Jordan: Societal Criticism through Humor · Global Voices
Betsy Fisher

Jordanians will tell you that they are not known for being a happy people.  On occasions such as a football victory, with cars honking and shouts of joy, onlookers will point out that, unlike a typical day, Jordanians are smiling.  Participants of the hashtag #Jordanianlies are out to prove the stereotype wrong.  #Jordanianlies features statements Jordanians hear that are often untrue.  Thus, the hashtag uses humor to point out faults in Jordanian society. While the majority of #Jordanianlies posts center on gender relations, work situations, and everyday life, a few have ventured into political criticism.
Ammar Haider posted the slogan that the Jordanian government used to promote participation in November's parliamentary elections.  Humorously calling it a lie, he suggests that the government was not so interested in listening to popular demands:
سمعنا صوتك #JordanianLies
Ola Eliwat also poked fun at an announcement related to November's elections:
#Jordanianlies هذا وقد شهد الأردن عرساً انتخابياً مثالاً للديمقراطية والنزاهة نفاخر به العالم من شرقه لغربه
Ola Abu Salim took aim at the police, posting:
الشرطة في خدمة الشعب! #JordanianLies
Aya Al-Musa criticized a similar slogan:
#JordanianLies النواب في خدمة الشعب
Hazem Dmour joked:
#JordanianLies ما في اي فساد بالاردن ابدااااااااااااا
Ahmed M. Khalel was skeptical about the government's desire for political competition:
#JordanianLies الحكومة بدها معارضة و أحزاب
3TonMantis was similarly doubtful of the government's agenda for reform:
#Jordanianlies الاصلاح السياسي والاقتصادي
Yazan Mousa questioned Jordan's political designation by Wikipedia:
#Wikipedia: #Jordan is a constitutional monarchy with a representative government. #WikipediaLies #JordanianLies
Ala Awaysheh was appreciative of the humorous discussions:
At this stressful time all around.. it's so good to see Jordanians breaking the stereotype of we are not funny ppl #jordanianlies is a proof
And Yazan Shawabkeh, originator of the hashtag, agreed:
Thank you all #JordanianLies for funny tweets, and thanks for retweets, yes #newfact2011 All the Jordanian are funny, thanks again :D #JO
Within a few days, Jordanian tweeps added a new hashtag, #JordanianDreams, featuring things that Jordanians would always hope for.