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Cultural Do’s and Don’ts Do:
(U) Do be prepared for people to smoke in different venues.
(U) Do expect that in many Kurdish households seating is arranged on the floor.
(U) Do give women the opportunity to avoid physical contact with men. Handshakes between the sexes may be allowed; a two-handed handshake is especially welcoming.
(U) Do be respectful and express gratitude for Kurdish hospitality and generosity.
(U) Do bring a small gift to your Kurdish host. An offering of fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, pastries, and even cigarettes (for males only) will be welcomed. Avoid offering a gift that draws attention to your relative wealth.
(U) Do repeat your offer of a gift two or three times until your host accepts. Kurds may initially refuse to accept gifts.
Don’t:
(U) Don’t pay undue attention to a person of the opposite sex even if he is a guest.
(U) Don’t shake a woman’s hand (if you are male) unless she first offers it to you.
(U) Don’t refer to any Kurds as a dog or a mother of a dog. Dogs are reviled in Kurdish culture.
- It is considered rude for a host to not offer a guest something to eat and drink. This custom holds to unexpected visitors as well. It is polite to accept your host’s offer.
(U) Don’t offend your host by refusing to enter a room first. Kurdish culture has a rank system where the oldest or highest-ranking person socially enters a room first; women are usually among the last to enter.
(U) Don't admire something in a Kurdish household unless you are prepared to accept it. To do so is a guarantee that you will be presented with the item. It is impossible to graciously refuse a gift, especially after admiring the object. Although reciprocation is not required, it is usually polite to try to offer something of equal value in return at a later point.
http://projects.publicintegrity.org/
Written Feb 6, 2012
(Kurdish national anthem)
HEY ENEMY !
Hey enemy, the Kurdish nation is alive with its language
Can not be defeated by the weapons of any time
Let no one say Kurds are dead
Kurds are living
Kurds are living, their flag will never fall
We, the youth are the red colour of the revolution
Watch our blood that we shed on this way
Let no one say Kurds are dead
Kurds are living
Kurds are living, their flag will never fall
We are the children of Medya and Keyhusrew
Both our faith and religion are our homeland
Both our faith and religion are Kurd and Kurdistan
Let no one say Kurds are dead
Kurds are living
Kurds are living, their flag will never fall
The Kurdish youth have risen like lions
To adorn the crown of life with blood
Let no one say Kurds are dead
Kurds are living
Kurds are living, their flag will never fall
The Kurdish youth are ever present and
Forever will be ready to sacrifice their lives
Sacrifice each life they have, each life they have!!!...
Written Feb 3, 2012
English Kurdish
Hello Mrhaba -roj bash
Goodbye bakhatrita
Thank you Supas
You’re welcome Sar Chava
How are you? Choni?
Are you well? Bashi
I’m fine, thank you Bashim Supas
What’s your name? Navi ta chiya
My name is John Navi min John
What would you like to drink? chi vakhi?
Tea (without sugar) chai shakir?
Please
Where is the bazaar? Kani Bazaar?
Where is the Khanzad Hotel?
Yes Bali/Arey
No Na
OK bali Arey
Written Feb 3, 2012
Cell Phone Coverage
Your cell phone and SIM card should work in Iraqi Kurdistan if roaming is activated. This incurs extra costs though and it may be cheaper to buy a local SIM card such as Korek or Asia Cell. Please note that your cell phone might have a SIM lock which would need to be removed before it will accept a new SIM card.
We have had a report that a Talkmobile (England) SIM card could send and receive messages to other international numbers but not local Iraqi numbers.
Setting Up a Local Mobile Number (with Korek)
Visit a Korek office in Iraqi Kurdistan
Provide a photocopy of your passport and a photograph of yourself
Give your thumbprint as signature for the contract
Pay 3,000 dinars
Setting Up Korek Mobile Internet Access (for 10 days)
Make sure that you have a balance of at least 11,800 dinars ($10 USD)
Send a blank text message to 9595
Adjust phone settings to:
APN: internet.korek.com
Username: korek
Password: korek
To get one month rather than 10 days of Internet access you'll need to have a balance of the equivalent of $30 USD and send the blank text message to 9494.
http://www.traveliraqikurdistan.com/practical-information/communication/
Written Feb 3, 2012
Tipping
There is no wide practice or expectation of tipping - it is OK to pay the price requested for a product or service, or leave some small change as a thank you.as the is not so high the waiter will definitly appreciate it if you leave some changes specially a little can make a big difference.
Written Feb 3, 2012
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