Customs traditions in Egypt. character of the Egyptians. National characteristics and mentality of Egyptian citizens What should not be done in communication with an Egyptian
Egypt is an Arab country rich in minerals (in particular, oil, gas, iron ore, salt). Light industry (cotton industry) is developed in this country, as well as mechanical engineering, production mineral fertilizers and building materials. The Suez Canal is an important source of income for the country through permits for the passage of ships through it. It can be noted that Egypt is a fairly developed country with which many foreign companies and business partners cooperate.
When establishing business contacts with Arab partners, one should definitely take into account the fact that their ethical standards are in many respects different from European ones. With insufficient understanding of these differences, misunderstandings are possible, often leading to conflicts and distrust.
Arabs are less reserved than Europeans. They love to visit and receive guests, to have long conversations. Hospitality is considered one of the main features of the inhabitants of the Arab countries. Greed is considered shameful. By tradition, the doors of the house are always open, even for foreigners. The guest is always waiting for a generous treat. The Bedouins are even ready to slaughter the last camel to feed the guest.
Group ties in Arab countries are very strong. Only in a group does a person acquire a sense of self-confidence, reliability and security. Loneliness is feared here. Behavior models are predetermined by group connections and leave no freedom of choice. Their actions are constantly commensurate with the reaction of others to them. The desire to save face in any way is expressed in sensitivity to the opinions of others. The fear of losing face does not allow you to publicly admit your mistakes. Self-criticism is a rare exception to general rules. Therefore, the criteria of truth and falsehood in relation to the preservation of face will be secondary. White lies are perfectly acceptable.
Because Egypt is a high-context country, so a combination of verbal and non-verbal communication styles is used to express the full meaning of messages. The listener must be able to read between the lines. In interpreting the meaning of a message, the words are not as important as the context, which can include tone of voice, facial expressions, gestures, postures, and even the family history and status of the speaker.
The greeting in the Arab world turns into a ceremony designed to establish a warm trusting relationship. It is very warmly colored, accompanied by questions and stories about health, relatives and children. Even if you are in a hurry, you need to listen to the Arab interlocutor and thank you for the many well-being wishes. Sincere attention and counter questions will be received very favorably. You must regularly inquire about the health of all relatives introduced to you. This will help to achieve the sympathy of the Arab partner.
Compliments are received very positively. Therefore, in a conversation with Arab partners, one should not skimp on praising their country, art, clothing and food. But it is considered indecent to treat women with compliments.
In Egypt, it is very important to address colleagues by their professional and academic titles, as well as to show respect for elders and people in high positions.
It is necessary to follow the rules of conduct, determined by religious norms, in relations between men and women, in clothing. This is no less important than compliance with the laws of the country.
Nonverbal behavior
The "cultural distance" between talking Arabs is usually shorter than it is accepted among Europeans. The interlocutors almost touch each other, which should indicate a trusting relationship. Therefore, if you keep your usual distance, the Arab may think that you find his presence physically unpleasant or that you are too cold a person.
The usual form of greeting among the Egyptians is considered to be a handshake (only between members of the same sex), accompanied by a sincere smile and direct eye contact. But as for communication with women, it is necessary to maintain a large interpersonal distance, and eye contact should be kept to a minimum.
As in other Islamic countries, in Egypt the left hand is considered unclean. Use your right hand while eating. If you need to convey something to the Egyptian, this is also done with the right hand. For example, hand out your business card with your right hand only. If you are sitting, do not show the soles of your shoes: they are also considered unclean.
Dress- code
As far as business attire is concerned, foreigners expect Egyptian designs to be modest. For formal or first business meetings, men must wear suits and ties. Men with long hair, piercings or jewelry - with the exception of a wedding band - are considered non-professionals, and women should dress conservatively and in a businesslike manner. It is recommended to avoid tight clothing and deep cleavage. Skirts should be long enough: make sure they are below the knee when you sit. Pantsuits are the safest option.
Forms of address
Social status is especially noticeable in a business environment. Most dating will be formal at first. Addressing someone according to the position will help to maintain this formality and show respect. It is very important to choose the appropriate form of application for the position. For example, a minister is addressed as "Your Excellency". Any person holding a PhD is addressed as "doctor". If you do not pay attention to these subtleties, you may be considered impolite and arrogant, which the Egyptians do not like very much.
Most Egyptians should be addressed by their name and position: Mohammed Hanafi should be addressed as Ustaz Mohammed or Ductor Mohammed. Some places, notably in the service and tourism industries, also use the English word "Mr", so you can say Mr Mohammed. In writing, the full name and position are used: Ustaz Muhammad Hanafi. It is advisable to find out before the meeting how to spell your partner's name in English to make pronunciation easier.
