Tourist Attractions in Egypt

The bedouin looking fellow who leads tourists into a corner through a door for great photo ops and a betrothal ceremony but insists you haven't tipped him when you have and asks all the party for tips!

Unique Suggestions: Give him a good tip?

Fun Alternatives: Don't be lead away from the main route

Yes, it is true that they all ask for baksheesh(tips) for their little service. But then you have to understand their culture. Even the well-to-do egyptians give baksheesh to their own people. Most of the poor bear poverty with good grace, while hoping for "God-give" rewards. So what is so wrong to give 1usd or 1eur to these poor people who have to make ends meet? Consider it as donation to the less fortunate and don't make a fuss out of it. I don't believe any tourist who travel all the way to egypt is so hard up.

Unique Suggestions: They always ask for more baksheesh. That is only their job to earn more income from you. However, you just give what is fair. People in Luxor is most notorious for this kind of act and very skimming too. I find people in Assuan are more genuine and much less aggresive in asking for $. In Cairo, there is a mix. Some ask for money and some not. Whatever it is, you will have a good and memorable time. One thing you should also know is that these people earn most of their living from tourists. And some of them know the tricks so well to milk you out for more cash. However, they are by no mean dangerous or violent at all. They are very welcoming and peace loving people. Sometime they raise their voice but that is their way to squeeze more money from you. Don't take it seriously and just ignore them and be firm. In fact they are scared stiff to be found out what they do to you. They will *** in their pants if you say you will report to the police. LOL! I did not threaten them that way but I have the feeling that would be the case. I don't know any country in the world where people are so fear of police like the egyptians. So, you can be sure there will be no blackmails or threats imposed on you. I just love the mischievious egyptian way. I find it is so endearing. Enjoy your holiday in egypt. I wish I could go back there soon again.

Fun Alternatives: Stay at home and don't go anywhere.

Wherever you go in Egypt you will find people asking for bakhsheesh , either openly or discretely by using the phrase 'eeya khidma? ' or 'haga taani?".
Tipping is a way of life to the Egyptians; the rich give to the poor . It is a way of making sure that everyone gets a share. The majority of Egyptians are very poor indeed by western standards and depend on tips to live. Children learn from an early age to offer to carry bags, open doors etc and expect to be rewarded for it. What they get contributes to the family income.

Unique Suggestions: Usually 1 EP is sufficient if someone tells you the way, carries your shopping or brings you a towel etc. Of course they'd love more, but if you are tipping everyone, it can become expensive.

Fun Alternatives: So if you take a picture of your friends or children on a camel, do give the owner something, at least the camel might be fed!
If you absolutely will not tip, at least do smile and say thank you [shukran] nicely and turn down the offer of help. Don't shout or lose your temper, just calmly walk away.

Everywhere, from the pyramids to the museum to anywhere in the street, there are people that offer their services - at a fee as you will learn later - of course.
Beware of the camel riders at the pyramids who want you to pose with them and their camels for photos - they don't accept small change for the favor.
Shake off the so-called guide at the museum as soon as you have your ticket - unless you want to be 'guided' by a very expensive self-made guide.
Beware of people that stop you in sthe street and invite you to their shops for coffee - it is not just a friendly invitation.
Beware of people that volunteer to tell you that they are 'doctors' and can fix any problem that you may have - they want your money!

Alas, the day is not over before a visit to the "Perfume Factory" where as expected everything is hugely overpriced. This is at the urging of our guide who I’m sure is hopeful we will buy so he can get some commission!...There are also the Carpet Factory School , etc etc

It is wise to resist the urge to buy as these are truly tourist dollar grabs . You can find all these things for less money in the market!!

Alright, just coming into the airport, you'll probably have problems. If you tip, only give 2LE AT MOST. On my most recent trip, I had a guy ask for 20 USD from me; not only did he forfeit his tip, I told him if he pulled anything, I'd tell the police. All this because he moved 1 bag of mine 5 feet... Anyways, he got freaked out, figured I was local, and ran off.

Know that all of these people are afraid of the police. If you encounter problems, don't hesitate to tell officers *immediately.* Don't be afraid to even threaten to use the police. If people bother you, wave your right hand at the ground while it's at hip level while saying Laa shukran. It's the native way to decline and they go away sooner. Do not tip to make people go away. I know it's tempting, but it only encourages them. Instead, tell them you will contact the police or yell.

Do not be afraid to pitch a fit. Living here, I've found that pitching a fit is sometimes the only way to get things done. If someone rips you off, start hollering and ask for the police. Again, everyone's afraid of the police. As much as you may want to help these people as they are very poor, realize that you can do so by positive reinforcement (tipping a good transaction or cabbie, etc) instead of encouraging them to rip you off.

Women, shorts and tank tops are a horrible idea here. You don't have to dress like me (abaya and hijab) but if you want people to leave you alone, it helps. If you go into a mosque, please cover yourselves; while it's a beautiful place for you, it's an area of worship for us and it's a bit offensive to be praying in a mosque while barely-clothed people pass in front of you or gawk.

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Nothing much to offer here in Alexandra except the state Library.
We were tricked to spend our money here by (Gate 1 ) thinking it could be a fantastic
place to visit but gosh, it really is a waste of money !

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As I'd said previously on my hotel ratings. becareful which river nile cruise you undertaking, better to bring you own bedsheets if at all possible, coz there may be bugs in the mattresses and bedsheets. Attached are pictures to show, you can't see any bugs but it has bitten me all over and the sheets were so yellow, old & filty !

Another interesting note at the Nile Cruise, Egyptian sales men tried very hard to sell stuffs (clothings) by throwing them onto your windows even when you said, "no." I'd to admire their resilent. If you don't want to buy, close your windows and don't let them see when you're peeping ! Else they are going to throw the stuffs into your window and they don't care even if it may drop into the water !