Egypt travel guide
Courtesy and hospitality are important when doing business in Egypt. The host
of a business meeting will usually offer tea or a small snack before commencing. It’s
polite to refuse the first offer, but once the host insists, the guest should accept.
Alcohol is legal, but should be avoided until visitors know their Egyptian
colleague’s attitude towards drinking, and, if acceptable, should be drunk in
moderation. It is not considered suitable for women to over-indulge in alcohol. If
invited to a business lunch, expect food to be lavish and plentiful.
Throughout the Arab world, it is considered bad manners either to display
anger or to criticize another person in public openly. Tact and diplomacy are always
required. In social life, punctuality is almost laughable. For business, visitors should
be on time but expect locals to be often late, and do not take offence. Men should not
offer to shake a woman’s hand, and vice versa, unless clearly invited to do so. Men
and women should dress smartly for business meetings – suits and ties for men; suits
for women or smart trousers/skirts/jackets – and always dress modestly. Shoulders and
knees should never be shown.
Economy:
On taking power in 1970, Anwar al-Sadat introduced a policy of infitah
(openness) towards investment. Egypt’s economy underwent rapid growth during the
1970s with the quick expansion of the oil industry, tourism and the Suez Canal, and it
has continued to expand in subsequent decades.
The tourist sector is expanding rapidly, particularly along the Red Sea and
Mediterranean coasts, despite sporadic terrorist activities of Islamic fundamentalists.
Agriculture, which relies on irrigation from the Nile, employs one-third of the
working population. Foreign aid, especially from the USA, is an important source of
government funds.
Internet:
There are internet cafés in the main cities, including Cairo, Alexandria, Dahab
and Luxor. Even small, more remote towns including Siwa will have at least one
venue, usually in the market area. Connection is typically reliable. Tourists can also
access the Internet in hotels, with in-room Wi-Fi available, though often at a costly
price
Media:
The Egyptian press is one of the most influential and widely read in the region,
while Egyptian TV and the film industry supplies much of the Arab-speaking world
with shows from its Media Production City. Press freedom is encouraged. Press laws
which allow prison sentences for libel have encouraged self-censorship on sensitive
issues.
1. At a business meeting in Egypt, …
a. refusing food or drink is acceptable
b. tea will be offered when they reach a deal
c. it is bad manners to repeatedly reject the drinks offered
2. Which one is right?
a. Women are not allowed to drink alcohol
b. Women can drink alcohol but only moderately
c. Foreign people shouldn’t drink alcohol in any case
3. Choose the correct option.
a. Local people are always on time
b. Shaking hands is banned to women
c. Foreign business people are required to be punctual
4. In the 1970s…
a. Islamic activists prevented its economy from growing
b. Egypt’s economy was based mainly on three sources
c. The Egyptian oil industry grew rapidly without any foreign help
5. With regards to media and communication...
a. Internet connection in hotels is expensive
b. There is no Internet access in small towns
c. Journalists have their work censored before it is published
