This reaction stemmed from more than just moral or generational conservatism. To many Iranian thinkers, the hippie movement symbolized a failing Western civilization, collapsing under its own weight of materialism, drug use, and sexual permissiveness — all cloaked in the guise of liberation. The Iranian elite, particularly under the Shah’s modernization agenda, was focused on developing Iran as a strong, independent, and technologically advanced nation. The sight of disheveled foreigners loafing in public squares or loitering in tea houses was more than unwelcome — it was offensive.
This wasn’t just about appearances. Many Iranians feared that the cultural influence of the West was corrupting local traditions. While they admired certain Western achievements in science and governance, they abhorred what they saw as the moral decay of its youth. The hippies embodied that decay.
The Dark Side: Drugs, Smuggling, and Desperation
As romantic as the hippie mythos might be, the actual behavior of many traveling Westerners fed into these negative perceptions. The report tells the story of Serge, a 20-year-old Frenchman who, after graduating in decoration and dance, arrives in Iran with almost no money and a vague plan to reach India and Nepal. Hitchhiking, couch-surfing, and working odd jobs, Serge’s journey is cut short by his excessive use of hashish, which leaves him physically and emotionally drained. He returns home via train — another dream derailed.