Sharm El Sheikh Local Customs

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

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!

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.

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.

Baksheesh is small change in Eygptian pounds. It is very handy for tipping. You can get baksheesh from banks in Naama Bay - i personally prefer 'HSBC'. I'd change out 100LE, this should get you through two weeks whilst in Egypt. But only tip if you think you've had good service, too many people expect it.

You will need it especially, if you go to public toilets, room maids, airports or dining out.

Bargaining is an artform alive and well in Egypt. Rarely will you find prices marked on items in a store, besides perhaps the supermarket :) Some of the shopkeepers could win Oscars for the stellar performances they give in groaning, moaning, and playacting as you bargain with them.

Normally the first price given in a lot of shops is astronomical compared to the correct "real" price of the item. Keep in mind that the prices can be inflated 30-500% depending on the shopowner. However with that said, you don't have to unmercilessly haggle a poor shopkeeper down to a ridiculously low price. When you show interest in an item, you should already have an idea of what price you want to pay.

One thing that you should never do is haggle a shopkeeper down to a price that you offered and then walk away. Don't engage in bargaining unless you are really intending to purchase an item!

But if a shopkeeper won't come down to the price you want and know is fair, walk away. Most times as you are hitting the door, the shopkeeper will call you back and playacting again grudgingly agree to your price probably mumbling about how you are going to bankrupt him ;) If you don't get called back, take your business elsewhere where they are willing to give you a fair deal...but if you are again refused your price, maybe your idea of the worth of the item needs to be adjusted.

Bargaining is meant to be enjoyable so you should never get angry. Keep a smile on your face and remember, this is fun!

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.

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...