Negotiation
Negotiations in Egypt are conducted in a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere.
Egyptian businessmen and officials are often late for meetings, but guests are expected to arrive on time. Remember, patience is a benefactor. If you were kept waiting in Cairo, it could be because your colleague got caught in a traffic jam. Cairo is one big traffic jam, local businessmen often hold meetings in their cars.
On the other hand, your colleague may have been late for a previous meeting that lasted longer than usual. The Egyptians believe that abruptly interrupting one meeting for the sake of another is the height of impoliteness. Or maybe the person you have an appointment with has been asked to help a friend or relative in trouble. In this culture, people and relationships are more important than clocks, schedules and agendas. Whatever the reason for keeping you waiting, the main thing is not to show your annoyance or impatience.
Once a meeting has begun, you may notice another behavioral change - interrupting meetings (or so-called "open meetings"). The higher the position of the person with whom you are negotiating, the more he will be distracted. Don't assume that your colleague won't answer the phone. In Egypt, it is considered impolite not to receive an unexpected visitor or not answer a phone call.
As in other cultures of the Mediterranean, in Egypt it is very important to get to know a partner before starting business negotiations. This is facilitated by a conversation over a cup of coffee. Good conversation topics include Egyptian history, travel, food, and monuments.
The Arabs are trying to establish an atmosphere of mutual trust in the negotiations. At the first meeting, they will definitely express cordiality and courtesy to the partner. This is not a pretense, but a tribute to tradition. The subsequent conversation may go much less smoothly. It is in their nature to avoid certainty, unambiguous "yes" and "no". Instead, they say: "innalla" or "mamalla" ("God forbid" or "God forbid"). It is their tradition to inquire from time to time about your health, the health of your loved ones, about your affairs. But that doesn't mean you have to answer these questions in detail. Arabs prefer "bargaining" at the negotiating table to all other forms of interaction with a business partner. At this time, they will treat you to tea, coffee and soft drinks, which in no case should be refused. These drinks are a symbol of Egyptian hospitality, and if you refuse, then you are being arrogant and uncooperative. Agree to every concession with great reluctance and only under certain conditions. Always demand something equivalent in return for every concession. Bargaining will continue until the bargaining parties converge on an average price that satisfies both.
In the Arab countries, they always try to reserve the opportunity to continue contacts if it becomes obvious that an agreement cannot be reached this time. At the same time, the refusal of the transaction is accompanied by lavish praise on the partner and the rejected agreement. If an agreement is reached, it is necessary to call the Arab partner from time to time to make sure that the decision on cooperation has been made and things are going in the right direction.
The feast is one of the components of traditional Arab hospitality. You can eat only those dishes that the owners will offer. They will offer the best bits you can't refuse. When praising cooked dishes, you should not pay too much attention to the one who prepared them and ask to be introduced to the cook. Most likely, it will be the owner's wife, and she will not be introduced to a foreigner. Long table conversations are not accepted.
You should never end a meeting on a business note, but talk a little about distant topics such as culture, travel, etc.
Business correspondence
In Egypt, almost all business and diplomatic correspondence is conducted in English, but, despite this, some businessmen prefer to conduct it in the native language of the Egyptians - Arabic. Thus, there are certain rules for conducting correspondence in Arabic.
Two addresses are indicated on the envelope: the addressee and the sender. The address of the recipient of correspondence is placed (usually in block letters) on the front of the envelope. In the first position, it is customary to indicate the name and surname of the addressee, and sometimes his position and company name. Second position - where? - filled in in the following order: house number - street - city - country. Unlike Russia, where geographic coordinates are usually given in descending order.
Egypt, Luxor, st. Tilifiziun d.22 j - 1 =-. /Ji Muhammadu Ahmad Munir j ""_ "SVI i ya JJSJJjbi t If the letter is placed in an envelope with a transparent window, then the address is written in the upper left corner of the letter. Moreover, the letter is folded in such a way that the recipient's address is visible through the window of the envelope. The sender's address is indicated on back of the envelope Egypt, Giza, 42 Al-Ahram St. jl35 1 / 1 Abdalle Fuadou - "" J 1 V J 1 J- Y If necessary, you can also indicate the number of the P.O.Box - - 1 cjj- iJ"" (.1_ .o=). Solovyov E.Ya. in the book "Modern Etiquette and Business Protocol" writes that since January 1997 Russia has switched to the European addressing system: name, surname, house, street, city, country. However, in practice, everyone is still guided by the above principles.
