A Little Etiquette… Understanding Cultural Norms Across Jordan

Last updated on August 2, 2025 by Shannon

Culture shock doesn’t have to be, well shocking, sometimes it’s more of a gentle adjustment. My recent trajectory took me from Thailand, where I lived for several months, to Jordan, a country located in a region I had never before visited.

Jordanian culture has a unique flavor to it that wowed me with the welcome from the first moments I touched down in Amman. I spent weeks traveling from busy cities to ancient ruins to sparsely populated deserts. Across that time, I focused my experiences on those that would unlock aspects of the culture that are otherwise hard to identify.

Cultural Insights on Jordan

Jordan’s culture is a rich tapestry, woven through centuries of history and tradition. The Bedouin lifestyle, with its deep-rooted values of hospitality and honor, has significantly influenced Jordanian culture.

Historically, Bedouins roamed the deserts of Jordan, leading a nomadic life that prized community bonds and resourcefulness. These values continue to resonate in modern Jordanian society, evident in the warm welcome extended to guests and the strong emphasis on familial and community ties.

Jordanian hospitality is legendary with guests often treated like family members. This hospitality extends to sharing meals, where traditional dishes like mansaf (a lamb and rice dish) and maqluba (an upside-down rice and vegetable dish) are served with pride. The act of sharing food is more than just a culinary experience; it’s a symbol of goodwill and friendship.

It’s also impossible to overlook how Jordan’s role in the Middle East has also shaped its cultural identity. As a crossroads of civilizations, Jordan has been influenced by various cultures, from the Nabateans to the Romans, Ottomans, and Arabs. This blend of influences is visible in the country’s architecture, language, and customs.

In terms of traditional customs, Jordanians place a high value on family and social relationships. Family gatherings are common and an integral part of social life, often involving large meals shared with extended family. Respect for elders is paramount, and children are taught to value family heritage and traditions from a young age—this can reverberate through the child’s life if they choose a path outside of the norm for Jordan.

Religious practices also play a significant role in daily life. The majority of Jordanians are Muslim, and Islam deeply influences cultural norms and practices. Prayer times are observed throughout the day, and during the holy month of Ramadan, fasting and communal prayers take center stage. Religious festivals like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are celebrated with great enthusiasm, marked by special prayers, feasts, and charity.

Cultural Do’s and Don’ts in Jordan

There are a few general rules to keep in mind when traveling in Jordan, and then some broken down by situation.

Note that you’ll see no locals offering public displays of affection, and you should follow suit—save that for your hotel. And sensitivity is required when photographing people; always ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially women.

Dress in lightweight, conservative layers.

In Jordan, modesty in attire is appreciated. As a traveler, I found that adding a lightweight cardigan to my outfits struck the perfect balance between respecting local customs and staying comfortable in the warm climate.

Women should wear clothes that cover the shoulders and knees, and men should avoid sleeveless shirts and shorts. Although I wore a calf-length skirt in areas around the Dead Sea, I favored just wearing high-tech pants and jeans on most days to avoid any issues.

When visiting religious sites, it’s essential to dress even more conservatively. I wore a red keffiyah as a respectful nod to local attire, and also as a practical accessory for sun protection and to cover my head when entering these sacred spaces.

Keep greetings verbal unless a hand is offered.

Jordanians are warm and hospitable, and their greetings are often heartfelt. A common greeting is “As-salamu alaykum” (peace be upon you), to which the reply is “Wa alaykum as-salam” (and upon you be peace).

Handshakes are customary, but men should always wait to see if a woman extends her hand first. If not, a nod and a smile are appropriate. There was one time when my local guide told me that I was not to touch the local men in the village we were visiting—that we would greet me each other with a nod of mutual respect.

It’s safe to say that you won’t be hugging those you meet, nor offering the cheek-kiss greeting popular where I currently live in Spain.

Remove your shoes, use your right hand to eat, and always leave a final bite on your plate.

When invited to a Jordanian home, it’s polite to bring a small gift, like sweets or pastries. And remove your shoes before entering the house—you’ll see a spot to store them at the entrance to all Jordanian homes.

At meal times, it’s customary to wait until the host invites you to start eating. Eating with your right hand is a must, as the left is considered unclean. While places engaged in tourism are more lenient with this rule, it’s always most polite to try to remember not to touch food with your left hand.

