Tag Archive for: Shakibatravel

No More Fear of Squat Toilets!

Squat toilet in Iran

Squat toilet in Iran is similar to what you can expect in many countries of Asia. It is the default found in public buildings, shopping areas and restaurants, but touristic hotels have western toilets (sit-down style) known as “Farangi Toilet / توالت فرنگی” for the guests. In public spaces, the women and men’s restrooms are separated, and you should pay attention to the sign.

squat toilet in Iran

Iranian toilet is used by squatting unlike a western toilet has a sit-down style. When you travel to Iran, you won’t end up using a squat toilet, and you ultimately have to face your fears.

squat toilet in Iran

How to use the squat toilet

Squat toilet consists of a hole in the ground and the water hose on the right side of the wall. According to the cultures, there are many different ways to clean oneself after using the toilet. Having access to water in the toilet is essential for Iranians.

The left hand and a small water pipe take over duty for toilet paper, and you know why toilet paper is often not available.

Tips to know how to use the squat toilet:

  • You should take off your shoes at the door before entering and use the slippers inside.
  • Take your coat or jacket off
  • It’s better to take out everything from your pockets before squatting.
  • It would help if you take your pants down above your knees.
  • You can use water to clean yourself. Hold the water tap with the right hand and use the other hand for cleaning. Don’t worry; you could wash your hands with soap after that!
  • Watch out! Hot water can make much injuring.

squat toilet in Iran

squat toilet in Iran

In some of the toilets along with roads and streets, the Aftabeh (water vessel) is used instead of the water hose. For the use of Aftabeh, you should:

  • Fill it with some water
  • Hold it with the right hand
  • Use the left hand for cleaning

A large population in Asia uses the squat toilet without any personal injury. Many medical experts believe that using squat toilets are better for colon health. It is also easier to clean and one of the cleanest toilet in the world.

Iran as Safe as The UK and Switzerland

Iran is safe

Iran is as safe as the UK when it comes to security, according to a new interactive map showing the risk level around the world.

The 2019 Travel Risk Map, launched by global risk experts International SOS in collaboration with Control Risks, shows the danger level in each country and territory based on the current threat posed to travelers by political violence (including terrorism, insurgency, politically motivated unrest and war), social unrest (including sectarian, communal and ethnic violence) and violent and petty crime.

Factors such as the robustness of the transport infrastructure, the state of industrial relations, the effectiveness of the security and emergency services and the country’s susceptibility to natural disasters are also taken into consideration. The map lists five categories of risk: insignificant, low, medium, high and extreme. Very few countries manage to make it into the “insignificant” bracket; in Europe, only Luxembourg, Denmark, Slovenia, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Greenland are put in this category.

The majority of European countries are deemed low risk, including the UK; as are Iran, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Uzbekistan in the Middle East. Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand are all low risk too. “Extreme” risk countries are almost exclusively in Africa and the Middle East, including Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Libya, South Sudan and Somalia.

safety in Iran

The Travel Risk Map 2019 maps out security risks across the world (International SOS and Control Risks)

The map was released in conjunction with the Ipsos MORI Business Resilience Trends Watch 2019 report. The latter shows that a significant number of business decision-makers – 43 percent – expect travel risks to rise in 2019.

Although some 47 percent think risks have increased over the past year, this represents a 16 percent decrease from 2017, when 63 percent said risk had increased. Alongside the Travel Risk Map, a Medical Risk Map and Road Safety Risk Map for 2019 have been launched.

The medical ratings are given by assessing a range of health risks and mitigating factors, including infectious diseases, environmental factors, the standard and availability of local emergency medical and dental care, access to quality pharmaceutical supplies, the requirement for medical evacuation and cultural, language or administrative barriers. The UK, along with most of Western and Central Europe, is designated “low” risk status.

Highest security risk countries

  • Syria
  • Yemen
  • Afghanistan
  • Iraq
  • Libya
  • Mali
  • Central African Republic
  • South Sudan
  • Somalia
  • The Gaza Strip
  • Part of Egypt
  • Part of eastern Nigeria
  • Part of eastern Ukraine

Lowest security risk countries

  • Luxembourg
  • Switzerland
  • Slovenia
  • Norway (including Svalbard)
  • Denmark (including the Faroe Islands)
  • Finland
  • Greenland
  • Iceland
  • Seychelles
  • Cape Verde

(Reference: independent)

 

Is it safe to travel to Iran?

Ignore anything Donald Trump says about Iran

Security and safety are the biggest concerns of travelers that unfortunately regarding to what media broadcasts about countries in the world. Misleading propaganda of media has dragged the name of Iran and cause to get surprise of Iran’s travelers. Everyone travels to Iran with a suspicious mind and leave the country with a smile of confidence and pleasure. No one comes back home with a negative or even neutral feedback about this country.

To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.

“Aldous Huxley”

Security in Iran

Security in Iran

 

In addition to spectacular sights and attractions, the warmth and hospitality of Iranians will blow your mind. From the outside Iranians might look not so welcoming, but the guests are in the highest position in their culture. Iranians don’t let you to feel homesick. When you look at them, they smile and eager to hear about the place you’re from. Enjoyable moments in Iran, birthplace to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, will erase your preconception forever.

Crime in Iran

Leave aside media hype. Statistics show crime rate in Iran is significantly less than average European or American countries. Travelers can stay in locals’ homes without worries and experience Iranians hospitality. Tourism police try to maintain a safety atmosphere in touristic cities. Tourist policemen usually speak multiple languages to handle complaints and guide travelers with great respect. It pays to be cautious for travelling to the border surroundings around Sistan va Baluchistan Province. Border areas are not as safe as elsewhere in Iran but people continue to travel there without any trouble. Attack on tourist have not ever reported.

Security in Iran

Security in Iran

When you ask tourists about Iranian driving culture, they smile and say “It’s unpredictable but it doesn’t mean you never feel safety in Iran”. There’s little you can do to control this beyond asking your driver to slow down or crossing the street carefully. You can use subway system in big cities and save yourself from traffic jam.