Middle East

Entered into operation in 1999, the Tehran metro has 7 lines and continues to expand. The stations are modern, decorated with frescoes or works by contemporary Iranian artists, or moralistic posters on tolerance, social media, peace or faith. The trains include mixed wagons and others reserved for women. A real parallel economy has developed in the wagons, where street vendors pass by, just tolerated by the metro police. In the women's wagons, there is a continuous parade of saleswomen offering cosmetics, underwear, kitchen utensils, scarves and other small items that they offer from morning to night along the lines to very receptive passengers. From 1,000 tomans (30 euro cts) for a kitchen knife to 10,000 tomans (3 euros) for a "Turkish cotton" scarf, the proceeds from sales can amount to several dozen euros per day for some saleswomen.