POLL RESULTS INDEX

2007
May - Have you ever lied about being Iranian?
Mar/Apr - What is your favorite memory of a past Norooz?
Feb - What makes you most proud about being Iranian?
Jan - What is your #1 top new year's resolution?

2006
Dec - On whom is there more social/family pressure to date within the community?
Nov - How significant is the cultural gap between Iranians raised in Iran and Iranians raised outside Iran?
Oct - To whom are religious differences between Iranians more important?
Sept - What do you listen to in your car?
Aug - Do you think Iranian-Americans have the political power to influence the American government's Iran policy?
Jul - How often do you attend Iranian-themed events such as parties, book readings, films, etc.?
Jun - How often do you watch Persian satellite TV?
May - What is the ideal age for marriage in the Persian culture?
Apr - Do you think the U.S. will take military action against Iran?
Mar - How do you spell the name of the Persian New Year in English?
Feb - Should Persians celebrate local, non-Persian holidays when living in other countries?
Jan - Where did you celebrate New Year's Eve?

2005
Dec - In what language do you dream?
Nov - When did you last visit Iran?
Oct - Should Iranians donate only to Iranian charities?
Sept - Rate your Persian language skills...
Aug - Since 9/11, have you been discriminated against for being Iranian?
July - Would you live in Iran permanently?
Jun - Do you date only within your own religion?
May - How many of your closest friends are Persian?
Apr - What do you prefer to be called?

TOP

May 2007
Have you ever lied about being Iranian?
We had several dozen people simply write "No!" or "Never!". The more interesting answers are listed below:

1. Never! Who ever has tell me and I will rip them a new one!

2. Absolutely not! I never would!

3. No, I've never lied about being Iranian. I'm proud of my culture and identity.

4. Never . I usually say "Persian" so ignorant people don't confuse it with Iraq.

5. Yes, I told a "whitewashed" Persian girl I was half Italian and didn't tell her I was full Persian until 2 months into our relationship!

6. I told a cute American guy I was Iranian and he didn't know where Iran was. So I never spoke with him again. I would never make something up.

7. I never have but I admit I've thought of it. It's so much easier for meaningless stuff like at the supermarket when the clerk asks. But I never would with anyone important, like friends, classmates or coworkers.

8. We should be proud of our heritage. If we tell people where we're from and then be good people, they'll learn Iranians aren't all the bad people they see on TV.

9. Only once and I'm not proud of it.

10. All the time. It is a shame but it works when you say you are not Iranian you are way better off.

TOP

March/April 2007
What is your favorite memory of a past Norooz?
Most interesting answers listed:

1. Hanging out with my grandmother. She would make all sorts of Persian pastries for the family but always secretly made some extra ones just for me.

2. Gifts. One year I got so many toys I didn't know which one to play with. To this day I don't trust my memory. Did I really get that many gifts or did I imagine it?

3. Getting Eidee from my Haj Amoo. Crisp Tomans right out of the Koran.

4. The family and friends. The parties, money, April 1 , fire jumping.

5. I remember when I was 7 or 8, I lived in Seattle. My mom set the haft seen and we gather around the table. I remember wearing a flower dress for spring. I also remember it was the first Norooz that I received a gift.

6. I remember my older brothers jumping over the big fire but us little kids had only a small fire. I couldn't wait till I was bigger and could jump over the big kids fire. When I got bigger, the fire never seemed as big as it did when I was little.

7. A friend of mine needed a really important favor but it was Nowruz and I had to be with my family. I drove 100 miles an hour to get home in time then had to lie to leave right after to go back to help my friend. Then rush back home for Nowruz dinner. It was hectic and crazy but the most memorable year ever. I felt like both things were in the spirit of Nowruz, well, except for the lying.

8. Every year we put the Norooz goldfish in the hoz in our yard. After a few years there were way more fish in there than we had put in. They had their own little habitat going and were reproducing. That's a good sign, right?

9. I was always jealous of the toys my sister got. That isn't really a "favorite" memory but it's something I remember well.

10. My mother gave money to different charities for eid. She said helping people was important. I've always remembered that lesson.

TOP

February 2007
What makes you most proud about being Iranian?
This was our first "Fill in the Blank" poll.
Top 15 answers are listed in totally random order:

1. No matter what is thrown at us, we still survive.

2. The fact that when I meet non-Iranians, they always go out of their way to share their Iranian experiences with me and tell me what wonderful Iranian friends they have!

