Jordan is a beautiful country featuring deserts, the ancient city of Petra, the fertile Jordan valley and the Red Sea. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a predominantly Muslim country but many Jordanians are of different origins, religions and ethnic background.
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Jordan Today
Jordan is home to several cultural minorities including a large group of Palestinian refugees and Nomadic Bedouin tribes. Since the inauguration of King Abdullah II in 1999, his economic modernisations and reforms have increased foreign investment. A sound knowledge of Jordan and of its cultural particularities is essential for a successful experience living or working in Jordan.
Jordanian Culture – Key Concepts and Values
Islam – Islamic values and laws are an integral part of Jordanian society. Approximately 90% of Jordan’s population adheres to the Sunni branch of Islam. Their strict Islamic beliefs mean that Jordanians tend to be rule-abiding, family-oriented and hospitable. These customs and social duties also infiltrate the Jordanian business world and affect the way Jordanians handle business dealings.
Family – The family is the most important unit in Jordanian society. The extended patriarchal family unit is the centre of all social and political activity and shares a close relationship. The patriarch is often called ‘sheikh’ whose influence is based on ancestry, size and wealth of the family. Supporting other family members is a source of pride and honour.
Hospitality – Jordanians are known for their generous hospitality. The social acts of visiting and entertaining play a significant role in Jordanian life. Invitations for dinner or other social activities at Jordanians’ homes are common and should be accepted. Coffee or tea is usually offered, even during a short visit.
Doing Business in Jordan
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a relatively young nation but with ancient roots. Recent reforms, liberalisations and privatisations by the government have helped to stabilise Jordan’s economy, strengthen its global position and increase its attractiveness for foreign investment through the membership in the WTO and trade agreements with the US and the EU. King Abdullah II’s extensive transformation programme has dealt with the problems of poverty and unemployment and successfully raised the living standards of Jordanians. Jordan’s health service, for example, is said to be one of the best in the region. However, in the wake of the Arab Spring, Jordanians are also pressing for more reforms.
Today, Jordan is among the world’s top three potash exporters and its tourism sector is growing at a steady rate. For those wishing to do business with Jordan, an understanding of Jordanian etiquette and the personal manner in which business is conducted is essential to success.
Jordan Business Part 1 – Working in Jordan: Working practices in Jordan
Structure and hierarchy in Jordanian companies
Working relationships in Jordan
Jordan Business Part 2 – Doing Business in Jordan: Business practices in Jordan
Jordanian Business Etiquette (Do's and Don'ts)
DO avoid discussing topics such as politics or Israel unless you are familiar with Jordanian politics. Although it is one of the favourite conversation topics in Jordan, you might offend your Jordanian counterparts.
DO learn how to speak a few Arabic phrases as it shows respect to your Jordanian counterparts.
DO accept personal invitations to your Jordanian counterpart’s home as such social gatherings are used to intensify personal relationships which will strengthen work relationships.
DON’T show the soles of your feet as this is considered to be very offensive in Islamic cultures.
DON’T rush your Jordanian counterparts during business negotiations. Communications occur at a slower pace in Jordan and patience is often necessary.
DON’T inquire directly about your Jordanian counterpart’s female family members as it is considered rude and Jordanians might suspect bad intentions behind it.
Jordanian Culture Quiz – True or False
1. It is not uncommon for men to walk hand in hand in public.
2. Jordanian women are encouraged to stay at home and in general do not receive higher education.
3. Jordan has compulsory military service for young men.
4. Jordanians traditionally use the right hand for all public function including shaking hands, eating, drinking and passing objects to another person.
