Taarof
Taarof , T'aarof , Ta'aruf or Tarof ( Persian : تعارف) is a Persian word and means "to make oneself known" as a verb. In Iranian culture, it is a special form of politeness (“ceremonial insincerity”).
Meanings
Taarof has two possible meanings:
- On the one hand, it includes social behavior towards fellow human beings. An example: when a man opens the door to a woman.
- The second meaning - the actual topic of this article - is when, for example, a shopkeeper initially refuses to give a customer the price of a good. He then says: “Gh'aabel nadaareh”, which literally means “worthless”. In the same way, however, it means that the customer has more value than the goods or is more important than them to the shopkeeper.
Taarof can lead to misunderstandings and problems, but it can also be very useful in socializing and resolving conflicts. An example: Out of sheer courtesy, a friend offers the other a ride, and the other accepts the offer. Now the driver is in a bind. Most likely he will curse inwardly and take the friend with him; but sometimes he will also try to talk his way out of it. According to Taarof's rules, however, the friend who received the offer should actually refuse to take it away.
Another example: one family visits another and they eat together. One of the guests actually wants to eat more, but doesn't because he doesn't want to appear greedy or penniless to the hosts. Sometimes he even stops eating when the hosts ask him to do so several times.
Another example: You have taken a taxi and now want to pay and the following dialog arises. “Oh, you don't need to give me anything.” “Yes, but I would like to.” “It wasn't worth anything, you can pay next time.” “But you should have a fair reward for your efforts.” “It was me Already enough wages to get to know you. ”“ All mine. But tell me, how much do I owe you? ”“ Well, then give me 6,000 rials if you insist. ”You literally had to persuade the driver to be allowed to pay. He makes you feel that he is honored that you took the trouble to consider and reward his modest contribution. There is also a feeling that the whole interaction was more important than the trade itself.
Social habits
Taarof is a way of denying one's own will in order to please the other person but also to give the other person a good feeling of recognition. It often leads to misunderstandings and is the starting point for many unpleasant situations in the social environment. Taarof is also a means to defuse conflicts. An example of this is that someone organizes the wedding of their child and still invites the neighbor with whom they are in dispute. According to the Taarof, the neighbor politely declines the offer with an excuse. The neighbor is in a more friendly mood, because he has received an invitation to the wedding, even if it was not meant in a sincere manner, according to the Taarof, and the relationship has improved because the ritual of courtesy has not passed the neighbor.
Commonly used phrases related to Taarof are:
- Ghabeli nadaareh (it has no value) - is not a big deal
- Ghadamet ro Cheshm (your walk on my eyes) - you are very welcome
- Ghorbanet beram (I sacrifice myself for you) - thank you very much
Political theories
Some political theorists argue that at the time of serfdom Taarof governed diplomatic discourse at royal courts . According to DM Rejali, the decoration of the speech was an expression of prestige for the feudal elite . With the advent of capitalism and its scientific paradigm , communication became more precise. Thus, the Taarof's formalities were only a hindrance to the pursuit of rapid capital accumulation .
Web links
- WDRforyou Tarof: How does oriental courtesy work? . Retrieved December 20, 2018
- salamzimbo.com
Individual evidence
- ↑ Christopher de Bellaigue: In the rose garden of the martyrs. A portrait of Iran. From the English by Sigrid Langhaeuser, Verlag CH Beck, Munich 2006 (English original edition: London 2004), p. 27.