Invitations

You almost certainly will receive an invitation to have tea with someone while visiting Jordan, either in their house or in their shop. You'll probably also get asked to visit someone's home for a full lunch at some point. Jordanians take hospitality very seriously, and they genuinely want to get to know you and make you feel at home. Offers come thick and fast, making it impossible to accept them all, but because individuals are frequently eager, it can be tough to politely decline them all.

First and foremost, whether you're interested in them or not, take the time to speak politely; even if they're the 20th person to stop you that day, nothing is more offensive than walking away silently or gesturing hurriedly. If you receive an invitation but decide not to accept, a polite way to say no is to smile broadly, bow your head, place your right hand over your heart, and say "shukran shukran" (thank you, thank you).

This may need to be repeated a few times; it's all a part of the custom of polite insistence in social situations. The phrase "another time, if God wills it" softens the "no" even more, letting them know that you won't forget their nice offer.