“Is this a relative?”  I ask our Jordanian host, motioning to a large portrait of a mustachioed man.  Though not on par with Panayot Hitov, his ‘stache could have given Sam Elliott a run for his money.

“That’s my brother,” replied Marwan.  “Look at that mustache…  He used to be a man!  Then his wife made him shave it into a wimpy little thing.”

Not long later, Marwan’s brother walked into the house sporting a Gomez Addams pencil mustache. Marwan continued mocking his brother’s testosteronic downgrade to his face.

In many cultures a large mustache is seen as manly.  In Jordan, especially among Bedouins, it is a masculinity barometer.

Here are a few phrases that highlight the power of the Jordanian mustache:

  • “I swear by my mustache!” (when making a promise)
  • “A falcon could land on it!” (said about a large mustache)
  • And my favorite:  “May God salute your mustache!”  (said to greet or bless someone)

If you’re planning on taking a Jordan tour, you might consider growing out your ‘stache.  Even if it’s not a falcon-worthy nesting site, your Macho-XP is sure to get a level up.

Have a great mustache photo that needs saluting? Post it on our wall!

Two of our friends from the Ammarin Bedouin tribe in Petra Jordan.

“May God salute your mustache!” shirts, available online soon!

 May God salute your mustache t-shirt