Is Iran dangerous for westerners?
Is Iran dangerous for westerners?
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26.03.2008 16:03:21
Hello,
I'm new to this forum, but I have been looking at this site for a little while and attempting to gauge my plans to travel to Iran this summer. First up, a bit about myself, I'm Canadian 21 years old, white (not middle eastern) and a native English speaker without any experience in the Iranian language (though I plan to study a little Farsi before I go). I'm looking to travel with my friend who is also 21, and pretty much the same as me. I've been getting mixed results on how practical it is for someone like me to go on vacation in Iran. I've read the Canada travel advisory which places Iran at 'high travel risk', but that seems to be mainly because of the political strife in the surrounding countries, and the isolated high crime rate in the southeastern provinces. My parents have pretty much told me not to go as its too dangerous, but based on my readings the country seems the contrary. I talked to a native Persian person, whose lived in Iran for many years, that is a friend of the family and asked him about the feasibility of us going. He basically said, while staying in the big cities like Tehran are relatively safe traveling from city to city is extremely dangerous. He also said that most Iranians can't really separate Canadians and Americans from 'westerner' and that there is animosity towards people like us in Iran. We would be subject to persecution, at much higher risk of being kidnapped, robbed etc. Also that store clerks would chop our hands off even at the thought of theft, and accusing us would be nothing since of course they hate westerners. Hearing this from a Persian makes me rethink what I need to do. I really want to travel to Iran this summer, but two young white guys traveling alone might not be the best of ideas. Does anyone here know anything I can try to do to help, or are these warnings greatly overblown. Thanks a lot
Edited:
- 11.06.2008 12:17:50
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20.05.2008 12:17:15
Hello,
I'm a girl planning on travelling to Tehran and maybe elsewhere wwith a male friend of mine (age 27). Would we have any problems travelling about together? Thanks |
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22.05.2008 18:56:21
well know it wont be any prob.
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25.05.2008 01:27:13
I am an American & was in Iran this April. I loved my trip & never felt unsafe. I found the people to be very friendlt.
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29.05.2008 15:51:34
hey: how are you all ? i hope every one who's planning to make a trip to Iran to do away with any Media Political propaganda; they are there for sell, just don't buy it, it s not life advancing at all as it chops you in the knees. before i forget to say who i am and where i come from >  . let me introduce myself:
am tawfik , 21 years old, New graduate from University Hassan II in Morocco.i hope that does ring a bell 4 you. lol for one thing i d like to draw westerners who are planning to pay a visit to the Persian Country and since i am Muslim and familiar with islamic law and things on those lines.just make urselves at home. am sure that Iranians are more hospitable and generous than any nation on this planet.i hope am not idealizing that country! just avoid anything that can get in trouble as far as islamic law is concerned. don try sex-outside marriage = Adultery ! and you will be fine . have a very good and safe trip. help yourselves. and bear in mind that u ll always be fin as long as u behave yourself "when you are in Iran do as the Iranians do" here is my email if anyone of u wanta email me : hopperang@hotmail.com [/I][/I][B][/B] |
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29.05.2008 16:50:02
Hi all,
I am from iraq ,25 years old ,female i visited Tehran 2 times and i saw many western people there even from USA, really it is safe to go there and iranian people are lovely & very helpful do not believe what u hear in media about iran (kidnapping happens here in my country-Iraq- not in iran )have a nice trip. |
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03.06.2008 13:50:47
Hi everyone.
I started to learn Persian some time ago and this language has been my favorite since then. I already know a lot about the music, culture and lifestyle in Iran and I'd like to have a trip to Iran this July. I think Tehran woud be decent to find people to practice my Persian. Can you give me clues about the safe and popular places in Tehran where I can find people to talk to? I'd like to buy some books, Iranian film CDs etc, too. Where can I find them in Tehran? What other pieces of advice can you give me about my trip to Iran? (Like cheaper hotels, where to eat and what to eat, travel etc.) Thanks for your help. |
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04.06.2008 19:56:36
I am a Jew. Can I travel to Iran without fear of death?
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18.06.2008 06:56:08
Hi all,
I am from Chile, Southamerica, living in Poland. I was looking for a special place to go and talking to my Polish friends, I said, I would love to go to Iran. The good thing is that there is an Iranian Embassy here in Warsaw, so I will apply for the VISA. But on the other hand, my question is, how conservative is the situation in Iran regarding religion? I also heard that girls are very very pretty. So, "IF" I meet a nice one, how should I do or not do? What is forbidden? I read sex is illegal, but is really followed happening that young people is not having sex before the marriage? Well, I would appreciate a response, mainly from people living there currently, Iranians. How widely spoken is English? Any other western language? Spanish, French? Regards Pablo |
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22.06.2008 08:56:59
Dear Pablo,
Iran is very beautiful. It is very important that you try to go with a tour group, so you can go to many historic locations and not get in truble with the girls .