The author of How to Write Modern Letters Correctly, published in Lebanon in 1990, writes: should be brief, but not devoid of originality; secondly, the writing language should be simple; thirdly, the letter should contain references to various kinds of official documents, certificates and licenses; and fourthly, the letter must induce the addressee to action. Ideally, from the very first lines, the reader is so carried away by the letter that he simply cannot help but read it to the end. This should be facilitated by the harmony of simplicity, originality and brevity, which the author writes about and which should appear already in the first two sentences. In turn, links to various kinds of documents add weight to the reputation of the company and, as it were, guarantee the quality of the goods offered in advance.
In the structure of a business letter, the following elements can be distinguished: - a cap with the logo of the institution on the letterhead; - place and date of writing the letter; - internal address; - introductory address; - greetings; - the body of the letter; - final politeness formulas; - signature; - postscript.
The institution's logo is at the top of the form. Western tradition prescribes to place it on the left. However, in Arabic business documents, it usually occupies the upper right corner or is located in the middle. If the letter is sent by some state institution (ministry, embassy), then, as a rule, the state emblem acts as a logo, under which the name of this institution is indicated: "EMBASSY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN ARE" J "PUJVI L-JJ SJIL "Ministry of Finance" D 1 SJ jj, etc. If we are talking about a private company, then its postal address, telephone and fax numbers can be placed under the logo.
It should be noted that in phrases such as "Minister of Foreign Affairs" (V j 1 a9 JOJ), "Ministry of Finance" (UJ 1 "J jj AJU) and so on, the Arabic language is characterized by the presence of eshpsis, i.e. omission of an implied member. So in the name of the ministries, as a rule, there is no word "cases" - "UJ -". At the same time, the adjective referring to the “dropped out” word remains in the same form and acquires certain features of a noun, entering into idafa with the words “minister”, “ministry”: Ministry of Foreign Affairs j l U JJ Ministry of Internal Affairs YalkiSjljj Ministry of Finance ( lit.D and J jj "Ministry of Finance") Muslims may preface the letter with a religious formula, with which each sura of the Koran begins "In the name of Allah, the merciful and = -Ji o j5 1 g merciful" Usually it precedes the entire text of the letter. Christians in this case write “IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY TRINITY” OR 0 “.FP lijjMfuu “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy 0 j o sJ- 1 J O # J h # 1 of the Spirit - the one God. Amen"
business gifts
In the Arab countries, there is a real cult of gifts. Since the family plays a paramount role in the life of the Arabs, you should bring gifts for all relatives of the Arab partner. Since Egypt is a Muslim country, where it is forbidden to eat pork and drink alcohol, you do not need to give wine and other alcoholic beverages, as well as products made from pigskin. Avoid gifting fine art: one can easily make a mistake here, not knowing what Islam allows to depict. A good gift can be a pen with a gold nib, porcelain, silver. No need to be offended if the gift is not unpacked in your presence. By the way, the packaging needs to be given serious attention. For Arabs, the combination of white and blue colors (the colors of the national flag of Israel) is considered offensive. Gifts should be presented, accompanied by pleasant words and brief wishes. It is unacceptable to stretch a gift with your left hand. In Muslim countries, the left hand is considered unclean, and this can offend your partner. Muslims have the same attitude towards their feet, so it is considered indecent to sit cross-legged.
So, doing business with Egyptian partners requires knowledge and understanding of the ethical standards of Egypt. Following the rules of conduct in society and establishing friendly relations with an Egyptian partner will help in establishing contacts, making profitable deals, and also ensure long-term cooperation.
business phone conversation
It is not always possible to talk directly with a partner or client. Therefore, very often we have to turn to the phone. It is estimated that business people spend between 4 and 25 percent of their work time on the phone. Thanks to the telephone, the efficiency of solving a huge number of issues increases, there is no need to send letters, telegrams or go to another institution, enterprise or firm. Telephone communication provides a continuous two-way exchange of information at any distance. Negotiations are carried out by telephone, orders are given, requests are made, consultations are given, inquiries are made, and often the first step to concluding an agreement is a telephone conversation.
When used effectively, the telephone becomes an essential component of building a company's image. It is on the reception that will be given to a potential partner on the other end of the line, on how the preliminary conversation develops, that it largely depends on whether it will be the last one. The ability of a firm's employees to conduct telephone conversations ultimately determines its reputation (both in the business world and among the general public), as well as the scope of its business operations.
Thus, there are standard rules for conducting telephone conversations that will be appropriate to use in any country.
So rule 1. PLAN NEGOTIATIONS.
Before starting a conversation, think carefully about: a convenient time for the call and its duration;
clearly define the purpose of your call; make a plan for the conversation.
Consider answering the following questions: What are you going to say about yourself and the company you work for? What questions are you going to ask the interlocutor to find out his needs and create the necessary motivation for a further meeting? What objections might there be, and what are your possible answers? How are you going to end the conversation and set up a meeting?
