Culture and traditions in Egypt

Culture and Traditions:

Egypt is country of cultural mix, There is an immense cultural mix, in Every major city in Egypt you will find traditions that remained from the pharaohs times, and in other parts you will find pure tribal customs, which were brought by many invaders throughout the centuries. That contradiction and contrast between areas of Egypt when you compare it with other middle eastern countries, you will find Egypt is considered advanced among others, yet here you will find that the customs and mentality tends to be full of warmth towards visitors and foreigners. I guess this is the secret why Egypt is considered the most attractive country in the region for travelers. The pure nature of the local Egyptians when they are always there when you need help, or when they invite you into their houses and they hardly know you, or when they smile in your face, makes a visit to Egypt a wonderful and unforgettable experience.

Egypts population consists of 67 million 57 million of them are Sunni Muslims and about 10 Million are Coptic Christians (Christian Egyptians). Although public statistics indicate that they are not more than 7 million. Whether Muslim or Copt, the Egyptians are moderately religious and religious principles is quite noticed in their daily lives. Here each family member is responsible for the integrity of family and for the behaviour of other members, creating an environment that would be envied by many people in the West. Here they are so close to each others, family ties are far stronger than in the west, hence you will find any major city in Egypt, is more safer than any western metropolis.

Yet when travelers come to Egypt they are often apprehensive. Their views of Egyptians and Arabs, fomented by unkind and untrue media stories, often bear no relation to reality. Travelers when they meet Egyptians are often surprised by their friendly, hospitable reception and take home with them good feelings about Egypt and its population.

Egyptians form a society of a mixture of middle eastern family standards, taken from the different religious rules whether in Islam or Christianity, it created a sort of background that can color their decision-making in a way difficult for foreigners to understand. Yet it is precisely this training that makes Egyptians some of the most charming and helpful of hosts. By understanding the culture and with consideration for your hosts, you can be a welcome guest in Egypt.

In general, Egyptians are most accommodating and they will go out of their way to help you and respond to any questions you have. Most Egyptians require little personal space and will stand within inches of you to talk! You will find that whenever you start talking with an Egyptian, you will inevitably draw a crowd, and often the Egyptians will start discussing among themselves over the correct answer to a question.

Although most of the Moslems in Egypt do not drink alcohol they don't object to others drinking, but imbibing in reasonable amounts. In Egypt people don't eat pork, and rarely when you find a place that offers pork choice on their menu.

People here fast at the time of Ramadan , it is the time when they all come close to each other and respect each other, I t is the time when they go out till late at night and fast by day .

During this month, donations, almsgiving and charity would be at its highest rates, it is the time for forgiveness and love. It is a wonderful month.

Interested to know what is Ramadan?? click here to know more

In Egypt there are hardly any restrictions on foreign women. Ticket lines, for example, are occasionally segregated. Women line up with other women (especially since the lines are usually shorter). On the underground lines, the first car is usually reserved for women. especially elderly ones. For men, speaking to an unknown Egyptian woman is a breach of etiquette. Take care in any liaisons you form because some families still follow ancient traditions. Crime in Egypt is nearly nonexistent, and violence is usually limited to family feuds. However, in tourism areas some pickpockets and petty thieves may exist, so be careful and remember that the ever helpful tourism police are usually nearby. Women must be cautious, especially in out-lying areas. Stay completely away from drugs and leave yours at home.

Egyptians, if offered anything, will refuse the first invitation which is customary. Therefore (unless you're dealing with Egyptians used to Western frankness) you should do the same. 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.

Tipping is way of life in Egypt , if someone does something you would consider as an extra effort, he is expecting to be tipped. You only tip if you feel you want to do it, there is no pressure but, of course it would leave a good impression, and many people are surviving on very little.

Tip appropriately and don't give small notes or coins as tipping to people who helped you all the way throughout your trip such as drivers, tour leaders, tour escorts) it would be an insult for them, And please, do not offer tips to professionals, businessmen, or others who would consider themselves your equals. You may seriously offend them by your act.

Women in Egypt are fairly beautiful ! The Egyptian woman is well educated, She would spent a great part of her life cherished and being looked after by her parents until she gets married. In Egypt 85% of the girls keep themselves virgins till they get married, this is a common choice in the middle east, as men usually believe that this is a sign of morality and good karma. Yet 90% of men prefer virgin women to marry. But I still can't understand why they would be ready to give up this believe so easily if they were going to marry a foreign woman!!!

Here you will find plenty of girls are wearing the veil, it is common these days among many families. Nowadays in Egypt, many women wear the veil demonstrating either modesty or Muslim piety. One reason this is favored by many young professional women, is that it tends to discourage male advances, physical or verbal.

It is very important in Islam that the woman be less seductive to a stranger and to show modesty. You may find it difficult not to impose your western concepts of feminism on such an inherent part of life. From the 1930s onwards, Egyptian women began to enter into business and many professions. Thus by 1965, thanks in part to social changes affected in the course of the July Revolution, Egypt could boast a far higher proportion of women working as doctors, dentists, lawyers, professors, diplomats, ministers, or high officials than might have been found in the US or in any European country outside of Scandinavia.

Foreign women, traveling alone in Egypt are generally very safe, however will be noticed much less in larger cities than in smaller towns or in the country side. Should any problems or difficulties arise, then help should be sought from the police or any shopkeeper in the vicinity. Women shouldn't walk in isolated areas alone, which is true in any other city or place around the world. Though most male advances are innocent and harmless, women should not accept these advances from strangers. And dressing appropriately is just plain common sense.

Major famous mosques are open to the public unless services are in progress (the main service is on Friday at noon). Keep in mind that a mosque differs from a western church in that Christian churches are considered houses of God, while mosques are more a gathering place for the faithful of Islam. All visitors to mosques, mausoleums, and Madrasas (religious schools) must remove their shoes. Most Muslims walk around in their stockings, yet sometimes in those mosques that are major tourist attractions canvas overshoes available; a tip of 50 PT to 1 LE, is in order for the people who put them on for you. Women must cover bare arms. There is no need to wear a hat, or to cover hair. Men and women should wear a long shirt and long trousers when you visiting a mosque.

Major days off and public holidays :

Day	Description

First day of the spring ( second Monday after the Coptic ester day )	it is called Sham EL-Nessim day ( Just Avoid going out in this day to national parks and the zoo )
25th of April	Sinai liberation day.
1 of may	workers day
23rd of July	1952 revolution day
6 October	Armed forces day, victory day 1973
13 October	Suez liberation day
23rd of December	Victory day
Eid EL-Adha Sacrifice feast	comes right after the pilgrimage season, it last for four days
Eid EL Feter Breakfast feast	comes right after the the holy fasting month of Ramadan

The business and secular community in Egypt operates under the Western (Gregorian) calendar (BC/AD). But other calendars have official status in Egypt. The Islamic calendar (AH), is used to fix religious observances and is based on a lunar cycle of 12 months of 29or 30 days. The Muslim year is thus 11 days shorter than the year according to the Gregorian calendar and months move forward accordingly.

In the Gregorian calendar, for example, April is always in the spring, but in the Muslim calendar all months move through all seasons in a 33-year cycle.

The Coptic calendar (AM) is based on a solar cycle and consists of 12 months of 30 days and one month of 5 days. Every four years a sixth day is added to the shorter month. An adaptation of the Coptic calendar is used by many farmers for planting and harvesting crops. It is used by the authorities of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

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