Iran

This topic was created by anne (anneliddle@mnl.maynick.com.au)
[Mon 24 May, 11:45 Tasmanian Standard Time]

Can anyone advise a female travelling with her male partner
of 6 years - planning to visit Iran next year.
Is it possible?
I've been told we can't sit together, eat together, travel
together or book a shared room.
Any advice?
Thanks
Anne

[There are 8 posts - the latest was added on Wed 26 May, 1:32]

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  1. all lies Added by: Chuckles
    [Timestamp: Mon 24 May, 12:57 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    There is no problem. Just be prepared to say you are
    married, but it will be assumed. the fact that you have
    different last names will not cause comment. Anyway the
    sexes mix surprisingly freely in Iran, believe it or not.
    And foreigners are even less likely to be hassled.



  2. Yeah,... Added by: Amir (nikrai@kanoon.net)
    [Timestamp: Mon 24 May, 13:51 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    It's as chuckles said. No problem at all.
    In Iran, the women keep their maiden family name, so no-one
    would ever doubt you're a couple!
    Happy travels and see you in Tehran!



  3. Erratium Added by: Amir
    [Timestamp: Mon 24 May, 13:56 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I mean, "... no-one would ever think you're NOT a couple!"



  4. marriage Added by: greg
    [Timestamp: Mon 24 May, 14:56 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I think you should get married anyway
    what are you doing with someone for 6 years if you're not!



  5. ayatollahs on this board Added by: Simon
    [Timestamp: Tue 25 May, 0:56 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I didn't know ayatollahs could be named 'Greg'.



  6. Not too bad Added by: John the Brit
    [Timestamp: Tue 25 May, 2:03 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I was travelling in Iran last year with a couple who wern't
    married. On the whole there was never a problem. The only
    time it got annoying was when trying to get a hotel room in
    Tehran. Tehran has a drastic shortage of hotels and some
    aren't that keen on Christians staying in them anyway. We
    had to get a marage certificate for the couple I was
    tavelling with (even though they weren't married), and
    although the LP says these aren't hard to get we were still
    trying at 2 am and had an Iranian friend to help us.
    Outside Tehran there was never a problem.
    John



  7. jeez, what hotel was this? Added by: R. Kalia
    [Timestamp: Tue 25 May, 3:15 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Must have been the dregs, near the museum in central Tehran.
    In the $20-up/double range, there are many hotels, and there
    is no hassle in any of them.
    .
    Anyway, to add to all the information given, Iran is not a
    place to declare that you are not married. Refer to each
    other as your husband and wife, you'll be fine. It's like
    religion...Iran is not a place to declare that you don't
    believe. Be prepared to identify yourself as Christian (or
    whatever; monotheistic religions preferred; Baha'i
    unacceptable).



  8. do you really want to travel together? Added by: h
    [Timestamp: Wed 26 May, 1:32 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I just went through Iran as a women alone. It was great,
    wıthout any problems. But, ıt would have been dıfferent
    travellıng wıth my boyfrıend. Not because of hotels or
    Iranıans.... Just the women needs to wear a head scarf and
    baggy trenchcoat at all tımes. Even to the toılet ın the
    hotel, every cheap hotel has shared toılets!!!! Even at
    4am. when you are a women travellıng alone you just deal
    wıth thıs and carry on. But, when you are wıth a man, the
    double standard becomes really appearant.... You wıll
    complaın alot and your boyfrıend may not be able to take
    thıs.... I met one couple ın Iran that were not faırıng
    well because of thıs stress....
    Also travellıng as a couple, the women ıs ınvısıble. All
    questıons are dırected at the man.... you must be strong
    and just answer them back.... ıe "What ıs your wıfe's
    name?"
    I hope you both have a good tıme. Iran ıs amazıng and well
    worth the effort. the woman can pıck up the trenchcoat ın
    Iran. It wıll be cheaper there and you get to what Iranıan
    women are wearıng fırst. Just brıng a scarf to put on your
    head when crossıng the border by land.




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