Sugar pot from Iran

In Iran, tea is the most popular drink, often heavily sweetened with sugar. It is a moment of rest, of being together, and catching up. “It is remarkable, with all of them, how often their family calls them. It is unbelievable, way more than here in the Netherlands. Almost every day you have to speak to your sisters or brothers.” Naturally, Ans, Dick and the boys had to appear in front of the camera as well to meet everyone's family members. When someone in her circle of friends travelled to Iran, Ans and Dick decided to ask their friend to pass on a small financial gift to Saeed’s family. Her friend came back with her arms full of presents from Iran, one of which was this sugar pot. “To me this is a small greeting from Iran. That they gave us something tangible, after just meeting one another during a video call, is something I am very proud of. It has a fixed place on the table in the living room.”

Saeed, Haide and Fardin drink their tea from a glass, as is customary in Iran. Those small habits from your culture you can never quite lose. Ans drinks her tea, as is customary in the Netherlands, from a mug. Often they laugh about little differences like these.

“This is also something I have learned in Farsi: when you call someone, you don’t just go straight to the point. First you ask how someone is doing, then how the children are doing, intertwined with many gratitudes and blessings. Only after this fixed series of courtesies may you tell your story or ask your question. So one time, Saeed had stayed here for dinner and after that he went home, oh my, I suddenly heard on the news that there had been an earthquake in the area in Iran where his family lives. So I called him up: “Saeed, there has been an earthquake - “Oh hi Ans, how are you?”, “huh Saeed, you were just here, of course I’m fine”, “Oh, and the boys?”, “Yes Saeed! I'm trying to tell you something, there has been an earthquake where your parents live, call them!” Only then did it hit him.”