Iranian women love dresses and gowns designed by Jewish extravagant designers. Per contra, Iranian men don’t. Soraya, the former empress of Iran (Ex-wife of the Shah who divorced her to marry Farah Diba) was considered to be as one of the most beautiful and most elegant women in the world. Soraya’s imperial wardrobe was designed by Jewish and Christian couturiers at Christian Dior and Balmain in Paris, France. From the beginning of time, Iranian women were known to be extravagantly elegant. Their love for fashion started some 5,000 years ago with Anou Sherwan Kisrah, founder of ancient Iran. From that moment in history, through the epochs of Darius the great, the Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Hebrews and passing by the era of the Ottoman empire, the lavish days of Sultan Abdel Hamid and crossing the Tuscany, and reaching in the late 18th century the doors of Armenia, Anatolia, Georgia, Latvia, Russia and eastern Europe, Iran was the center of international fashion for women, royalties, rulers, monarch, kings and queens. Their red and green silk which was the envy of the world was woven and manufactured by Armenian, Persian and Jewish artisans and dressmakers.
DEALING
AND SOCIALIZING WITH ARABS
Although many Arabs are as fanatic as the Iranians, they remain quite different from the Persians. Nevertheless, they have many things in common, such as exemplary generosity, a great appetite for life, love and passion for buying the best and finest things in life, driving flashy dashy cars, jewelry, golden Dupont cigarettes lighters, gold and diamonds. They love women, music and group dancing. They are very protective of their women and the honor and the reputation of their families is “sacred and holy”. An Arab businessman will not hesitate long before he gives you a compelling answer to any question you may ask. Particularly in business matters. Usually, his answer is given on the spot. While dealing with an Arab, expect a typical Arab emotional attitude. And if you are a Jew dealing with an Arab or a Muslim, discount 90% of what an Arab or a Muslim promises you to deliver or honor. If an Arab is dealing with another Arab, emotion fades away to be replaced by an exercise of who is going to outsmart or cheat the other. But if you are a real friend, then you are safe.
Many Jews in the Near and Middle East, as well as American businessmen had hard time dealing with Arabs who have never left their Arab homeland. Like the ancient Hebrews, and according to archaic Sahara tribal code of honor, Bedouin Arabs, known also as “Badou Rouhal” believed that one’s word or personal promise is a binding contract. No written deeds, witnessed contracts or “signed notes “were necessary”. Unfortunately, modern times’ history taught us that, those Arab words of honor are not to be trusted. Nowadays, Arabs themselves do not trust their own people. A famous Arab proverb goes like this: “Me and my brother against my cousin. And me and my cousin against the stranger.” Upon doing business with Arabs, expect to hear these words or phrases:
A- “In Shallah”, meaning: God’s will or God’s willing or should God allow this or that to happen.
B- “Khaline Fakkir”, meaning: Let me think for a while.
C- “Wala Yi Hemmack”, meaning: Don’t worry at all.
D- “Koulchi Bi Seer”, meaning: Everything is possible.
E- “Wa’ed Sharaf”, meaning: You have my word of honor. (I am very concerned about this!)
Now, if you combine together, all these phrases and answers in one single sentence, this is what you get: “If God is willing, let me think, everything is possible and don’t worry at all, for you have my word of honor.” Now, figure this out! Confusing? You bet! But the truth is, Arabs could be fun. As long as an Arab man or woman is not fanatic, you got to believe it, they make good company. And if you are invited by an Arab, rest assured, you will be treated like royalty? At what cost? You will find out.