Walk Like an Egyptian

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Elena V from Closter
February 10, 2006

Egypt took my breathe away.

Cairo was hectic, noisy, and sometimes chaotic, but it was thrilling and vibrant.${QuickSuggestions} Tourist Price
One thing we all learned early on during the trip, is that there are two kinds of prices in Egypt, the tourist price and the Egyptian price. Expect the tourist price to be higher. Try to get an idea of how much things should cost before buying anything from the markets or any of the stores. Ask anyone familiar with Egyptian culture, or someone who works at your hotel or hostel. Many times vendors will hike up prices to make extra money from unknowing tourists. It is very common to haggle with people in the market., but be careful of scams. My friend and I were scammed into buying paintings on papyrus because we were initially told that they would be a gift and they wrote our names on them. The artwork was extremely overpriced. We later returned to get our money back.

Safety
Some people worry about safety in Egypt. Tourism is very important for the Egyptian economy and I was told that the government works very hard to make sure that tourists are kept safe. Tourist police can be found at almost every corner of tourist areas. They can be a bit intimidating however since they carry semi-automatic machine guns. From my own personal experience I do not feel as if I was in any danger, however, I would suggest to plan accordingly and to be safe.

Baksheesh
Many Egyptians ask for baksheesh (tip). You can expect some people to ask for a tip even for holding the door open for you. Young kids also sell items on the street for a few dollars, such as toys or tissues. Always keep small bills and change on you for baksheesh, but be careful who you give it to.
Egyptians are known for being very friendly, hence the term Egyptian hospitality. It is common to be invited in for tea in a store and to sit and chat with the store owner. They are very friendly but there is also the expectation that you will buy something from the store.

Guides
Use a guide whenever you can. I cannot stress how helpful guides were for our trip. Not only are you safer but you get a better experience as well.${BestWay} In Cairo, the easiest way to get around is by taxi. The drivers in Cairo tend to be a little more reckless than what I was accustomed to. The taxi drivers are no different. Make sure to negotiate a price with your driver before he starts driving, in order to prevent being over charged. There are no meters. You should agree on a price with the cab driver no matter the time it takes to get there. A cab ride should average around 5 Egyptian pounds.
From journal Walk Like an Egyptian

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Walk Like an Egyptian - Review - IgoUgo

Egypt

Walk Like an Egyptian