While Jordan is one of the most progressive countries in the Middle East, it is still a place of deep-rooted traditions, so it’s essential for travellers to understand and respect Arab and Muslim etiquette. Jordan culture and traditions may be more relaxed than they are in surrounding countries, but locals still frown upon immodest dress, public displays of affection, and a lack of respect for tradition. Some etiquette tips may be easy to intuit based on your surroundings, and small group tour guides explain customs and show you how to do as the locals do.
Dress Code in Jordan
Jordan does not have a specific dress code, but it’s best for travellers – regardless of their gender – to dress modestly. Avoid wearing form-fitting or revealing clothing. While Jordanian culture doesn’t require you to always wear long pants and tops, consider longer, loosely fitting shorts and shirts that cover your shoulders and upper arms instead of tight or high-cut gym shorts and tank tops. Men and women should cover their shoulders and knees, particularly in smaller towns and rural villages.
Women are not required to cover their heads. Areas that receive lots of tourists, such as Amman, Petra, and the Dead Sea, are a bit more relaxed, but it’s best not to wear tight leggings, low-cut shirts, crop tops, short skirts, and see-through fabrics. Swimsuits can be worn at beaches and resort pools, but leave the bikini at home.
If you’re on the fence about whether an outfit is appropriate, err on the side of caution and don’t pack it. Ask tour guides for their opinion if you aren’t sure.
LGBTQ+ Travel in Jordan
Homosexuality is legal in Jordan, but same-sex marriages are not, even if a couple is legally married in their home country. Public displays of affection are frowned upon in Jordan (even for heterosexual couples), but it’s best for LGBTQ+ travellers in particular to be discreet to avoid attracting unwanted attention and social disapproval.
Photography in Jordan
Taking a picture of someone without their consent is rude anywhere, but in Jordan, it is considered a highly disrespectful invasion of privacy, particularly for women. This is especially true with Bedouin women, who rarely consent to being photographed. Though you may be permitted to photograph their hands (after requesting permission first), it is never acceptable to take a picture of a Bedouin woman’s face without her agreement.
Shopping and Haggling in Jordan
Jewellery, carpets, handmade dishes, hand-embroidered textiles, and other crafts (some of which are imported) are widely available around Jordan, particularly in heavily visited areas like Petra. Here, you’ll surely see scores of vendors vying for your attention, and some are quite persistent.
Haggling is welcome in Jordan, particularly if you’re purchasing several items from the same vendor or making a more expensive purchase, such as a rug, but it’s rude to start a haggling session if you’re not serious about buying.
Eating and Drinking in Jordan
Food and drink are a huge part of Jordan's history and culture, and no trip is complete without sampling the country’s best dishes. Sit down for Bedouin tea and coffee rituals and try traditional meals of mansaf (lamb cooked in yoghurt sauce) and maqluba, a huge pot of rice turned upside down just before it’s served.
In tribal Bedouin culture, showing hospitality to guests is of the utmost importance, and preparing fresh coffee brewed with cardamom is often part of this tradition. Coffee is served to the guest of honour first, and his reaction (and whether he comments negatively about it or declines to drink it entirely) determines whether a conflict is resolved or just getting started. Even if you’re not a fan of coffee, it’s polite to consume the drink when it’s offered. If you’re visiting the country on a small group tour, you can count on your guide to share more about Jordan’s famous coffee culture.
Fabulous food can be found across the entire country, but visitors to Wadi Rum can learn more about ancient Jordanian culture by feasting on a traditionally prepared meal in the desert. Gather together with your hosts for a hearty meal of vegetables and meat cooked in an underground oven. Not only is the spectacle of your hosts unearthing and serving the food a photo-worthy occasion, but the delicious meal is also usually accompanied by other Jordanian staples like hummus, baba ganoush, yoghurt, and various salads.