Rule 2 PICK UP ON THE 3rd SIGNAL (in case you receive a call).
Telephone business etiquette normalizes communication with a client. By observing business etiquette, the client judges the corporate culture of the company. Pick up the phone on the 3rd call: on the first call - put things off, on the second - tune in, on the third - smile and pick up the phone. If you do not pick up the phone for too long, this indicates a low corporate culture of the company. Don't fuss. A lot of people immediately pick up the phone. Any person needs at least a few seconds to concentrate and tune in to a conversation.
Rule 3 WHEN TALKING ON THE PHONE, BE SURE TO SMILE
Remember, when you smile, your voice becomes more pleasant. So smile more often. Some telephone pros place a mirror in front of them so they can see their facial expressions while they are talking. All this allows you to control the presence of a smile on your face.
Rule 4 WELCOME THE SPEAKER
Greet the interlocutor as kindly and energetically as possible. Think of several ways to say hello. May you have various options for people of all genders and ages. It is better to start a conversation with a client with the words “Good afternoon (morning, evening)”. They are more lively and inviting than just "hello." Remember that on the other end of the wire, someone also wants to be respected, understood and, perhaps, helped him at this moment ...
By the content of the first words and the sound of your voice, the client determines your professionalism, chooses the style of communication with you. Your voice is clothing, hair color, temperament and facial expression. Remember that during a telephone conversation you will not be able to accompany words with facial expressions and gestures. Here, first of all, the sound of your voice is important, the ability to correctly express your thoughts and, of course, as an indispensable condition, respect for the interlocutor.
Rule 6 CALL YOURSELF BY NAME
State your first and last name clearly. Then name the company you represent. ("My name is ... The Three Whales Company"). Here are options that can be called extremely harmful and unsuccessful: “Guess who is calling you”, “Don't you recognize me?”. These questions create psychological discomfort for the other person. Put yourself in the client's shoes and you will feel annoyed. Do not be surprised if the client resists your offers after such a greeting. An unsuccessful idea can be attributed to the turnover "You are worried about ...". After this phrase, the person on the other end of the wire begins to worry. Try not to think about the lame monkey. Is it possible? The “not” particle is erased, and the second part of the phrase is perceived. You also become the culprit of this "anxiety".
Rule 7 LEARN THE NAME OF THE SPEAKER
To do this, use the phrase "My name is ... Excuse me, but how can I contact you." But do not rush to recognize the name of the client. It is better to do this after the buyer adapts to the situation. In the future, when communicating, periodically call the client by name. To pronounce a name means to show respect for a person. You should not pronounce it in a tongue twister, it is better with feeling and at the same pace as the conversation is going on. If the client has an unusual or interesting name, comment on it in a positive way (Tell the person that he has an interesting name, most will like it).
The following options can be called unsuccessful: “Who am I talking to?”, “Who is this?”, “Who is at the device?”. And do not try to guess: “Is this Ira? No? Tatyana Lvovna? No? And who then? Or even worse: “Where did I go?”. To which there is a standard response, said in an annoyed voice: “Where are you calling?”. You can think of many different options, such as "Can I talk to Alexander Sergeevich?".
If you've forgotten the name of the last person you spoke to, it's best to ask, "Could you remind me of your name?"
Rule 8 FIND OUT: CAN YOU BE TALKED TO
It is very important! It is possible that at this very moment your client is busy with a responsible and important business for him. Or your conversation at the moment is inappropriate for some other reason. Use the phrase "Are you (or better to call the interlocutor by name) convenient to talk now?". Remember, if you break this rule, you can lose a client forever. Your transaction failed. Call the right customers at the right time with the right offers. Business calls are best made at the beginning or end of the working day.
Speak the first phrases slowly, calmly and clearly, do not pour a waterfall of information on the interlocutor - give him time to tune in to the conversation. Highlight with your voice meaningful words change your intonation. Use short messages: i.e. one sentence, one thought. Your voice, if possible, should be deep and “velvet”, however, observe the measure, do not overact. You can also adjust to the volume, rhythm, and tempo of the client's speech. The interlocutor will be pleased with this correspondence. The sound of your voice is determined by your posture, facial expression, posture. Tune in to the conversation – literally and figuratively. Speech is not just the movement of lips and tongue. The organs involved are the lungs, diaphragm, larynx, vocal cords, mouth, tongue and lips. Of course, a cigarette in the mouth, chewing gum, lollipop, coffee during a conversation, noise in the room, music - destroy the rapport of telephone conversations.
