Jordan: Public Behaviour - Part 3
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Sitting, standing and eye contact
Sitting and Standing
Jordanians stand closer than most westerners. For Americans, use about half your normal distance.
When you enter a room, the people will rise if seated, and you should greet them with a handshake moving from right to left around the room.
To choose a seat, try to estimate your social standing in regard to the other people in the room. Consider that the seat closest to the door is for the lowest standing person and the farthest from the door is for the highest standing person. Sit slightly to close to the door for your relative standing. The host may invite you to a 'better' spot, and you should accept.
The bottoms of feet and shoes are considered 'dirty.' Make sure that when standing or sitting, they don't show and especially don't show directly to any other person. In a formal setting and business meetings, keep both feet flat on the floor when sitting in a chair.
In a formal setting, sit straight and keep your hands on the arms of the chair, folded or in your lap. Don't raise your arms, such as over the back of the chair or behind your head.
Stand to greet people who newly enter the room unless it is a child or some one of social standing very much lower than your own. Return the greeting offered to you.
When you leave, always stand and take leave of the host. In a formal setting, also take leave of all the people in the room except those who are leaving with you.
Eye Contact
In transacting business or during conversation, Jordanians generally make eye contact while talking. An avoidance of eye contact makes others feel uncomfortable toward you and they may question your integrity.
On the street or in general public places, don't seek eye contact with members of the opposite sex as it may be seen as an invitation to an inappropriately intimate relationship.
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