment advisers. All opinions are our own. There are risks involved in placing any investment in securities or in Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies and NFTs... or in anything for that matter. None of the information presented herein is intended to form the basis of any offer or recommendation or have any regard to the investment objectives, financial situation, or needs of any specific person, and that includes you, our dear listener or reader. Everything you’re going to hear or read is for informational entertainment purposes only.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

What is an NFT?
How do I sell NFT artwork in Iran?
Who are the best Iranian NFT artists?
Is NFT just money laundering?
Who is Crypto Punk?
How do I mint an NFT?
Which platforms sells NFTs?
Did the CIA fund Modern art?
What is the Metasphere and how do I get into it?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati | “Ask An Iranian Outro”, The Devildog

Image credit: NightwatcherXHomadokht + Ask An Iranian, Acid Ajam remix NFT artwork, 2022. Copyright... to whoever buys it here.

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What’s it like being Christian in a Muslim nation?

Ask An Iranian — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 10:20:21 +0000

Jesus Christ! We love him! Muslims love him! He’s one of the prophets that we Muslims recognise. In fact, in the Quran, he gets mentioned by name 25 times, making him the most mentioned person in the holy book. You might also be surprised to hear that communities of Christians live among Muslims in Iran — yup! Jews too… but we’ll save that for another time. To help us learn what it’s like to be a Christian in a Muslim nation, we called on a Christian — not just any old Christian though. We called on a priestess, no less!

Kirsten Wolandt is a pastor at the German Speaking Congregation in Tehran and regularly runs services to a mostly-German expat community in Iran. She agreed to join us for a chat about her experiences of being a Christian in a Muslim nation. During our discussion, we spoke about the many similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam. We also put the priestess’s carols singing skills to the test and sang a song for the occasion of Christmas.

Questions we also get answer to in this episode

What’s it like being a Christian in Iran?
What are the blasphemy laws like in Iran?
What’s it like being a priestess in Iran?
Are Iranians very religious? And more!

Find more information about German Speaking Evangelical Congregation in Iran.

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati | “Ask An Iranian Outro”, The Devildog | "Carol of the Bells Remix", Approaching Nirvana

Image credit: picture of a Christmas tree with the symbol for the Islamic Republic of Iran sitting up top, created by Ask An Iranian, 2021.

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Are all Iranian men mummy’s boys?

Ask An Iranian — Fri, 26 Nov 2021 16:05:46 +0000

In Iran we don't refer to somebody as the special child of a family — we refer to them as the golden willy. And, we think that's cute, if not a little sexist. Fret not though dear sisters, because this is not considered a compliment. A golden willy, or "dodool talā" as we say in Persian, can also be described as a mummy's boy. For a gender-neutral term, we say "bache naneh" to imply that a person is spoilt. Now, are there multiple terms in Persian for this because Iranian men are mostly mummy's boys? Seemingly yes — but hear us out.

Once again—and by popular demand—we invited Shanay to join us and share her perspective. Yes, we couldn't go into a matter concerning Iranian men, without an Iranian women's perspective. We're not necessarily suggesting that Shanay knows more about golden willies than we do... but we kinda are.

Don't just listen to us though! No, no! Among other related questions, we put it out to our Iranian audience and asked them whether Iranian men are mommy's boys. The results were more frightening than we expected — yes, you were warned. So, wanna know if, how, and why Iranian men have a complex relationship with their mothers.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

Why are Iranian men mummy's boys?
What is the Persian (or Farsi) for mummy's boy?
Do Persian women (Iranian women!) like mummy's boys?
Why do Iranian mother make "mama's boy"?
Is it the fault of Iranian mothers that Iranian men are spoilt?
What does Maz Jobrani have to say about "mommy's boys"?
Do Persian girls get put off by dating mummy's boys?
What does "doodool tala" mean?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: 3D golden banana on a turquoise background, created by Ask An Iranian.

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What MUST you do in Iran?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 14:32:00 +0000

No, this isn't about tourist stuff — no, no, this one is about what you're kinda forced to do in Iran. And yes, you'd be forgiven for thinking that a list of what you must do in Iran would be longer than other nations — but is that strictly true? Well, probably yes. How much more, is something we go deep into, with this episode.

As you might expect, there are dress codes that you must respect in Iran (for both men and women), and there are several musts that you won't expect. For example, you must officially name your child a certain way. With the help of our Iranian audience, we get into this, and more — so be sure to read more here to learn more.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

What tourist things must you do in Iran?
Are you likely to kill a 5th dimension version of yourself?
What must men and women wear in Iran?
Is there a dress code for men in Iran?
How much should women cover up in Iran?
Why do old Iranian houses have two knockers on the doors?
Are men and women allowed to share a taxi in Iran?
Can non-related men and women be together in public?
Are the people from Yazd conservative?
Does Iran have a conscription military service?
What happens if you leave the Islamic faith?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: original photo of multiple Iranian women in black hejāb by Mehdi Sepehri on Unsplash, edited by adding a face mask to the child, by Ask an Iranian.

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Farsi or Persian — who’s wrong?

Ask An Iranian — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 12:30:00 +0000

You might say you speak German, French, or Swahili, but you never say you speak Deutsch, Français, or Kiswahili. This is the logic behind people saying they speak Persian—when saying it in English—as opposed to saying they speak Farsi. Why let logic get in the way of your "feels" though?! You call it what you want! Farsi or Persian, Parsi or Iranian, who cares?! Oh, we do, kinda — enough at least that we'd make a podcast episode about it.

To help us get into this much contested topic, we sought the help of a popular language enthusiast. We called upon Canada-based Iranian, Bahador Alast, to help us clear this one up... for now at least. Since 2013, Bahador has invited many international guests on his YouTube channel to talk with him about similarities between languages. Up until late 2021 these videos have been seen around 45m times.

So is it Farsi, or is it Persian? Listen to this episode to hear our take — then come for us in the comments.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

Which is correct, Farsi of Persian?
What percentage of Iranians refer to it as Farsi or Persian?
Is it not better to refer to Persian as Parsi?

Follow Bahador Alast:

https://www.instagram.com/BahadorAlast

https://www.youtube.com/c/BahadorAlast

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: Ali-Akbar Dehkhoda, Iranian linguist and author of the Dehkhoda dictionary - edited with the tongue of Albert Einstein - Ask An Iranian, some rights reserved – 2021

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What is the most Iranian thing?

Ask An Iranian — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 07:00:00 +0000

The Americans have obesity, the French have snobbery and the Saudis have hacksaws, but what is the most Iranian thing? To help figure this one out, we called on the help of our audience, and the results... were weird, in parts. We obviously got answers such as Persian rugs, nose jobs, and saffron, but we weren't expecting so many things related to the toilet.

So, to help you get familiar with why the most Iranian things are the most Iranian things, be sure to check our website here.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

What are the top ten most Iranian things?
Do Sharjah Filipinos dress recognizably?
Which nation sells the most saffron (it's not Iran, kinda)?
What is taarof and why is it so Iranian?
Why do Iranians use "ghand" instead of regular sugar?
What is in the popular Iranian dish, Ghormeh Sabzi?
Are Iranians good drivers?
How do Iranian cook rice?
Why do Iranians add tomato ketchup to everything?
Which is correct Farsi or Persian?
Why do Iranians wrap everything in plastic?
How are Iranian toilets different?
What is an "aaftaabeh" and why are they used in Toilets?
Why do Iranians sit on the floor to eat?
What is the most popular social media for Iranians?
Why do Iranians households have so many facial tissue boxes?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: aftabeh with the ancient Persian Cyrus Cylinder from the 6th century BC (British Museum London) and the Golden Achaemenid Rhyton from 5th century B.C.E. (National Museum of Iran) - Artwork by Ask An Iranian, 2021.

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Fingilish, or is it Pingilish?

Ask An Iranian — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 13:33:47 +0000

You make sounds — mouth sounds. You make them with intention because you probably want to ask your Pilates instructor if you can swap Tuesdays for Mondays. Other peoples do this, but with different mouth sounds — mouth sounds that have gradually found characters, and gradually become alphabets. This is pretty handy because it'll help you kinda figure out the intentions of peoples with very different mouth sounds.

Pingilish (or Fingilish) is the Romanisation of the Persian (or Farsi) language. It can help you figure out the response of your Iranian pilates instructor. So, assuming you have no grasp of the Persian alphabet but share an understanding of those mouth-sounds — "aakhey!" — Tuesdays get swapped for Mondays.

In this episode, we discuss how Pingilish (or Fingilish) came into use, and why it's kinda going out of use. We also get into which Persian phonemes can have which Latin characters, because yes, there is no standard. So, wanna learn what Pingilish (or Fingilish) is and how to use it.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

Which is correct, Pingilish or Fingilish?
Why is the word Tehran written differently in different places?
Which should I use, "oo", "ou"?
Why do Iranians write using the Arabic script?
How do I write in Pingilish or Fingilish from Persian script?
Which should I use. "ee", "ei", "i" or "y"?
How does Persian and Arabic pronunciation of the alphabet differ?
Are there capital letters in the Persian or Arabic script?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: The Fingilish or Pingilish word for "which", written in many Romanised ways, and styled like an old Nokia mobile phone. Designed by Ask An Iranian, 2021.

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Why do Iranians think we’re better than them?

Ask An Iranian — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 16:12:14 +0000

To Iranians, ze Germans are foreign, but ze Chinese… well, they're just Chinese! It’s the same with many other nationalities and ethnicities for Iranians in Iran — some are foreign and some are just themselves. This type of categorisation tacitly exists and is just… discriminatory. Yes, it’s kinda racism, but the good kind, right! Iranians will hold certain peoples in high esteem and although they won’t make their prejudices institutional, they will bestow privilege to those deemed foreign. Enraged? Don’t be! Allow us to explain how it is that Iranians can be racist, kinda.

Throughout this episode, we also provide anecdotes from various foreign friends of the show. They were kind enough to share their stories of how Iranians have judged them as foreigners. These stories were provided by a Brazilian, a Brit, a Syrian, and an Afghanistani. Most of their experiences were positive, but no prizes for guessing which of them experienced the opposite.

