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Popular Local Customs | Other Local Customs Tips | All Tips (35) Although English, French, Spanish and German is widely spoken in Egypt it is still beneficial to learn some of the language. The language in Egypt is Arabic. I have got a couple of books on Egypt which have helped me with the pronunciation of the words... as they can be abit of a mouthful. I have got the Lonely Planet guide to Egypt & also the Eyewitness guide to Egypt. Both books have been fantastic.
Hello= As-salama alaykum
Hello (to respond)= Wa alaykum salam
Goodbye (person leaving)= Ma' al salama
Goodbye (person responding)= Alla salkmak (to a man), Alla ysalmich (to a lady), Alla ysalimkum (to a group of people)
Good morning= Sabah al-kheir
Good afternoon/evening= Masa' al-kheir
Good afternoon/evening (to respond)= Masa' an-nur
Goodnight= Tisbah ala'kheir (to a man), Tisbihin ala-kheir (to a lady)
Pleased to meet you= Fursa sa' ida
Yes= Na'am
No= La
Maybe= Mumkin
Please= Min fadlik (to a man) Min fadlich (to a lady)
Thankyou- Schukran
How are you?= Kef Halak?
And one of my favourite Arabic words is "No Problem" which is "Mish Mushkila"
Everything in Egypt is Mish Mushkila even the language.... Its very easy to learn once you've learnt a few basic words.
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in eygpt it would be ideal to learn some basoc arabic just to get you by as sometimes you need to get rid of pushy salesmen etc. here is some to get you started:
Hello = Ahalan
Thank you = shokran
Please = Min Fadilak
Excuse me = Ann Eazinak
Good = Taib/ Bikair
Bad = Saia/ Mosh Bikair
Do you speak English?= tatakalam Inglesi?
How much is this? = bikam hatha?
It is too expensive = ghalia katheer
these are some usefull phrases that should get you well one your way :D
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Make sure you have got plenty of change for when you go to Sharm, tips are expected everywhere in Sharm also known as "BAKSHEESH" in Arabic.
The rule is only give a tip if you feel the service has been good and they are nice. I had a nasty lady when i used the toilet at a restaurant, she was like "Money, ching, ching" and snatched 1 Egyptian pound off me so i could go to the toilet, she didnt even give me any toilet tissue where as most public toilets expect a tip but they do at least give you a little bit of toilet paper! Another tip is take your own packets of tissue and hand sanitiser because some public toilets are unbelievable.
I always take plenty of Egyptian pound notes to tip waiters, room maids and those guys at the airport that grab your suitcases.
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Its very common and normal to see Egyptian guys holding hands, sometimes they hug and give each other a kiss too, in fact muh more so than a man and a woman. This is a sign of friendship, Do not make the mistake of thinking they are gay, as they will take great offence at this! If you have kids, it may be wise to mention this to them before they see them in the street and comment very loudly! hehe! Leave a Comment
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it is customary here to tip for EVERYTHING, you tip your waiters, your cleaners, your tour guides, anyone that offers you a service expects a tip. Be careful at the airport though as they just grab your suitcase off the baggge reclaim belt and expect tipping for it, there sometimes you have to be strict and say no. Leave a Comment
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When i was in Egypt i asked what the legal age was to drink over there. All the locals told me that there was not really a set legal age, just as long as you were not a child you could get alcohol at restaurants, hotels, nightclubs and bars.
I never had a problem getting a drink anywhere but let me warn you that in the airport at Sharm El Sheikh i wanted to buy some Smirnoff Vodka and some Egyptian Beer to take home and i never realised but you have to be 21 Years old to buy it in there. I showed them my passport and at the time i was only 20 so they refused to sell it to me. So i just apoligised and said thanks anyway. I thought i would let you know as there were no signs to say Identification was needed or what the age was to buy it.
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There is one word that sums up tipping in Egypt "Baksheesh"!!! Don't leave your hotel without some small change to leave as a tip. If you use porters, parking attendants, the doorman hails you a taxi, use a public toilet you will want to have some small bills as tipping is customary in Egypt.
Tipping is at your discretion but the Ultimate Sharm Guide (available for sale at various locations for around 40LE) suggests the following tips:
Restaurants 10-12%
Parking Attendant LE1-2
Maid/Bellboy LE5-10
Doorman LE2-5
Ushers LE1-5
Bathroom Attendans LE1-2
The minimum tip if given is at least 1LE. Anything below that is a bit of an insult.
Remember tipping tour guides is at your discretion but if you have a good tour guide it is worth it to give a small tip!
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The Shisha is a Middle East smoking tradition that began hundreds of years ago before the onslaught of cigarette companies.
The Shisha is known by different names in different countries. It is a pipe with a long, flexible stem. The smoke is cooled by being made to pass through water.
You can buy these all over the place in Sharm and there are plenty of outside cafes where you can try out first. Even our hotel had a tent where you could relax and smoke Shisha Leave a Comment
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Baksheesh is a word you will hear *all* the time in Egypt.
Baksheesh is a form of tipping, a charge for small services - or a bribe - and almost *everyone* will ask you for baksheesh, be it the guy trying to *force* you into letting him carry your suitcase at the airport, the guy opening a door for you, or the boy allowing you to take photos of his camel. If someone is doing you some sort of favour (even if it's a *favour* you don't even want or need), they will want baksheesh.
For small stuff, a 1LE-note (that's 10 UK pence) is usually fine, but nobody will complain if you give them more... :o) Always keep a stack of small notes to give out as baksheesh, you *will* need them. Leave a Comment
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Try the shisha experience. People relax and smoke their shisha (traditional water pipe) while chatting about the experiences of the day. Tobacco for the shisha exists in various flavours, such like apple, strawberry, vanilla... which give a fruity smell and taste. Just smoke it... Leave a Comment
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