Stereotypes are tricky little buggers. But sometimes, just sometimes, a stereotype proves its merit. Here in Jordan, there is a stereotype of westerners being promiscuous. As prejudices go, this is actually fairly understandable, given that most Jordanians’ impression of western culture comes from MTV.

Still, this particular stereotype isn’t particularly well founded - I know this because last night I played Arabic Scrabble with myself which, although mildly thrilling, did not propel me to ecstasy.

However, the other night I went to a party hosted by some members of the expatriate community here in Amman. Being someone who doesn’t shy away from “fighting for my right to party”, I headed immediately to the dance floor where I proceeded to pull some stately and dignified shapes in a single-minded pursuit of “the groove”.

I watched as my fellow westerners engaged in some intensive “bumping and grinding” to the sounds of bad 90s pop, their brows etched with concentration. I watched as others took shots of vodka through an ice sculpture shaped like a woman’s nipples. It was like Cindies with diplomats.

When you experience this sort of thing, it’s hard to argue against the ideas people out here sometimes have about western promiscuity. I’ve got to know a Jordanian couple, both of whom studied at American universities and are in many ways ‘westernised’. However, they do not hold hands in public and greet each other with a high-five, nothing more.

All too often it’s easy to scoff at Jordanian society, and occasionally Islamic society in general, as overly oppressive and conservative. However our ‘openness’ is a relatively recent development in western society, being the result of several cultural revolutions and some funky, hip-swinging music. It doesn’t make sense to dismiss societies such as Jordan’s, just because they didn’t experience a similar drastic upheaval of social norms.

Maybe in the future things will change here, maybe they won’t. Personally I don’t think that openly embracing public displays of affection is going to do much for Jordan’s crippling lack of natural resources or bring peace to the Middle East. Nonetheless, it’s comforting to know that until then, there’s still somewhere I can drink spirits through tits made of ice.