I found that complimenting the food and eating heartily was always appreciated. And remember, in Jordan, it’s polite to leave a little food on your plate to indicate that the host served you enough food and that you are full.

Keep political opinions to yourself.

Avoiding sensitive topics like politics and religion in conversations is particularly important in Jordan, a country characterized by its diverse population and complex regional dynamics.

Jordan has historically been a refuge for people from neighboring countries experiencing conflict, such as Palestine, Syria, and Iraq. This melting pot of cultures and backgrounds means that opinions on political and religious matters can be varied and deeply personal.

The region’s history is marked by nuanced and often contentious issues, and perspectives on these can be intensely personal and emotionally charged. Steer clear of these subjects unless you are well-informed and invited into the conversation by your Jordanian counterparts.

Cultural Lessons I Learned in Jordan

A sincere thank you in Arabic paves the way to kindness.

The sun was just rising as we touched down in Amman and the weak morning light washed the traditionally white sandstone buildings in warm saffron hues by the time we arrived at our hotel.

My bags were effortlessly whisked away by the doorman at the Four Seasons Amman, which easily offers the best views of the city. I was ushered inside the hotel and the glossy floors and high ceilings were a stark contrast to the airplane interior where I had just spent the nine previous hours of my life.

Before I had fully adjusted to the moment, the friendly man at reception read through my jetlag and handed over my keycard. In the delirium, instinct took over and my body reacted before I could stop it.

A quick bend of the torso, hands clasped just under my chin, and head slightly bowed as I wai’d the man in a traditional Thai thanks; a gesture as natural to me as my smile after four months spent living in Northern Thailand.

I glanced back up as my hands settled at my side and the man across from me was smiling heartily, but not wai’ing me in return.

Whoops! I giggled awkwardly, though the awkwardness was very much more my issue than his; the international hotel has guests from all over the world, so although he might not be accustomed to a clasped-handed thanks from a painfully obvious Westerner, it didn’t phase him.

As I rapidly explained the situation to him, having just come from Thailand, he taught me my first word in Arabic.

Shukran.

Thanks.

Easy enough. Now onto the second task: Deliver a shukran without the bow!

Effusively-friendly behavior is not the norm.

Sitting down to a large breakfast buffet is, without a doubt, my favorite way to say hello to a new morning. I am one of those annoyingly chipper “morning-persons,” as they call us, and although I greet my day with coffee, it’s really not necessary.

So it’s with that attitude I wore my effusive breakfast enthusiasm like a cloak over my shoulders—very visible. As I wandered through the buffet tables of new foods I found myself dabbing samples of every new dish I couldn’t recognize onto my plate, and a even few I knew I’d love. 

Onto the plate went labneh, hummus and falafel, halloumi, cold veggies and pita bread. I couldn’t stop. Middle Eastern food is among my favorite in the world. The server nearby eagerly indulged my questions.

What’s in this big pot?

Ah, foul. How about this one? Moutabel, yum.

Each time I shot him a huge and unrestrained smile.

With my plate piled high I made my way back to the table and started sampling the new flavors and indulging my palate in foods markedly different from the curries and chili spice in Thailand.

Moments later my server approached with a plate of za’atar and pita bread. Another hearty thanks from me and he scurried away.

Then he came back, unprompted, with a huge dish yogurt and fruit sorbet.

And then more coffee.

Cue the orange juice.

And now, a “just checking up” visit.

He was attentive and sweet, but Jodi was the first to point out that although it was all harmless now, perhaps I was being a bit too effusive considering we were hours into a new, and much more conservative, culture.

My tendency toward enthusiastic smiles created some memorable stories in India two years previously—two men asked for my hand in marriage on the same nigh—and then a week later in Jordan, when my unrestrained familiarity resulted in the Bedouins good-naturedly informing Jodi and me that it wouldn’t take too much for us to be taken as Bedouin wives.

The familiarity and public interactions between men and women in Thailand is markedly different from the Middle East. I knew this leaving Thailand but it took a good bit of time before my smile adjusted.

In understanding Jordan, I also had to adjust to the baseline norms for single women in the country. What are the new boundaries? Do women wade into lines, throwing elbows and pushing like they do in China?

