Why Can't We Be Friends?

I have met alot of folks from all over the planet since I have been here. Almost without exception, everyone has been very friendly...even the folks at HSBC. The group that intrigues me though are the Iranians. These are supposed to be the crazy, nuke building, flag burning jihadist who are terrorizing the middle east and a thorn in America's side for the past generation.

Well, I have met quite a few and they have all been very engaging, generous, intelligent, and just the nicest people you would ever want to meet. My buddy Rod and I were chatting out by the pool one evening last week and 2 Iranian couples who were grilling out insisted that we join them (even though they only had food for 4). We ate small portions and wound up talking to them for a couple hours. By the way, Iranian food is very delicious too.

We talked about normal Dubai things, but we also talked some politics. They are very proud of their country and insist that we must visit some time--and we told them that as US citizens, we may not be welcomed (as in, we may not be issued a visa). Like many US citizens, they are frustrated with their government--elections are next month in Iran and these Iranians believe the outcomes are fixed. Unfortunately, they also get alot of their news and history from YouTube--which worries me a little. But they all seem to love Americans, Westerners, actually they seem to like everyone--even the Isrealis (though not big fans of the recent shellings, and neither am I)--It's just the people in power who can't seem to get along.

I know these folks I'm meeting are living outside Iran, but their families are still there and they are very connected to home. I'm sure I would get the same warm welcome if I were walking the streets of Tehran (which is on my list). It's a shame that so many good folks are misunderstood because of politics, because I think we are missing out on making some great friends around the world.