One thing about Iranian culture that really jumped out at me is that it is a culture of politeness.

In public Iranians make great displays of helping one another. I have commented on this to several Iranians and had them answer back with scepticism saying 'that is just a show, when you ask them to do anything serious for you they find excuses.' Fine enough, but every culture on this planet has adopted a public stance of socially acceptable behavior which could be called 'hollow' mannerisms, understanding this to be a cultural mannerism we should look at the mannerism on its own merits. For example, I think that this hollow mannerism is a step up from the 'screw you' attitude many other countries' citizens have towards people they don't know (although I do appreciate the inherent opportunities for humor provided by this attitude sometimes).

Manifestations of Iranian polite manners are:
* People greet each other with the maximum verbal respect, even verging on obeisance by making a big show of being at each other's service and putting themselves below the other's feet. This has been come so routine over the centuries that several verbal expressions have developed which people imploy rapidly, often in conjunction with one another. Some examples are:
- Mokhlessim - 'I'm purely yours'
- Kuchickitam - 'I'm your junior'
- Nokaritam - 'I'm your servant'
- Chakeritim - 'I'm your man'
- Chamanitam - this is a compound expression meaning superficially 'I'm your lawn (to be walked on by you)' but is also an acronym standing for CHakeritim, Mokhlessim, Nokaritam from the above.

* Coming in or out of buildings, public or private spaces random people will greet you warmly and shake your hand (Iranians do this with each other, it is not some special treatment for foreigners).
* People in Iran are less likely to stare at you than other countries (even if you are the strangest sight they have ever laid eyes on). It is very important to not make people uncomfortable and just mentioning the word 'narawhatee' (meaning discomfort) will send anyone marching away apologetically.
* People always say 'be my guest' or 'its nothing' when you ask the price of something and refuse payment several times, and sometimes never accept payment.
* One day I was at an ice cream stand where they create this towering soft serve ice cream cones and hand them to customers. One customer was holding two of these when his mobile phone in his jean's pocket rang. I then watched as the ice cream man pulled everything out of the jean's pocket of the customer to find the phone while receiving verbal instructions from the customer on how to turn the phone on.
* People in Iran always offer you some of what they are having even if it is inconceivable that you would have some (like if a post office teller behind the counter is about to have a sip of his tea etc). This particular manner can also be seen in Spain.

* Iranians are incredibly hospitable and will invite you to their house to eat dinner or have tea at the slightest pretext. If you just know the name of someone they know only distantly then they will practically adopt you as a son! If you are a traveller their hospitality will certainly extend to having you stay the night (or several nights since the next morning they will invariably wake you with a nice breakfast and an outline of all the things they are going to take you to see).
* In their psychology Iranians are very proud of their good manners. If upon being asked by an Iranian what you think of Iran and Iranians you talk about their good manners the person questioning you will certainly try to be the most hospitable person you have met on your whole trip. This is something you have to experience for yourself!