Language:The official language is Arabic, but English and French are very widely spoken, especially in tourist centers. Signs on major streets are usually in Arabic and Roman. It is a good idea to become familiar with numerals as they are often used for prices. English is taught in the schools and there is usually someone who is happy to practice with you. The following words and phrases in Arabic may prove useful:Hello/goodbye = sa-eedaHow are you? = ahlan-wa-sahlanPlease = minfadlakThank you = shukronYes = aywaNo = laGood = kuwayyisBad = battalNational Emergency Numbers:123 – Ambulance180 – Fire122 – Police126 – Tourist Police128 – Traffic PolicePublic Holidays:The dates of certain public holidays change from year to year – refer below. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, then the Monday is also declared a public holiday.Jan. 07 – Coptic Christmas DayJan. 21 – Grand FeastFeb. 10 – Islamic New YearApr. 25 – Sinai Liberation Day (Sinai only)May 01 – Labor DayMay 02 – Sham el-Nassim (Coptic Easter)June 18 – Liberation DayJuly 23 – Revolution DayAug. 15 – Wafa’a el Nil (Flooding of the Nile)Sept. 11 – Coptic New Year *Oct. 06 – Armed Forces DayOct. 24 – Suez Victory DayNov. 03 – Bairam Feast (End of Ramadan)Dec. 23 – Victory Day*These holidays are not official, although Coptic Christians may observe them.Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes the Bairam Feast, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some restaurants are closed during the day but most tourist attractions and hotels are not affected. Some disruption may continue into the 3-day Grand Feast itself. Social conventions:When Egyptians meet, they don’t just say hello. Greetings are quite elaborate, and very often they will force one another to stop for tea. The farewells will be as elaborate as the greetings. Foreigners who take time to ask after people’s health are always appreciated.Whether Muslim or Copt, Egyptians are deeply religious and these principles govern their daily lives. In combination, is commitment to extended family. Each family member is responsible for the family integrity and the behavior of other members.All visitors to mosques, mausoleums, and madrasas must remove their shoes. Most Muslims walk around in their stockings but those mosques that are major tourist attractions have canvas overshoes available. Here, a tip of 50PT to LE1 is in order for the people who put them on for you. Women must cover their bare arms and should also have a hat or other head covering. Muslims are scrupulous about washing before prayer. They are just as scrupulous about eating and will only use their right hand; the left is reserved for cleaning themselves. Feet are also considered unclean, so when a Muslim enters a mosque he takes off his shoes and when he sits down facing someone, he makes sure the soles of his feet are not showing.Egyptian men walk hand in hand down the street, but it is rare to see males and females touch in public. Physical contact between foreign couples is also frowned upon. If you want to feel at ease, don’t kiss or embrace in the street. For men, speaking to an unknown Egyptian woman is a breach of etiquette. Ticket lines are occasionally segregated by gender. Women should line up with other women (bonus: the lines are usually shorter). Unlike most Westerners, most Egyptians require little personal space and will stand within inches of you to talk. You will find whenever you start talking with an Egyptian, you will inevitably draw a crowd, and often the Egyptians will discuss among themselves over the correct answer to a question.Egyptians, if offered anything, will refuse the first invitation, which is customary. You should do the same (unless you're dealing with Egyptians used to Western frankness). If the offer is from the heart, and not just politeness, it will be repeated. If you're invited into a home, especially in small villages, and have to refuse, the householder will often press for a promise from you to visit in the future, usually for a meal. If you make such a promise, keep it, for having foreign guests is often considered a social coup. If you fail to arrive, your would-be host will be humiliated. To repay invitations, you may host a dinner in a restaurant, a common practice. Time Zone:Egypt time is GMT +2 hours. During daylight saving time it is +3hrsTippingIn Egypt, you are a khawaga (foreigner) and, therefore, rich. As such you are supposed to have baksheesh (literally: share wealth) for everyone. Obviously, you tip a waiter, porter or taxi driver, but the guard who opens a tomb or switches on the light “especially for you” will also expect a tip. Children whose picture you take and even people who didn’t do anything at all will ask for money. Alms for the poor are called baksheesh, too.Everyone seems to want something from you, and while this is annoying, please understand that is very much a part of the culture. Maintaining a good humor about this aspect of travel is essential to your enjoyment of the trip. So you might as well get used to paying something if someone makes your life easier. Indeed, this type of bribery is often necessary just to get something done. But do resist giving money to people who haven’t done anything.An exception to tipping – please do not offer tips to professionals, businessmen, or others who would consider themselves your equal. You may seriously offend them by your act. We emphasize that tipping is definitely not a requirement but should be undertaken only by choice. Whatever you believe to be appropriate will be appreciated by the staff you have met. If you want to tip because you have received good service, we have enclosed a brief guideline to assist you.¨ All hotel taxes and service charges have been included in the cost of your tour, so unless someone provides you with extra service such as room service, you need not tip. Always check your bill first to see if a service charge has been automatically added.First class restaurants10 to 15% is customary for great serviceLuggage handlingUSD$1 for all baggage brought to your roomGuidesPrivate full day tours: USD$10-20 per person per dayPrivate half day tours: USD$5-10 per person per day DriversPrivate full day tours: USD$4-6 per person per dayPrivate half day tours: USD$2-3 per person per dayCruise StaffTipping for cruise staff is done at the end of the cruise. Generally, tips are pooled among the entire cruise ship staff in the equivalent of USD$12-15 per person per day. This does not include the cruise guide.US EmbassyMailing Address:The Embassy of the United States of America5 Tawfik Diab StreetGarden City, Cairo EgyptTel: (20-2) 2797 3300Fax: (20-2) 2797 3200Website: egypt.usembassy.gov/
