10 Things NOT to Do in Egypt

When you think of Egypt, you might picture miles of sand and rock, but Egypt is home to much more than just pyramids. However, there is also some danger lingering in the nation’s corners. If you want to avoid trouble, here are some tips to help make sure your trip is nothing but great memories.

1. Don’t Engage in PDA
This means that you should avoid any kind of kissing — even a peck on the cheek — as it may be considered rude. You should also avoid hugging, too.

2. Consider a Tour Guide
Even if you’ve got a little bit of world travel experience, it's a good idea to enlist someone who is familiar with the terrain. It doesn't cost as much as you’d think.

3. Don’t Wear Sleeveless T-Shirts
Apart from Egypt’s coastal cities, the locals are a little more amenable if you stick to moderate clothing. Men should avoid sleeveless T’s and women should consider avoiding shorts.

4. Don’t Pay Sticker Price
In Egypt, they expect you to do a little bit of haggling for pretty much anything you can buy. Whether you’re picking up a pack of smokes or you’re picking out a souvenir, the merchants will expect a little bit of sport before the final purchase.

5. Don’t Cross the Street By Yourself
The traffic in Cairo is chaotic. The cars won’t stop for you, either. Fortunately, you can either follow an Egyptian as he or she crosses the street or someone will help you. They really are nice people.

6. Don’t Hire People on the Street
In the most popular tourist areas, you might be approached by strangers offering a special tour of a specific site. Don’t take them up on it. Hiring a guide is a good idea, but go through registered sources.

7. Don’t Forget to Tip
In Egypt, you should not only leave a tip when you’re in a restaurant, but you should also leave a little bit of gratuity in clothing shops and commercial outlets!

8. Don’t Pet Stray Animals
When you’re in highly populated urban areas, you’re likely to run across the occasional stray cat or a pack of stray dogs. They might look like they’re in need of some snuggles, but they might also be violent or carrying infectious diseases.

9. Don’t Drink on the Street
You might be inclined to let loose because you’re on vacation, but don’t drink any alcohol in the street. Not only is it unacceptable from a social standpoint, in some areas you might be committing a crime.

10. Don’t Worry About Punctuality
If you make plans to meet some place with an Egyptian local, don’t be surprised if they’re late. It’s not a personal slight, just go with it.

Where do you want to know what not to do in next?
Comment Below!

[bassanthorezjaurello]

Well.. I'm Egyptian and I live in New Cairo and most of what you said is false. You're free to do whatever you want and wear whatever you want. The tipping part is not true either! The only true thing is that you need to be careful when you're crossing the streets and you need to have a tour guide (It doesn't cost you a lot of money) that's it!

[karma]

*"no hugging"* you go to your friends house and you're greeted by hugs from the whole family

[wildmushroom]

Alright, I am Egyptian and I am going to clarify if those "tips" are true or not.

1. It's not forbidden or anything, it's just that you would be the center of attention, It's uncommon to show signs of affection publicly, of course holding hands is completely fine and hugs are normal as well.

2. That's universal while traveling to any other place, I don't know how that is specific to Egypt, but whatever.

3.absolute bullshit about the sleeveless t shirts. Girls wearing shorts is not common because it's described as being not modest, but you won't really be judged.

4. Again absolute bullshit.

5.Alright drivers in Cairo are a little...fast and furious inspired, but that doesn't mean they are deadly roads by any means, I cross them everyday ALONE, do I deserve a prize?

6. Never seen those guys he is talking about, but muh, I am no tourist, maybe they sense tourists from non tourists?

7. tips are present in almost every country, but the part about clothing shops isn't true, I think it's even considered unprofessional if that were the case.

8.Alright that's a good piece of advice there, you never now if they have any kind of disease from staying in streets all day long, however stray dogs being violent is rare because they tend to get used to people.

9.I am not quite sure about that one as I never saw someone drinking beer or something similar on the street, thus, I am not quite sure about the consequences, but I do know that private drinking is not regulated.

10 . No being late is considered rude if you aren't meeting a friend

*Phew* Finally done haha, I think I could have done my own video with this much "CORRECT" info, couldn't I?

