What do people think about Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries?

I have a couple friends from Iran and Iraq. They come off really shady at first, but you have to realise, they just come from VERY reserved cultures. You have to open up to them gradually and be cautious a while first or you can intimidate them. Kyrgystani people I've not had the pleasure of meeting. Lebanese people are interesting, but you need to understand the culture. I've fount Tajik and Uzbek people I've met to be a bit more along the lines of the "user friends" (You know, they're your friend as long as you can give them something). Haven't met Syrian or Afghan people though.