ETIQUETTE OF GREETING IN PERSIAN CULTURE

Greeting is one of the first ways people express respect, warmth, and connection.

In Persian culture, greetings may vary according to:

•  The setting and occasion
• The relationship between the people
• Age and level of familiarity
• Personal or religious beliefs

This section introduces formal and informal greetings and explores how these factors influence greeting etiquette in Persian culture.

  Greetings among close friends, peers, and immediate family members are much warmer and more relaxed. These greetings express warmth, affection, and closeness rather than formality.

Common customs include:

• Women often greet one another with a hug and two or three light kisses on the cheeks. 

• Men usually shake hands and may also embrace close friends or relatives. 

• Between unrelated men and women, hugs and kisses are usually uncommon, except among close      family members.

A common Informal Greeting

 salaam, chetoree?
Hello, how are you?

Formal greetings are used when meeting people for the first time, in professional settings, with authority figures, and when showing respect to older people. 

Common customs include:

• People often spend a few moments asking about one another’s well-being before beginning the main conversation.

• Among secular Iranians, a handshake is common in professional settings.

• Physical contact between men and women may vary depending on personal and religious beliefs.

A Common Formal Greeting 

 salaam, haale shomaa chetore?
          Hello, how are you?

If you are unsure how to greet someone,   

• Allow the other person to initiate the greeting. 
• While customs differ among individuals and families, warmth and respect are important values in Persian greeting etiquette.

Practicing Muslim Iranians follow Islamic guidelines regarding physical contact when greeting.

Among practicing Muslims:

• Unrelated men and women generally do not shake hands. 

• They greet one another with polite words while maintaining respectful physical distance. 

• This practice reflects Islamic teachings regarding modesty and appropriate interaction between unrelated men and women. 

  When greeting older family members, such as parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, younger relatives typically:

• May warmly hug and kiss them on the cheek.

• Use more formal greetings and respectful language.

• Show affection while      maintaining respect. 

Respect for elders is one of the most important values in Persian culture. Although the greeting is physically affectionate, the words themselves often remain formal as a sign of honor and respect.