Rule 10 FOLLOW THE PLAN
You have a purpose for the conversation and a prepared plan. Do not try to solve all problems at once over the phone. Especially avoid talking about the price of your products, money matters are best resolved at a meeting. Prepare the necessary materials, a pen, a blank sheet of paper. Be specific and talk about the main thing. Listen carefully to the interlocutor. Ask the client questions, directing the conversation in the direction you want. Remember, your main goal is to arrange a meeting when you can discuss the details and sign the contract. To do this, you must create good motivation in the client.
Rule 11 USE ACTIVE LISTENING TECHNIQUES
They demonstrate your interest and involvement. “So…”, “Understood…”, etc. Control the conversation time. Don't let the client get sidetracked. Answer most questions with questions and lead the other person to the meeting.
Rule 12 MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
When arranging a meeting, make sure that your interlocutor understands you correctly and writes down the day and hour of the meeting. Ask the interlocutor whether it is convenient for you to call him back the day before to make sure that the meeting will take place? All of these activities are useful so that your client can plan their time and adequately prepare for the meeting. When inviting the interlocutor to your office, name the exact address and tell in detail how you can get to you. Use the standard phrase: " Do you have a pencil handy, please write down how it would be most convenient for you to get to us"
Rule 13 THANK YOU FOR THE CALL
Clients tend to emotionally remember what happened at the beginning of a conversation and take what happened at the end as a guide to action. At the end of the conversation, say goodbye to the interlocutor as kindly as possible. "If you have any questions, call us, we will be happy to help you." “Come, at any time convenient for you, we will be happy to help you”, “All the best”, “It was very useful to receive this information from you.” Thank you for your attention, interest in your company, wish you a pleasant rest of the day or the upcoming weekend. Remember that the caller ends the call. Remember that by talking you are laying the foundation for your personal meeting, so goodwill is above all.
Rule 14 RECORD YOUR RESULTS
Write down the general attitude of the client to the information that you gave him, the agreement on the place, date and time of the meeting or call, who should call whom, and the key points that sounded in the conversation.
Rule 15 LEARN FROM EVERY PHONE CONVERSATION
The ability of a firm's employees to conduct telephone conversations largely determines its reputation (both in the business world and among the general public), as well as the scope of its business operations. The attractiveness of the personal image of each of its employees also depends on the ability to speak on the phone. All this suggests that the possession of a culture of telephone communication is necessary for every civilized businessman.
On a personal phone, people often talk for a very long time. A business telephone conversation requires brevity, since the interests of the business usually suffer from long conversations on a business phone. Therefore, on the office phone, you need to speak briefly. The norm - three minutes for a conversation - is not taken from the ceiling. The experience of people with a high culture of telephone communication says that 20 seconds is enough to establish contact, 40 seconds is enough to formulate a problem. In 100 seconds, you can seriously discuss the problem. It is possible to thank the interlocutor and exit the conversation correctly in another 20 seconds. Total 180 seconds, or 3 minutes. When talking on the phone, it should be borne in mind that you are losing one of the most important means of transmitting information - facial expressions and gestures, but the importance of such elements of non-verbal speech as the moment chosen for pause, intonation, strengthening or weakening the strength of the voice increases. When the time comes to end the conversation and say goodbye, they follow the rule: whoever started the conversation first (i.e., who called) must end it. The basis of a successful business is its culture, an integral part of which is the culture of business conversation in all its forms. Every working person should have a culture of business conversation, be it a doctor, a scientist, a teacher or a statesman. This culture is universal and therefore obligatory for all who are bound by business relations. It is not only a reasonable basis for business communication, but also a reliable chance for its success.
Egypt is an eastern country filled with secrets and a special attitude to life. The Egyptians are friendly and non-aggressive people, but very law-abiding, rather poor and mostly poorly educated (read more about the character of the Egyptians in the article “ Egyptians: a portrait against the backdrop of a pyramid, a skyscraper and tourists”). In addition, they are very traditional, conservative and committed to their customs and traditions, like all the peoples of the East. Therefore, in order not to get into unpleasant or even dangerous situations, you should have at least a general idea of the country and its inhabitants, and while in Egypt, follow the rules of conduct that will make your stay in this fabulous country pleasant and cloudless.
The Egyptians are friendly people who treat tourists kindly and hospitably. Like all nations, the Egyptians appreciate it when tourists who come to the country respect their culture, customs and traditions. Therefore, when coming to Egypt, it is important to remember that you are visiting, and your behavior must be respectful and dignified. To do this, you need to know some of the national features of the traditional life of Egypt, which will help you get the most out of your trip and avoid incidents and troubles.
They are greeted by clothes ...
Cloth
Clothing is a large and complex behavioral issue for the entire East, including Egypt. But we will not go into much depth, and will give only a few general recommendations primarily for women.
