It is a country with a curious mentality.
Traditional middle Eastern society is based on ancient traditions and strict adherence to norms of behavior. Jordan — welcome and open country, however it has its own “no”. So, what in any case should not do in the Hashemite Kingdom.
To give up coffee
The Bedouins there are follow all rule: if the owners of the house for coffee, you must agree. Refusal to treat is equivalent to spitting in the face of outright call and a flagrant violation of the rules of conduct. Therefore, if the Bedouin offer you a Cup of coffee (and most likely, you will be offered three or four), be sure to settle at least one, even if you hate coffee. Then you can refer to high blood pressure and sleep problems, however, the measures of decency will be observed.
Show soles
Putting his feet on the table — a bad habit in most countries of the world, showing disrespect to the interlocutor. However, its roots lie precisely in the Arabic tradition: in the East it is believed to show the sole of the Shoe to another person is an extreme form of disrespect and is totally unacceptable in a decent society. Therefore, while in Jordan, please be careful how you’re sitting, do not stretch the legs and do not ride up them on one another, demonstrating to others the soles.
To walk around the house in shoes
Whether it’s a Bedouin tent or a modern apartment, but, entering the house, be sure to take your shoes off. As a rule, the floors of Jordanian homes are covered with carpets, and whatever clean your shoes, they are better off. In traditional Bedouin tents on the floor Mat, and the guests are reclining on low couches. To be here as the Shoe is completely unacceptable.
To break toilet etiquette
Situation in life there are different, and perhaps just the knowledge of these practices will be useful to you in Jordan. The Quran and Sunnah claim that to enter the toilet should be exclusively with his left foot and exit on the right. In addition, Islam forbids to turn during defecation face or back in the direction of Mecca and also to relieve themselves from Muslim graves, in baths, in the shade, on the road and in orchards. It is also desirable to urinate in the burrows of animals and against the wind.
Praise young children
In the middle East is quite serious about the evil eye, especially against children, because they haven’t done enough to confront the evil force. That is why it is not accepted to praise other people’s children — parents may find it potentially dangerous for the child. Some even named their child not name, giving him some nickname and thus averting the evil forces. So, if you still want to tell the child something nice, try to add to the compliment of his mind, the eyes or the behavior of the phrase “by the grace of Allah.”
Silently accept the hospitality of the owners
The commandment of hospitality in Islam is one of the main. Muslims, entering the tent, leaving weapons at the entrance, and the owners, in turn, could not attack included, even if they were sworn enemies, now they are guests.
Welcoming hosts, inviting you to her, will do everything possible to keep you well: cook a lot of delicious food, served perfectly brewed coffee with homemade baklava, will entertain you with dancing and playing musical instruments. In turn, you will be expected lengthy speeches about the beauty of the house, delicious food, beautiful furniture and fine tableware. Coming to visit Jordan, do many, many compliments to the owners. What in Russia would be called a flattery in the East — good tone, belles-lettres and sincere gratitude for the hospitality.
Hurry
“Shuai-Shuai” in Jordan is like “mañana” (“tomorrow”). In the East, where life goes steadily and gradually, rush absolutely nowhere. Making an appointment or planning business, do not forget to specify at what time the meeting Bedouin or international? In Jordan, all very slowly, all very slowly as the motion of the camel across the sand dunes. Most importantly, learn how to wiggle to the beat.
To Break The Ramadan
Ramadan — the Holy month in Islam, the month in which, according to tradition, the Koran was revealed. Also in the Quran elaborates the rules of fasting, his commandments and prohibitions. The population of Jordan, being highly religious, observes 29-30 days of fasting of Ramadan and avoid public violations of its prohibitions. Tourists are also highly undesirable in the days of Ramadan, Smoking, eating and drinking outside in the daytime. Moreover, many restaurants and cafes this month will be closed in the morning and afternoon and will open only in the evening. Despite the fact that the rules of the post impose a ban on the consumption of food between morning and evening prayers, the prohibition on the preparation or storage of food there, so eating places active in the second half of the day preparing for the evening reception, after the evening prayer, when it is permitted to eat and drink.
To argue with the man
Jordanian society is purely Patriarchal. Despite the fact that Amman, the capital of the Kingdom, women enjoy their rights, the majority of the country still retains the traditional way: the male head of the family, a female homemaker, the older age social advantage. The whole system of the family and society built on these principles, and the manifestation of the slightest disrespect or neochilenia men, especially the eldest, is rude and bad manners — from both the local population and from tourists. Doubly difficult for women, as her social subjection here is doubled: and for a man, and to the elders. However, if you are a traveler and came to stay, you will show the utmost cordiality and hospitality, but do not forget that in Jordan, men do not argue.
To speak ill of the king
The king of Jordan is loved by everyone. It is an axiom. In whatever room, office, or simply Park of culture and leisure in Jordan you are in, the first thing you will see portraits of king Hussein and king Abdullah (the current monarch). Abdullah, like his predecessor, Hussein did a lot for development of Jordan, especially for its Bedouin population has built a developed system of roads, opened schools in every small village, raised the level of literacy of the population and, most importantly, put a lot of effort to ensure that Jordan became one of the most stable and secure monarchies of the Middle East.
Love for the monarchy and Abdullah built here in the cult, and the Abdullah — the idol of an absolute majority of the population. In addition, bad jokes and anecdotes about the king here — crime, concerning the law.
Refuse to dance
Jordan is a country where everybody dances (mostly, of course, men). Dabke, of which there are more than 19 variations, is a exciting and very rhythmic linear-circular national dance in which alternate different steps, kill all flying, pritoptyvaya and jumping. This semicircle involve everyone who passes by or a casual viewer. Any Jordanian for five minutes will teach you how to dance dabke, you stay at the Amman supermarket or in the middle of a desert RAM. Their folk dance every self-respecting Bedouin absorb with mother’s milk and is always willing to share knowledge with visitors. If you are invited into the circle to dance dabke, do not give up: let you at first will not move in time, but very soon get the hang of it.
