Persians living in Santa Clara

• Population• History• Religion

Why did Persians move to the U.S.?

• For a better education• Iranian Revolution

Most Popular Religions

• Muslim, Bahai• Converted to Christianity in the U.S.

Persian Demographics

• In Santa Clara County Persians populate .74% of the population

Based on a survey of 10 local students, Persians showed high and low context traits

Low Context Factors

• Communication style is highly verbal

• Gestures are commonly used

• Greetings involve handshake and kissing

High Context Factors

• Culture showed ingroup bias

• Collectivist View (Family , friends come first)

• Relaxed Time Concept

FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE # 1

• Everybody helps each other out, close knit bonds

• Very loyal, friendships usually last a life time

THEY LOVE TO HAVE A GOOD TIME!

• Socialize first then work, relationships are cherished• “Persian Time” means one hour later , never rushed always relaxed

Persians believe in superstition quite a lot

Most popular beliefs carried out to America

• Compliments brings badluck (“nice hair” then hair falls out)• Esfand and Turqouise eye protects from evil

Other popular beliefs carried out to America

• Holding Koran over head tells God to watch over • High Education = Success

Values carried out to America

• Respect towards Family (Formal Communication)

• Special Prefixes used “Tou” (younger) “Shomah” (elders)

• Persian Literature

Persian New Years “New Rooz” (farsi)

• Rituals performed to signify new beginnings (bake pastries, new clothes)• Table of Seven “Haft Seen” set up in all households

• Different foods symbolize different things

( rebirth of nature, fertility, natural beauty, love, health, age)

Persian Communication Style Within Small Groups

• Language• Respect

• Eye Contact• Body Language

• Personal Space/Touch