Most importantly, you need to have a good understanding of where you are. If you flew from Moscow directly to Sharm el-Sheikh or other resorts in Sinai, then you have nothing to worry about: short skirts, shorts, pareos and bare shoulders will not cause a furor and booing. When moving from the Sinai coastal resort area to Cairo and from Cairo to Sinai, Russian tourists usually experience a culture shock, it seems to them that these are two different countries. If you are traveling to mainland Egypt, you must categorically refrain from anything that exposes your skin, except for your feet, hands and face. The main thing here is to understand that you do not limit your own freedom, but take into account the mentality of local men and take care of your own comfort and safety.
No, you are unlikely to be subjected to physical violence, but you will be awarded an indecent slap, groping, whistling and unpleasant smirks - this is easy. It must be remembered that Egypt is a Muslim country, and Islam requires a woman to have a very specific style of behavior. Also, women are not recommended to walk alone, again for reasons of perception by others. Do not go into coffee houses for locals without special need, only men usually gather there, of course, no one will kick you out, but you are guaranteed a few minutes of shock and feelings of “uncomfortable” are guaranteed.
Men in shorts and shirts with bare shoulders will also look indecent on the streets of continental Egyptian cities. The point here is the innate chastity of the Egyptians and their adherence to Islamic principles. However, for those who have already traveled to Muslim countries, such as Tunisia or Morocco, this is not news.
Shoes
As in all Muslim countries, in Egypt it is customary to take off your shoes when entering the house of an Egyptian, and, moreover, in places of worship. When entering the mosque, you will have to leave your shoes under the care of a watchman or gatekeeper. Here it will not be stolen, but it can be “accidentally mixed up”, and therefore, for a full guarantee, it is better to give the gatekeeper a small baksheesh, half a pound. You can also take the shoes with you and carry them in your hand, but do not forget to fold them with the soles inside, as they are “unclean” in the literal and figurative sense of the word and can offend the feelings of believers in a sacred place for them. At the same time, keep in mind that it is necessary to take off your shoes not only at the entrance to the mosque, but to many Coptic churches. Inside the monasteries there are especially sacred chapels and rooms where it is also forbidden to enter with shoes, for example, the chapel of the Burning Bush in the Orthodox Monastery of St. Catherine on the Sinai Peninsula.
Present
Coming to the house of an Egyptian, it would not be superfluous to take a small gift with you, for example, sweets for tea or something else tasty, but by no means meaty, you may not get in. You can give souvenirs taken from home, but it is better if they have any practical meaning, the Egyptians are not rich and value practicality. If you have established friendly relations with an Egyptian and his family and have taken several photographs together, it would be good to send these photographs to them upon returning from Egypt to their homeland. Thus, you will consolidate the friendship that has been born, and the next time you will be accepted as a native.
... see off the mind
Taboo on the left hand
This rule applies to all aspects of Egyptian life: the left hand is considered by the Egyptians to be "unclean". For example, they perform hygienic manipulations in the toilet or take off their shoes. Accordingly, in no case should you take food with your left hand, especially from a common bowl! It is also forbidden to pass or take objects with the left hand, and, of course, you cannot greet people with your left hand and make any signs directed at people. If you are left-handed, you will have to force yourself to overcome your nature and forget about left hand, use the right hand as the main operating room, at least in the presence of the Egyptians. In order to avoid involuntary actions with the left hand, it is better to generally learn to hold it behind your back.
Topics for conversation
For obvious reasons, it is not worth discussing with the Egyptians the abundance of the military and relations with Israel, Palestine, as well as the confrontation between the Arab and Western worlds. If your point of view is different than that of a local Egyptian, then this may lead to unnecessary discussion. It's better to limit yourself to nothing meaningful phrases, like "all people are brothers" and move the conversation to another, safer topic, like culture ancient egypt or the floods of the Nile.
Beware also of questions concerning the relationship between the sexes. and the topic of female circumcision, the Egyptians take an unusual and perhaps shocking position on these issues, therefore this topic unlikely to help establish friendships. By the way, when visiting an Egyptian, you can’t sit at the table next to a person of the opposite sex, as well as stare at women and compliment them. In terms of compliments, the most you can afford is to gently tell the Egyptian that he is very handsome and cozy house wish health to his children, relatives and wife.
Export of souvenirs
It is possible to export antiquities and antiques from Egypt only with a special permit, and it is impossible for an ordinary tourist to obtain such a permit. Therefore, when you buy a really valuable thing cheaply in an antique shop, do not expect that you will be able to freely transport it across the border. Even a solid baksheesh will not help, since the export of historical values from the country is a crime against the state and is severely prosecuted. At best, they will simply take it away from you, at worst, you will pay a large fine, measured in thousands of dollars, and until you pay it, you will spend time in an Egyptian prison, which will not give you any pleasure. It is also forbidden to take with you and even pick up fragments of statues and stone blocks in places of accumulation of monuments, therefore it is not recommended to take with you a piece of the Luxor temple or a stone from the foot of the pyramid.
