A Breakdown of Tarof in Iran, and How to Navigate it

2AN9C33 A Turkmen man wearing traditional Turkmens costume in Raz-and-Jargalan region. Iran, Northern Khorasan Province.
2AN9C33 A Turkmen man wearing traditional Turkmen's costume in Raz-and-Jargalan region. Iran, Northern Khorasan Province. | © Amin Bre / Alamy Stock Photo
Sahar Esfandiari

The one cultural phenomenon, which you simply cannot get away with avoiding when it comes to interacting with Iranians, is tarof, the Iranian art of etiquette. If navigated incorrectly, it could end up leaving you feeling incredibly confused and at risk of upsetting all Iranians within a 10-mile radius. Keep reading to discover how to avoid the risk of rudeness.

What is Tarof?

Tarof can take many shapes and forms, but you can think of it as a sort of verbal duel of sorts, or a waltz of words. At best, it may result in fighting over the bill at a restaurant, and at worst, it might leave you seriously offending people as you go about your travels.

Mix with cultures

Cultural symbolism

Another way in which tarof manifests itself is in the seemingly generous way taxi drivers, shopkeepers, baristas, waiters and almost every other type of service personnel will tell you whatever service you’ve just used or product you are about to buy is on the house and not to worry about it. The common phrase you will hear is ‘ghabeleh shoma ra nadareh’, meaning for you, its free.Lovely right? But don’t feel overly flattered – this does not mean you should not pay. This is a form of politeness and tarof in Iranian culture because asking for money up front without the person offering it or insisting that you take their money is quite frankly just not the way things are done and may come off as sounding greedy and not very nice. A similar situation may happen at a restaurant over the bill. Everyone will want to pay it, as a sign of appreciation for the rest of the people in the group. You may feel like you’ve lost a fight at the end of a meal or two but eventually, things will even out as you treat someone to their meal the following occasion and vice versa.

Many different forms

Tarof can also come your way in the form of a string of dazzling and seemingly overwhelmingly flattering compliments, which when translated into English can sound a bit weird and extremely over the top. So when someone says, ‘qurboonet beram’, it most definitely does not mean that he or she is literally going to sacrifice themselves for you. Similarly, ‘moosh bokhoradet’ is a way of saying ‘you’re cute’, as opposed to the somewhat fearful idea that a mouse will actually eat you.

Imporant notes

It’s important to note that while tarof is an essential aspect of Persian culture and communication, it can be somewhat perplexing and challenging for individuals from other cultural backgrounds to understand and navigate. Visitors to Iran or other Persian-speaking countries are generally not expected to engage in tarof to the same extent as locals, but being aware of its existence can help in understanding and appreciating the local customs and traditions.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Winter Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

X
Edit article