6.2. Tipping (Bakshish)
"Bakshish" seems
to be one of the most important words in Arabic language. But you should know
the average income per month is only about 200 JD. Most people who work in
tourism depend on tips.
Restaurants and hotels mostly include a service charge in their bill, however
additional tips are still expected. If a service charge is not included, a
ten percent tip is recommended. Taxi drivers who drive without meters do not
expect tips if the price of the fare is agreed upon before entering the taxi.
If the meter is working an additional tip of about ten percent should be added
to the fare.
For groups travelling to Jordan we suggest the following regulations: Tips
for the guide per day by each tourist usually are 1.5 JD, for the bus driver
0,750 JD. For example a group of 20 persons will tip the guide at the end
of a one-week-trip through Jordan with altogether (8 days x 20 persons x 1
JD) and 240 JD would be given as a tip which the whole group presents in only
one envelope.
The employees of the hotels also expect some tips: Per day and person groups
should collect 1-2 JD which you divide between restaurant, porters and reception.
Once again the tips are presented in one envelope by the whole group. Porters
for each handling expect to be tipped per person with 0.500 JD.
If you want to ride a horse in Petra your horse guide expects 2 JD - however
do not pay before you will reach Wadi Musa. Don´t enter into discussions
about the amount of the tip, they never will be satisfied with the "bakshish"
Assistance at the airport upon arrival and departure usually is tipped with
about 2 JD from individual travellers, groups pay 4-8 JD altogether, depending
on the size of the group.
Contents of the Guide Book
| 1. | Welcome to Jordan |
| 2.. | The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan |
| 2.1. | Geography, Climate and Borders |
| 2.2. | Entry and Departure Procedures |
| 2.3 | Population |
| 2.4. | Currency |
| 2.5. | History |
| 2.6. |
Government |
| 2.7. | Economy |
| 3. | Jordan, where the Adventure awaits you |
| 3.2 | Amman, the Dynamic Capital City |
| 3.2. | The
Kings´Highway (Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Mukawir, Wadi Mujib, Karak, Shobak) |
| 3.3. | Petra, the Spectacular Rose-Red City |
| 3.4. | The Cities of Decapolis (Pella, Gadara, Abila, Philadelphia, Gerasa, Umm el Jimal) |
| 3.5.. |
Following
the Footsteps of "Lawrence of Arabia"; |
| 3.6. | Aqaba, Jordan´s year-round Red Sea Resort |
| 3.7. | The Dead Sea and Termal Spas; The healing power of the Dead Sea; The Hot Springs of Zarqa Ma´in |
| 3.8. | Biblical Sites in Jordan |
| 3.8.1. | The
Biblical Sites from North to South; Gadara, Anjara, Pella, Bethany, Machaerus, Madaba, Mt. Nebo, the Kings´Highway, Wadi Musa, Sodom & Gomorra, Ayla |
| 3.9. | Nature Reserves in Jordan; Wadi Rum, Dana, Zubia, Azraq, Shaumari |
| 4. | The Tourist Facilities in Jordan |
| 4.1. | Transportation;
Flight Connections, Tourist Buses, Bus-, Train-, Ferry-Connections; Car Rental and Driving in Jordan |
| 4.2. | Communication |
| 4.3. | Sports; Aquatic Sports and Diving; Horseback Riding and Camel Trips; Ballooning; Glimbing and Hang-gliding |
| 4.4. | Culture and Entertainment; Museums and Galleries; Festivals; Other Entertainments |
| 4.5. | Restaurants |
| 4.6. | Shopping and Souvenirs |
| 4.7. | Tourist Guides |
| 4.8. | Accommodation; |
| 5. | Incentive Travel |
| 5.1. | Incentive Special Events |
| 6. | Helpful Facts about Jordan |
| 6.1. | Best Time to Travel and Safty |
| 6.2. | Tipping (Bakshish) |
| 6.3. | Holidays, Ramadan, Business Hours |
| 6.4. | Local Customs - How to Dress? |
| 6.5. | Electric Current, Water Supply |