The export ban also applies to Red Sea souvenirs. All stores selling in Sharm El Sheikh shells or corals are illegal, and there is even a tourist movement calling for a boycott of this illegal trade that violates the ecological integrity and safety of the Red Sea. If you find a Red Sea shell at the airport, you will be fined a thousand dollars. The alternative is the same - prison.
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If you think about it, there is nothing complicated in the rules described above, but by observing them, you will protect yourself from unpleasant surprises and leave a good memory of yourself.
Literature:
- Krotov A. V., Sapunov A. A. Egypt for real: Cairo and everything else. Practical and transport guide. - M., "Geo-MT", with the participation of TC "Skrinti", 2009.
- Egypt / ROUGH GUIDES / Per. from English. T.G. Lisitsina, G.S. Makharadze, A.V. Shevchenko. – M.: AST: Astrel, 2009.
- Egypt / comp. E. Kuznetsova. – M.: AST; St. Petersburg: Sova, 2008. - (Travel wisely!).
- Altman. J. Egypt. - M .: Veche, 2008. - (Guide in your pocket).
When you enter a country with a culture alien to us, you must be prepared for the fact that you will have to respect their customs and customs.
Egypt country with a predominantly Muslim religion, because there is a dry law. You can’t appear on the streets drunk, you can ring the police.
It is impossible for a foreigner to express critical remarks about the population, country, politics, etc. It does not matter that your remark will be fair or coincide with the opinion of the local population; The Egyptians are very jealous of the prestige of their country, so they can give in the face.
You can not photograph places that look impartial: spontaneous dumps, holes, cracks, poverty. You can take pictures of local residents only with their permission, as the religiosity of some prohibits posing in front of the camera.
Men in Egypt you can’t make contacts with Muslim women, much less try to flirt with them. For women, the rules are stricter.
Woman in Egypt, especially if she is unaccompanied by a man, you need to behave very modestly. Light flirting, smiles, touches, revealing clothes - all this can be misinterpreted by local guys. Their importunity knows no bounds, and the slightest pretext from a woman excites their indefatigable oriental temperament.
You can not take and pass anything with your left hand, as well as stretch it out to greet. Why? There are several versions. 1. Arabs perform ablution intimate places after the toilet with the left hand, and therefore the top of indecency to do something with it. 2. Everything left among the Arabs is associated with evil spirits, failures and, in general, all the bad things in the world.
in Egyptian markets there is a particular style of communication. Traders are trying in every way to get a buyer and go to all sorts of tricks. Either they invite you for a cup of tea, or they ask you to write a text in Russian, but instead they sell you unnecessary trinkets, and other sophisticated methods. Such an intrusive service suppresses the will, and you can even buy what you don’t need at all, so learn the Arabic phrase “mafish fulus”, which means “no money”; after this phrase, you will be left behind.
Another feature of local management. The service that you are provided with the most innocent expression on your face may turn out to be paid, such as: bring things to the bus, after a haircut, offer to pluck your eyebrows, and so on. Then they will name the price, and no one cares about excuses that you did not know what kind of money it was; the Arab will start shouting loudly, waving his arms and calling all the saints to witness your "meanness". So it's easier to pay, or for any nice offer, ask "bekem?", Which means "how much?"
On the other hand, they may perceive your excessive emotionality as an insult, so it is better not to bring the situation to the heat of passion.
The safety of a trip to Egypt, a country with strict traditions and little tolerance for "dissidents", largely depends on the behavior of the tourists themselves. No matter how hospitable the locals may seem, one should always remember that the difference in mentalities is capable of creating a catastrophe out of an inconspicuous for a Russian case.
Women simply have to know how to behave in Egypt. In a country where the majority of the population adheres to the Muslim faith, very strict requirements are imposed on the behavior of women, so even gestures and manners that are modest in Russian terms can be a model of licentiousness for a Muslim.
outside the hotel
Inside the hotel you can walk around in bikinis and open clothes, but outside it you will have to dress more modestly. The streets of Egypt are a territory subject to the laws and customs of the Egyptians, people with hot southern blood.
- Don't walk around bareheaded. A beautiful scarf will protect from the sun and the greasy looks of men, for whom any woman with an uncovered head is already a debauchee.
- Cover your shoulders and belly. A woman with bare shoulders - stripped to the waist. And an open belly is the height of indecency. In general, closed clothing on a woman is one of the main security requirements in Egypt. This is the understanding used by the Egyptians. From the consequences of flashing bare shoulders - looks, words, pestering.
