This paper examines the concept and practices of the Iranian ritual courtesy ta'ârof in northern Tehran, based on field-study findings, and analyses its expression in intercultural communication. It examines how contemporary Iranians perceive ta'ârof, what practices of ritual courtesy are commonly found, and whether configurations of the Iranian code of courtesy remain stable in the changing cultural environment. The study employs the theory of face maintenance and data from Iranian face and diaspora research. It shows emic perceptions of ta'ârof, and reveals its practices in Tehran, alongside tendencies of expression among Iranians living in Lithuania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]