“Nushabeh Zard” is a memoir that delves into the life and experiences of Mansour Zabetian during his youth and early adulthood. In this book, he recounts his personal memories and experiences from both before and after the revolution with warmth and humor.

Memories of Traveling to Canada and Its Impacts

One of the important sections of the book recalls the author’s experiences during his first days in Canada and his encounter with cultural and social differences. Zabetian beautifully describes the moments he experienced when he came face-to-face with new people and a new culture:

“I remember that in the first days I spent in Canada, everything seemed new and strange to me. Even the taste of water, which had never mattered so much to me in Iran, felt very different here. One of my earliest memories of traveling to Canada was entering a café on a cold autumn day and tasting Canadian coffee for the first time—a flavor that added a new dimension to my life. It was as if drinking that coffee not only satisfied my physical needs but also connected me to this new society. Everything in Canada felt like a completely new experience, even the simplest moments.”

Cultural and Social Experiences in Canada

In the book, Mansour Zabetian amusingly and candidly reflects on the cultural differences between Iran and Canada. He openly mentions his experiences with Canadian social behaviors and customs:

“The first time I entered a large store in Canada, I was shocked. People never looked at one another! No one spoke to anyone, even when it appeared that someone needed help. I remember once asking an elderly woman standing in line at the checkout, ‘Do you know where I can find this product?’ She replied very calmly with a smile, ‘Down, in row six, on the right.’ Initially, this behavior seemed a bit odd to me. Why were people so indifferent? But later I realized that in Canada, respecting others’ privacy is very important. No one interferes with someone else, even if they are in a similar social situation.”

Cultural Humor in Interactions with Canadians

The book also touches on the humorous cultural differences and the funny moments the author experienced while interacting with Canadians. Using humor, he illustrates the differences and challenges he encountered:

“At first, I thought that Canadians were very serious and formal. But when I attended my first party, everything was entirely different. People greeted each other with cheerful, relaxed smiles, as if everyone were on holiday. Coming from the high-tension atmosphere of Tehran, I thought to myself, ‘It’s as if everyone here is on vacation!’ When I told one of my new friends that I hadn’t yet adjusted to this tranquility, he laughed and said, ‘Here, even if you’re rushing, everything remains calm!’ That day I wondered if, in Iran, we’re always chasing something while no one here seems to be chasing at all.”

Recalling Special Moments in Canada

In this section, Zabetian refers to particular moments he experienced in Canada that significantly changed his outlook on life and new environments:

“I vividly remember the first time I visited a national park in Canada. I entered a green space filled with tall trees and waterfalls unlike anything I had seen in Iran. That day, I felt that life here truly had a different meaning. Nothing here could evoke the genuine sense of tranquility that I experienced. Even the sound of birds and the wind rustling through the trees reminded me that I was somewhere else in the world—a place where life is simpler and more peaceful. That experience taught me to always seek the beauty in nature and in life, even on the toughest days.”