- Do not leave the hotel grounds alone. Even with closed shoulders, in a scarf and dark glasses. Only with the accompanying man. In response to the question of whether you are married, always say that you are married, and it is better to wear a ring on your finger.
The rules of conduct for women in Egypt may seem strict to those who go on vacation for the first time, but tourists who have visited the country always recommend following these tips.
In general, the basic requirements for the rules of conduct for tourists in Egypt can be reduced to several points:- Be humble. This is what it means to dress modestly, to speak more quietly, not to point a finger at anything, not to wave your arms. In general, the palm in Egypt is a sign of protection, so waving your hands in front of the faces of the Egyptians (Russian tourists are characterized by Italian emotionality in gestures) means insulting them with distrust.
- Don't walk alone.
- Do not pester the locals with questions, it is advisable not to meet their eyes.
For left-handed tourists, safety in Egypt may depend on seemingly very familiar things.
Do you know how to properly address the Egyptians? How to behave if you are invited to visit in Egypt? Egypt is a country of contrasts, as bright and unusual as the character, traditions and culture of its locals, so it is important to know the peculiarities of communicating with its people.
Going to Egypt, as well as to another foreign country, it will not be superfluous to find out the nuances of communication with the locals, to study their everyday traditions.
Contrasts of Egypt
The tourism business is Egypt's most important source of income and practically its normal existence. Indeed, in the country there are a lot of desert lands unsuitable for habitation, therefore, tourists in Egypt are especially reverent. The first communication with the local population occurs when you buy a visa and go to a hotel.
A guide who speaks good Russian will be assigned to the group, he will tell you something about his homeland along the way. The employees of the checkpoints will always be polite, hospitable and helpful with tourists. All of them are distinguished by an excellent knowledge of the Russian language, many studied in Russian and Soviet universities. They value the place very much and get to work with tourists after a careful selection.
You should not think that all Egyptians are as sincerely friendly and benevolent as the workers of the checkpoints. Outside the hotel, when you go out on your own to explore the city, you will have to face ostentatious hospitality solely in order to swindle you out of more money. For this purpose, the townspeople spare no effort or imagination. Therefore, it should be remembered that the territory of the hotel with security and the remote densely populated quarters of Egyptian cities are fundamentally different.
The nature of the local population
Remember that Egypt is a special world, its culture is Arab culture and it is different from the culture of the Slavs. The local population is extremely emotional, they never verbally betray their true feelings, if an Egyptian gives you a word, then it means absolutely nothing, it is a kind of verbal pattern for decorating his speech. The Egyptians always have some intention, especially towards foreigners, and a preliminary plan for its implementation.
The Egyptians are very easily offended and offended, they do not understand criticism addressed to them. The most innocent gesture or word or action by them can be taken as a deadly personal insult. They themselves willingly taunt the Russian Ivan the Fool, but the reciprocal mockery of the local fool infuriates them instantly. The Egyptians are sensitive to hints, ridicule, innocent humor, they are characterized by impulsiveness, intemperance in assessments and actions, exaggeration of the apparent offense inflicted on them.
All these are signs of the essence of any Arab person, but among the Egyptians these features are hypertrophied. This is due to their self-awareness of their own exclusivity, pride in their origin. The “fault” of this is the most ancient glorious history of the country. Today, Egypt has become the bearer of the traditions of Islam, as its people are born from a mixture of Hamite-Byzantine roots with the descendants of the Semitic conquerors.
How much is the word Egyptian
The psychology of the Egyptian inhabitants is built in such a way that they tend to invent unusually beautiful and vivid tales, and they themselves believe in them. They perfectly exist in their myths and legends invented by them, they are extremely comfortable in them, they do not accept the laws of modernity, its frantic rhythm, therefore, they adapt with great difficulty to the realities of life. Their word means nothing to them, it's just a beautiful delicacy of speech, so the Egyptians think.
The tendency to invent fairy tales grows out of the habit of the local population to voice words that have nothing to do with the real state of affairs, often being the exact opposite of the truth. Painting their myth, they are so carried away that they sincerely do not see the inconsistencies between reality and their fantasies. It cannot even be said that they are liars and deceivers, these definitions are not entirely suitable for the Egyptians. The word "truth" or "truth" is also inapplicable to the Egyptian who fantasizes and believes in his fairy tale.
When communicating, the Egyptians frantically gesticulate, this helps them express their emotions. One should be condescending towards certain gestures, as they are different from the gestures familiar to a European. A gesture offensive to a European in Egypt does not mean anything bad, and vice versa, an Egyptian may be offended by a completely innocent gesture of a foreigner.
