My first trip to Iran impressed me deeply, especially what I learned about veiling.

    Before the trip I had known that adult women, both locals and outsiders, must wear black veils in Iran according to their religious customs. But it was after arrival that I strongly felt their piety because wherever I went I saw women wearing black veils and gowns. I was also expected to wear a yashmak, although it was over 40 degree Celsius.

    But an unexpected interlude about veiling still happened to me at the end of my trip. In the waiting room of the airport before returning to China, I was going to take off my veil, for I thought it didn’t matter. But I was kindly warned that I must put it on, or else I would be in big trouble. The only reason was that I, a female adult, was still on Iranian soil.

    The trip gave me a thorough understanding of the saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Surely we are not accustomed to doing as the Iranians do, but we must follow their suit. Only when we respect others’ cultures and traditions can we be respected. Mutual respect is needed to make a harmonious world.