Home to ancient wonders including the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, Egypt boasts an unrivalled account of history, culture and achievements. But what makes this destination seven more special is the Egyptian traditions, hospitality and warmth of its people.<\/p>\n
Egyptians have every reason to be proud of their country – their contributions to art, science, and philosophy have profoundly influenced human knowledge and culture – and they welcome with open arms the millions of visitors each year who come to see the incredible engineering and artistry of their ancestors.<\/p>\n
To find out more about these traditions, and what you can expect on your visit to Egypt, we asked Travel Director and Egyptologist Assem to tell us more. \u201cAt the heart of Egyptian culture is the value placed on hospitality, generosity and kindness, and for us that is characterized by an open door and a warm smile,\u201d he explains. \u201cWe\u2019re extremely proud of our country and the historical riches we can share with visitors, and we want to ensure you\u2019ll come back again and again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Are the locals pleased to see visitors?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Assem explains that Egyptian hospitality is a deeply rooted tradition, and you\u2019ll not only be met with warmth by adults, but it\u2019s the kids also who truly embody the spirit of welcome.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cOf course, visitors are welcomed by those in the tourist sector,\u201d he says, \u201csuch as taxi drivers, vendors, and shopkeepers. Those whose friendliness often serves a business purpose. However, while driving through cities and countryside you\u2019ll see young kids so excited, waving to you and blowing you kisses.<\/p>\n \u201cThis affection and enthusiasm is not motivated by profit or expectation, they know nothing about the importance of tourism for this economy. They are simply thrilled to meet someone from another part of the world. Often, they approach visitors with the desire to practice their English, asking questions like, \u201cWhat is your name? Where do you come from?<\/p>\n \u201cAs they grow, they will become increasingly aware and proud of their country\u2019s rich heritage. Children frequently embark on field trips to historical sites and monuments, gaining a sense of pride and ownership over their history.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n When visiting Egypt, what kind of welcome can I expect? <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cFirst of all, it\u2019s important to note that Egyptian social customs are warm,\u201d Assem explains. \u201cWe are very expressive, and that shows through in the hospitality. The most common greeting is the handshake when you meet someone for the first time. If I’m meeting a friend I haven\u2019t seen for a while, I would give him a hug or a kiss on each cheek. We only do this with the same gender, though \u2014 man to man or woman to woman. The handshake is for either gender.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen welcoming someone into the home, generosity and warmth are at the forefront, and we have the saying, ‘My house is your house.’ As is part of Egyptian traditions, you will immediately be offered a drink, either coffee, tea, or juice, and you will always be invited to stay for the next meal. It\u2019s not just something that is said; it is a genuine invitation. We love to share meals together. As the visitor, you could usually bring a box of Bucha chocolates.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you do stay for a meal, you may enjoy traditional dishes such as koshari (a mixture of rice, lentils, pasta, and tomato sauce), molokhia (a green soup), and freshly baked bread. Food in Egypt is not just about nourishment; it is a communal experience. For us dining together keeps us connected, our meals are a time for conversation and laughter, allowing visitors to truly feel at home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Useful phrases to learn<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cLearning some key phrases and traditional greetings always endear you to the locals,\u201d says Assem. \u201cIf you are going to a sightseeing or touristic area, on a cruise ship or in a taxi, most people will speak some English, but if you\u2019re walking in the street or at the market, the average working-class Egyptian will not speak English. So, it is always appreciated to learn some local phrases. Our language is Arabic, and some of the most useful that I aways share with guests are:<\/p>\n Useful information \u2013 the working week<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIn Egypt our official working week is Sunday to Thursday,\u201d Assem explains. \u201cMost of our population is Muslim (Egypt is 90% Muslim and 10% Christian), so our official day off is Friday to attend the Jumah prayer, at noon time. This means that the most exciting night of our week is Thursday night – you have it Saturday Night Fever and we have Thursday night fever! That’s where all the weddings take place, concerts, big events, always on a Thursday night.<\/p>\n \u201cBut to confuse things a little, although Sunday is a working day, but shops are often closed, because people tend to do their shopping on a Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n Why the streets are full and fun at night<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWe normally work from nine to five and, since it’s a hot country, we often come back from work and have a little siesta,\u201d Assem says. \u201cThen, at sunset, it becomes lovely, bright, colorful, and full of light and we all go out \u2013 it\u2019s one of the most fun Egyptian traditions. At night, we go browsing, shopping in malls, or stroll the streets\u2014everything comes alive after dark. I was surprised when I visited America to find that once the sun sets, things go very quiet! That\u2019s not the case in Egypt. Even the kids stay out at night; it feels very safe to wander around. We don\u2019t typically have violent crimes in the streets, so it\u2019s quite safe to be out and about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n