Ask a persian.

[Bill3000]

How does it feel to be completely dominated by such basic UU walls such as Steelix and Probopass?

 

[caketastydelish]

How does it feel to be completely dominated by such basic UU walls such as Steelix and Probopass?

I had to look those up because I wasn't sure what they were. Apparently they're pokemon, according to wikipedia. This is serious. Please don't ask me silly questions like that.

Why are Persians so "Club Persh"? By that, I mean, why do you guys dress all flashy and luxurious all the time?

I might be able to give you a better answer later but for now: I don't know what you mean. I don't dress fancy, except when I go to church or something, which is normal for the average american. My family is pretty much the same way as me. As for "other persians"? I"ll have to look that up for you and talk to my relatives. Hopefully soon I can come up with an answer for you.

 

[Steph]

Although: Afghanistan was part of the Persian empire before the british split it in two. So in that since, American troops are still in "persian" territory. Does any of this answer your question?

Didn't Afghanistan separate from Persian empire when Hotaki rebelled from the Safavids in early 1700s, and then was independant under the Durrani empire?
There were 3 Anglo-Afghans wars, the British taking more or less control on Afghanistan in the first two, but Afghanistan was already out of Persian controls.

Persia lost more against Russia with several conflicts and treaty (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkestan).


Question 1): What do you think about Iran's nuclear program and the West attitude toward it?

Question 2): If someone goes to visit Iran, what places are the most interested to see?

 

[caketastydelish]

Didn't Afghanistan separate from Persian empire when Hotaki rebelled from the Safavids in early 1700s, and then was independant under the Durrani empire?
There were 3 Anglo-Afghans wars, the British taking more or less control on Afghanistan in the first two, but Afghanistan was already out of Persian controls.

Persia lost more against Russia with several conflicts and treaty (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkestan).


Question 1): What do you think about Iran's nuclear program and the West attitude toward it?

Question 2): If someone goes to visit Iran, what places are the most interested to see?

1) I hate nuclear weapons period. I wish Iran did not have nuclear weapons, and that all other countries did not have it. I fear that nuclear weapons will be the end of the world.

2) Iran has much ancient history. A great sight that I suggest seeing would be Persepolis. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persepolis

 

[Steph]

Why do you equate Nuclear program with nuclear weapons? What about nuclear energy?

Have your already been to Persepolis? Or have friends/familly who visited it?

What are the best Iranian food? When I was in Tehran last year, the food was good, but it was kebab, kebab or kebab (Chicken kebab with rice, lamb kebab with rice, beef kebab with rice, rice with chicken kebak, rice with beef kebab, rice with lamb kebab...) What are the other specialty?

 

[caketastydelish]

Didn't Afghanistan separate from Persian empire when Hotaki rebelled from the Safavids in early 1700s, and then was independant under the Durrani empire?
There were 3 Anglo-Afghans wars, the British taking more or less control on Afghanistan in the first two, but Afghanistan was already out of Persian controls.

Persia lost more against Russia with several conflicts and treaty (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkestan).


Question 1): What do you think about Iran's nuclear program and the West attitude toward it?

Question 2): If someone goes to visit Iran, what places are the most interested to see?

Why do you equate Nuclear program with nuclear weapons? What about nuclear energy?

Have your already been to Persepolis? Or have friends/familly who visited it?

What are the best Iranian food? When I was in Tehran last year, the food was good, but it was kebab, kebab or kebab (Chicken kebab with rice, lamb kebab with rice, beef kebab with rice, rice with chicken kebak, rice with beef kebab, rice with lamb kebab...) What are the other specialty?

Oh sorry about the nuclear thing. I thought you were talking specifically about "nuclear weapons". I personally have never been there but I have certainly had family that has. As to the nuclear program: I know as much as the media knows.

As to the food: There is a lot more than kebab. Kebab is equavolant to the american hamburger. Fesanjune(spelled that wrong) which is made with crushed walnuts, pomogranate juice, and duck meat, or chicken/turkey.

Koresh is like a stew.

I will add more as I think of them.

Painting eggs? Like Easter eggs?

Who stole the tradition from whom?

And the billions dollar question:Can you, or anyone else (SchoolzSoKewl?), see a way that the West, and especially the USA, can make the Iranian people trust them more?

Others stole the tradition from us. The persian culture was a lot older.

As to your other question: It will take time for things to heal. Right now the majority of Iranian people have warm feelings toward american people. It's just when it comes to governmental policy they have problems. As a matter of fact the majority of Iranians dislike their own government.

 

[NedimNapoleon]

Do all male Iranians have to serve in the army

 

[Squonk]

How serious is the problem of ethnical separatism in Iran? And will it grow?

 

[Smellincoffee]

Do you observe many customs/traditions from Persia that are "truly" Persian, that is not introduced by religions like Christianity and Islam?

Can you recommend any books, nonfiction or fiction, about or set in Persia?

 

[W|M]

How much ancient Persian architecture is there? What is it like?

 

[caketastydelish]

Do you observe many customs/traditions from Persia that are "truly" Persian, that is not introduced by religions like Christianity and Islam?

Can you recommend any books, nonfiction or fiction, about or set in Persia?

Prince of Persia. Jk Jk Jk it's not even a book.