you have to be very careful of how you act. you can go and talk to a girl but keep in mind that there are undercover police everywhere they might get you they might not. no kissing is allowed in public. they say you have to be married before you have any kind of sexual contact, but that does not stop people. you can not get a hotel room and take a girl in the room you have to have aMarriage certificate. If you know someone in Iran that can take you places you dont need a tour group. not that many people speak english. most of the younger people do speak broken english, it would not be easy for you to get around with out someone to help you with the Language. |
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22.06.2008 23:41:53
Hi,
first i'dl like to welcome you to Iran. There is a persian language teaching center in tehran in which I was teaching for a period of time. you can refer to the foreign students who are learning persian in this center. I'm sure they will guide you better than any one else. I would be very happy if I can help you in other cases. if any other question please send me an email on oriental_star110@yahoo.com by the subject "visit Iran". Guest,
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24.06.2008 04:01:17
Dear Pablo,
I am an Iranian girl ,25 years old.I have read all your message so I have to tell you ,you will really enjoy your time in Iran and you will feed your needs here. I live in Teharn and I work in a travel agency. In addition, if you need any furthure information I will become glad to help you in future so do not hesitate and ask me any questions that comes to your mind. Have a nice and peace day, Samin (my e-mail address: samin_mrsa@yahoo.com)Hi all, I am from Chile, Southamerica, living in Poland. I was looking for a special place to go and talking to my Polish friends, I said, I would love to go to Iran. The good thing is that there is an Iranian Embassy here in Warsaw, so I will apply for the VISA. But on the other hand, my question is, how conservative is the situation in Iran regarding religion? I also heard that girls are very very pretty. So, "IF" I meet a nice one, how should I do or not do? What is forbidden? I read sex is illegal, but is really followed happening that young people is not having sex before the marriage? Well, I would appreciate a response, mainly from people living there currently, Iranians. How widely spoken is English? Any other western language? Spanish, French? Regards Pablo[/QUOTE] |
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24.06.2008 07:01:06
just a quick note. Please go to Iran!! - it´s one of the most amazing countries ever. Had such good holidays there!! Can only recommend it
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22.07.2008 20:46:03
WHY? Were you wanting to do something like that? |
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22.07.2008 21:03:11
Hey, I'm living in New Zealand and I wanna go to Iran sometime in the future... a couple of quick questions:
One, when I mentioned to a man I know that I wanted to go to Iran, he said, "Good luck as a woman". He said Iran was really too dangerous. I've done a bit of reading on Wikitravel and it didn't say that much about danger. How are foreign women treated in comparison to Iranian women, and in comparison to foreign men? I'm also on prescription medicine that can't be supplied over the counter. If in Iran, I was to lose the medicine, how hard would it be to replace it? Also, he suggested that if I wanted to go to Iran, I could take a male friend with me, as this would be safer. In some other Muslim countries, this would be illegal unless he was your father, brother or husband. What about Iran? |
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02.07.2010 14:07:48
I worked in Iran for two years in early 90s and in all the countries I travel to I grade them, ie India the most interesting South Africa (was) the most pleasant and Iran the friendliest, I am off again in a few weeks and I know things will have changed but its a really great place to visit.
You will have a great time, just remember that you should not do anything that may be suspitious and you will have a great experience. |
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06.07.2010 09:38:59
Yes sometime which we get through media it might be fake. |
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09.07.2010 16:04:47
I'm really interested in travelling around Iran> It has so many wonderful buildings and places to see and the culture is really interesting. A lot of these posts are from a couple of years ago. What is the situation for tourists now? Im 55 years old British male looking to travel alone or perhaps with one companion for an extended period. Any advice?
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19.07.2010 03:47:17
Hi
Im working with visual marketing as a photographer and would like to promote Iran in Scandinavia, since they now nothing. How is it to get at working permit? Kind regards Janus Langhorn www.januslanghorn.com |
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01.10.2010 11:01:21
Hello Hmjohnny !!
Tell me who said that "Iran is dangerous for westerners"??? Brother as you know Iran is a Muslim country and most of the terrorists activities are blamed on Muslim peoples. All these are Rumors spread by the media all over the world. But the reality is totally different from this.I am also a Westerner but i never find myself in danger when i was there last year on a trip. People of Iran are so good to behave.They respect the persons coming from outside the Iran. I have spend 3 days with a Iranian family and really they are true to their hearts. So, i just want to say one thing that come to Iran with your friend and predict whether i was wrong or not. With Regards, Mack Bosh. ____________________ You can know more by clicking on Location Vacances Piscine and also on Location Espagne Vacances
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- 01.10.2010 11:13:01
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03.10.2010 12:57:07
Hi Iran is not dangerous at all, you can visit lonelyplanet.com to make sure how many tourists are visiting it every year and everyday!! The only crucial point to know is that lone female visitors must be escorted with an authorized tour guide! For more information, you can contact us: irantravelingcenter.com questions.irantravelingcenter@gmail.com |
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