[stef25]

> Without fail, every single person that has been to Iran rates it their number one country

Only heard similar opinions, which really makes me want to visit. Three female friends of mine went together and they loved it even though there is this omnipresence of the religious police, reminding them to cover up.

The stories they told me of how friendly people are and the things that go on behind closed doors makes it sound like a fascinating place.

[throwaway_tech]

> the things that go on behind closed doors

"House parties"? That happens to be something I hear about a lot from young Iranians that come to the US for school. My understanding is "house parties" are essentially the only time young men/women can socialize together. I also understand sometimes even alcohol will appear at house parties which again I understand to be at least taboo if not outright illegal generally.

[Centigonal]

Alcohol in urban Iran is kind of like weed in parts of the US. Either you have a friend or family member who makes it at home, or you know a guy who delivers. In either case, if you want it, you can get it pretty easily - although the variety may be limited.

[stef25]

Indeed, house parties. Friends met a couple working in a coffee shop type place and they were invited back to their house, they told their neighbors they were siblings cause "informal" couples are frowned upon if not illegal. At home the blinds stayed closed, the conservative clothing discarded and they all had a wonderful night. But "if people find out we're in deep shit".

Apparently the hospitality is so "strong" in Iran you have to almost argue or tell lies to not end up in a different stranger's house every night.

A friend of mine here is an Iraqi refugee, when I met him I was amazed at how cosmopolitan and cultured he is. Like more so than anyone I know here.

It's very humbling to experience all that especially when all we see on TV is screaming religious nutbags.

[throwaway_tech]

>At home the blinds stayed closed

Funny I have gotten the same exact detail from numerous such stories/descriptions.

>But "if people find out we're in deep shit".

I understood it to be an open secret; however, (secret) police are a very real concern and can show up.

[outworlder]

> this omnipresence of the religious police

> I also understand sometimes even alcohol will appear at house parties which again I understand to be at least taboo if not outright illegal generally.

I have a very strong aversion regarding breaking laws, especially if I'm at the mercy of a foreign government.

That sounds like hell on Earth for me.

[FabHK]

Having been to Iran, Indonesia, and several other majority Islamic countries, here's my theory on house parties in said countries:

Given that you're already crossing the line by going to one of these parties, and in trouble if you're found out anyway, you might as well go the whole hog. Cocaine is prohibited, and weed, but so is alcohol. Orgies and adultery and sodomy and BDSM are prohibited, but so is vanilla sex or just being alone with someone of the opposite sex that you're not married to.

The line is drawn so close that it's nearly impossible not to cross it. There are no moral graduations (no shades of gray, as it were) beyond that line anymore. And if you're a sinner anyway, you might as well enjoy it as much as you can.

The more repressed the country, the wilder the (unofficial) parties.