Jordan Now (see also our “Visitor Guide” link)
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is home to nearly 6 million people, mostly of Arab descent, but with significant Chechen and Circassian minorities. The official language of Jordanis Arabic, but English is widely spoken. Approximately 96% of all Jordanians are Muslims, mainly of the moderate Sunni branch of Islam. The Christian tribes of Jordan , however, have made the region their home since the earliest days of Christianity. Jordanian Christians are mainly Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox.
Over half of Jordan ’s population resides in Amman and its satellite communities. West Amman is a very modern, affluent, westernized city; other parts of Amman typify the urban-industrial sprawl of many developing countries. Beyond Amman the different regions of Jordan have very distinctive dialects, traditions, and characters. Like the widely varied landscapes they inhabit, Jordanians themselves vary in outlook and tradition: the traditional farming communities of the temperate Mediterranean hills of northern Jordan are a surprising contrast to the mountain bedouin villages of the rugged, arid south, or the camel-herding tribes of the eastern black desert.
You will find, especially outside Amman , that Jordanians still treasure the Arab tradition of hospitality and kindness to travelers. In tiny villages, bustling towns and out on the isolated steppe, Jordanians invite the traveler in for tea, for lunch, for the night - - to stay! There is a tradition here that anyone who stays with a tribe for 40 nights becomes a member of the family. As a tourist, enjoy this hospitality, and return it in any way you can - - the smallest gesture is always appreciated.
Keep in mind that Jordan is a staid, conservative culture. Though West Amman will seem very westernized, most of the country still maintains a basic modesty and restraint in dress and manners. For the most part, the foreigner in shorts and a skimpy tank-top is tolerated but not admired - - or, in the case of women, perhaps admired in unexpected ways. Your stay in Jordan , and your interaction with Jordanians, will be more comfortable and open if you dress and behave with respect for local values - - but this is probably true everywhere in the world.
Women travelers will find their paths smoother if they wear long pants or skirts and cover their upper arms and chests. It is more appropriate for men, too, to wear long pants and not to expose too much skin. Being clean, polite and presentable, in whatever way you construe that, does not go unnoticed. Hip slovenliness is not really part of most Jordanians’ aesthetic: it doesn’t look hip - - just dirty, and therefore disrespectful.
The Jordanian currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JD), approximately equivalent to $US 1.40 and more or less on par with the Euro. To give yourself a scale on which to consider what you should tip or pay for goods, consider that a relatively good salary for most working class Jordanians would be about JD 200/month. Though “service is included” on most bills at hotels and restaurants, your waiter will not benefit unless you leave him a cash tip. Tipping will often be politely refused, but it will always be appreciated and accepted if one presses discreetly.
Jordan ’s normal business hours are roughly 8am-5pm , though many government offices do not do transactions involving money after 1pm . Food and retail establishments tend to open later, and often stay open well into the night. In most retail transactions outside West Amman it is expected that the customer will bargain the price down, but check to see if there is a sign declaring “fixed prices,” and respect this.