So, go here if wanna read more about why Iranian love foreigners, but only certain foreigners?

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

Are Iranians racist?
Are Iranians "kinda" racist?
How exactly do Iranians determine who is foreign?
How are people from Afghanistan treated by Iranians?
Is using the word "Afghan" for people from Afghanistan racist or otherwise inappropriate?
Why are Iranians racist or insulting towards people from Afghanistan?
What do Iranians think of Brazilians?
How do I date an Iranian?
What do Iranians think of Arabs?
Will I be overcharged in Iran?
What do Iranians think of the British?

Image credit: Marion Doss, via Flickr - "Conference of the 'Big Three' at Yalta makes final plans for the defeat of Germany. Prime Minister Winston Churchill, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Premier Josef Stalin." February 1945. Image edited by Ask An Iranian, 2021.

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

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How much do Iranians tip?

Ask An Iranian — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +0000

You do it. We do it. Even educated Iranian PhDs do it. Let's do it. Let's show a little extra gratitude. So yes, Iranians do have a culture of tipping, but there are differences. Now, where, when and how should you show this gratitude when tipping in Iran — well, allow us to explain.

In this episode we discuss how to tip in Iran by sharing our experience of such moments. We tell you how Iran is similar to other nation with respect to tipping, as well as how it differs. For example, you probably should tip your taxi driver that will pick you up at the airport, but you won't necessarily tip drivers for inner city journeys. If you're staying in Iran for a while, you may have a porter that will take care of odd-jobs here and there, but when should you tip and how much? Listen to this episode, to learn how Iranians go about tipping, and thank us later for the millions (of Rials!) you'll likely save.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

How much should I tip at a restaurant in Iran?
Are tips expected at Iranian restaurants in Iran?
Where's the best place to buy pistachio nuts in Tehran?
How much do the English tip?
Should I tip for food delivery in Iran, and how much?

Image credit: Tip jar with a QR code leading to the Ask An Iranian Support page.

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

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Why bother?

Ask An Iranian — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000

We want your questions, BUT... not those questions! No, we're not talking about the ones where we get asked about where men can meet men in Iran. No, no, it's that one question that we repeatedly get asked. It's asked by our parents, our siblings, our aunts and uncles, and most of our friends.

In this episode, we answer that question. We would, however, prefer to answer your questions about Iranians and their culture. We would also prefer, try to get you the Iranian take on things. Regardless, you asked an Iranian, so we'll happily answer.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

Do we make any money from the Ask An Iranian podcast?
Why make a podcast if you don't make any money from it?
Why do most podcasts not make it to 50 episodes?
Why podcast in Iran?
How did Ask An Iranian begin?
Will we keep doing Ask An Iranian?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: Two women (bottom: "the incomparable Anis al-Doleh") from Naser al-Din Shah Qajar's Harem, Tehran, Iran. Date unknown. Edited by Ask An Iranian 2021.

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What do Iranians vote for?

Ask An Iranian — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 19:39:16 +0000

Yes, Iran has a functioning democracy, and no, this episode won't help you fully understand its complex structure. We can, however, help you understand that its structure has a presidential role. Yes, every four years Iranians will get out and vote for a candidate to fulfil this role. This year—2021—is one of those years, but rumour has it that not as many Iranians will go and exercise their democratic duties. This doesn't seem to just be a rumour, however! Some of our Iranian audience on Instagram suggested they likely not participate in this Iran presidential election.

In this episode, we do our very best to give you an overview of how Iran is both similar and different in its political structure. We also share our experiences of voting in Iran during recent years. Lastly, we give you an audio glimpse of how Tehran looks as it gears up to election day. Oh, and we delicately skirt around how things went down with previous elections. We're looking at you 2009!

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

Is Iran a democratic nation?
What type of political system exists in Iran?
Does Iran have a president or prime minister?
Are there political parties in Iran?
Can women be presidential candidates in Iran?
What happened when the UAE authorities didn't let Iranians vote?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: one of the promotional points for Iranian candidates at the 2021 elections, edited by Ask An Iranian

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What doesn’t happen at Iranian birthday parties?

Ask An Iranian — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 01:59:00 +0000

Birthdays happen to the best of us, and Iranians are no exception. To make things worse, these yearly occurrences won't just happen once a year — no, no... Think about it, there are many Iranian birthday parties. There's your parents' birthdays, your aunts' and uncles' birthdays, your work chums' birthdays, and maybe even your pets' birthdays. In fact, chances are that you're planning for a birthday, or even an Iranian birthday, right now!

Celebrations for birthdays are somewhat similar around the world, in that we make a fuss for the ones we love. Yes, every culture makes its own fuss in its own way, so we thought that we'd make a fuss, about how Iranians make a fuss.

Listen to learn more about Iranian birthdays

If you're learning about Iranian culture, or happen to be surrounded by Iranians, then learning about Iranian birthdays is kinda important. Knowing how to say "happy birthday" in Persian (Farsi) and when to say it is a good start, but we recommend you learn a little more. Also during this episode, we teach you what gifts to get Iranians on their birthdays, and how they will be received during an Iranian birthday party.

For all the above, and more, be sure to check out this episode.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

How do I say "happy birthday" in Persian (Farsi)?
What food is normally served at an Iranian birthday party?
Do Iranians throw surprise birthday parties?
Are alcoholic beverages served at Iranian parties?
Do Iranians have themed birthday parties?
Why do Iranians dance with a knife when a birthday cake is presented?
Do Iranians get gifts for colleagues?
Why do Iranians say their age in really weirds ways?
Who wrote the Iranian birthday song?
Why are so many Iranians born in September?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: Colourful cupcake with a question mark for a candle, created by Ask An Iranian, 2021.

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Can women play football… in Iran?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 31 May 2021 07:00:00 +0000

In 2005 our guest, Katayoun Khosrowyar, arrived in Iran, fresh-off-the-boat and completely unaware of how her visit would change the direction of her life, as well as the lives of other Iranian women. This isn't because she turned up without a headscarf and had to borrow another woman's, but more because of her role in shaping women's football in Iran.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

What clothing do Islamic women wear when playing football?
Can women watch football in a stadium in Iran?
Why was the Iranian women's football team forced to forfeit the 2012 London Olympics?
Who is the top international goalscorer in football?
Did Iran have a women's football team before the Iranian revolution?
How supportive are Iranian families and institutions with women in sport?
Are earthquakes caused by women playing sports?

Find Kat Khosrowyar on Twitter and Instagram

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: Iranian women's under 19 national football team - with coach Katayoun Khosrowyar. Image heavily doctored by Ask An Iranian, using a background image of Kiev stadium.

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Are All Iranians Hairy?

Ask An Iranian — Tue, 25 May 2021 19:35:00 +0000

An inquisitive English lady by the name of Lucy got in touch with us, hoping to settle a question that has been on her mind. She lives on an artists' residency with an Iranian, and this gentleman seems to have aroused her curiosity. What Lucy is curious to know is, are all Iranians hairy?

To help settle at least one part of Lucy's curiosity, we asked our Iranian Instagram followers to help get her an answer to this, and other Iranian hair-related questions. Obviously, our loyal listeners agreed with our thoughts on the matter, that yes, Iranians are hairy, but something more interesting popped up in the other responses. This was that as much as Iranian men make a point of manscaping their bodies, the opposite is desired by their female counterparts.

Between our conversation about the excess hair on Iranians, we also discuss the opposite. Yes, apparently Iranians are also synonymous with a lack of hair, but up top. Getting excited? You should be because from baldness to full-on furriness, we let you know whether Iranians are hairy, and a whole lot more.

Questions we also we also get answers to in this episode

What does manscaping mean?
Which nation has the hairiest people?
How fast does human hair grow?
Does Iranian hair grown hair grow faster?
Do Iranians go bald when they are young?
Which Ask An Iranian podcast host is hairier, David or Mohammad?

Iranians, have your say!

We regularly ask questions to help us provide answers to questions, but to also help provide content for episodes. If you'd like to provide answers to our questions, simply follow Ask An Iranian on Instagram and check our stories.

Music credits: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati | www.bensound.com, composer: Benjamin Tissot | "Japanese Instrumental Background Music", SAM YouTube

Image credit: Either Garfield of Winston the Persian cat, courtesy of @winstonsmushface, via Instagram.

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Flight stories… what’s Iran got?

Ask An Iranian — Wed, 19 May 2021 03:30:00 +0000

What better way to derive stories than to surround yourself with unfamiliar people, in an unfamiliar place, and with unfamiliar expectations. One specific way in which you can do this is to simply take a flight. Yes, just one trip on a plane is all you need to gain ample resource for reiteration at soirées, thereafter.

It is very unlikely that we'll be seeing you at a soirée, so we thought we'd gather our weird and wonderful Iran-related flight stories, right here. Aside from the entertainment value, we thought it would help enlighten our audience as to how it is to travel with Iranians.

To help us with this enlightenment task, we once again invited Shanay, to join us in sharing our experiences. Shanay is half Iranian, half Austrian, and has recently moved to Iran to embark on a restoration project. She is a frequent flier and was kind enough to share her stories before once again embarking on another journey.

So, flight stories… what’s Iran got? Listen to this episode to find out.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

If you pack lacy underwear, is your luggage less likely to be searched?
What is the name of Iran's main international airport?
How should I dress when arriving in Iran on a flight?
Which souvenirs should you bring for Iranians?
What is the name of Tehran's domestic flight airport?
How do people with Tourette's sound while on a flight?

Find Shanay on: https://www.instagram.com/shanay.hubmann/

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: the cover image has totally been fabricated by Ask An Iranian

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No?

Ask An Iranian — Wed, 05 May 2021 07:33:30 +0000

Iranians are not ones for saying no, but occasionally when they do say no, they don't actually say no. Having said that, they will either be polite with you while not saying no or will be impolite with you when indicating no. This is because Iranians, like others around the Middle East, will indicate no, with a "noch".

