Food &
Drink
The cuisine in Jordan varies, although most restaurants
have a mixed menu which includes both Arabic and European dishes.
Dishes include meze (small starters such
as humus, fool, kube and tabouleh), a variety of kebabs, musakhan
(chicken in olive oil and onion sauce roasted on Arab bread), Mahshi
Waraq ’inab (vine leaves stuffed with rice, minced meat and
spices), and the Jordanian speciality mensaf (stewed lamb in a yogurt
sauce served on a bed of rice), a dish which is normally eaten with
the hand.
Sweets are very popular and
include kanafa (pastry filled with nuts or goats cheese),baklava
(pastry filled with nuts or honey), ataif (small fried pancakes
filled with nuts or cheese and traditionally eaten during Ramadan),
and mohallabiya (milk based pudding perfumed with rose water or
orange).
Drinking Arabic coffee is a ritual, the coffee
tends to be very strong and is served in small cups (with plenty
of coffee grounds at the bottom).
Local beer, wine and other types of alcohol
are served in most restaurants and bars, except during the fasting
month of Ramadan (non Arabic nationals can only drink alcohol in
hotels during Ramadan).
Nightlife
In Amman there are many night clubs, theatres and
cinemas, however in other major towns there is
less nightlife, many have cinemas. Clubs will often only admit couples
or mixed groups. Many of the 4 and 5 star hotels have popular clubs
and bars.
Shopping
Every town will have a souk (market), and there
are also many good jewellery and craft shops. There is a predominantly
good gold and jewellery market in Amman.
Special
items include Hebron glass, pottery, embroidered tablecloths,
mother of pearl boxes, backgammon sets, jewelled rosaries and worry
beads, nativity sets made of olive wood, leather hassocks, old and
new brass and copper items, and caftans hand embroidered with silver
and gold thread.
Jordan is famous for its gold and silver,
the centre of Amman has a gold souk which contains over 50 shops.
Necklaces with a small golden coffee pot (dalleh), a national symbol,
are popular and widely available.
Shopping hours
are Saturday to Thursday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm to
8.00 pm (closed Friday).
Social
Conventions
Handshaking is the traditional form of greeting.
Jordanians are proud of their Arab culture, and hospitality here
is a matter of great significance. Visitors are made to feel very
welcome and Jordanians are happy to act as hosts and guides, and
are keen to inform tourists about their culture and traditions.
Islam always plays an important role in society
and it is essential that Muslim beliefs are valued and respected.
Arabic coffee will normally be served continuously during social
occasions, to signal that no more is wanted, slightly tilt the cup
when handing it back, otherwise it will be replenished. A small
gift is very acceptable in return for hospitality.
Restrictions
It is polite to ask permission before taking photographs
of people and livestock, as in some places photography is forbidden.
Women are expected to dress modestly and beachwear
must only be worn at the poolside or beach.
Tipping
A service charge of 10 to 12 % is generally added
in hotels and restaurants, and extra tips are discretionary. Porters’
and drivers’ tips are about 8 %. |
