Ties and CDs

Street sellers are very common in Tehran. Their stores are just their backpacks and you can find verity of different stock among what they offer. This very interesting one I passed by was on pedestrian way in one of the crowded squares, north of Tehran. He was selling his big pack of ties. Ties are not that common in Iran compared to other places. There is a kind of ban in government buildings and public places for wearing a tie if your are a government employee but if you are not, no one gets you if you wear them and if you are not an Iranian, it is just OK. This guy was selling ties freely anyway! Also he had a big collection of CDs and DVDs. You can even find new movies from current US box office! I did not notice the owner first, took the picture and started to go on my way the I heard him calling me. He was apparently very pissed off that I did not ask permission from him for taking the picture from his stuff. I started chatting with him and realised the basis of his argument was his impression of mine as a reporter. He was worried about the picture to get published in a newspaper! As soon as I told him that I am doing this for myself, he let me go.

In Tehran, you see in people's faces that they are fighting so hard for survival. You feel that everyone is so engaged and impatient. Many are just ready to explode when they feel something is not right for them or if they feel their income and benefit is under threat.

Comments

[Georg]

Morning Mr. Behi,

Very intersting your photo and your comments.

The mindset of the people reminds me of Paris and its inhabitants. Life is hard nowadays and so they can be quite rude. These two cities should start a kind of brotherhood. Maybe one day......

Yesterday, we saw your President on the telly. No tie. At least this aspect, I appreciate very much. I always wonder why those people outside of Europe imitate us in this stupid way. To wear a tie in 40°C is terrible. It must absorb 50% of your work power. Why not run around in your local garb made for your surroundings and climate? And look at those Japanese salarymen, always clad in grey, dark tie, white shirt. And their own clothes are so impressive as you can see in their historical movies.

Cheers to you and carry on.

Georg

[Ali]

Nice post Mr. Behi. It's been a while since I got the chance to stop by. Nice to be back and read your fresh observations from daily life in Tehran.

Peace

[behnoud n.]

hey mr behi, really nice to meet you and your nice blog. today I saw this picture in my Introduction to Architecture lecture in Oxford Brookes University. it was about different tipes of shopping and facade of them... good luck