"Noch" is an onomatopoeia describing the sound made by Iranians when responding with a no to a yes/no question. This negative response is mostly accompanied by the raising of eyebrows and/or heads along with a slight pouting of lips while making a single click sound.

In this episode, we teach you how not to say no to an Iranian, by teaching you how to use "noch". We also walk you through the accompanying gesture while also playing listener examples of "noches" in all their wet juicy glory. Lastly, we let you know when and where to use a "noch", so you can either look cute or avoid looking rude.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

What onomatopoeias exist in the Persian language?
Does the Persian language have click consonants?
Did the Shirazi people invent the "noch"?
What's an NFT and can I get one in Iran?
How will an Iranian respond if you click at them?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: "Noch" written in Persian, design by Ask An Iranian.

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How do I propose to an Iranian girl?

Ask An Iranian — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 10:49:05 +0000

This is Amir, minutes after proposing to the girl that's grabbing his face. She said yes, and the day after, Amir went to her parent's house to do it as it should be done in Iran. Don't be Amir — run it by the Iranian parents first.

Welcome to part 1 of 34 in a series about Iranian marriage. To start things off, we discuss the Iranian courting custom known as "khaastegaari".

If you yearn for an Iranian girl and wish to take her hand in marriage, this episode is for you. Or, if you're just curious as to know what a man must go through when taking an Iranian girl's hand in marriage, it's still for you.

To help us explain almost everything you need to know about proposing to an Iranian girl, we were joined by Amir. He is better known as being the best man for a great many couples when they get married, so he's quite familiar with the customs both in and out of Iran. Between sharing the story of his marriage proposal we discuss the traditions and customs of this occasion. So to learn about how, when and where you should propose to an Iranian girl, visit here.

Question we also get answers to in this episode

Do I need a Ph.D. to marry an Iranian girl?
How should I propose to a Persian girl?
What shouldn't I wear at an Iranian proposal ceremony?
Who should I bring to a Persian proposal?
Can Iranians get residency in Dubai?
How do I know you've been successful in an Iranian proposal?
Do I have to get circumcised if I convert to Islam?
Should I get circumcised if I marry an Iranian woman?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: Image credits: photo by Amir, of him and Tannaz, post proposal - edited by Ask An Iranian.

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Which Iranian national anthem is which?

Ask An Iranian — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 05:01:35 +0000

The most fun part of any Olympics is when the medals are given and you get to experience the differences between national anthems. Unfortunately, you'll be listening to the American, Chinese and Russian anthems more than you'd like, but on the odd occasion that an athlete from a lesser-known nation wins, the fun begins. When an Iranian wins a medal—usually for wrestling—your ears will be blessed with the fine music of the Iranian national anthem. Look closely at the athlete though, because maybe, just maybe, they'll be confused as to why that specific national anthem is playing. We say this because we posed a few questions about the Iranian national anthem, to our audience, but got more questions back — mostly, "which national anthem?".

In this episode, we explain why the confusion exists and play the various versions of the Iranian national anthem that have existed over the last century or so. Listen here to learn more.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

Why are Iranians confused about what their national anthem is?
Is the song "Ey Iran" the Iranian national anthem?
What are the lyrics to the Iranian national anthem?
Why does the Czech Republic only have half a national anthem?
What's that communist song that Iranians like to sing at soirées?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: Music sheet for the Islamic Republic of Iran's national anthem borrowed from Wikipedia, edited by Ask An Iranian

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How do I “fakefast”?

Ask An Iranian — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 06:52:00 +0000

Even the world's fastest-growing religion occasionally needs to take a break. Yes, each year it takes a month-long break and fills it with lots of breakier brakes. Call it a celebration; call it an endurance test — either way, you'll be calling it Ramadan. Although the fundamentals are the same, there are many ways in which different nations go about it. Iran is different, and for many differing reasons, so we wanted to point those differences out. So, until the day that the world's fastest religion becomes the world's only religion, there will still be folks out there that are ignorant of Ramadan. To help correct this, we describe Ramadan: what happens, when it happens and why it happens. Armed with this knowledge, the non-Muslim listener will be able to tread carefully around the fasters. In doing this they will be enduring their "fakefast" by being forced to hide any ingestion.

To help us explain all this and more, we called on a friend of the show. Shanay joined us, not only to tackle this topic but to also taste-test Ramadan foods, both for the fasters and the "fakefasters". On this occasion, she was accompanied by her four-legged friend, Sita, who also gave her opinion on the Iftar, spread. Listen here to hear our verdict, while also learning about Ramadan in Iran.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

Why do Iranians say Ramazan instead of Ramadan?
What is "Iftar", and what happens during it?
How do I greet somebody on Ramadan in Iran?
When should you fast and when shouldn't you fast?
What's the difference between Ramadan and Lent?
How many days do Muslims fast during Ramadan?
What can I eat for "fakefast"?
Is the Iranian dish "haleem", the worst?
Who's the biggest Iranophile?
Who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong?

How do I follow this episode’s guest, Shanay, online?

If you’d like to follow our guest and maybe see how her restoration project is going, you can follow Shanay on Instagram, here.

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

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Norooz, Norouz, Nowruz?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 06:53:07 +0000

Time—it has been said—is a concept, by which we measure our pain. We're gonna say it again... time... is a concept... by which we measure... our pain. Now, let's take that concept (with its accompanying pain) and turn it around. In doing this, we've invented celebrations. Some peoples and cultures mark the measurement of time on a seemingly random time-space moment known as January 1st, and others do so on the Spring Equinox. Iran is one of those places, where its people do the latter. Iranians, and other places and cultures, call this celebratory moment, the Nowruz. To help you get familiar with this pain-avoidance mechanism, we bemoan the Nowruz celebration, while embodying Ebenezer Scrooge. So, join us for the "bah! humbuggery!", and learn a little about the Nowruz, in the process.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

What does "bah humbug" mean and how did it become a thing?
How should you correctly spell Nowruz, in Latin?
Why do Iranians interchange the terms "Jashn", (Persian) when they mean "Eyd" (Arabic)?
What's the real name of the Shia Muslim sometimes known as the "Time Lord"?
What do Iranians give as gifts for Nowruz?
How does the Iranian national anthem sound when sang incorrectly?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: Pixelated picture of somebody dressed as Hajji Firuz, created by Ask An Iranian.

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Why do Iranians blackface? (feat. Tehran Von Ghasri)

Ask An Iranian — Sun, 28 Mar 2021 14:29:28 +0000

Colour plays an important role in the social hierarchy, and it's important that everyone knows their place. Such social constructs play an important part in elevating the important people above the lower-level nobodies. Using this construct we wanted to elevate ourselves, which is why we wanted to have a certain guest on the show. This guest, among other many great things, is universally known for his colour. Tehran Von Ghasri is a "blue-tick" American-based comedian and was kind enough to give us lower-level, non-"blue-tick" Twitter people, an education as well as a little elevation. During our humourous discussion, Tehran talks about his tribulations with social constructs, the Iranian community and their social hierarchies, as well as contemporary shifts in comedy. So, be sure to listen to this episode — we hope you'll enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it.

Questions we also get answers to during this episode

Why does Tehran Von Ghasri wear a bathrobe?
Which Persians are better than other Persians?
Who are the up-and-coming Iranian comedians, according to Tehran?
How does Tehran Von Ghasri identify and what are his pronouns?
What advice does Tehran have for those wanting to date a Persian girl?
Is the Iranian tradition of dressing up as Huji Firooz, racist?
Are wokeism and cancel-culture changing comedy?
Why do Iranians blackface?

Follow comedian, Tehran:

https://www.iamtehran.com

https://www.instagram.com/iamtehran

https://twitter.com/IAmTehran

Why do Iranians “hamash” code-switch?

Ask An Iranian — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 21:22:34 +0000

There are languages you know you speak, and there are bits of other languages that you don't know you speak. New concepts arrive; those concepts get coined, and as and when they get used elsewhere, we see languages evolve. To give yourself an example, simply try speaking English, without using Latin, Greek or, heaven forbid, French. The embryonic stages of this phenomena can be referred to as code-switching. This is the term used to describe somebody alternating between languages among other similarly speaking polyglots. Adding new concepts is just one of many reasons for code-switching, however. Adding flare to conversations is maybe the main usage among polyglots, but there are many other reasons why "hamash" Iranians code-switch "mikoneh".

To help us out with this fascinating subject, we invited an American-based user-interface designer, secretly known as Reza. He not only joined us to discuss the reasons why people code-switch but joined us in listening to the many peculiar examples provided by our listeners. If you're curious as to how and why Iranians code-switch between Persian and English, read more here.

Questions that we also get answers to in this episode

Is there a government department to counter code-switching in Iran?
What English words are most commonly used by Iranians?
How much do Iranians code-switch?
Do Iranians code-switch more than other peoples?
Why do the Dutch gamers code-switch so much?
Why do Iranians do this alliterative thing with words, like "chips mips"?
Why is the word "relationship", preferred over the Persian equivalent?
Do Iranians "have sex" or "do sex"?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati | "Rule Britannia (Euro Dance House Techno 90s Version)", Ben Coleman

Image credit: "Liquid", 2014, courtesy of Faig Ahmed Studio, edited by Ask An Iranian 2021.

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How do I “hodl” Bitcoin in Iran?

Ask An Iranian — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 16:15:54 +0000

It was Voltaire that once said, "paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value: zero". The US dollar is getting close in that respect, in that $100 in 1913 would only be worth about $3.87 today. In the race to the bottom, however, the Iranian Rial is winning. It took around a 5th of the time for Iran to achieve this decrease. One such purported reason for the invention of Bitcoin in 2008, was to counter this specific situation. Although it is unknown who exactly started Bitcoin, one untrustworthy source claims that it was invented by an Iranian called Seyed Satoshi Nakamotonejad. So, it shouldn't surprise you that we have this thing, Bitcoin in Iran.

