The thumbs-up gesture is considered rude and has the same connotation as raising one's middle finger for traditional Iranians. Pointing: It is considered rude to point your index finger at another person during conversation.
The middle finger is probably the most obscene gesture in the U.S. The most offensive gesture in America is flipping someone off. Shooting the bird. Giving them "the finger." The gesture means screw you.
Iran: Thumbs-up
“Unfortunately, in Iran and neighboring countries like Afghanistan, the thumbs-up is equivalent to the middle finger!” explains Dana Hooshmand, an author for Discover Discomfort, a language- and culture learning resource. In America, the middle finger is the profane one; in Iran, it's the thumb.
Avoid using your left hand
As a result, it's considered bad manners and impolite to pass things (such as money, gifts or food) with your left hand. Collective meals, shared from large bowls, placed in the centre of the eating space, are a common way of sharing food in Middle Eastern culture.
It's common to shake hands with people of the same gender. But if you want to greet someone the opposite sex, it`s more appropriate to put one hand on your chest and bow slightly or bend your head a little bit. This can send a message of respect while paying attention to social norms.
When someone offers something to you (e.g. tea, sweets), refuse it initially out of politeness before accepting. It is rude to put your feet on the table. Burping and sniffing in front of others is considered rude. One should not touch people of the opposite gender unless they are very close family or friends.
Rituals related to Nowruz and the Evil Eye superstitions are among the strongest belief still nowadays in Iran. Other practices remain, but are taken less seriously. Among these beliefs, we can mention the fact of sneezing. Some believe that it is necessary for someone to stop all actions after sneezing.
The left hand is used to clean bodily excrements and viewed as unclean. The right hand is the clean hand used for eating, shaking hands etc.
In some Arab countries, especially Egypt, the middle finger is lowered towards the palm and pointed towards someone, while all other fingers are kept straight. It could be considered the opposite movement of the tradition middle finger gesture, but it serves the same purpose and meaning.
This meat is called "halal." Muslims are also prohibited from gambling, taking interest, fortune-telling, killing, lying, stealing, cheating, oppressing or abusing others, being greedy or stingy, engaging in sex outside of marriage, disrespecting parents, and mistreating relatives, orphans or neighbors.
1. 'No' Raising your eyebrows simply means 'no. ' It's common for Iranians to make this gesture instead of actually saying 'no,' or to use this gesture in conjunction with a 'nooch' sound made by sort of sucking your tongue.
In China, if one holds up a little finger at another, it is usually considered vulgar, just as holding up a middle finger in the United States and other countries is generally regarded as offensive.
In Islam raising the index finger signifies the Tawhīd (تَوْحِيد), which denotes the indivisible oneness of God. It is used to express the unity of God ("there is no god but Allah").
Thumbs Up
It is considered as a means of expressing your liking towards something. However, if you give thumbs up in Iran means indecent and offensive insult which means “sit on it”. This is similar to raise your middle finger up. So keep this in mind while giving a thumbs up in Iran, it may be land you in trouble.
The "two-fingered salute" (also "the forks" in Australia) is commonly performed by flicking the V upwards from wrist or elbow. The V sign, when the palm is facing toward the person giving the sign, has long been an insulting gesture in the United Kingdom, and later in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Thumbs-Up. Avoid using this gesture in: Afghanistan, Iran, parts of Italy, and Greece. The gesture of 'Thumbs-up may look cool on Facebook or USA, but in Afghanistan, Iran, parts of Italy, and Greece, it means "up yours." So, to avoid any awkwardness, next time you must reconsider what you are doing.
Examples of aggressive body language may include: Sharp, angular gestures – making gestures that are not smooth, for example chopping hands, banging one fist against an open hand, finger-pointing or waving fists. Space invading – getting too close to someone else. Eyeballing – intense eye contact or staring.
Taqbil or Taqbeel (Arabic: تقبيل; taqbiyl; Arabic pronunciation: [tɑqbi:l]) is a tradition to require non Sayyids to kiss the hand of Sayyids, mostly in Hadhrami people of Yemen.
If someone points their palm at you, this can be done in a very condescending way. Nonverbally, they're shutting you down and telling you to stop. People might show the palm to people who they believe have little or no extra value to add to the conversation. Avoid this gesture at all costs.
The greatest of the sins described as al-Kaba'ir is the association of others with Allah or Shirk.
Muslims believe that tattooing is a sin, because it involves changing the natural creation of God, inflicting unnecessary pain in the process. Tattoos are classified as dirty things, which is prohibited in Islam.
The left hand shouldn't know what the right is doing. There is wisdom in this advice. It is meant to encourage people to show discretion when performing a good deed such as charity. In Islam, the act of charity is highly encouraged.
While there is no specific law against tattoos and they are not strictly forbidden in Shia Islam, the authorities strongly reject them as a western phenomenon harmful to Iranian values. In some public places, like swimming pools, there are signs warning that tattooed people are not welcome.
Religious prohibition of dancing in Iran came with the spread of Islam, but it was spurred by historical events. Religious prohibition to dancing waxed and waned over the years, but after the Iranian Revolution in 1979 dancing was no longer allowed due to its frequent mixing of the sexes.