You cannot understand Iranian romance without understanding Taarof —the intricate system of politeness where you insist that your guest is the king of the house while they insist they aren't worthy of the salt. In an easy dastan , the romance isn't disrupted by miscommunication; it is driven by it. The "will they/won't they" tension often revolves around who pays for the tea, or whether the suitor is allowed to walk the girl to her door. These micro-interactions create a flirting style that is playful rather than painful.