Greetings
Greetings are an essential part of Egyptian culture and are often seen as a sign of respect. In Egypt, it is common to greet people with a handshake and a ‘Salam,’ which is a formal greeting. Additionally, it is sometimes customary to give three kisses on the cheek during traditional Islamic greetings, although this is only applicable to some and should not be expected or assumed.
Observing and respecting cultural norms is essential when meeting people for the first time in Egypt.
Handshakes
Handshakes should be firm and at chest level, with direct eye contact, and is more common between men than between men and women. When greeting someone of the opposite sex, a nod of the head is more appropriate. In Muslim culture, it is considered proper for a woman not to shake hands or make physical contact with any man outside her family. However, women in Egypt are usually comfortable shaking a foreigner’s hand, even if they are from Muslim backgrounds themselves.
It is common amongst business professionals in Egypt to use two hands when shaking hands as a sign of warm friendship. Likewise, an embrace is also quite familiar between friends and close associates when being introduced or saying goodbye.
Egyptians may often exchange multiple kisses on the cheeks as part of their greeting process with both females and males. It is also important to note how much physical contact there tends to be during conversations in Egypt; it is essential for people who might feel uncomfortable about this to be prepared for some physical contact during their discussions, and if people aren’t comfortable with this form of expression, then it should be expressed clearly.
Use of Titles
When greeting people in Egypt, titles are expected when speaking with adults and strangers. Respectful salutations include “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” “Good evening,” and variations such as “Peace be upon you.” Also popular are formal salutations such as Salaam Aleikum (Peace be Upon You) or the even more formal Ahlan wa Sahlan (Hello and Welcome).
It is respectful for any subordinate to greet a superior first. However, these titles can also be used when addressing people you know well, such as family members or close friends, particularly if the title is preceded by an honorific such as Shiekh/Shiekha (for a respected person) or Ustaadh/Ustaadha (for an educated adult).
Furthermore, adults are always addressed by their first names preceded by a title like Mr., Ms., Mrs., Ustaadh/Ustaadha, or Shiekha/Shiekh. When introducing oneself, the first name is often followed by the father’s name, such as Mahmoud Yusuf.
It is important to remember that other people’s names should not be used too freely with acquaintances and strangers out of respect for them.
Dress Code
In Egypt, people typically dress modestly to be respectful of social norms. For women, this means wearing clothes that cover the arms, legs, chest, and shoulders and avoiding tight or revealing clothing. Likewise, men should avoid wearing shorts or other clothing that could be considered immodest. Bright colors and flashy jewelry should also be avoided while out in public.
It is considered polite to dress conservatively and respectfully in Egypt.
Respect for Islamic Dress Codes
Respect for Islamic dress codes is a way of showing respect for the traditions and culture of Egypt. All visitors are expected to dress modestly and conservatively, particularly when visiting mosques or places of religious significance. For both men and women, clothing should cover the arms and legs. Women should wear a scarf to protect their heads when visiting places of religious significance unless they are tourists in transit who will be inside the mosque only briefly.
For beachwear, women should ensure that their swimsuits are not too revealing, and bikinis are not acceptable in any public places in Egypt. Shorts, t-shirts, and beachwear may be suitable for tourists staying on the Red Sea coast, but more modest clothing (with both legs and arms covered) is recommended elsewhere around the country. In urban areas, short-sleeved shirts or blouses covering at least the shoulder area are preferable for both men and women. However, many residents still respect tradition by wearing long-sleeved shirts or blouses outdoors and indoors whenever possible.
For visiting a place of religious significance (including non-Muslim sites such as Coptic Churches), women must additionally wear long trousers or skirts reaching down to below their knees; shorts will not be allowed even if they have covered tops attached – a fact which is surprisingly lost on some female visitors who don’t bother changing into more suitable clothes after coming directly from a beach holiday!
