Egypt, a land of ancient wonders and vibrant culture, can be a fascinating yet challenging destination for travelers and expats alike. Many people grow up with a fascination about ancient Egypt, and it pulls on the imagination more than any other country in the world.
While the country is modern and diverse, certain cultural practices may require some getting used to. This article delves into the various aspects of culture shock experienced in Egypt, offering insights and advice for a smoother transition.
Understanding Egyptian Culture
CultureShock! Egypt is invaluable to anyone who wants to blend into life in the country whose existence revolves around the River Nile. Containing much insight about the Egyptian people-the class system, the importance of family, their sense of honour-this guide also provides useful information and advice for settling into your new home and getting along with the locals.
For example, learn about their notion of space and eye contact, and how the men may perceive foreign women who smile at them. On the business front, be aware of the necessity of having business cards as well as how to handle uniquely Egyptian business meetings.
Most people across the world have a strange assortment of disjointed facts, myths, and complete fiction associated with Egypt. There are notions about pyramids and pharaohs’ curses, a vague awareness of a cat-worshipping ancient civilization (at least in the minds of most modern cat lovers), and some superficial knowledge of the political uprisings and upheavals of the last several years. Naturally, this fragmented picture depicts Egypt as much more other-worldly than it really is.
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In reality, Egypt is a modern, developed, diverse country that most expats quite readily adjust to. Nonetheless, it does have many cultural practices that may take some getting used to.
Greeting Customs
Men will often greet each other with kisses on the cheek - in fact, multiple kisses, on alternating cheeks. This is typically done only when the relationship is particularly close and/or warm. In most other situations, shaking hands is quite normal, although the firm, quick handshake is not particularly valued. Handshakes tend to be loose and long-lasting.
Expats may be initially uncomfortable with both practices, especially men, who, if they come from the US or most parts of Europe are culturally unused to as much casual physical contact. For women, the problem is slightly different - a man will usually wait for a woman to initiate a handshake, and if this does not happen, he will simply give a respectful bow. Unfortunately, a woman initiating a handshake may sometimes be judged as being too forward; it’s up to you to gauge your company and act accordingly.
People of the opposite sex do not do the traditional kiss.
Men greeting each other in Egypt.
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The "Shatafa"
In Egypt, “Shatafa” is the word for the “bidet”. This is a little low-placed sink meant for washing the genitalia, buttocks, and anal area after one has used the toilet. It is not a uniquely Egyptian contraption (“bidet” is, after all, a French word), but physical hygiene being very important in Islamic culture, the shatafa has become extremely popular in Egypt.
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Expats often first mistake these fixtures for mini-tubs or oddly placed wash basins, and the idea of using one may well seem strange. However, after a while you will no doubt get used to it; and remember that some cultures might find toilet paper equally strange and horrifying.
Fridays Off
Friday is the day of rest for Muslims, and so for most people in Egypt, it’s the weekly holiday. Weekends are typically Friday and Saturday, which can be rather disorienting initially, for expats who have never encountered this part of the world before.
Superstitions
All countries and cultures have their own superstitions. Culturally, Egypt shares some things with parts of Europe, and superstitions are on this list - warnings about cats, black magic, and jinxes will sound familiar. However, there are also some more unique local superstitions - for example, people will be quite appalled if you leave your footwear upside down.
Some say that this is because the soles of shoes are considered unclean, and upturning them means facing them towards god. (As an extension, sitting in a position where the sole of your shoe is facing another person is also considered quite rude.) There are also superstitions regarding scissors and the color blue, and you may encounter others during your time in Egypt.
The best course of action is to politely go along with them when you are in company, unless it causes you exceptional discomfort or outrage, in which case you can politely smile and say you don’t follow superstitions even back home.
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Attitude to Punctuality
In professional life, Egyptians are relatively punctual, and tend to be even more so when dealing with foreigners. However, in most personal dealings, punctuality is not particularly highly valued in Egypt. This can be quite frustrating to many people, but our advice is to simply join them.
(Also, when we say “professional” we mean mostly corporations and big businesses - your grocer and your electrician are likely to take a much more relaxed attitude to schedules.) Trying to fight this will only leave you frustrated, unhappy and stressed out. It’s not rudeness, it is simply a cultural attitude to time.
Challenges Faced by Expats
Expats in Egypt often find the local culture to be quite different from their own, which can be challenging to adjust to. Many expats find the language barrier to be a major challenge, as English is not widely spoken in Egypt. Additionally, the conservative nature of the culture can be difficult to navigate, as certain behaviors and dress codes are expected in public.
Expats may also find the bureaucracy and paperwork involved in living in Egypt to be overwhelming. Figuring out what to expect in Egypt can be quite confusing for many expats.
Appreciating the Differences
We often take things for granted in our own countries. Laws. Safety. Hygiene. Freedom. Comfort. Technology. Loss of certain comforts brings an appreciation of what we have back home. Egypt was a culture shock that helped me appreciate Canada.
There is no rhyme or reason to the traffic flow in Egypt. You can turn down a street and see a bus coming directly at you. Vehicles occupying the road in Egypt have been side-swiped on all possible angles. I saw a passenger holding his door closed while in transit on the highway due to damage to the car. There is no reason to fix your car in Egypt when it gets hit as you will probably get into an accident on the way to your next destination.
Our car was hit on the way to the Cairo airport. The driver got out, looked at the front of his car, got back in and kept driving. The other driver didn’t stop either. Bumper cars in action.
Practical Tips for Adjusting
Here are some practical tips for adjusting to life in Egypt:
- Learn some basic Arabic phrases: This will greatly help in daily interactions and show respect for the local culture.
- Dress modestly: Especially in religious areas, dressing modestly is important to avoid unwanted attention and show respect.
- Be patient: Things may not always happen as quickly or efficiently as you are used to. Patience is key.
- Embrace the culture: Be open to trying new things and experiencing the local culture.
- Stay hydrated: The Egyptian climate can be very hot, so it's important to drink plenty of water.
Personal Anecdotes
I can spend days recounting stories of the many amazing experiences that we had during our weeks in Egypt. Spending a night climbing on the pyramids under the full moon with my sisters, having dinner in a mud hut with a family in Luxor, meeting Dr. Labib Habashi, the dean of Egyptian archaeologists and hearing his stories of how they moved the temple of Abu Simbel when the Aswan dam was built.
Most memorable of all was attending the 75th birthday party of a woman named Omm Sety, who believed herself to be the reincarnation of a young girl who was studying to be a priestess at the temple of Isis in Abydos. We met Omm Sety exactly two weeks after this photo of her was taken. She was a remarkable person who lived a remarkable life.
The Beauty of Cultural Immersion
Travel is about, seeing and experiencing different cultures. Seeing and recognizing yourself and where you can improve and grow. Figuring out if the paradigms you cling to are driving you toward success or hindering it.
Most noteworthy, an Egyptian Proverb states, “What you are doing does not matter so much as what you are learning from doing it.” I learned to roll with it and keep going, even when blindsided.
Egyptian culture helped me to recognize what is important to me and appreciate all I have been blessed with in Canada.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Greetings | Men often greet with kisses on the cheek; handshakes are loose and long-lasting. |
| "Shatafa" | A bidet-like fixture used for personal hygiene. |
| Weekends | Friday and Saturday are typical weekend days. |
| Superstitions | Various superstitions exist, such as avoiding placing footwear upside down. |
| Punctuality | Relaxed attitude towards punctuality in personal dealings. |
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