» Iranian Culture

“It had been 15 years…”

Shirin — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 21:58:34 +0000

This weekend, I was lucky enough to spend a couple of hours alone with my dad. Just me and him. Believe me, this does not happen often. Either we are at work, we are running around doing who knows what,…

“What do we leave behind, and what do we keep?” Guest Blogger (9)

Shirin — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 19:07:28 +0000

I am excited to share a “Persian Mommas” views and contemplations when she is celebrating the holidays. The dichotomy that many Iranian Americans feel with various holidays and traditions, and how they want to raise their children is very well…

10 Survival Items for Your Trip to Iran

Shirin — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 18:46:01 +0000

After having been to Iran a couple times and friends who have been much more often, I have started to notice trends in what people go prepared with. The weather, the activities, and the traditions all lend themselves to all types…

Why is there “Grass” on your table?!

Shirin — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 15:30:04 +0000

I have received this question more than once. Anytime I am explaining the “Haft-seen” (our table set up for Iranian New Year) and I get to the part about the “grass looking object” I get blank stares and confused expressions.…

“Building Bridges with Friendship, Culture, and Humor: My Life as an Iranophile” by John Henry Silva, Guest blogger (4)

Shirin — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 16:36:32 +0000

As a non-Iranian Iranophile my friends who are Iranian often are surprised that I know a thing or two about t’aarofing. So I’ll start off with a joke. A woman is ready to give birth to twins. She is waiting,…

Making Our Own Iran – One University at a Time, by Afsheen Sharifzadeh, Guest Blogger (3)

Shirin — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 16:50:58 +0000

Our next guest blogger, Afsheen Sharifzadeh, shares an experience that is all too familiar to many of us. The intersection of culture, tradition and university. Thank you Afsheen! Read his experience below! ——————————- Growing up Iranian-American is a medley tournament of…

TheSaffronLife (and me) on the radio – 1st time!

Shirin — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:44:55 +0000

Despite the fact that I try not to often write about myself here… I couldn’t resist this one! I was recently accepted to be on a local radio station and talk about TheSaffronLife. This was my first radio interview… ever!…

Jemma & Amir: A dating story, by Jemma Douglas, Guest Blogger (2)

Shirin — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 18:41:25 +0000

Some of the most interesting relationships are those that are intercultural. I have always thought about how they have become so much more common, but not without some surprises and new learnings. Meet Jemma & Amir. An American girl…dating an…

“Wait, you want to invite THEM??”

Shirin — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 17:15:19 +0000

(Disclaimer on this post: I am taking a more humorous approach to this process below!) I believe this might be one of the hardest parts of planning a wedding and even harder for a persian wedding. Why is it harder?…

Floss, Hair, and a 6 year old…A story by Avisha Soheili, guest blogger

Shirin — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 18:25:36 +0000

Cultural mixups and confusions happen more than we all think. Our first guest blogger, Avisha Soheili, presents the Cultural mix-up she experienced! ———————————————————- Guest Blogger: Avisha Soheili As an Iranian Dental Hygienist who deals with the public everyday, I frequently…