[Abushaklk]

I am Egyptian and 90% of what your saying is not true

[strikerS]

As an Egyptian I call bullshit on that most of these are absolutely wrong

[karimanshahine]

I'm not sure how long this is gonna be but it's worth reading in case you concider visiting Egypt.
Okay so I'm egyptian and I have some re- correction on the video as an Egyptian citizen here just to clear things up a little more and hopefully help some people who consider visuting egypt, So for tip no.(1):
Yes, you should avoid PDA as that kind of contact isn not traditionally allowed, but any other friendly gestures as of hugging and a peck on the cheek or wherever is fine.
Tip no. (2):
Actually that's a very requested advice I would give to anyone considering visiting egypt as egypt is full of amazing places to vist, it's not just all about the sand and the pyramids and the Pharoahs trust me there is so much more than you can think of so you should definitely hire a tour guide for a better experience.
Tip no.(3):
Let's get this straight, now if you are visiting a coastal area you can pretty much wear anything (men&women), if you are visiting the suburbs of egypt you should prevent showing skin as much as you can, because as said the locals here prefer modest dressing or as much as you can possibility get to that, and if you are visiting any other places apart from the above then you should just stick in between, in other words for men you can pretty much wear whatever you want, and for women you should just prevent showing skin as much as you can possibly can, you can wear jeans, t-shirts, dresses, blouses, a lot of choices not including hijab as you don't HAVE to wear that.
Tip no. (4):
local shops here are considered the cheapest way to buy pretty much everything as they are the go to for anyone who can't afford the amount of money it might cost anywhere else, so for tourists those shops (or those individuals) are quite cheap so most of them double the price for tourists, so expect that if you consider buying anything from local sellers ONLY.
Tip no. (5):
This one is a bit unnecessary as you should always be careful when you are crossing the street pretty much anywhere, however, if you ever had a difficulty while doing so you can always ask someone to help you or someone will approach you without you asking as most people are very nice and friendly here especially with non-citizens, and also most of them would love to help and approach you even asking for pictures without expecting anything for return, so yeah expect that as well.
Tip no. (6):
Unless you KNOW what you are signing up for don't take any part in it. Also, why would you hire someone in the street anyway ? trust me tour gides in egypt are not as expensive as you might think.
Tip no. (7):
You don't HAVE to tip anyone. You can but you don't have to do it. a lot of people expect you to tip them but you are not forced to.
Tip no. (8):
Yes, a lot of areas here have street animals but not most of them are dangerous just prevent to get as near them for caution only.
Tip no. (9):
Try your best to follow this tip as it's taken more seriously here, it's not common to stumble into someone who is drunk and yes it's considered a crime in some areas, so be careful.
Tip no. (10):
I mean, some people don't really care about timing, and some others take timing very seriously, it's not a community thing, but a matter of fact it's usually very crowdy here so be careful with that if you want to get to a place on time.
I hope that was helpful enough & please if you have any questions hit me up in the comment section and I will gladly tell you whatever you need to know! have a great day :))♥

[Qibilii]

Sorry the tipping part is false...I've never tipped any waiter while in Cairo the times I traveled.

[ahmedaziz]

you are exaggerating ..egypt is like any other country in the world..except for traffic it's true :D

[JSPH_AMUN]

I’m Egyptian, and I’m very disappointed in the amount of misinformation this video is spreading about our country.

[anourinewael]

Me as an Egyptian thats so wrong guys!! First if you're non Egyptian not Arab so you can do what you want and second me as an Egyptian i can do what i want too we can wear what we want that's all so wrong especially the tip one i love to leave a tip for waiters but only for waiters

[LSMcIntosh]

Guys don’t trust this channel at all because they get things wrong all time it’s not a one off thing

[aishaabdulle]

im not an Egyptian but iv lived in Egypt for around 10 years and the only thing thats closed to correct here is that stray dogs can get a bit violent if you upset them they are not like normal pet dogs they are wayy smarter for example if u through a stick at it it will think ur attacking it and it will run way from you not like pet dogs plus the tipping thing is not correct the only time you should tip is when some one get you deliver bec they usually bring it to your door step and some of them can be young in age or if a homeless person comes to you asking for help also its true u should have a person who can speck the language and know where to go around place so you dont get lost bec that can be an easy thing to do

[user.]

Well after watching this whole video it's safe to say that whoever made this video clearly never been to Egypt 😂

[Bmeed]

As an Egyptian most of these are bs except the traffic thing and it used to be the petting thing too but now in most areas associations care for the strays (source I've befriended every cat on my street)

[peachy]

Wow you were way off... I’m not even gonna say how much was wrong with this video because I probably would be going on for a while...

[randomwolfy]

90٪of what your saying is not true i live in alexandria and theres something to know too every one who goes to egypt they think egypt is cheap but we dont

هو في اي مصري هنا؟

[Ahmednabeeh]

Tipping at a restaurant is as normal as anywhere else but tipping merchants, that’s new and not true. Ps if you see a stray cat or dog it’s okay to pet it as long as you wash your hands after.

[mohamedmoslemegy]

its not Egypt .. i am Egyptian, , plz check more about the country you speak about
:)

[itsmenna]

im Egyptian and 90% of what you've said is wrong !! number one, number eight and number nine are the only correct things but all the others are not correct

[Marvxi]

I'm an Egyptian who lives there and I say that 90% from these stuff in the video is false, you can do anything you want and go anywhere and hug and wear whatever you want, Egyptians are nice people and they won't do anything bad for you specially when you are a visitor.