There’s something oddly poetic about the way a Jordanian approaches the sea. While others might wade straight in or pose for that perfect sunset shot, a Jordanian instinctively bends down, picks up a rock, and throws it as far as possible into the water. No hesitation. No explanation. Just a flick of the wrist and a perfect plop.

This behavior might seem random at first glance — even hilarious — but it’s deeply familiar to anyone raised around wadis, dry riverbeds, or summer family picnics that always ended with someone trying to skip stones. Throwing rocks at water is practically a national reflex.

It’s not about the rock or the sea. It’s about the moment.
Maybe it’s habit. Maybe it’s stress relief. Maybe it’s just what you do when you grow up far from any actual shoreline. Because when you live in a landlocked country like Jordan, the sea feels like a luxury — something you don’t just swim in casually. You greet it. You test it. And you throw something into it, like saying, “Hi, we finally made it.”

The sea, for many Jordanians, isn’t just water. It’s a destination. A long-awaited break. A sign that the road trip finally ended. So what’s the first thing you do when you get there? You interact with it the way you’ve always known how: with a handful of stones and a little bit of drama.

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And of course, once the first rock is thrown, it’s game on. Cousins start competing, strangers join in, and suddenly half the beach is launching rocks like it’s an Olympic qualifier.

So yes, when a Jordanian sees the sea, he throws rocks. But if you know, you know — it’s not just funny. It’s tradition.