Bitcoin leads in the cryptocurrency world, a world that inadvertently avoids forced devaluations, but more importantly, a world that can circumnavigate sanctions. In such a situation, using Bitcoin as a means of trade would surely be attractive to nations hammered by sanctions (do we need to spell out who?). So, Iran! Yes, Iranians have taken to Bitcoin: mining it, selling it and trading with it. During this episode, we let you know how Bitcoin can be bought, sold and used in Iran, but we don't stop there. We also let you know how foreigners and Iranian travellers abroad can benefit from using cryptocurrencies. To help us with this, we invited Mostafa Khalilnasab, an expert in such fields, to help us, help you figure this all out. So, listen to this episode to get clued-up on cryptos in Iran.

Questions we kinda also get answers to during this episode

Did the Iranian, Seyed Satoshi Nakamotonejad, invent Bitcoin?
Do Iranians mine Bitcoin in Iran?
Where can I use Bitcoin in Iran?
Exactly how crippling is inflation in Iran?
How can I support Ask An Iranian podcast?
Why is Mohammad "ghahr" with (ignoring) Elon Musk?

You can find Mostafa on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati | "Rule Britannia (Euro Dance House Techno 90s Version)", Ben Coleman

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What $#!± should I not say in Persian?

Ask An Iranian — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 09:45:58 +0000

What are the first words you learn when learning another language? It's always the same of course! You learn how to ask if the meat is halal, if the toilets have a botty-hose, and of course, the names of various four-legged animals. After you've impressed any newly-found foreign friends with the names of four-legged animals in their language, they'll likely proceed to teach you more words. Don't be confused though when they follow-up by telling you to never use any of them. In a similar vein, this episode of the Ask An Iranian Podcast is exactly that, in that, we hope you'll never use any of the Persian insults that we teach you.

Should the suggestion of that have aroused your curiosity, then tune in to enjoy the veritable smorgasbord of Persian insults, innuendos and inappropriate words. Also within this episode, we read out contributions from our beloved listeners who kindly helped us out in helping you get familiar with the best, the worst and the weirdest Farsi cuss words. So, if you want to know what you should not say to an Iranian, be sure to check this episode out.

READ THE BAD LANGUAGE WORDS HERE:

https://askaniranian.com/what-things-should-i-not-say-in-persian

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

Did the historical Persian poets ever use profanity in their works?
Do Iranians think that they swear more than other peoples?
Which Iranian serial is good to learn Persian with whilst watching?
Do Iranian movies have age certification, or is it all 'Parental Guidance'?
Is it ok for non-Torks to use the term "Tork e Khar" (Tork Donkey)?
How do I swear in Farsi?
Do Arabs and Iranians have similar insults?
How do the Kurdish insult one another?
Are people that use bad language, more trust-worthy?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: ‘red collapsable donkey toy’ edited by Ask An Iranian

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[redacted] in Iran?

Ask An Iranian — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 22:51:32 +0000

You're a curious one, aren't you! You're not alone though, you are most likely a human, which means you think things like, "what happens if I put an effervescent tablet in sparkling water?". There are some things that you think about but never act on, such as pushing that man in front of that bus. You don't do it, because you're most likely a human. There are some things you stop yourself from doing, but at times, there are some things others stop you from doing. We had Shanay (most likely a human) join us to discuss how living in Iran affects the choices made by you and others in restricting expression. Call it censorship; call it self-censorship, either way, the two are at times inseparable. Listen to this episode to understand how Iranians censor themselves and others in an episode where we relay peculiar stories about censorship in Iran.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

Is Mohammad dying?
Are we all dying?
What type of restrictions get applied to Iranian adverts?
Do diplomats get media training?
What types of censorship exist in Iran?
Does anyone censor the Ask An Iranian podcast?
What does the Iranian name Negar mean, and why is it considered offensive in the West?
Is it ever right to use the word that we use "the N-word" term for?
Do Iranians man-spread wider?
Did #MeToo ever happen in Iran?

How do I follow this episode’s guest, Shanay, online?

If you’d like to follow our guest and maybe see how her restoration project is going, you can follow Shanay on Instagram, here.

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: 'Duct tape over a yellow background' created by Ask An Iranian

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What are the weirdest Iranian names?

Ask An Iranian — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 22:58:51 +0000

What is the sweetest, most important sound in any language, and why does it have so many variations? Well, according to Dale Carnegie, writer of one of the most popular 20th-century books, that sound is the sound of your own name. If you're new to Iranian names though, you'll likely be making them sound less sweet. Fear not though, this episode can help remedy this, while also enlightening you on the many odd things there are to know about names given to Iranians. In fact, you don't need to be non-Iranian to enjoy this one, because we asked our listeners to tell us, "what are the weirdest Iranian names?" The results were... well, weird. Listen here to learn more.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

What names should you not give your Iranian child?
Why do Iranians have double-barrel first names?
What types of names cannot be used for your child?
If you're name is Negar, what name will they force you to change it to in the West?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: Name tag with Iranian written on it, created by Ask An Iranian

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What’s the deal with Iran?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 16:14:54 +0000

Are you bored with the long-running spat between Iran and everyone? Us neither! It's so long-running that academia has kinda coined a word for it. Yes, don't be surprised if you later find out that some Iranian, in some Western university decided to summarise all this hoohaa as "geopolitics". Anywhats, who does geopolitics better than academia? Well, Michael does! The Red Line podcast is Michael Hilliard's baby, and it's grown up fast. This "deep-dive" political podcast recently surpassed 1m downloads — impressive for a show that is just a year old.

Michael kindly took a break from interviewing high-profile brainy sorts to chat with us. He joined us to discuss his visit to Iran, as well as how he feels America will politically navigate between the '20-'21 elections of America and Iran. He also tells us about his love for Iran, Iranians and their ice-cream (his word!). So, if you wanna know what the deal is with Iran, or learn a little about the 'Iran Deal', be sure to listen to this episode.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

Can you navigate the Tehran Grand Bazaar using the stars?
What serious hard-hitting geopolitical podcast should you listen to?
Is Iran trying to kill the West through overfeeding it?
How many different animals have bitten Michael Hilliard, to date?
Is the Caspian Sea warm, wet and salty?

Find The Redline:

The Red Line on Apple Podcasts

https://www.theredlinepodcast.com

https://twitter.com/TheRedLinePod

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: Iranian map and the multiple red lines surrounding it, made by Ask An Iranian, 2021

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Do Iranians do it louder?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 14:41:03 +0000

It goes without saying that Iranians invented pretty much everything, ever! So it shouldn't come as a surprise that the two-handed finger-snap is better known as the Iranian finger-snap. This method of finger-clicking is not only different, in that it requires two hands, but it's different in that it's loud! In fact, if you listen carefully, you'll currently hear several Iranian grandmothers, sat around a room, finger-snapping to Persian pop music, while their grandchildren do the shoulder shimmy. To help you learn more about the Iranian two-handed finger-snap, or the 'beshkan', as it's known in Persian, we devoted an entire episode to it. Listen to us, and friends of the show, give their examples of 'beshkans' and listen to learn how you, too, can 'beshkan'. So, do Iranians do it louder?

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

Do Iranians snap louder than the Arabs, Turks and everyone?
How do I do the Iranian two-handed finger-snap?
Is the African snap, immortalised by Ali G, louder than the Iranian snap?
Is there a place in Tehran that is named after the Nazis?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: Picture of Cyrus the Great (contact us for information or credit), edited by Ask An Iranian

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Persians vs. Iranians… who wins?

Ask An Iranian — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 18:14:18 +0000

What somebody identifies as has been all the rage in recent years, but like nearly everything—ever!—Iranians did it first. Since 1935, when Iran ceased to officially be Persia, Iranians have been choosing to refer to themselves as Persians. Throughout the following years, the reasons have changed for why one identifies as Iranian or Persian, and it's exactly this that we wanted to explore. To help you understand more about this matter, we invited two girls that identify as Persian. In fact, they doubly identify as Persian, going as far as using it to identify their podcast. Yup, once again we had the pleasure of Persian Girl Podcast join us to discuss when to say your Persian, what it means to say you're Persian, and whether one is more correct than the other. So listen to this episode to find out, "Persians vs. Iranians... who wins?"

Questions we get answers to in this episode

Are Iranians Persians, or Persians Iranians?
Which is the correct term for the language: Persian or Farsi?
Do Iranians/Persians have a dedicated dating app? Yes, Sheytoon
Why did Persian Girl Podcast choose the name Persian Girl Podcast?
Where can I listen to the previous episode with Ask An Iranian and Persian Girl Podcast? "What should I know before dating a Persian girl?"

And the links to the Persian Girl Podcast website and store are here:

https://persiangirlpodcast.com/

https://persiangirlpodcast.storenvy.com/

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: Picture of Cyrus the Great (contact us for information or credit), edited by Ask An Iranian

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How much English can Iranians e’speak?

Ask An Iranian — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 11:56:07 +0000

Unfortunately, you don't yet have a Universal Translator, and most likely, you don't have 200 years to wait for one. You do, however, have various translation tools available to you, but... effort... urgh! You've learned English, and you've probably also worked hard for an IELTS 7.5 result, but do Tehran baristas share your ambition of being a polyglot, global citizen? We'll it kinda turns out that they do. Well, at least the one that we spoke with seemed to. We also called up many other places you might need to interact with as a visitor to Tehran, curious to answer the question, "how much English can Iranians e'speak?". The results were reassuring, if not entertaining. So, if you plan to visit Tehran, or are simply curious as to how Iranians responded to our rediculous questions... Read more here.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

Should I stand on a non-Iranian toilet while using it?
Does Rosha Department Store, have a customer helipad?
Where is a good place to go to rent an apartment in Tehran, as an expat?
Is the Iran Mall one of the largest malls in the Middle East?
How can I get a charter flight in Iran?
Can you smoke while eating vegan food in a Tehran cafe?
Does Iranians e'speak the Inglish?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: Man carries man, edited by Ask An Iranian

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What do Iranians think of America?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 13:34:23 +0000

There's beef; there's a whole lot of beef; and there's a meat-feast, at a carvery, on a Sunday, at the Annual Cannibal Conference, level of beef. This is the level of beef that we've arrived at between Iran and America. In this episode, we discuss some of the defining points in the decades of drama between these two nations. We also touch upon how things were once very much the other around. To help see how modern-day Iranians feel about America and Americans, following all this beefery, we read responses from our listeners. Our listeners provided us with a surprising range of responses, so if you're curious to know, "what do Iranians think about America?", be sure to listen to this episode.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

What is up?
When did relations start going sour between Iran and America?
Who is Haji Washington and what does he do for Iran?
What is the most common photograph you'll see of Iran?
How is the former American Embassy in Iran being used these days?
What is the McFarlane scandal?
How did the Americans first feel about the Iranian revolution?
What's the state of Iran-America relations?