Are they smiling and demure like the Balinese?

Familiar and touchy like the Indians?

To better understand Jordan I pulled myself back to a more innocuous level of friendly, at least most of the time. :)

The coffee in Jordan might just give you the coffee jitters.

Coffee in Thailand in the months before I visited Jordan tasted a wee bit north of terrible. It’s generally just not that tasty and Thais often prefer serving a steaming hot cup of Nescafe rather than brewed coffees.

And even when I ordered my standard latte, the old beans produced a cup of weak and barely caffeinated coffee.

Which means I resigned myself to three or four coffees a day in Thailand. Why not, right? Unless it was at one of my two favorite shops, you were guaranteed nothing more than a gentle buzz.

Fast forward to day two in Jordan. My driver, Rami, had a love for street-side coffee. Jodi and I also adore a good cup of coffee so we gave him carte blanche rights to coffee-stops as we explored the country.

And stop we did.

As Rami pulled up to the small wooden stands on the roadside, the coffee-man would already begin lighting the gas-burner and heating up water.

In goes the Arabic coffee with a dash of cardamom.

As it bubbled happily on the stove the smells filled the small room. Out came four small cups. Two medium-sweets for Ali and Jodi, two no-sweets for Rami and me.

Fast forward 30 minutes; it may be served in small cups but it only took a day to realize that three to four tiny cups of Arabic coffee pack quite a punch!

I spent my first days in Jordan humming on a delightful coffee buzz before I opted for an occasional tea on our stops just to vary it up!

How to Unlock the Culture as a Traveler

Jordan offers a plethora of cultural experiences that allow travelers to immerse themselves deeply in the local culture. Here are some unique activities to consider during your time in Jordan:

Traditional Cooking Classes

Engage in a cooking class to learn how to prepare classic Jordanian dishes like Mansaf or Maqluba. These classes often take place in local homes or community centers, offering a hands-on experience with Jordanian cuisine.

I took a cooking class with Beit Sitti in Amman and learned to make a vegetarian version of the traditional dish makloubeh, as well as moutabel and knafeh. Each of these three dishes are served across the country and it was illuminative to learn how they are prepared in a home setting.

Participate in Religious Festivals

Jordanian religious festivals, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha for Muslims, are celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Visitors are often welcomed to observe or participate in the festivities, which include special prayers, feasts, and community gatherings.

Bedouin Cultural Tours

Experience the traditional Bedouin lifestyle with a tour of the desert. These tours can include staying in a Bedouin camp, enjoying traditional meals, and learning about their nomadic customs and survival skills in the desert.

It was at one of these experiences that I took a memorable sunrise camel ride through the dessert.

Local Art Galleries and Handicraft Workshops

Exploring Jordan’s artistic side by visiting local art galleries and handicraft workshops is a journey into the heart of its cultural heritage. These spaces not only showcase the country’s artistic traditions but also offer a chance to witness the creation of unique, locally-made souvenirs.

In traditional soap-making workshops, visitors can witness the creation of natural olive oil soap, a regional specialty, often infused with local herbs and fragrances like lavender or mint. The ceramics and pottery workshops display the intricate designs and craftsmanship that Jordanian ceramics are known for, offering a hands-on experience with the potter’s wheel.

Textile and weaving workshops highlight the skill and artistry in creating Jordanian garments and textiles, such as shawls, using traditional looms. Jewelry making, especially in silver and Bedouin styles, showcases intricate designs inspired by ancient Jordanian and Middle Eastern motifs.

Homestays and Desert Camps

Jordan offers a number of unique homestays across the country—these give you the chance to live and eat alongside a local family.

And the desert camps are a common tourist activity that should not be overlooked—spending a few nights deep in the deserts of Jordan with the Bedouin is among the best opportunities to enjoy their culture.

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Visiting Jordan is a unique experience in the Middle East. There are countries I have long been fearful of visiting as a solo female traveler, but Jordan is one of the safest in the region. It’s shares many cultural similarities with its neighbors, but its long history of hospitality and its role as a meeting point of cultures and religions has allowed it to maintain a more neutral stance on the most divisive issues facing the Middle East.

On the whole, it’s a country where reading up on the culture ahead of time goes a long way toward ensuring a more successful and enjoyable visit.