But to answer your first question: Absolutely so! To name one: Nowruz. It is a traditional Persian holiday that predates Islam in Iran. It came before the Arabs invaded Persia. I have discussed Nowruz in detail earlier in this thread.

I personally found "neither east nor west" a great read (though I didn't read all of it for some weird reason).

How much ancient Persian architecture is there? What is it like?

Plenty in Persepolis! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persepolis

http://www.slideshare.net/mhmohajerani/iranian-persian-architecture

 

[NovaKart]

ایران چقدر قشنگ است

Iran's so beautiful

Some random thoughts:

Neither East nor West: One woman's journey through the islamic republic of iran - by Christiane Bird is a very interesting book. The title is really cliche but it's an excellent book. I didn't finish it either though, it's quite the tome.

America supported Saddam's Iraq in the 80s and the Iran Iraq war brought a great deal of destruction to Iran. The Iranian people I've talked to about it were not bitter but I haven't been to Iran myself.

In Turkey I sometimes saw buses from Iran full of women all dressed in black chadors.

Dyeing eggs comes from Egypt, whether it originally came from Iran or from there or both who can say?

 

[Imrahil91]

Do you have any thoughts on why so many Iranians convert to Christianity? Is there any considerable differences, or maybe conflicts between the different ethic groups in Iran? What do you think the rest of the world should do about the regime in Iran?

 

[Squonk]

they do?

 

[Imrahil91]

He said earlier in the thread that they did, my old religion teacher also said they did. It's not very many though, but quite a lot more of Muslim Iranians that have moved to the West convert compared to Muslims from other countries.

 

[Dachs]

Why do you insist on referring to yourself with an Greek exonym? Isn't this like a German calling herself a "German" instead of "Deutscher"?

 

[caketastydelish]

Do you have any thoughts on why so many Iranians convert to Christianity? Is there any considerable differences, or maybe conflicts between the different ethic groups in Iran? What do you think the rest of the world should do about the regime in Iran?

Well I have been a Christian and been one my whole life so it's hard to say about that personally. I think the reason why though, is they're eager to integrate into western society.

Some iranian ex-muslims take it to the extreme like this guy who wrote a book against Islam. http://www.felibri.com/content/understanding-muhammad-psychobiography-allahs-prophet

I myself do find flaws in the religion of Islam as well as many fellow Iranians. That's not to say that I would lose respect for anyone if I found out they were a Muslim though. I've met muslims that are great, secular people.

But i'm getting off subject now. To get back to what you were saying- I think the Islamic rules are so strict and Iranians are so liberal and open minded (most of the time) they can't stand the rules of Sharia law, so when they leave Iran for a western country, they are so happy to leave it they convert.

I am no expert between the different ethnic groups in Iran. I'll ask my dad, who actually came from the country to comment on that when he's not busy. I'll have an answer for you on that in a matter of time.

I know the Iranian's probably don't view the same opinion as me, but this is what I think: I think that if countries would just boycott Iranian oil the government would go kaput. I can't confirm this statistic but I hear something like 90% of the government's money comes from oil alone. Just imagine how weak they'd be if you took that away from them! Plus you'd be doing the environment a favor at the same time because by switching to non-polluting, renewable resources you'd help slow global warming.

So in a list of what the rest of the world should do (IMHO) about the regime in Iran:

1. Boycott the oil. Seriously. Not only is it bad for the environment, but it's bad for the Iranian people, who suffer from the government's cruel oppression.

2. (I know this isn't exactly about the regime) Speak out against racism directed at Iranian people. The government spreads anti-western crap all the time, and when an Iranian goes to a western country and is treated badly, they will possibly believe it (the anti-western crap that is). So if you want to prove the regime of Iran wrong, don't say racist things to Iranians (I know you don't, but i'm talking about people in general. And i'm not saying you have to suck up to Iranians, just don't say racist things).

3. Put trade embargos on Iran. And not just western countries either. If the ENTIRE WORLD is doing it, the Iranian people will realize its THERE government that is wrong, not the rest of the world. Iranian people are just like all other people; in other words they're not stupid.

Why do you insist on referring to yourself with an Greek exonym? Isn't this like a German calling herself a "German" instead of "Deutscher"?

I probably don't have the right answer to that question but here is my guess:

First of all, the greeks portrayed the persians well (unlike western society today for a large part). The name "persian" just stuck. The greeks gave it to the persians (or Iranians if you prefer) and the rest of the world called them that. At the time of the ancient greeks the persians were also at there height as an empire. This being said, they were proud of there "golden age" and don't mind a name that just "sticks" with that time period. I guess that kind of answers it? I'm sorry, I don't even know that myself, and have always wondered about that.

they do?

Yes indeed. Check this out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_American

 

[Graceheart the Leopard]

Who do you think was the greatest Persian ruler in history?

 

[W|M]

Why did the Greeks call the place Persia? Why is it called Iran today?

EDIT: X-Post, and I know that it´s Oldschooler answering the questions, but in my opinion the greatst ruler was Cyrus the Great, closly followed by Darius the Great.

 

[Squonk]

Well, years before he allied with religious fundies, Jaroslaw Kaczynski declared that "the shortest way to dechristianisation of Poland leads through ZChN (which was the major christian party at that time). Perhaps the shortest way to deislamisation of the Middle East is a victorious muslim revolution.