Say What Needs Saying

We have the guys from Say What Needs Saying podcast to thank for this show. They were kind enough to get the question for us, and pass it on. Cheers chaps!

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: picture of Haji Washington, edited by Ask An Iranian

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What went right in 2020?

Ask An Iranian — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 21:44:40 +0000

We're "glass-half-full" kinda people, which is why we never look at an empty pistachio shell with a frown. No, no! There are many applications for an empty pistachio shell, and we're sure that we'll find them soon. For those that aren't us though, the year 2020 was like finding that empty pista chio shell — an expected nutty experience. For this episode, we wanted to reflect on the year that has passed, by asking our previous guests, and our audience to reflect on what went right for them. We listen to their positive reflections while we ourselves reflect on what happened in Iran during 2020. So, wanna know what went right in 2020, for Iranians?

Questions that we also get answers to in this episode

What happened in Iran during 2020?
What possessed the Iranian President, Rouhani, to wear that mask?
Why have Iranians become resilient to hard times?
Where do I go to buy Ask An Iranian merchandise?
Will Majid Laboo Foroosh get out on bail?

Thanks to all the Ask An Iranian guests of 2020

We'd like to thank all of the guests that joined us during 2020. We really appreciate them sharing their time, and expertise with us and our listeners. If you'd like to listen to their answers to "what went right in 2020?", check out this episode. While you're here, why not check out what they have to say on other episodes of ours, by following the links below.

Farshad, of Digesttt Podcast - How do make a successful podcast in Iran?
Aryo, of The Devil Dog - Is there an underground dance music scene in Iran?
Mehrva, of Café 78 - Where do I go on a first date in Iran?
Millie and Natalie, of Persian Girl Podcast - What should I know before dating a Persian girl?
Yeganeh, or Yeggiz - Are Iranian girls players?
Katya, of Stranger in Tehran - How do I move to Iran?
Fareed, the Tehran Taster - What does Tehran taste like?
Shanay - Taxi stories... what's Tehran got?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

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Should I spend the night with a Persian poet?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 19:04:52 +0000

Each year, Light conquers Dark. It's not even a competition! Light is truly a bad-ass battler, and Dark's heart is really never in it. It's for this reason that the bookies will never give you good odds. This is 2020 however, and things could end up going the other way. To help prepare you for a possible Team Light lights-out, we tell you all you need to know about the Night of Yalda, while also foreseeing what 2021 holds. To do this, we use the age-old Iranian practice of reading poems by the Persian poet, Hafez, and interpreting the meaning. We couldn't do this alone though, so we called on a friend of the show. Shanay bails us out by telling us the history behind this popular Iranian celebration. So if you're wondering, "should I spend a night with a Persian poet?", read more here.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal HemmatiWhat's the history behind the Iranian occasion known as Yalda?
Which is deeper, Deepak Shukla, or quantum physics?
Where can I get my Hafez poem fortune told?
Is there a better place to go to learn about Hafez poems?
What is a 'korsi' and what exactly can I do under it?
Where is Majid Laboo Foroosh at any one moment?
Who are the Sufis in Iranian history?
Who is the most famous Persian poet?
Do Iranians read each other's fortune, using Hafez poems?
How big is Lebron James' little fella?

And.. you can find Shanay on Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/shanay.hubmann/

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

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How do I avoid a hard Irexit?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 21:45:08 +0000

You say hello, and we Iranians say goodbye, goodbye, and goodbye. It is an almost ritualistic ending to any gathering and is a practice that you should definitely know about. In this episode we let you know how to delicately announce your departure, and how to respond when your host protests. This practice is so important that we've borrowed a term for it. We call this Irexit, which is short for, the Iranian exit. So, if you're pushed for time when leaving an Iranian gathering, you'll probably be asking, "how do I avoid a hard Irexit?". To learn more, visit our website.

Questions that we also get answers to during this episode

How do I escape a pseudo "Iranian-hostage situation"?
What type of small-talk should be used with Iranians?
How much tea Iranians can drink in an evening?
Do Iranians have longer shoehorns?
What is Irexit, and how do I avoid a hard Irexit?

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What does Tehran taste like?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 14:40:42 +0000

Catering to 8.5m Tehran residents with increased exposure to, and an increased expectation for international dishes is tough. Although tough, it's also been one of the reasons behind the capital's recent restaurant industry boom. Yes, part of this boom has been accompanied by Iroonianising the hell out of well known international dishes, but you gotta do what you gotta do. To help us get a taste of what Tehran has to offer, as far as Iroonianised international dishes, we invited the Tehran Taster on to the show. Fareed set up the Tehran Taster Instagram page, four years ago, as a means to expose and educate Tehranistas concerning international cuisines. To do this, Fareed calls upon his twenty-plus year's experience gained through his involvement with 103 restaurants around the Middle East. Using this experience, he now brings daily content to a mostly Iranian audience of around 110k. After our discussion about food and social media influencing, we had Fareed join us for a slightly different taste-testing experience. So, to know what the results of that were, and to answer the question, "what does Tehran tastes like?", read more on our website...

Questions we get answers to during this episode

Why do Tehran restaurants always add a cherry tomato on top of dishes?
Is there a China Town in Tehran, Iran? [not yet!]
Which popular restaurants should I visit in the Tehran Grand Bazaar?
How has Iran's restaurant industry changed in the last few years?
Which regions are known for what flavours in Iran?
What social media platforms do Iranian influencers mostly use?
How do I become a successful social media influencer?
What is the Iranian drink, doogh made of?
Who does it better, Tehran Taster, or Mr. Taster?

https://www.instagram.com/tehran.taster/

https://www.instagram.com/tasting_kitchen/

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati | "The Elevator Bossa Nova", Benjamin Tissot (also known as Bensound) https://www.bensound.com

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How do I sweet-talk an Iranian?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 14:19:43 +0000

Words of affection, for Iranians, will flow out like endless rain into a paper cup. In fact, the Iranian universe is positively overflowing with them — so much so that even the Iranians can't keep up. If you're new to learning about affection in Iranian culture, it's weird; if you're familiar with Iranian culture, it's weird. Regardless of how familiar you are, it's always good to be fresh with your words of affection. To help with this, we put it out to our listeners — asking them to provide us, and you, with the freshest and sweetest of Iranian sweet-talk. Alongside this sweet-talk master-class, we also let you know why this practice is such an important part of Iranian culture. So, if you're ever thinking, how do I sweet-talk an Iranian?

Questions we get answers to in this episode

Will Iranians actually eat your liver?
Do other nationalities, like the Russians and French, use sweet-talk?
Is it true that the Iranian youth show affection by swearing at you?
Where can I go to get the best Iranian street-food, like liver?
Do Iranians actually like all this mushy sweet-talk?
Where can I buy an Ask An Iranian, "jigaram" (my liver) t-shirt?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

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Taxi stories… what’s Tehran got?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 00:46:46 +0000

Taxi trips are more than just a means of getting from A to B — they are about the experiences on the journey. Taxi trips in Iran however, are somewhat similar and somehow different. On a taxi journey in Iran, you'll likely be taken through the entire alphabet, but you can at least hop out happy, knowing that you're now 'au fait' on the latest happenings. This is because Tehran's taxi drivers are the most up-to-date resource for politics, the exchange rate, and the latest conspiracy theories in Iran.

To help you have a better experience of getting around Tehran in a taxi, we invited Shanay on the show to share some of her experiences. Shanay is half Iranian, half Austrian, and has recently moved to Iran to embark on a restoration project. During our discussion with Shanay, we also reveal top tips on how to get a taxi in Tehran, where to get it, and how to interact with the drivers. So, taxi stories... what's Tehran got? For nearly everything you need to know about taxis in Tehran, and more, click here...

Questions also get answers to during this episode

What happens when you talk too much in a Tehran taxi?
Will Iranian taxi drivers screw me over on journey prices?
What different types of taxis are available in Iran?
Are there Iranian taxi apps like Uber?
How do Iranian taxis look on the inside and out?
Has Chris de Burgh ever had a concert in Iran? [no]
What type of music do Iranian taxi drivers like to listen to?
What ways did Iranians use for getting taxis before taxi apps existed?
Are there any Iranian taxi-related films?
When Iranians drive up and down, which direction are they going?

Find Shanay on: https://www.instagram.com/shanay.hubmann/

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Picture credit: Photographer unknown (please contact us for credit). Photo edited by Ask An Iranian.

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How do I move to Iran?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 22:14:17 +0000

A question that has likely crossed your mind this week is, whether you should move to Iran or not. Well, you're not alone. To help those wrestling with this decision we brought in Katya, the woman behind 'Stranger In Tehran'. For ten years or so, this Russian-born lady has been using her platform to collect her experiences of Iran and to help others learn more about the place. For this episode David, our host, and Katya join forces to answer the question, how do I move to Iran?

