Jordan Local Customs

 
by Robin020
 
  •   Local Customs
    by Robin020
  •   Local Customs
    by Robin020
  •   Local Customs
    by Robin020
  •   Local Customs
    by Robin020
  •   Local Customs
    by Robin020
 

Most Viewed Local Customs in Jordan

1.

Covering Up   Petra

Covering Up, Petra

 2 Reviews  Petra is very popular tourist site also for the local Jordanians as well as for the other neighboring countries, you will see lots of Muslims dressed with their tradition clots, however, for... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Language time

by Robin020

Bear in mind that in Jordan They speak Arabic.They have different letters They write and read from right to left,Here are some handy phrases and words (pronounciation) :Hello : MarhabaHow are you : Ki fakI am fine : al hamid lil lahThanks very much : shokran ktiryou are welcome : AfwanMoney : Masarifar : ba'eedNear : AreebNice : Hilo ,JamilDelicous : LazizHow much : b'kamWhy : LeshSize : QiyasTaxi : taxiYes : Na'amNo : LaPlease : min fadlakwhat's your name? :Sho ismak ?My name is Robin : Ismi Robinwhere are you from? : min wen inta ?I am from Holland: Ana min Hollanda,America,Britania etc

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Religious Practices

by PierreZA

More than 90% of Jordanians are of Islamic Faith. There are many important Christian sites in Jordan which is very popular with tourists. There are also plenty Islamic Religious sites in Jordan (see website mentioned).As in other Muslim countries, it is important to respect the religion. Women do dress conservatively, so do men. When using taxis, men sit in the front seat, unaccompanied women & kids sit in the back. I also never saw any women in Coffee Houses in any of the towns I visited.I did visit some mosques, and were welcomed and was shown around.The picture is taken on a Friday in front of King Hussein Mosque in Amman. The streets were full of worshippers listening to the message of the Imam.This website gives very good information on important Islamic sites in Jordan: http://www.atlastours.net/jordan/islamic.html

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Visiting a Jordanian household

by Broceliande

If you are invited for a meal, one usually takes a small gift for the household.You can take flowers, chocolates, biscuits or Arab pastries. Remember that it is not really polite to take something that the household would consider as being very expensive.The usual way to offer a gift like this is to hand it over as soon as you possibly can. Just mutter "this is for the house" or something similar. However much your gift is appreciated you are unlikely to receive more than a polite thank you. Don't be upset, this is normal.In many houses people take off their shoes when entering, so wear slip on shoes or sandals in case. If you are invited to a meal, almost certainly a spoon will be offered, don't hesitate to accept it. Everybody may eat from a common plate, take the food immediately opposite to you only. When you are full, say so, no need to burp! Water is usually offered at the end of...

BEDOUIN TENTS

by Elisabcn

In Wadi Rum you may find these brown tents scattered on the landscape. They are woven by the Bedouin women using the goats’ hair. Goat’s hair shrinks when is wet so it blocks the cold air from outside in winter. However when it is dry, the fabric sags appearing “holes” everywhere which let the breeze pass. A common tent is usually 30 -40 metres long and has two sections: the open area, which in summer is usually open, and the women’s area, on the right hand side, which is kept closed if there are strangers around.The public area is used to receive guests. People here can eat, drink, chat but never discuss about money or business (it would be very impolite). Coffee is prepared (toasted) in advance and boiled when guests arrive. Guests may be offered one cup of coffee and even a second one. A third cup means that are considered as a part of the family so never refuse a third cup, it could...

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Water pipes!

by Elisabcn

Ok, ok, I have to admit it: Petra beer is good but in a Muslim country like Jordan it is not easy to find everywhere! But there are some places with good fruit juices, mint tea aaaand water pipes. I don’t smoke (I am only a bloody passive smoker!!!!) but I find smoking narguile very relaxing :-) After a very traumatic “first time” in a men's social club in Istanbul, smoking narguile in Madaba after a day trip was very cool!

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Marriages

by solopes

The first impressions confirmed immediately the social opening of Jordan culture. Middle class marriages take place in the hotel, and men and woman celebrate in a rather "western" party, where the presence of foreigners does not worry anyone. By the contrary, they seemed pleased to share the joy.

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Respect the differences

by solopes

Despite all the tolerance that is its landmark, Jordan is a muslim country, where many people defend the religious restrictions and cultural uses. Mixing with other tourists is common behaviour, sometimes with a discreet reserve. But that's not hard to accept and respect.

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A Sweet tooth

by PierreZA

I will go back to Jordan for konafah (k’naffy). This is a wonderful sweet confectionary mad of goat’s milk cheese, topped with phyllo and crushed pistachio, then warm syrup is poured over. It is served warm and one of the most wonderful sweets I ever had! There are more of these wonderfully freshly made sweet stuff mad in those big round tins!There are also the other typical Middle-Eastern sweets available from sweet shops like Habibah, in Amman.Sweet shops are in all the towns I visited in Jordan.

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Tipping

by TheAndos

After Egypt and bakeesh left, right and centre, we understood that tipping in Jordan was appreciated but not obligatory. Our driver kept telling us Jordan was expensive and, I may have misunderstood, petrol was 1JD a litre - whereas it is half a JD. When we left one JD for our guide at Jerash, he was offended, asked if we knew what it was and gave it back! He wasn't even that good and spoke in a monotone. We said we had to change money. In Australia that was about 1.40 A$ so more in US $. Our driver said we should have left 5 JD which we felt excessive! And in Petra where we would have a guide for maybe 3 hrs, we should leave JD 15!! We had a conversation with a German lady who had given the Jerash guide 2JD only to be told it wasn't enough! She was left with a bad feeling.At Petra we had a good guide for 21/2 hrs and gave him JD 12, he didn't comment so hope we didnt' over tip, but it...

Barbers

by PierreZA

There are many barber shops in every town I visited in Jordan. Like in North Africa, India, Oman, Turkey etc, I never had to shave whilst in Jordan.It is always a nice experience to get a very smooth shave by these masters with the blade.

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Local traditions and culture in Jordan

Top 3 Hotels in Jordan

Petra Movenpick  Petra

 10 Reviews and 576 Opinions  Called one of the most notable hotels in the Middle East. Lovely hotel, lobby and lounge areas, and... 

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Four Seasons Hotel Amman  Amman

 4 Reviews and 168 Opinions  We stayed overnight at the Four Seasons, on our return trip home to Australia. We were warmly... 

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Wadi Rum Zeltcamps  Wadi Rum

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165 Hotels in Jordan
 
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Reviews and photos of Jordan attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Jordan sightseeing.

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Local Customs: Cities in Jordan
  1. Amman Local Customs
  2. Petra Local Customs
  3. Aqaba Local Customs
  4. Wadi Rum Local Customs
  5. Jarash Local Customs
  6. `Ajlun Local Customs

More Cities in Jordan

 

Popular Regions in Jordan

Muhafazat Ma`an Local Customs  Muhafazat al `Aqabah Local Customs 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  I am considering booking a Thomas Cook trip to Aqaba jan 7th. The main purpose of the trip is sunbathing, but we also would like... 

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A: Personally, I would miss out the Dead Sea and do both Wadi Rum and Petra. However, if you are set on the Dead Sea, then Petra is the other choice. I cannot see that... 

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