Culture & conduct

Hospitality here is genuine and slightly relentless. Accepting the coffee is the polite move. In exchange, a little visible respect for local norms goes a very long way, particularly outside Damascus.

• Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered for everyone, a headscarf for women at religious sites
• Ask before photographing people, and accept no as an answer without negotiating
• Friday is the main rest day and hours shift around prayer times
• Keep political and sectarian conversation with strangers off the table entirely
• Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February; during it, be discreet eating or drinking in daylight
• Men and women who are not related generally do not touch in public; let the other person offer a hand first