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Appropriate Public Conduct, The IR Version (Updated)

Kamangir | April 19, 2007 | Category Iran

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This is a Police announcement Bahman has found in Tehran. It carries the logo of the Islamic Republic Police. Here is the English translation of the text on the banner,

The Police Force of Tehran

According to the order of the Public Places’ Supervision [not the exact translation of the name, it is a part of the Police which watches over the public conduct in public places], the followings must be practiced in public places (traditional coffee shops and restaurants)

1- People below 18 are forbidden from entering in any circumstances.

2- Irrelevant indulgence and being impolite is forbidden.

3- Smoking is forbidden.

4- Addicted individuals are forbidden from entering in any circumstances.

5- Speaking aloud is forbidden.

6- Carrying cold weapons (knives and others) is forbidden in any circumstances.

7- Motorcycles and cars are forbidden from making a honk and parking in inappropriate places.

8- Families [meaning women and children] are forbidden from entering.

Police is Always at Your Service

Update I: Many readers have expressed doubt about the origin of this picture. Understandably, this is too silly for many. To make sure, I sent an email to Bahman. This is his reply “that picture is real. I took it off Revolution Sq. on the western side of Worker St.”. Bahman has written the same point in his blog, in Persian. This is the exact position Bahman is referring to. Not to mention that he is a very reputable blogger (interview).

Reader's Comments

  1. serendip | April 19th, 2007 at 7:59 pm

    Thank you for the laugh. I needed that..hahaha

    BTW, the sivand dam is going to flood Iran’s and, in fact, the world’s heritage in Pasargad soon according to BBC.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6571983.stm

  2. Sina | April 19th, 2007 at 8:03 pm

    Who is actually allowed in?

  3. غلام خدا | April 19th, 2007 at 10:09 pm

    There is something you are not telling us. Are these the regulations for coffee shops that serve opium or something? Why would there be such strict regulations on who and who cannot enter? Why does the paper mention ‘addicted’ individuals so casually? Something seems fishy here..

  4. serendip | April 19th, 2007 at 10:12 pm

    Off topic: Chos was ruled mentally ill and released:

    http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=3052278&page=1

    http://www.psychlaws.org/GeneralResources/Article2.htm

  5. serendip | April 20th, 2007 at 12:37 am

    oh my gawd…. I just noticed the “s” in Cho’s. It was not intentional…ROFL!

  6. Behrang | April 20th, 2007 at 4:25 am

    In my opinion, it’s a joke or fake
    Even if it’s real, who cares! Look at those exclamation marks. Who can believe that they’ve put this many exclamation marks in an official serious announcement?

  7. Zvi | April 20th, 2007 at 5:32 am

    You left the exclamation marks off of your translations. E.g.

    “8- Families … are forbidden from entering!”

    Also, does this mean that families (including men with their families) are forbidden to enter restaurants in Tehran? Would this not cripple Iran’s service economy? Or is it already true that women and children are forbidden to enter restaurants and other public places?

  8. zaratzara | April 20th, 2007 at 8:39 am

    Nice colour theme change, Kamangir. I like the look of the blog a lot more.

    This announcement is pretty horrific, however I don’t think exclamation marks make it any less credible. It’s actually a very niche view in the grand world that exclamation marks denote comedy. It is far more obvious that they mean seriousness.

    To be honest, such regulations are not unbelievable - the same is true for pubs in England, technically: You are not allowed to serve drunks or known alcoholics (let alone drug users), you are not allowed to smoke, families and people under eighteen are not allowed, and of course weapons are not allowed (you are searched and IDed most of the time)… The only thing I find truly spiteful is the ’speaking aloud’ clause.

    Still, if I can’t smoke in a cafe, I’m not going. Which is why I don’t go to cafes in this country anymore (soon, France as well - sniff).

  9. Motori | April 20th, 2007 at 1:59 pm

    I showed this Sign to some of my Iranian friends almost all had their reasons to claim it is fake. My own reason is Item #8, it will be the biggest blow to entire restaurant Biz if they keep Families from entering the premises. JMHO

  10. Kamangir | April 20th, 2007 at 5:30 pm

    Zaratzara,
    Thanks.

  11. Kamangir | April 20th, 2007 at 5:31 pm

    Motori, Behrang, غلام خدا,
    The picture is indeed real. Please see the update I added at the end of the post.

  12. akak | April 20th, 2007 at 5:58 pm

    coincides with the April 21 Sharia cracdown?

  13. akak | April 20th, 2007 at 5:58 pm

    crackdown….pimf

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