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Originally Posted by _slavo_

hey, dude, this is such a stereotypical answer. don't get me wrong, but do some reading and get some information and you'll be surprised.

My brother was in Iran several times now and he told me it's definitely the safest and most welcoming country that he's ever been to. (and he's been to A LOT of countries, as well as myself).

Common Iranians hate the picture of their country that the western media has been portraiting for a couple of decades, and they do their best to make it up to the tourists by being as generous as possible. Hence, it's not an uncommon thing that you're approached by a total stranger who invites you to come and have a dinner with him and his family, or just gives you a free tour of his city, just because he likes you and wants to practice his English.

And as for "getting arrested", as long as you stick to some rules that are taken seriously there (no alcohol, men shouldn't wear shorts, women should wear a scarf on their head), you're totally safe.

i'm not really talking about the hospitality of the iranian people, or their amazing culture which is thousands of years old, but rather about the theocratic police state under which they're forced to live.

of course i'm aware that mine is a narrow and limited perspective, having never been there, but funny enough this is not informed by "western media" but rather by my appreciation for iranian film and to a lesser extent some literature. true, some of it is made/written by exiles, but either way--it's always the most depressing shit to see these people go around their lives under the oppression of the bearded thugs and a tortuous judicial system.

yes, i'm also aware that looking at the united states through its films will give you the impression that everyone here is a serial killer. pretty close...

anyway, best wishes with your trip and i'm sure there will be plenty to enjoy. i'd still be terrified to go to iran for myself, as it seems most incompatible with my person. i'm sure i wouldn't fail to get arrested for something.