Traditions, customs you will only see in Iran – Part 5

To truly understand a country’s culture and people, it is imperative to have a basic understanding of their customs and traditions.

In Iran, there are plenty of customs that are as routine as drinking water for Iranians but they can leave a foreign traveler with a raised eyebrow.  

Read on to discover the cultural customs only Iranians will understand and you will find only in Iran.      

5) Parents calling their children ‘mom and dad’

It is one thing for children to call their parents ‘mom and dad’, but it is quite another for the parents to call their kids ‘mom and dad’. And yet, that is exactly what Iranians do.

In Iran, you can get totally baffled when you hear how a father calls his child “Baba Jan” (dear dad) or a mother calls her child “Maman Jan” (dear mom). This expression shows affection, and you will not see such attitude anywhere else.   

This attitude is usually adopted while greeting, asking a question or for putting an emphasis as a way to simultaneously convey love and care.   

For instance, if you hear an Iranian mom going like, “Majid, mom, where are you?”, you shouldn’t be surprised. It’s an affectionate way of calling children in Iran.  

But this intimate way of expressing endearment does not stop there – it extends to aunts and uncles as well.

Part 1 – Soor Dadan or offering pastries

Part 2 – Charitable deeds (Kheirat)

Part 3 – Throwing water behind the traveler

Part 4 – Burning espand (seeds of harmala)

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