Jordan: Public Behaviour - Part 2
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Leave taking and introductions
The General Leave-Taking
There are a variety of specific leave-takings for various settings. However, the general statement, 'Issallam 'alaykum' is appropriate. Another common one is 'bi'ithenkum.' Translated, this means 'With your permission', and is like saying, 'Excuse me.'
The Warm Formal Greeting
When a personal relationship has developed, hand shaking and cheek kissing are added to the general greeting.
While exchanging peace or welcome, shake hands. Use a firm and full grip for men and if offered a woman's hand use a light grasp of the fingers only. Use small up and down movements to shake the hand.
For other men, follow the shake immediately with one kiss on the left cheek and then three kisses on the right cheek. Sometimes a fourth kiss on the left cheek is made after a slight pause.
Warm Informal Greeting
In an informal situation, the cheek kissing is often omitted but is always acceptable, and the following series of general exchanges is added to the greeting routine:
How is your health?
What is your latest news?
How is the family? [Don't ask about the wife directly unless there is a specific reason to ask.]
How is business?
After these general questions, specific questions concerning the individual, and relating to things you have previously talked about, can be asked.
It is not uncommon for a warm informal greeting to last five minutes or more.
Introductions
In the modern business culture, Jordanians are accustomed to using the typical western styles of introducing oneself. So, you can always use your normal introduction style and it will be accepted.
Traditionally, the Jordanian host controls the introduction exchange, not the foreign visitor. The more traditional way for a Jordanian to get to know a foreign visitor is:
Use the general greeting
Five to ten minutes of visiting concerning matters of general mutual interest:
Where are you from
How long have you been here
Is this your first visit
What do you like / not like so far
What people do you know
What places have you visited
Exchange of names and possibly addresses
There may be a polite invitation to come for tea which you should normally politely decline. The invitation may be repeated numerous times. After the third repetition, feel free to accept.
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