5. In Jordan, coffee is served even during the shortest visit.
Jordanian Culture Quiz – Answers
1. True. This is purely a sign of friendship.
2. False. Jordanian women are often educated and are encouraged to pursue a career.
3. False. Jordan is the only Arab country which does not have compulsory military service.
4. True. According to Islam, the left hand is considered unclean and reserved for personal hygiene.
5. True. Hospitality is an important part of Jordanian culture.
Jordan Today
Jordan is home to several cultural minorities including a large group of Palestinian refugees and Nomadic Bedouin tribes. Since the inauguration of King Abdullah II in 1999, his economic modernisations and reforms have increased foreign investment. A sound knowledge of Jordan and of its cultural particularities is essential for a successful experience living or working in Jordan.
Jordanian Culture – Key Concepts and Values
Islam – Islamic values and laws are an integral part of Jordanian society. Approximately 90% of Jordan’s population adheres to the Sunni branch of Islam. Their strict Islamic beliefs mean that Jordanians tend to be rule-abiding, family-oriented and hospitable. These customs and social duties also infiltrate the Jordanian business world and affect the way Jordanians handle business dealings.
Family – The family is the most important unit in Jordanian society. The extended patriarchal family unit is the centre of all social and political activity and shares a close relationship. The patriarch is often called ‘sheikh’ whose influence is based on ancestry, size and wealth of the family. Supporting other family members is a source of pride and honour.
Hospitality – Jordanians are known for their generous hospitality. The social acts of visiting and entertaining play a significant role in Jordanian life. Invitations for dinner or other social activities at Jordanians’ homes are common and should be accepted. Coffee or tea is usually offered, even during a short visit.
Doing Business in Jordan
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a relatively young nation but with ancient roots. Recent reforms, liberalisations and privatisations by the government have helped to stabilise Jordan’s economy, strengthen its global position and increase its attractiveness for foreign investment through the membership in the WTO and trade agreements with the US and the EU. King Abdullah II’s extensive transformation programme has dealt with the problems of poverty and unemployment and successfully raised the living standards of Jordanians. Jordan’s health service, for example, is said to be one of the best in the region. However, in the wake of the Arab Spring, Jordanians are also pressing for more reforms.
Today, Jordan is among the world’s top three potash exporters and its tourism sector is growing at a steady rate. For those wishing to do business with Jordan, an understanding of Jordanian etiquette and the personal manner in which business is conducted is essential to success.
Jordan Business Part 1 – Working in Jordan: Working practices in Jordan
Structure and hierarchy in Jordanian companies
Working relationships in Jordan
Jordan Business Part 2 – Doing Business in Jordan: Business practices in Jordan
Jordanian Business Etiquette (Do's and Don'ts)
DO avoid discussing topics such as politics or Israel unless you are familiar with Jordanian politics. Although it is one of the favourite conversation topics in Jordan, you might offend your Jordanian counterparts.
DO learn how to speak a few Arabic phrases as it shows respect to your Jordanian counterparts.
DO accept personal invitations to your Jordanian counterpart’s home as such social gatherings are used to intensify personal relationships which will strengthen work relationships.
DON’T show the soles of your feet as this is considered to be very offensive in Islamic cultures.
DON’T rush your Jordanian counterparts during business negotiations. Communications occur at a slower pace in Jordan and patience is often necessary.
DON’T inquire directly about your Jordanian counterpart’s female family members as it is considered rude and Jordanians might suspect bad intentions behind it.
Jordanian Culture Quiz – True or False
1. It is not uncommon for men to walk hand in hand in public.
2. Jordanian women are encouraged to stay at home and in general do not receive higher education.
3. Jordan has compulsory military service for young men.
4. Jordanians traditionally use the right hand for all public function including shaking hands, eating, drinking and passing objects to another person.
5. In Jordan, coffee is served even during the shortest visit.
Jordanian Culture Quiz – Answers
1. True. This is purely a sign of friendship.
2. False. Jordanian women are often educated and are encouraged to pursue a career.
3. False. Jordan is the only Arab country which does not have compulsory military service.
4. True. According to Islam, the left hand is considered unclean and reserved for personal hygiene.
5. True. Hospitality is an important part of Jordanian culture.