![]() Unless you are handling something considered dirty, always use the right hand. – The left hand is considered unclean in Egypt. If an Egyptian holds your hand, accept this as a gesture of friendship. – Arab men usually walk hand in hand although Western-style Egyptians rarely do this. Looking in someone’s eyes is a sign of honesty and trust. – Do make eye-contact when meeting with your Egyptian business associates, especially with male colleagues. ![]() – Be careful not to add salt to food, especially in an Egyptian home. It is polite to leave a small portion of food – it means you have had enough. Make sure to have a selection of non-alcoholic drinks available if you invite them for an event. – For business meals: stringent Muslims will not touch alcohol or pork. Small electronic devices, chocolate and compasses are popular gifts. – Presents are welcome, but do not forget to give or receive them using your right hand or with both hands – never with the left. – Business cards should be printed in English on one side and in Arabic on the other. Your counterpart might arrive late for a meeting, but make sure that you arrive on time yourself. – Punctuality in Egypt is not considered the main priority. If an Egyptian man gazes intensely at a woman, it generally means that her dress is not “modest” enough. Despite the country’s hot temperatures, most of the body must remain covered.Wearing Egyptian traditional clothing may be seen as offensive to the natives. – Regarding dress code, visitors are expected to follow Egyptian discretion standards. – Try to avoid enquiring about the female members of their family. ![]() – Welcome topics of conversation include Egyptian achievements – both ancient and modern, the positive reputation of Egyptian leaders, Egyptian cotton, sports. – Do not be surprised if, at some point, voices are raised it is not an argument, but just the way Egyptians discuss matters. Many educated Egyptians speak multiple languages, but they appreciate brevity and, therefore, would prefer Arabic. – It is advisable to have an Egyptian representative to explain the major points of your business in Arabic. If an Egyptian does not have a title, a courtesy title such as “Mr”, “Mrs”, or “Miss” is appropriate. Titles are a sign of stature and are viewed with pride therefore, it is important to use them. – When addressing your Egyptian counterparts for the first time, you should use their title followed by their surname until invited to do otherwise. – Since there are plenty greeting styles in Egypt, it is safest to wait for your counterpart to initiate the greeting, especially at a first meeting. Working hours for business and government offices are shortened during that period. – Before setting a meeting, check that it is not Ramadan. Most people do not work on Thursdays either. – No business is conducted on Friday – the Muslim holy day. – A typical business day is usually from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm in the summer and 9:00 am to 1:00 pm with an extra 5:00 to 7:00 pm in the winter. Moreover, keeping foreign trade partners waiting is a common practice and you might not be able to set more meetings in one day. – The pace of business is slower in Egypt than in the European working culture, so expecting immediate results is not wise. Note though that Egyptians are generally tough negotiators. – Regarding negotiating techniques – do not use high-pressure tactics. The social side of the deal goes hand in hand with the work-related one. – Business will not proceed until your counterpart decides that they like you. A local intermediary person would speed up the business process. – It is useful to have an Egyptian agent do to business. Your documents should include two dates: the Gregorian (Western) and the Hijrah (Arabic) date. – Egyptian business people appreciate a thorough presentation of your information, so make sure to have research and documentation to support your claims. * The population is estimated to 84 million. * The capital and also the largest city is Cairo. * The official name of Egypt is Arab Republic of Egypt. Individuals and organisations that operate in Egypt or are likely to be affected by the conflict should ensure their security systems and procedures are robust and effective and familiarise themselves with the guidance from the British Government.įor personal assistance with travel safety arrangements, local intelligence and cultural briefings, contact us now and ask to speak to one of our trusted special advisors. Those contemplating traveling to Egypt are advised to seek expert guidance before visiting the country for business or leisure.
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