Appropriate Clothing for Men and Women
Egyptian society is quite conservative regarding the clothing of both men and women. While some dress more liberally in cities, residents of more rural areas live by very traditional religious customs and expect their visitors to do the same. Generally, it is best to dress modestly when visiting any part of Egypt.
For men, appropriate clothing includes trousers (not jeans), a collared shirt, and shoes. Shorts, t-shirts, sandals, or trainers are only acceptable in water or on the beach. It is best to avoid revealing clothing, such as shorts or sleeveless shirts.
Women should also dress modestly; this includes pants or long skirts (preferably below the knee) and long-sleeved blouses that don’t expose too much skin. Dresses should not be above the knee either – maxi dresses that cover arms and feet are considered more respectful and appropriate for foreigners visiting Egypt than shorter options; this applies even during hot summer when people tend to want lighter clothing options. Scarves or shawls can also be worn around shoulders to cover up any exposed skin while remaining comfortable in hot climates – they are an essential wardrobe staple year-round regardless of whether you are a Resident in Egypt or a visitor at rural places. Finally, hats may not always be an expected formality but may prove useful during very hot days outdoors, so bring hats & sunglasses if needed!
Eating Etiquette
There are a few cultural etiquettes to be aware of when eating in Egypt. In general, it’s important to remember to be courteous. For example, table manners are essential in Egypt, so you should always wait for your elder relatives to eat first. Also, avoid eating with your hands unless you’re eating traditional food like koshari.
Here, we’ll cover the basics of eating etiquette in Egypt:
Use of Cutlery
Etiquette around the dining table is essential in Egypt, but smaller restaurants or family gatherings may not strictly enforce these customs. However, they are still good to keep in mind if you want to represent yourself as a polite guest. Generally speaking, forks and spoons are used at formal dinners, and it is also customary to bring your cutlery when attending a dinner party.
The fork and spoon are both meant for use from left to right when using the cutlery for any meal, such as lunch or dinner. While the fork should remain in the left hand during the meal, the spoon should be alternated with the right hand depending on the dish served. Also, guests should keep their hands visible on the table while eating instead of resting them on their laps. Food can be sampled by lifting small morsels onto one’s fork for sampling before deciding whether more should be taken per mouthful.
Table Manners
Table manners vary slightly between various regions in Egypt. Generally, it is polite to keep one’s hands above the table, never eat off of someone else’s plate, and wait for others before beginning to eat; however, it is seen as polite and welcoming to each other if everyone starts eating at the same time. It is also customary not to reach across the table or to point with a fork, as both gestures can be considered rude. Other important manners include:
- Asking before taking food from other people’s plates
- Not refusing food offered by others, even if you are full.
In general, food is served family-style in Egypt, with large plates of food being shared among several people at the same table, often using their hands rather than utensils for things like scooping rice or dipping bread into stews; however, when dining out in restaurants, it is more common to use utensils such as forks, knives, and spoons. Eating too quickly can also be seen as bad etiquette, so one should take time when enjoying meals. Lastly, dessert dishes such as fruit should be served outside the main plate before or after meals.
Communication
Communication is a critical factor in understanding Egypt’s cultural customs and etiquette. Knowing the country’s key norms, values, and gestures can help you form meaningful connections with the locals.
In Egypt, communication is considered direct and honest, though people must practice reserve and politeness. Being open, direct, and polite is a trait that Egyptians highly appreciate, and it is something that will go a long way in establishing positive relationships.
Respect for Elders
In Egypt, a high value is placed on respect for elders, which should be respected in communication with people from Egypt. Elders are adults older than the speaker, often seen as wise and deserving of respect.
It is important to use polite language when speaking to elders and to show respect using formal language. It may mean using titles or addressing them in a certain way in conversation, such as calling them ‘uncle‘ or ‘auntie.’ It is also important to remember that elders may not be used to modern terms and phrasings, so it is best not to use slang or overly familiar phrasings.
Additionally, it is essential to remember never to raise your voice at an elder; this will likely result in loss of face and deep offense taken.
