Ask An Iranian – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

• 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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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.

• 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?

Read more here!

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

Image credit: image of a circumcised banana representing a golden penis, or "doodool tala" as Iranians say. All of the Ask An Iranian podcast covers are available as NFTs here.

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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?

• 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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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.

• 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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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.

• 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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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!

• 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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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.

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.

• 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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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.

• 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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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.

• 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?

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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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.

• 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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