Top 10 things to know before visiting or moving to Iran

If for whatever reason you're thinking of moving to Iran, there are many things that you should consider. Firstly, consider checking through a great many other resources before you check our list below, such as this guide or the helpful website Living In Tehran. Aside from that, we've put a helpful list below, to help prepare you for a big move, or a short visit:

Iran is a predominantly Muslim nation and you must respect the related laws
You will need to follow dress-codes — differs for men and women
English is used in written form around Iran, such as signs and menus
You cannot use international credit cards in Iran, but can get a debit card
The weather in Iran can vary wildly in different places, e.g. it snows in Tehran
Dual nationality is not recognised for Iranians in Iran
Social protocol ("taarof") is complex, get familiar with it to save face
Iran's official currency is Rials, but Iranians say Tomans (1 Toman = 10 Rials)
Iran observes its own calendar — the weeks start Saturday and end Friday
Avoid physical interactions with the opposite gender

Where to find Katya?

https://www.instagram.com/stranger_in_tehran

https://strangerintehran.com

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

Picture credit: photography of Katya, by 'Stranger In Tehran'.

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Are Iranians funny?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 15:46:42 +0000

As is said in Persian, "Iranians worship strangers", and therefore lavishing them with nuts and tea is a standard. To take it to the next stage however, Iranians need to bring out the compliments and the comedy. In this episode we explore that, and more, with an emerging young Iranian comedian, based in Toronto. Neema Naz joins us to chat about Iranian humour and the contemporary comedy scene, as well as his recent role in the hit TV series, The Boys. So, are Iranians funny?

Questions we get answers to during this episode

Who is Neema Naz the Iranian/Canadian comedian and actor?
What type of comedy is funny for Iranians?
Are Iranians funny?
Who are the funniest Iranian comedians?
Are there comedy shows in Iran?
What has happened to comedy during Covid-19?
How do I become a comedian?
What types of social media are more effective for a comedian?
Where do 'Ask An Iranian' record their podcast shows?
What do Iranians mean when they say "putting watermelons under your arms"? [...they're overly complimenting you]

Music credit: "Mahvash, Parivash", Jalal Hemmati

Image credits: scene from The Boys ©Sony Pictures Television Inc. and Amazon Content Services LLC.

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What animal will lead the US?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 15:12:55 +0000

You know how you sometimes look at a person and think, naked mole rat? Well, this episode is kinda mostly about those kinda moments. These moments seem to exist because we, as humans, can't help but attribute animal characteristics to things. This can be based on the way something acts, but seems to be more related to the way something looks. This is precisely the case for the American political parties, what with the Democrats using a donkey, and the Republicans using an elephant. We shamelessly wanted to use the international interested over the 2020 American elections and use the spectacle as moment for cultural exploration. So, what animal will lead the US? Read more on our website.

Questions we get answers to in this episode

What kinda animals are Trump and Biden?
What does the Iranian Supreme Leader think about the US election outcome?
Do Iranians support Trump? (answered in episode 05)
Do Iranians have daddy issues? (answered in episode 09)
Do Iranians like dogs or hate them?
What do Iranians think of the English?

Music credit: "Mahvash, Parivash", Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: American political party animals in various icons - source icons by Georgiana Ionescu, edited by Ask An Iranian

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Are Iranian girls players?

Ask An Iranian — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 23:33:21 +0000

So, we recently learned that you can make a living, sitting on your behind and shooting at virtual characters... even in Iran. To help us get out heads around this, we chatted with 'Yeggiz', an Iranian gamer girl, who is doing just that. Unperturbed by the many issues faced by Iranian gamers, she's been gaming, streaming, and vlogging since the pandemic hit. We invited her on the show to not only help bring us up to date but to also help our audience understand the fun and the frustration of gaming in Iran. So are Iranian girls players? Read more here.

During this episode we also get answers to these questions

Is during a pandemic the best time for Iranians to get married?
Are Iranian girls players?
Is mobile-gaming considered gaming?
What does FPS mean in gaming = "First Person Shooter"
What e-sport games can I get contracts through?
Do Iranians actually really shoot real living people, outside of games?
How do I make money as a gamer in Iran?
What technical issues do Iranians face when gaming in Iran?
How have sanctions against Iran effected gamers in Iran?
Who is Kevin? [unfortunately left unanswered]

Follow Yeggiz, an Iranian girl-gamer

If you're interested in learning more about our guest in this episode, you can follow Iranian gamer girl Yeggizz on Instagram and follow Yeggiz on Twitter. If you're more of a gamer, you might want to follow Yeggiz on Twitch, or follow Yeggiz on Discord. Alternatively, you can follow Yeggiz on YouTube.

Music credit: "Mahvash, Parivash", Jalal Hemmati | "Prince of Persia", from the video game Prince of Persia - 1989 Francis Mechner

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Am I also expected to die for an Iranian?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 11:04:21 +0000

Those of you with Iranian friends might have had that moment. You know, the moment when your friend casually suggests that they'll sacrifice him or herself for you. It could have come in response to simply saying goodbye, or maybe after you offered to make them a cup of tea. Either way, this shocking declaration will have you concerned about your Iranian friend's mental wellbeing. No need to worry though, it's just that thing — you know, that thing Iranians do! Like that other thing, you know, how they'll try to show respect by saying that they're the tomato skin between your teeth. Yeah, that thing! Don't worry though, if you're thinking, "am I also expected to die for an Iranian?" — no, no, you aren't. So, in this episode we discuss those Iranian things, and more...

We also get answer to the following questions

Do Iranians really want to sacrifice themselves for others?
Who is Hassan Sabbah and what's the historical story set in Alamut Castle?
What do Iranians mean when they say "gorboonat"/"gorboonet"?
Why do Iranians self-deprecate, when they talk with one another?
Is there a Netflix Special about Assassins?

Music credit: "Mahvash, Parivash", Jalal Hemmati

Photo credit: via Wikipedia — engraving drawn by Pierre Méjanel and engraved by François Pannemaker - Léo Taxil, Les Mystères de la Franc-Maçonnerie, Paris, 1886. Edited by Ask An Iranian.

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What the f_@k is with that music?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 08:11:09 +0000

Most of you love it, and a few of you absolutely hate it. We know this because you've begged us to change it. We're talking about the intro music to our show. To help settle this issue we once again invited Aryo, of The Devil Dog, to provide something new to possibly replace it. Up to now, we have been using Jalal Hemmati's song, "Mahvash Parivash", but all that could change. Listen to this show to hear "What the f_@k is with that music?", and to hear listener feedback on Aryo's alternative.

We also get answers to these questions

Who is Jalal Hemmati, the Iranian singer?
Where did the Iranian style of music known as "Kooche Bazaari" come from?
Was there ever cabaret music in Iran?
What do non-Iranians think is being said in Iranian music?
How does Jalal Hemmati sound when he's remixed?
Which music genres are popular in Iran these days?
What the f_@k is with that music?

Music credit: "Mahvash, Parivash", Jalal Hemmati | "Ask An Iranian Intro", The Devildog

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Do Iranians live in a different time?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 07:30:43 +0000

Nothing about how Iranians perceive time correlates with universally understood principles. Regardless of whether it's years, calendar events in the year, months, weeks, days, or even moments, Iranians will do time differently. So be warned, don't plan a meeting, don't arrange a surprise birthday party, and don't arrange a date with an Iranian until you've heard what we have to say on the matter. Listen in to learn more about why Iranians seem to live in another time.

Questions we get answers to during this episode

Who is Mosedegh and what did the naughty Brits and Americans do to him?
Why are the days for the weekend different in Iran and what are they?
How many days are there in the working week in Iran?
What year is it in the Iranian calendar and why is it different?
How many different calendars do Iranians observe?
When is the Iranian New year, or Norouz?
What is the Yalda celebration in Iran and when does it happen?
When do Iranians prefer to celebrate their birthdays?
Why are so many Iranians seemingly born in September?
If I arrange a meeting with an Iranian, why should re-confirm it?

Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati

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What should I know before dating a Persian girl?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 14:08:46 +0000

You asked for it, we done did it. We joined forces with the Persian Girl Podcast to discuss the expectations and complications with dating Iranians — or should would we say Persians? Having the Persian Girl Podcast girls join us meant that we were able to present the domain of dating from both the view of men and women.

Among other topics, we discuss hidden aspects for Iranians when dating, such as the pressures placed on them by parents and the community. Being based in America, our guests were able to balance out the perspectives, giving us insight into how it is to date as an Iranian in America, while we provided perspective from Iran. So, listen in to learn what you should know about before dating a Persian girl.

We also get answers to these questions

Are Iranians Persians, or Persians Iranians?
Who are the Persian Girl Podcast girls?
What should you know about before going on a date with an Iranian?
Who should get the bill when going on a date with an Iranian?
How traditional should an Iranian girl seem on a date?
Should you meet Iranian parents before getting married?
How important is the subject of virginity for Iranians?
Are Iranian parents ok with Iranian kids living with their boyfriends/girlfriends?
How do I fake being a virgin?
Should you introduce your boyfriend/girlfriend to your Iranian family?
Is being Jewish-Iranian doubly complicated when dating?
How long should you wait before proposing to an Iranian?
How is the economic situation in Iran affected social gatherings?
Lastly, which Middle-Eastern community has the most complicated dating rituals?

Follow the Persian Girl Podcast

Firstly, make sure to listen and subscribe to Persian Girl Podcast on Spotify. Secondly, the girls also regularly post entertaining content across various social media platforms — we highly recommend you follow Persian Girl Podcast on Instagram. Lastly, if you, like us, are a fan of their content, be sure to show your support, by going to their Patreon page.

Music credit: "Mahvash, Parivash", Jalal Hemmati

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What does Tehran sound like at 2:22am?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 10:35:20 +0000

What have we done?! That's a great question — you're a curious one, aren't you? Allow us to explain. So we did a prequel show — but didn't know that it would be a prequel while making it. We'd scheduled a recording with the American-based Persian Girl Podcast at 2am Iran-time, but they were a little delayed. The more industrious of the Ask An Iranian duo decided that the unknown amount of delay should use to create content. The other one of the Ask An Iranian duo—not fully realizing what he'd be signing up for—reflexively hit record. This show is the result — for the most part. Also, for the most part, we try and answer the question, "what does Tehran sound like at 2:22am?", but we deviate a lot. Don't say you weren't warned.

This show is unedited — kinda. We haven't cut the original recording, but we have redacted some parts, because... reasons. You might very well complain that we didn't redact enough, because... singing.

