Cultures and Customs |
2004-09-14 00:00 |
I. eating and social habits: An Arabic and Islamic country, Jordan is mainly composed of Muslims. The living Islam is the predominant religion in Jordan. Islamic law forbids eating pig and drinking alcohol, and this law is followed to a greater or less extent throughout Jordan. However, you may find alcohol in hotels. When Jordanians eat out they will usually order group meals- a selection of mezzeh, or starters, followed by main meals to share. Arabic unleavened bread, or khobz, is eaten with almost everything. The other staples are felafel, deep-fried chickpea balls, shwarma, spit-cooked sliced lamb. Mensaf is a Bedouin speciality-a whole lamb, head included, on a bed of rice and pine nuts. Jordanians dress differently according to different occasions. On official or formal occasions, Jordanians usually wear suits or dresses. Sometimes they wear traditional Arabian-style hoods, scarves and robes. Ladies are generally not veiled. They can join social gatherings with men. Men can shake hands with women. Women usually shake hands or kiss faces as greeting gestures while men usually shake hands with each other. II. Tips for drinking Arabian coffee and brown tea. |