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