ESL 21B 1761

Essay 1.2, Topic #2

7-5-05

Cultural Pattern

    Every country or society has its own cultural patterns that people of that country or society must follow. These cultural patterns may be unusual for tourists or foreign people that visit the country. Also, it may cause intercultural conflicts and misunderstandings. To avoid these unneeded problems, people who live in different societies need to inform foreign tourists or people about their cultural patterns. This helps the visit become more enjoyable and safer. In my home country of Iran, there are three cultural patterns that stand out from the rest. One of the cultural patterns and beliefs in Iran that has existed for several years is that women need to wear veils and must cover up their entire body when they go out in public. Another cultural pattern is the relationship between men and women and how it is not free or possibleAwkward unless you get married. Finally, the last pattern is the law and rule about free speech. Even though I do not believe in these laws, they are set by the government and must be followed.

    The first cultural pattern that has existed for several years in Iran is every woman wearing a veil. This is a belief and part of value in culture that women should cover themselves when they go out. People in Iran live in an Islamic country that believes wearing the veil is a woman's duty to God because that is what holy books say. The Government also follows what the religion believes. So the Government of Iran believes the veil is a marker of identity, symbolic faith, and also a form of visual expression. They also believe that the veiling is about modesty and privacy of the women. They do not want women to feel "quite uncomfortable when someone treats them with obvious deference.{1}" For example, if a woman is walking down the street and a man walks past her, he should not be allowed to see her body because they are not "Mahram." In Farsi, "Mahram" means of close relationship like marriage. Since they are not married, there is no need of the man to see the woman's body and that is why they cover up. So to avoid an intercultural conflict and misunderstanding, Iranian people should inform foreign people about the rule because the consequence of not following that rule is being put in jail.

    The other cultural pattern in Iran is a social behavior pattern that comes from a mix of religion and politics{***}Good!. Iran is a religion-based country and whatever religion followsWChoice, everything else follows. The relationship between a man and a woman is not free or acceptable unless they get married. In America, a man and a woman can go out whenever and wherever they like. Also, men can look at the women on the street and judge them any way they want. The relationship is free from rules in America, but Iran is very different. In Iran, if a man and a woman go out together without getting married, the police will catch andCut them and take them inPreposition jail. In addition, the police will force the man and woman to get married. In addition, men cannot judge random women on their appearance. For example, if a man tells a woman she is sexy, the woman can report that to a police officer and the man will be put toPreposition jail. Another rule is the way to greet each other. In Where Do we Stand?, Lisa Davis says, "In Mediterranean and South American societies, for instance- social conversations include much eye contact, touching, and smiling." Even in America, men and women also greet each other by shaking hands and have a lot of eye contact. The rules of Iran say that men and women are not allowed to touch or look at each other. The main rule we need to inform tourists who travel to Iran is that men and women do not have the freedom they have in other countries like America unless they are married.

    Because Iran is a religious country, its rules and laws are totally different. One rule that tourists need to be aware of is that people can not attend in free speechAwkward or can not have free speech about politics, religion, or anything related to these two things. People can not emphasize or express their ideas about Islam or government politics because the government does not like people talking negatively about them. They believe the rules of Islam are perfect and do not need to be changed. In America, people can say whatever they want and nothing will happen to them{2}. In American Values and Assumptions, Gary Althen says, "Americans are not taught that they should mask their emotional responses." Iran is the complete opposite. Anybody giving their opinion about the religion or government in a bad way will be sent to jail because they think the person does not love their country. Iran is controlled by a dictatorship. It is not controlled by a democracy. So they do not want people to talk against the government because they are worried it may start a rebellion and a new revolution. So to avoid an intercultural conflict or misunderstanding, people should inform foreign people that they should keep their opinions to themselves when it comes to politics or religion.

    In conclusion, every society or country has its specific cultural patterns. These patterns may be strange for foreign people that travel to that country, but they believe those patterns keep their country in order. Since it is hard for people of other countries to be aware of these patterns, people who live in that specific country should inform tourists of the patterns to avoid intercultural conflicts and misunderstandings. If anyone was to visit my home country of Iran, they should know that women must cover up their body, that the relationship of men and women are not free unless they are married, and that there is no free speech when religion or politics are involved. You may not agree toPreposition many of the patterns that countries believe in, but you must respect them and follow them if you do not want to be punished.