3. The culture, respect and historical contributions the Persians have had on world history (i.e. Cyrus & Bill of Human rights which a replica of it is in the UN in Geneva Switzerland.)

4. We are very diverse, Passionate, driven individuals that try to be the best and present ourselves in the best way possible.

5. That we don't have to talk about "family values" we live them! Every day.

6. Best looking women on the planet!

7. What makes me most proud about being Iranian is our passionate way of doing things and yet conflicting side of shyness that exists in all of us. It is pretty unique.

8. Anosheh Ansari, Shirin Ebadi, Mom and Dad

9. What makes me most proud is the fact that Iranian people are very successful. A majority of them are very successful in the United States and work very hard. Many are in prestigious professions, including doctors, lawyers, psychologists, scientists, etc. Many have also immigrated to the US after the revolution and have been through a lot.

10. I am not Persian but the hospitality I am shown in the Iranian community is amazing!

11. I can go up to any Persian and ask"Are you Persian?" with a strong heavy accent, just like my mom joon, and be greeted like we've known each for years. This applies to all parts of the country (US). We, as Perisans, are known for our "Southern hospitality" no matter what region we live in.

12. The tradition and culture of our great nation, and the deep family ties that we as Iranian-Americans have because of our Iranian culture. Persian Pride is more than a saying is a life style.

13. Culture. (This one word answer was submitted dozens of times!)

14. Our ability to love. We express so much care for each other all the time. There is no family like a Persian family.

15. We have been attacked so many times in history and yet survived. We are resilient, persistent and strong.

TOP

January 2007
What is your #1 top new year's resolution?
a. Get more fit / Lose weigh - 91 (29.26 %)
b. Make more money / Get out of debt - 56 (18.00%)
c. Have more fun / Spend more time with family and friends - 28 (9.00%)
d. Learn something new - 13 (4.18%)
e. Get more organized - 21 (6.75%)
f. Stop procrastinating - 16 (5.14 %)
g. Quit smoking / drinking- 0 (0%)
h. Change jobs - 15 (4.82%)
i. Travel - 22 (7.07%)
j. Other - 49 (15.76%)

TOTAL: 311 Responses
TOP

December 2006
On whom is there more social/family pressure to date within the community?
a. Iranian Boys - 73 (14.4%)
b. Iranian Girls - 339 (66.86%)
c. Equal pressure - 33 (6.51%)
d. I don't know- 62 (12.23%)

TOTAL: 507 Responses
TOP

November 2006
How significant is the cultural gap between Iranians raised in Iran and Iranians raised outside Iran?
a. No Gap Exists - 0 (0%)
b. There is a small but negligible gap - 18 (3.11%)
c. Gap is significant but now a "problem" - 378 (65.4%)
d. Gap poses a serious community problem - 143 (24.74%)
e. I don't know - 39 (6.75%)

TOTAL: 578 Responses
TOP

October 2006
To whom are religious differences between Iranians more important?
a. More important to those living in Iran - 232 (41.65%)
b. More important to those living outside Iran - 187 (33.52%)
c. Equally important to all Iranians despite location - 49 (8.8%)
d. I don't know - 89 (15.98%)

TOTAL: 557 Responses
TOP

September 2006
What do you listen to in your car?
a. Iranian Music - 393 (52.89%)
b. Iranian Radio - 61 (8.21%)
c. Non-Iranian Music - 180 (24.23%)
d. Non-Iranian Radio - 72 (9.69%)
e. Other - 37 (4.98%)

TOTAL: 743 Responses
TOP

August 2006
Do you think Iranian-Americans have the political power to influence the American government's Iran policy?
a. Absolutely - 85 (31.48%)
b. Not at All - 170 (62.96%)
c. I don't know- 15 (5.56%)

TOTAL: 270 Responses
TOP

July 2006
How often do you attend Iranian-themed events such as parties, book readings, films, etc.?
a. Rarely or Never - 183 (51.12%)
b. About once a month - 55 (15.36%)
c. 2-3 times a month - 56 (15.64%)
d. 4+ times a month - 64 (17.88%)

TOTAL: 358 Responses
TOP

June 2006
How often do you watch Persian satellite TV?
a. Rarely or Never - 68 (28.45%)
b. Only once per week - 27 (11.29%)
c. 2-4 times per week - 29 (12.13%)
d. 5+ times per week - 115 (48.12%)

