Everything that the west knows about Iran is that it is near Iraq, it is testing nuclear weapons to use against the west (Israel, America or just the West, which sounds good), it is the only country in the world where all women are required to cover their head an it is led by a noisy and smart president whose name sounds very much like "a mad dinner jacket".

Stereotypes are common, but a slightly more accurate analysis reveals quite something else.

Take two pieces of news that recently caught my attention:

Iran offering cash to travel agents for American tourists

[...]

The proposal is Iran's latest bid to reach out to ordinary Americans in an attempt by the Islamic Republic's political leadership to show that its quarrel is with the U.S. administration — not U.S. citizens.

[...] Last week, Iran's fiercely anti-U.S. president expressed opposition to a bill by parliament that would require Americans to be fingerprinted on arrival in Iran.

Now, one may ask, we all get fingerprinted when going to the US in the name of security - why should they not fingerprint Americans?

Here's another interesting piece, which shows that the Iranian way is at least worth some investigation.
Strange to find this in a motorist magazine, but everyone who's spent more than ten minutes walking up Jordan or Vali-e-Asr will find a familiar picture here.

Driving passion, Iran style

Cars are one of the few ways to get a date in Tehran. In true speed-dating style, young boys and girls packed in single-sex cars, cruise specially selected streets in up-town Tehran in search of a desirable soulmate - or a one-night stand.

Yes, one night stand. most young, upper class Iranians are for easy sex. Family and kids can wait.

[...] In a style reminiscent of the Nineties rave scene, locations are forever changing to keep the law guessing, the only source of information being word of mouth.

[...] Good looks are essential and even beneath the compulsory Islamic headscarf, Irani boys, I am told, have become experts at spotting the ones with the looks.

But it's interesting to note how this (pretty smart) writer concludes the article:

Despite much perceived political turmoil, and thanks to its young population, Iran is predicted to become one of the fastest-growing economies in the next 10 years or so. Pity the Americans are missing out.

Pity indeed.