Ta’arof
Etymology
Persian تعارف (taʿārof), from an Arabic root relating to mutual acknowledgment and civility. It governs countless daily exchanges in Iranian culture, from a shopkeeper waving away payment to guests declining food they actually want.
noun · /tah-ah-ROHF/
An elaborate Persian system of ritual politeness in which people repeatedly offer, insist, and refuse out of courtesy.
What it names
A whole social choreography of graceful insincerity — where a “no” may be expected before a “yes,” and offers are made partly to be declined.
Example
The taxi driver insisted the ride was free as ta’arof, and only on the third offer did he name the fare.
Related idea
It is far more scripted than Western etiquette: ta’arof expects both parties to know the ritual, so taking a first offer literally can be a genuine faux pas.