Greetings Etiquette in Jordan

A polite greeting in Jordan is usually warm and fairly formal at first, with a handshake and direct eye contact, and close friends or family may follow with cheek kisses or a hand on the heart. It is common to exchange several greetings and ask about health and family before getting to the point, and using the Arabic salutation "as-salamu alaykum" is a respectful way to start.