Each country has its own customs, traditions and rules. You can find out some of them by visiting the country several times as a tourist, but if you intend to spend a little more time than the usual tour lasts, or even planned to move to your favorite country, then the rules and procedures need to be studied deeper. As for Egypt, there are many nuances that seem completely incomprehensible or illogical to Europeans, but we advise you to take a closer look at them, as often your comfort and good mood may depend on it.
Due to the fact that Egypt is a Muslim country, therefore, it is advisable to wear shorts and T-shirts only in resorts. Women should not wear overly revealing clothes, especially if they are traveling alone. Violence against tourists is excluded, but the importunity of local men quickly gets bored. You should not agree to an offer to give a lift to a single woman or have a cup of tea in private. Remember also that an accepted invitation to a disco or cafe will definitely be regarded as an agreement to share the night. Egyptians consider the behavior of Western women to be quite free and your excessive friendliness and openness can be misunderstood. Egypt is an Islamic country, people here are believers, traditions are puritanical. According to Muslim laws, it is believed that if a woman is exposed, and even more so some parts of the body, especially the belly, are exposed, then she is easily accessible.
Egyptians are very friendly and helpful, but they don’t do anything for nothing. It is customary here to leave a little «tea» for any service, in the local language — «bakshish» is usually 5-10 pounds. But this is always up to you.
In the East, it is customary to bargain. To avoid misunderstandings, before you hire a taxi or buy anything on the market, negotiate the price. Often, the price of a product or service is greatly overpriced, based on bargaining. The thing you like can be purchased for 50 or even 70% cheaper if you bargain well.
Egyptians, passionate smokers. Here you can smoke everywhere, even in stores, with the exception of large supermarkets. The most famous brand of local cigarettes is Cleopatra. Hookah smoking is very common; the Egyptians call it «shisha». Smoking tobacco can be light and strong, with honey, apple, strawberry or peach aroma. He has nothing to do with drugs. You can safely try to smoke by ordering a hookah in the cafe, because hygiene is ensured through the use of disposable plastic mouthpieces.
The day off in Egypt is Friday. So don’t be surprised that Friday mornings are quite difficult to find a working store or cafe. The local population begins to swing by lunchtime. Naturally, this does not apply to hotels, large chain supermarkets, shopping centers.
In Egypt, there is a dry law, so you can buy alcohol only in hotels or restaurants. Also, the Egyptians should not be offered alcoholic drinks.
Be prepared for the fact that the Egyptians have a rather vague concept of time. They are late everywhere and always. Having made an appointment with the Egyptian for three hours, you can come at 4 and be the first. Note. Do not be offended: this is normal here.
If there is anything to fear in big cities, it is the completely unbridled behavior of local drivers. They absolutely ignore the road markings here, never use a turn signal, the high beam in the evening and at night is considered simply indecent for them and causes a violent response from drivers of oncoming cars. Egyptians practically do not use rear and side view mirrors, so your car can be cut at any time. It is almost impossible to adapt to the logic of driving the Egyptians. We can say that there are no traffic rules, so you need to be extremely careful. There are no pedestrian crossings here either, and pedestrians cross the road wherever they have to.
This is the most basic information that can be useful both for tourists traveling to Egypt for the first time, and for those who are thinking about changing their place of residence. But all the shortcomings and inconveniences are more than compensated for by the bright sun, fresh sea breeze and the cleanest and warmest sea on Earth.
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