Picture credit: Majid Hujiloo. Music credit: Bensound - The Elevator Bossa Nova.

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What do Japanese people think of Iranian-made sushi?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 13:00:37 +0000

In this episode, we were delighted to be joined by Mr Yoshioka, a Japanese expat currently living and working in Iran. Against his better judgement, we wanted to sit, eat Iranian-made sushi, and chat about his experience of living and working in Iran.

We also get answer to the following questions...

What do Japanese people think of Iran and Iranians?
Are there Japanese restaurants in Iran?
What types of sushi do Japanese people normally eat?
What do the names for different types of sushi, such as 'maki', 'hoso', 'nigiri' and 'sashimi' translate as?
Which restaurant makes the best sushi in Tehran, Iran?
How should I hold chopsticks?
How much soy sauce is too much soy sauce?
Which type of doogh (Iranian yoghurt drink) is better, fizzy or still?
What does Iranian mukbang (먹 방) sound like?
What do Japanese people think about Iranian-made sushi?

Music credits: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati | “Cherry Blossom”, Ancient traditional samurai koto music.

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How do I spot the Iranians in the room?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 13:57:02 +0000

In this episode, we try to equip you with the knowledge needed to help you understand whether you're talking to an Iranian or not. Iranians may hide among you, they may appear wearing your national dress, but in many cases, they will struggle to hide it when they talk. So, listen in and we'll help you know how you can spot the Iranians in the room.

Questions that we get answers to during this episode...

How will Iranians try to disguise or "visually look" while in other nations?
Which English language sounds are Iranians unable to pronounce?
Why can't the Azari/Tork Iranians say the word "cat" correctly?
What's the name of the ride-sharing taxi service in Iran (similar to Uber)?
Which other language share similar sounds to the Persian (Farsi) language?
What happens when an Iranian tries to say an English word with back-to-back consonants, like "stealth"?
Why do Iranians add verbs to verbs when they use English in Persian?
How do I spot the Iranians in the room?
Where can I buy Ask An Iranian merchandise?

Photo credits: News Dog Media.

Music credits: "Mahvash, Parivash", Jalal Hemmati | "Land Of Hope And Glory", Clara Butt

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Where do I go for a first date in Iran?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 12:36:25 +0000

In this episode, we are joined by the proprietor of one of Iran's long-standing cultural hotspots, deep in the heart of Tehran's flourishing downtown district. During it, we'll also be chatting about where to go on a first date in Iran.

Café 78's owner, Mehrva, sat with us to discuss how Iran's café culture has come to dominate the social spheres, and how it has evolved throughout her 18-years of business. We also chat about the challenges of running a café in Iran and learn about why Iranian cafés often get temporarily shut down.

During our discussion with Mehrva, we talk about how her café has been the starting point for relationships and why cafés are common places to go for a first date. So listen to learn about the uniqueness of Iranian café culture, or listen in if you are curious as to where to go for a first date in Iran.

Music: "Mahvash, Parivash", Jalal Hemmati

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Why won’t Iranians take my money?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 09:00:48 +0000

In this episode, we discuss the peculiar Iranian practice of wanting to give you anything and everything for free... until they don't. We help you understand when it happens, why it happens and what you should do when confronted with it. See if we learn more about why Iranians won't take your money.

We also get you answers to these questions

What does "ghaabel nadaareh" (قابل نداره) mean?
How do I know when I should and shouldn't pay for something in Iran?
What should I say in response to "ghaabel nadaareh" (قابل نداره)?
Where you can find 'Majid Laboo-fooroosh Sar e Kooche Berlan'?

We'd like to thank 'Majid Laboo-fooroosh Sar e Kooche Berlan' for sponsoring this show about why Iranians won't take my money.

Music: "Mahvash, Parivash", Jalal Hemmati

Image credit: Hasan Almasi.

Is there an underground dance music scene in Iran?

Ask An Iranian — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 13:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we're joined by the Tehran based, Iranian DJ and music producer, Aryo. He is one half of the drum and bass music group known as The DevilDog, which he formed with his partner, Arshia, back in 2017. We were honoured to have him sit with us and discuss subjects such as, whether the infamous underground dance music scene in Iran truly exists; how various forms of dance music is made available to Iranians; and the difficulties involved in being a DJ in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

We get answers to these questions, and more...

Is it true that there's an underground dance music scene in Iran?
Which type of dance music is popular among the Iranian youth?
What type of people go to live dance music events in Iran?
How popular is drum and bass music in Iran?
Where the red lines are with live music events in Iran?
Is it safe to dance to dance music in Iran?

Music: "Shayad Toei (ft. Crimson)" and "Messe Sag", The DevilDog | "Mahvash, Parivash", Jalal Hemmati

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Do Iranians have daddy issues?

Ask An Iranian — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss the many peculiar Persian expressions using the word 'dad'. Listen in to learn how to express frustration, how to be sarcastic and how to tell someone where to go when they've ticked you off. So, do Iranians have daddy issues or not, listen to find out.

A question that we'll only half-answer

We have Tyrel to thank for this question. He asks, "I don't speak Farsi [Persian], but I know that "baba" is dad. And I see my Persian [Iranian] friends say that word a lot in their conversations with anyone, male or female. Do Persians have daddy issues?". In a sense, there are two questions here, but we're only brave enough to answer one. If Tyrel truly wants to dig deep into the Iranian psyche, he'll have to wait until we get an Iranian psychologist on the show.

In this show we also get answers to these questions...

What are the Persian words for Dad, Daddy and Father?
What Persian language phrases use the word Dad, Daddy and Father?
Is there a Persian word for "dude"?

Tell us what we've missed?

Are you Iranian and think we've missed something? Great, let us know in the comments below. Are you Iranian and think we've gotten something wrong? Better, also correct us in the comments below. Maybe you're not Iranian and would like to know more about Persian phrases containing family members. If so, you know where to go.

Persian (Farsi) words used during this episode

PersianEnglish translationBaabaa:The informal Persian word for 'Dad' — can be like, "dude!"Ey baabaa:A Persian exclamation, 'oh dad' — like, "for Christ's sake"Na baabaa:A Persian term of disbelief, 'no dad' — also used sarcastically, like, "obviously!" or "no $#!%"Boro baabaa:A Persian term, 'go dad' — like, "get out of here"Pedar sag:A Persian term, 'dog father' — like, "you cretin"Pedar sookhte:A Persian term, 'burnt dog' — like, "you cheeky so and so"Pedaram-o dar ovord:A Persian term, 'I got my father out' — like, "it was difficult"“a” appearing alone, will be pronounced as a short-a — double ‘aa’s are long, as used in the word “water”

Photo credits: via Wikipedia - Studio Portrait of Three Persian Wrestlers by Antoin Sevruguin, c.1890

Music: "The Jazz Piano", Benjamin Tissot (bensound.com) | "Kalaghe Dom Siah", Shohreh Solati | "Mahvash, Parivash", Jalal Hemmati

How do I make a successful podcast in Iran?

Ask An Iranian — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we're joined by the creator of one of Iran's most popular podcasts. Our guest, Farshad, set up the Persian language podcast, 'Digesttt', around two years ago and has been simply summarising societal matters ever since. Subjects of his show have ranged from Israel & Palestine, Feminism and Brexit. The monthly podcast recently passed a mile-stone of one million downloads, so we wanted to invited him on the show to discuss what's involved in setting up a successful podcast in Iran.

During this episode, we discuss popular Persian language podcasts, the Iranian podcast community, how podcasts have changed over time in Iran, and where the red lines are for podcast content made in Iran.

In the episode we get answers to...

What are the names of popular podcasts made in Iran?
How long does it take to make a podcast episode?
What is the famous Iranian 'Channel B' podcast and who runs it?
Is there an Iranian podcast community and if so, how is it?
How many Persian language podcasts are being made in Iran?
What percentage of Iranians listen to podcasts?
How have Persian podcasts evolved over time?
What platforms do Iranians use to listen to podcasts?
Where in the world are Persian language podcasts listened to?
What Iranian companies are active in the Iranian podcast scene?
How do I get sponsorship or donation for my podcast?
What type of podcast content is popular in Iran?
How long it will take before you give up podcasting?
Which subjects should you avoid when making a podcast in Iran?
What should I consider before setting up a podcast?

Where can I listen to Digesttt podcast?

You can listen the Digesttt podcast online via the website, or find the show on your preferred podcast provider. You can also follow Digesttt on Instagram here, follow Digesttt in Twitter here, and follow Digesttt on Telegram here.

FAQs about Persian language, Iranian podcasts

The answers to the following questions were made using information from our interview with Farshad of Digesttt podcast.

Persian terms used during the show

PersianEnglish translationVatan fooroosh:A term suggesting that a person is selling their country

Photo credits: Jeremy Thomas

Who are the most famous Iranians?

Ask An Iranian — Sat, 18 Jul 2020 17:25:36 +0000

There are many lists of top famous Iranians available online, but we decided to tackle this matter differently. In this episode, we help you learn about well known Iranians by playing the 'Name Game'. To do this, we describe the famous Iranians, as if we are them. So listen in and play along!

Questions we also answer in this episode

Who are the most famous contemporary Iranians?
What are the names of some of the famous historical Iranians?
Who are the most famous Iranian women?
Which singer is the most well known Iranian singer, ever?
Who is the most famous Iranian poet to have ever lived?
What percentage of the Iranian government wear shiny suits?

How famous are famous Iranians?

We have one of our listeners, Olga, to thank for the inspiration for this episode. She asked us, "who are the most famous Iranians?". Naturally, any answers to this question will be subjective, but for brevity, we've highlighted a selection of famous Iranians in the show.