TOTAL: 239 Responses
TOP

May 2006
What is the ideal age for marriage in the Persian culture?
BRIDE
a. 18-22 -- 36 (15.79%)
b. 23-26 -- 34 (44.74%)
c. 27-30 -- 54 (23.68%)
d. 31-34 -- 24 (10.53%)
e. 35-38 -- 3 (1.32%)
f. 39-42 -- 6 (2.63%)
g. 42+ -- 3 (1.32%)

GROOM
a. 18-22 -- 21 (9.21%)
b. 23-26 -- 36 (15.79%)
c. 27-30 -- 81 (35.53%)
d. 31-34 -- 69 (30.26%)
e. 35-38 -- 12 (15.79%)
f. 39-42 -- 3 (1.32%)
g. 42+ -- 6 (2.63%)

TOTAL: 228 Responses
TOP

April 2006
Do you think the U.S. will take military action against Iran?
a. Yes - 104 (25.43%)
b. No - 263 (64.30%)
c. Not Sure- 34 (8.31%)
c. No Opinion- 8 (1.96%)

TOTAL: 409 Responses
TOP

March 2006
How do you spell the name of the Persian New Year in English?
a. Norooz - 258 (41.55%)
b. Noruz - 54 (8.7%)
c. Norouz - 155 (24.96%)
d. Noruse - 16 (2.58%)
e. Nowrooz - 52(8.37%)
f. Nowruz - 41 (6.6%)
g. Nowrouz - 2 (0.32%)
h. Nowruse - 8 (1.29%)
i. Other - 35 (5.64%)

TOTAL: 621 Responses
TOP

February 2006
Should Persians celebrate local, non-Persian holidays when living in other countries?
a. Yes - 227 (77.47%)
b. No - 40 (13.65%)
c. No Opinion- 26 (8.87%)

TOTAL: 293 Responses
TOP

January 2006
Where did you celebrate New Year's Eve?
a. At a House Party - 129 (42.43%)
b. Night Club / Restaurant - 72 (23.68%)
c. Quiet Night at Home - 54 (17.76%)
d. I was at Work! - 14 (4.61%)
e. Elsewhere - 35 (11.51%)

TOTAL: 304 Responses
TOP

December 2005
In what language do you dream?
a. Persian - 443 (77.31%)
b. English - 58 (10.12%)
c. Other - 9 (1.57%)
d. Depends (Mixed) - 46 (8.03%)
e. I don't remember dreams - 17 (2.97%)

TOTAL: 573 Responses
TOP

November 2005
When did you last visit Iran?
a. In the past 3 months - 22 (16.8%)
b. In the past year - 18 (13.7%)
c. In the past 5 years - 25 (19%)
d. In the past 10 years - 11 (8.4%)
e. More than 10 years ago - 30 (23%)
f. Never - 24 (18.3%)
g. I live in Iran - 1 (.8%)

TOTAL: 131 Responses
TOP

		Speaking			Reading/Writing
0-None		4	3.5%		28	24.6%
1-Weak		10	8.8%		23	20.2%
2-Moderate		10	8.8%		15	13.2%
3-Passable		27	23.7%		11	9.6%
4-Strong		34	29.8%		17	14.9%
5-Exceptional		29	25.4%		20	17.5%
Total		114	100%		114	100%

TOP

July 2005
Would you live in Iran permanently?
a. I already do - 8 (9.0%)
b. Maybe someday - 8 (9.0%)
c. Maybe (if the gov't changed) - 20 (22.5%)
d. Definitely someday - 1 (1.1%)
e. Definitely (if the gov't changed) - 10 (11.2%)
f. I'll visit but won't live there - 40 (44.9%)
g. I can't/won't go back at all - 2 (2.2%)

TOTAL: 89 Responses
TOP

June 2005
Do you date only within your own religion?
a. I won't date at all outside my faith - 11 (11.7%)
b. I'll date but won't marry outside my faith - 13 (13.8%)
c. Religion doesn't play a part in my relationships - 70 (74.5%)

TOTAL: 94 Responses
TOP

May 2005
How many of your closest friends are Persian?
a. 0-25% - 34 (48.6%)
b. 25-50% - 20 (28.6%)
c. 50-75% - 16 (22.8%)
d. 75-100% - 0 (0%)

TOTAL: 70 Responses
TOP

April 2005
What do you prefer to be called?
a. Iranian - 58 (36.7%)
b. Persian - 89 (56.3%)
c. Other - 11 (7%)

TOTAL: 158 Responses
TOP