Doing business in Iran

If you’re going to be doing business in Iran, then you’ll probably already know that you will be confronted by various cultural differences. Thanks to this it is important to find out as much as you can beforehand so that you can make a success of your undertaking. In order to help you on your way, in this article we’ve provided some tips on doing business in Iran.

Tip 1: Formal setting

Formal attire is the rule in an Iranian business setting and that’s why a suit is worn even if it’s hot. A short-sleeved shirt is regarded as a faux pas. It is also unusual to address the person you are speaking to by their first name. A handshake is briefly given on arrival and when taking your leave.

Tip 2: Refusal is polite

How people behave with each other in Iran is slightly different to the way it is done in the UK. The British may be regarded as reserved but Iranian people are even more so. For instance, if you receive an invitation, it is the custom in Iran to decline it at first. If you are invited to someone’s home, you should decline the first two times, for instance. It is the custom to accept an invitation only after the third time of being asked. This also applies to gifts and for meals and drinks.