Use of Body Language
When communicating with Egyptians, it is essential to remember that body language and other non-verbal cues can be important indicators of proper behavior. In addition, because many aspects of culture are not openly discussed, body language can play an essential role in both understanding and being understood.
For example, when addressing someone for the first time or during a formal meeting, it is considered proper etiquette to maintain eye contact and give a slight bow from the waist. In addition, handshakes are common among men, while women rarely shake hands; they may offer an elbow bump instead.
A touch is an acceptable expression among family and close friends; a touch on the arm or shoulder is usually interpreted as a sign of warmth or appreciation rather than aggression or presumption. In some contexts, the ‘OK’ sign made with the thumb and forefinger is considered rude; it may also mean something entirely different than what you expect. Pointing your finger at others is also frowned upon unless necessary for emphasis during a speech. On the other hand, putting your palms together in front of you or gently bowing your head to denote respect is usually well received by those who understand these cultural context cues.
It’s important to note that certain common behaviors in some cultures are viewed as offensive by others; it’s wise to learn about these distinctions before attempting communication in any society where social mores may differ from one’s home culture.
Business Etiquette
Egyptian business etiquette includes specific rules around behavior, dress, and communication. It is important to follow these guidelines to ensure good business relations. Businesspeople should also be aware that personal relationships are important in the culture and that building trust is essential to cementing a business relationship.
Let’s look into the details of Egyptian business etiquette:
Meeting and Greeting
In Egypt, greetings and meeting etiquette are quite formal yet friendly. An official introduction will be necessary when meeting someone for business purposes, with full titles being used when available. It is normal to be introduced to the oldest or most senior person first. Upon the initial introduction and other subsequent meetings, a handshake is customary.
Eye contact is significant in Egyptian culture, and respect should always be observed when communicating. For example, when shaking hands, it is expected that direct eye contact is made during the handshake, with the palm-to-palm connection being more meaningful than a “limp” handshake. It should also be brief and generally longer, with some Egyptian men having very firm handshakes and women having gentler ones. Usually, names are exchanged at a business meeting. Still, it isn’t until after that point that people may address each other by their first names, which won’t happen for a few meetings until familiarity develops.
Greeting African Egyptians should not be swift because conversation may arise regarding the family or general health of yourself or your acquaintance as long as there is sufficient time for it; this makes conversations informal but in a respectful manner where observation of the status of participants is respected by all including any locals you are with on your visit in Egypt; invitations to dinner or social gatherings at home could follow as a sign of hospitality from local hosts if they have taken enough interest in you to ask you such an invitation which would likely include an array of local delicacies while taking elaborate efforts in making everyone attending feel welcome by engaging everyone in conversations throughout the gathering; this often takes place within large social gatherings around dinner tables however it may take place on one’s own too as part of their hospitality (not within bigger contexts such as social parties).
Gift-giving and Receiving
Gift-giving is an integral part of Egyptian culture; therefore, it is very likely that gifts will be exchanged when visiting someone. A polite way to refuse a gift is by expressing disbelief that such a powerful gift could be given. Appropriate gifts usually include small items such as perfumes, pastries, chocolates, or flowers.
If invited to dine with locals, it is advisable to bring some sweets or other food items as a token of appreciation for the family’s hospitality.
Receiving a gift should always be done with both hands, and one should never open the package in front of the giver. It is considered ungrateful to open up the package immediately; you should wait until you are alone before opening it. If possible, try reciprocating the favor by giving something back, even if it’s just flowers or candy.
One should also be careful not to give anything made out of leather – such as a wallet – as it might offend Muslims since Islam forbids animal product consumption or usage, including leather goods. Depending on how traditional your hosts are, they may consider writing directly on pictures disrespectful and wrongful. Avoid doing this in Egypt, especially if writing anything derogatory about religion or culture. Unwrapped gifts may also be seen as inappropriate and offensive, so ensure your gifts are neatly wrapped before presenting them to others!