Lebanese Culture and Etiquette: A Traveler's Guide to Customs in Lebanon

A culture of warmth and hospitality

Lebanon is famously generous. Hospitality, karam, is a point of pride, and guests are treated almost like family. If you visit a Lebanese home, expect endless coffee, sweets and food. Refusing everything can feel rude, so accept at least a little.

The country blends Arab, Mediterranean and French influences, with 18 official religious communities living side by side. This diversity shapes daily life in Beirut, Tripoli, Byblos and the mountain villages.

Greetings and social etiquette

• Among friends and family, a light kiss on the cheek (usually three, alternating) is normal. Between new acquaintances, a handshake is safer.
• Many conservative or religious people, especially women, may not shake hands with the opposite sex. Let them offer first.
• Common greetings: marhaba (hello), kifak/kifik (how are you, to a man/woman), and the French bonjour and merci are used constantly.
• Lebanese people often switch between Arabic, French and English in a single sentence.

Dos and don'ts

• Do dress smartly. Lebanese take appearance seriously, especially in Beirut's nightlife and restaurants.
• Do cover shoulders and knees when visiting mosques or churches. Women should carry a scarf.
• Don't discuss politics, religion or the civil war unless locals raise it first. These are sensitive subjects.
• Don't photograph military sites, checkpoints or soldiers.
• Do accept coffee or tea when offered; it seals goodwill.
• Don't be surprised by playful arguments over who pays the bill. Offering to pay is polite; insisting too hard can backfire.

Dining customs

Meals are social marathons. Mezze, dozens of small shared plates like hummus, tabbouleh and kibbeh, are meant to be lingered over. Use bread to scoop, keep your right hand for eating, and pace yourself, because more food always arrives. A shared arak (anise spirit) with ice and water often accompanies the table.

Tipping norms

• Restaurants often add a 10 percent service charge, but it does not always reach staff, so leaving an extra 5 to 10 percent in cash is appreciated.
• Tip valets and hotel porters a couple of US dollars; cash, often in USD, is widely used.
• Round up for taxi drivers rather than leaving a strict percentage.

Stay connected in Lebanon

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