Iran: Prosperous Entertaining

From ExecutivePlanet.com

Entertaining for business success

Any business entertainment will take place either in restaurants or at functions.

Iranians enjoy good food and the meal is a time for relaxing and engaging in stimulating conversation.

The protocol of Iranian hospitality dictates that the host always pays for the meal. The concept of sharing a bill is completely alien. You may try and offer to pay, which may be seen as polite, but you would never be allowed to do so. The best policy is graciously to thank the host and then, a few days later, invite that person to dinner at a restaurant of your choice.

Lunch and dinner can both be substantial meals. Both will consist of a meat dish of some sort usually accompanied with rice, salad and yoghurt.

As a guest, you will be invited to start eating first. Toasts are not part of dining protocol. Always comment on the food if at someone's home--the term 'daste shoma dard nakone'[literally 'may your hand not hurt'] is used to thank someone for doing something for you.

Try to finish everything on your plate. You will be offered more food. If you do want more food, first you have to follow the complex Iranian etiquette of 'taarof.' When someone offers you something such as sweets, tea, food, etc it is polite to refuse it at least two or three times. The giver will then be required to insist. After offering 'taarof' you should then graciously accept.

Iranians will also offer 'taarof' with you. So if you present something, even something as small as some chewing gum, be sure to offer it a few times.

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