Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
mer) or cheap cotton. The trench-coat style is more attractive (and is the most popular ver-
sion for fashion-conscious Iranian women), but it can be hot and uncomfortable - remem-
ber that your manteau will need to stay on in restaurants, cinemas, shops and other interior
public spaces.
We have found that loose-fitting cardigans going down to the mid-thigh are the most
comfortable form of outerwear. These can be worn over T-shirts or jumpers (sweaters) and
are both modest and attractive. Bring them from home - they're hard to source in Iran. In
summer, you'll need to wear something light - long peasant blouses and tunics made with
natural fibres work well, as do shalwar kameez , a long shirt or tunic worn over baggy
pants. If you're coming overland from India or Pakistan you'll have plenty of opportunit-
ies to purchase these along your journey.
All manteaus are worn over trousers; jeans are perfectly acceptable. Do not wear skirts.
CHADORS
Don't even think about it. The only times when foreign women must wear a chador are
when visiting important shrines. In these instances, the chadors can almost always be bor-
rowed onsite.
How Should I Behave?
Half-truths and stereotypes about women exist on both sides of the cultural divide: some
Westerners assume that all Iranian women are black-cloaked, repressed victims, while
some Iranians, influenced by foreign movies and media, see Western women as 'easy' and
immoral. When in Iran, be aware that sex before marriage is uncommon (well, that's the
official line) and that there may be some males who - influenced by aforementioned ste-
reotype - will try it on with you, particularly if you are travelling solo. The best way to
prevent this happening is to be polite but not overly friendly in your dealings with the loc-
al males. If you need advice or directions, approach women first. Younger ones are more
likely to speak English.
Most Iranian women only travel with their fathers, brothers and husbands, so Western
women travelling by themselves or with male friends may be considered as being of dubi-
ous moral standing. Be aware of this and be careful not to break the following local con-
ventions:
» »In restaurants and teahouses, head to the separate areas set aside for women and famil-
ies where these exist.
» »If you are by yourself it's best not to enter teahouses, as men will either harass you or
treat you like a leper (the only local women who would do such a thing are of very dubi-
ous moral standing indeed).
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