Famous Iranians mentioned in the show

Shirin Ebadi (1947-present) — female, Iranian lawyer
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (1956-present) — male, former president of Iran
Bijan Pakzad (1940-2011) — male, Iranian fashion designer
NIMANY by Nima Behnoud (1976-present) — brand, fashion
Marjane Satrapi (1969-present) — female, director and graphic novelist
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, "Shah" (1919-1980) — male, last king of Iran
Abbas Kiarostami (1940-2016) — male, film director
Asghar Farhadi (1972-present) — male, film director
Golshifteh Farahani (1983-present) — female, actress
Shohreh Aghdashloo (1952-present) — female, Iranian actress
Ali Daei (1969-present) — male, international footballer, national coach
Rumi (1207-1273) — male, Iranian poet
Googoosh (1950-present) — female, Iranian singer
Hayedeh (1942-1990) — female, Iranian singer
Mahasti (1946-2007) — female, Iranian singer
Hafez (1315-1390) — male, Iranian poet

Which Iranians have we missed?

We'd like to put it to our audience, who are your top three famous people from Iran? Let us know in the comments below, or head over to our Twitter page to respond in the comments and start a debate.

Persian words used during the show

PersianEnglish translationsTabrizi:From the Iranian region of Tabriz, in the North West of IranHaft seen:"Seven S's", the name for the Iranian new year spreadBarbari:A type of Iranian flatbread Norouz:The word for the Iranian New Year (occurring on the spring equinox)

Music credits: www.bensound.com, composer: Benjamin Tissot

Why is all Iranian bread flat?

Ask An Iranian — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 20:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we are joined by an Iranian chef, Shahriar of Shahriar's Kitchen. He helps us answer a question from one of our listeners, Susie. She wants to know why it is that all Iranian bread is flat. Our guest, Shahriar, has worked as a chef around the world, and although he has a wealth of experience with Iranian and international cuisine, for his first appearance on Ask An Iranian we asked him to help get you familiar with one of Iran's staples, Iranian flatbread.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

What is Iran's national bread?
Can you chip a tooth or burn your tongue when eating fresh 'sangak'?
What is the Iranian 'sangak' and bread and how it is made?
How many seconds do you have to eat lavash before it's inedible?
What is the Iranian 'barbari' bread and how is it made?
Which queue should I stand in when at an Iranian bakery?
What type of oven is used to bake Iranian bread?
Do Iranians dip 'barbari' bread in their tea?
Is it true that truck drivers put bread in their cola?

What makes Iranian flatbread flat?

This question is not so easily answered, and we maybe don't address this question so directly in the show, so allow us to do so here. Flatbreads are unleavened, for the most part, and in most cases, don't use a rising agent such as yeast. Flatbreads range from below one millimetre to a few centimetres thick so that they can be easily eaten without being sliced. They can be baked in an oven, fried in hot oil, grilled over hot coals or cooked on a hot pan. For a comprehensive list of flatbreads in the Middle East, please follow this link to Wikipedia.

How you can follow Shahriar

You can follow Shahriar on Instagram, by going to Shahriar's Kitchen. At the time of recording the show, Shahriar's infused olive oils and vinegars were available in Tehran's, Beethoven Museum.

Break bread with friends and family

In this episode, we discuss how Iranians leave Iran with suitcases of freezer-bagged bread. Although this is mostly for personal consumption, Iranian bread is also taken as a souvenir, or "soghaati", for Iranian friends and family. If you want to learn more about the Iranian culture of souvenir giving, you can listen to our show about "soghaati".

Any questions, or any answers?

If you have any questions about Iranian bread, please leave a comment below, or if you are Iranian and think we've missed something, please also let us know in the comments section.

Translation of Persian (Farsi) words used in this show

PersianEnglish translationSangak:"Little pebble", and also the name of the Iranian breadBarbari:A type of Iranian bread (arguably the world's best)Lavaash:A very thin, Lego-looking, Iranian breadTaaftoon:Bread made with milk, yoghurt, eggs baked in a clay ovenNaan:"Bread", its Persian (Farsi) wordTanoor:An oven for baking breadSafavid:The name for an Iranian dynasty Naan mahali: "Local bread", the term for locally made breadKashke baademjaan:An Iranian dish made with aubergines (eggplant)Chai chorak:The name for bread and tea, consumed by the Torkeman

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Why do Iranians support Trump?

Ask An Iranian — Sun, 05 Jul 2020 20:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss what happened when 6,769.5 Iranians on Twitter, answered a poll on whether they support Donald Trump or not.

Listen to this episode to find out what happened when we put a poll together and posted it in response to a tweet by TheTweetOfGod, who seemed a little puzzled as to why Iranians would support the American president, Donald Trump. Our poll was seen by just over 60,000 of his 6,100,000 following and was engaged with by around 15,000 of them.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

What percentage of Iranians support Trump?
Which social media platforms are popular in Iran and why?
How do Iranians view social media even though it's restricted for them?
Are there Twitter trolls helping influence the vote?
Who is TheTweetOfGod on Twitter?
What is TheTweetOfGod's political opinion?
Does TheTweetOfGod have the ability to strike me down?
AND AN EPIC DISCLAIMER!

So how did this all come about? Well, listen and subscribe to the show to find out the precise details, or read on for a brief summary.

Who is TheTweetOfGod?

'TheTweetOfGod' is His holiness, personified on Twitter, and although the person behind this begun by tweeting the type of tweets you'd expect of such a character, recently He's become rather political. The heavens were seemingly shaking when He saw that an Iranian wearing a MAGA hat tweeted that she was an #IranianForTrump. His holiness somehow saw this as blasphemy and tweeted to Iranians that she is "...making you look really stupid".

How God Triggered Iranians

We thought we'd clear this up and put it to the Iranians, because... yeah, we're Ask An Iranian. So our poll went as follows:

What do you think about Iranians supporting Trump?

Are you surprised by the results above, or is this as you would expect? Please let us know in the comments section below and help us explain why you think as you do?

Join future Ask An Iranian polls on Twitter

If you are Iranian and wish to participate in future Twitter polls like the one above, please follow us here: @Ask_An_Iranian.

Disclaimer

Ask An Iranian are not associated to any political groups, and unfortunately not funded by anyone either, let alone any political groups, especial one that has a name that begins with ’N’, continues with an ‘IA’ and ends with a ‘C’. We do not endorse Trump, TheTweetOfGod or anyone for that matter. All content related to this podcast, and its promotion, is for entertainment value only. “Beh man che ke”, what happens in America, with the elections, with the candidates and with any of their weird sports. We are not responsible for any influence on any outcome of this whole bizarre moment, so if suffer some kind of mental breakdown upon learning about the results, that’s on you.

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Why do Iranians think I am tired all of the time?

Ask An Iranian — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss an odd question by Karen, who we suspect has Iranian friends that keep telling her, "don't be tired". This is the translation of the term, "khaste nabashi", and it's maybe one of the most important things you should learn about Iran and Iranians.

We also tackle other topics, such as...

How should I use the Persian term "khaste nabaashi" ("don't be tired")?
When should I not use the term "khaste nabaashi"?
How should I greet and thank Iranian taxi drivers?
If I only ever learn one Persian (Farsi) phrase, what should it be?
How long is a 'one metre ice cream'?

If you have any additional questions about how to use the Iranian term "khaste nabaashi" ("don't be tired"), please add a comment below and we'll do our best to answer it. If you are Iranian and feel we've not done this topic any justice, please comment below and to help enlighten our audience.

Did you like this episode? If so, be sure to share it with friends, add a comment here, or kindly give us a rating on any podcast provider you may use.

Persian (Farsi) words used during the show

PersianEnglish translationKhaste nabashi:"Don't be tired"Khoda hafez:Good bye, or “may God keep you safe"Bastani metri:A "one metre" ice cream (measuring around 40cm)“a” appearing alone, is pronounced as a short-a — double ‘aa’s are long, as used in the word “water”

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Picture of a Persian cat, by Dan Dennis, edited by Ask An Iranian 2020

What souvenirs should I bring for my Iranian friends?

Ask An Iranian — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 09:23:33 +0000

In this episode, we do our very best to answer a question by Murat, who seems to know how important it is to bring Iranians souvenirs.

During the episode, we also tackle other tricky topics, such as:

What things should I definitely not bring as souvenirs for Iranians?
Is it better to bring chocolates or clothing as souvenirs for Iranians?
What size souvenir is an Iranian hoping to get?
What type of souvenirs should I bring for big groups of Iranians?
Why are biscuits from Fortnum & Mason not good souvenirs for Iranians?
What Iranian grandmothers think of £20 Fortnum & Mason biscuits?

As always if you have any other questions about this matter, let us know in the comments section of our website, or if you're Iranian, please tell us what your expectation regarding souvenirs is.

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Why can’t Iranians get through doors?

Ask An Iranian — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 18:00:00 +0000

In our second episode, we answer a question submitted by James — who we imagine knows exactly how the door stand-off goes between Iranians.

James is referring to the Iranian social protocol known as "tarof". Listen to this episode to learn more about this complex Iranian form of politeness and to learn about Iranian "tarof", in general.

In this episode we also tackle the following questions

How many times should you offer an Iranian to pass through the door?
What physical contact should and shouldn't be used between genders while going through doors in Iran?
Do women or men go first through doors in Iran?
Why do Iranians go through the door, starting from the right side?
What you should do if you reach for the salad tongs at the same time as another wedding guest in Iran?
How should I respond to old Shirazi men when they jump the queue?

If you have any additional questions about this matter, please feel free to add them in the comments section on our site and we'll do our best to try and find answers for them. If however, you're an Iranian and feel we've not correctly explained the Iranian "door dance" phenomena, then great, be sure to let our audience know below.

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What’s the best way to greet an Iranian?

Ask An Iranian — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 13:52:09 +0000

Listen to our first show, and learn how you can best greet an Iranian. During this first ever episode of Ask An Iranian we tell you when to shake hands and how to say hello in Persian.

During this episode, we tackle the following subjects

How do I say hello in Persian (Farsi)?
How do I shake an Iranian person's hand (or not)?
Should I kiss an Iranian when you meet them?
How should I greet an Iranian during a business meeting?
What's the appropriate way to greet the opposite gender in Iran?
How do different people across Iran greet one another?

If we haven't been able to help answer your questions about greeting an Iranian, please add your question below. If however you are Iranian and feel we've gotten something wrong, or miss something, please feel free to also comment below.

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