Egypt’s Rich Culture and Etiquette

Do not, under any circumstances, climb the pyramids. The stone used to build the pyramids is ancient, and climbing can wear down the surface. You will see when you are in close proximity that some sides of the pyramids are wearing down due to environmental factors. Recently a German tourist has been banned from Egypt for life for climbing the ancient structure.

I recently travelled to Egypt with a group of girlfriends. Despite the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine nearby, we felt secure, relying on safety in numbers as we explored a country steeped in history. Here’s what I can report: I had an absolutely wonderful time. It was incredible to walk through a place filled with history that I first learned about as a child in school.

Egypt, a land steeped in ancient history, has been known as Misr for millennia, up till today. Its civilization, one of the world's oldest, flourished along the Nile River over 5,000 years ago. The pharaohs, powerful rulers who constructed magnificent pyramids and temples, left asolid and enduring legacy that still astounds us today and I was ‘astounded’. Over the centuries, Egypt has witnessed the rise and fall of empires. From the Persians and Greeks to the Romans and Byzantines, foreign powers have sought to control. However, it was the Arab conquest of 641 CE that significantly shaped Egypt's future, introducing Islam and paving the way for its evolution into the Arab Republic of Egypt we know today.

Arrival and First Impressions

From the airport, we quickly made our way to Giza, where many accommodations offer rooftop restaurants. There, we enjoyed coffee with an unbeatable view of the pyramids—a truly awe-inspiring experience, I really did need to pinch myself.

French and British colonial influence is evident in Cairo. Grand buildings with marble staircases and wooden panelling, reminiscent of the colonial past. Many businesses still bear French-inspired names, such as “Banque de Caire.” This legacy can be traced back to Napoleon Bonaparte’s invasion of Egypt in 1798. Although French control was short-lived, it left an impact on Egyptian culture. In 1882, the British occupied Egypt and maintained control until 1954. But to this day, I was paying taxi drivers to food stall owners in Egyptian pounds.

We took a taxi to Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great. It was once a cultural and intellectual hub of the ancient world. Renowned for its iconic lighthouse ‘great library’, it attracted scholars and thinkers from across the Mediterranean. It fell into disrepair over the centuries due to lack of funding, however, a new one has been erected in its place. I found that Alexandria had a distinctly old French Riviera vibe, with charming maison apartments on one side and a stunning sea view on the other, the sky tinted in soft hues of pink and purple at sundown.

The people of Egypt are warm and kind-hearted, always ready to help, especially if they speak English or their native tongue - Arabic. I travelled with friends born in India but raised in Australia, and they were a huge hit with the locals! Egyptians are passionate about Bollywood, and shouted out names like Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. Both are recognised and beloved in Egypt.

The Warmth of Egyptian Hospitality

Egyptians are renowned for their warm and welcoming nature. They are expressive and animated people who often convey their emotions openly, whether it's joy, gratitude, or sorrow. Their conversations are often punctuated with humour, and they appreciate a good laugh. When meeting someone for the first time, Egyptians often initiate the interaction witha friendly and light-hearted tone while smiling.

Egyptians have a notable sense of style, dressing neatly and modestly. Women’s attire ranges from full Islamic coverings to business suits with uncovered heads, while men wear everything from jeans and sportswear to formal pants with jackets. Some men also wear the galabeya, a traditional full-length robe with a head wrap. Before traveling to the region, it’s a good idea to research cultural attire norms, as Western clothing might not be suitable in certain areas.

Thanks to advances in science and archaeological preservation, Egyptian authorities now maintain police guards around monuments like the pyramids and statues.

Visiting the Pyramids: Etiquette and Preservation

Thanks to advances in science and archaeological preservation, Egyptian authorities now maintain police guards around monuments like the pyramids and statues. Here are a few essential etiquette tips for these sacred sites:

Do not, under any circumstances, climb the pyramids. The stone used to build the pyramids is ancient, and climbing can wear down the surface. You will see when you are in close proximity that some sides of the pyramids are wearing down due to environmental factors. Recently a German tourist has been banned from Egypt for life for climbing the ancient structure.

Refrain from touching statues or ancient buildings. Even durable materials like marble can become discoloured over time from the oils and bacteria on our hands. Wikipedia.org states that ‘rubbing statues can have negative effects on them as it causes erosion’.

Avoid acting stupidly. When you arrive in places such as Giza, Abu Simbel, Luxor or Aswan, be mindful of the culture and preservation of ancient history. It’s so important to ‘keep within the lines’. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities understands that the longevity of preservation is important to serve many more generations. Keep your hands by your side and be simply an observer. Take in what for many is a once in a lifetime experience.

Another point of concern is the apparent disregard for cultural dress codes. It was disheartening for the Egyptians to witness women, particularly, wearing revealing clothing such as “boob-tube” tops, low-cut dresses, or short skirts with thigh-high boots, especially in sacred or culturally significant sites like the pyramids or near long-suffering camels, to capture that ‘influencer moment’. 

Such attire can be disrespectful to local customs and sensitivities. It is worth noting for these individuals can count themselves fortunate as there is a tussle outside these national monuments to get work as a guide. This creates a complex situation where cultural respect and economic realities intersect.

Navigating Haggling and Tipping Culture

In Egypt, haggling is part of the experience, from taxis to souvenirs. Before hopping into a local taxi, check Uber prices as a reference point to negotiate fairly with your driver. Tipping is customary and expected for a range of services—from restaurant staff to restroom attendants, and even in emergency situations, as one friend discovered after a dog bite when entering a hospital. A small tip shows appreciation and can make a difference in service and being pushed to the beginning of the line.

Use Translation Apps

There is a minority of people that are fluent in English in Egypt, so learning a few Arabic phrases goes a long way with locals. Arabic can be a complex language, so downloading Google Translate on your phone is invaluable for communicating effectively and asking those trickier questions or trying to haggle.

Smoking Culture

In Egypt, smoking rules are more relaxed than in many other countries. Smoking in public spaces, restaurants, hotels and even taxis is still common for men and woman. Men can often be seen smoking hookah outside cafés, chatting with friends, or scrolling through their phones. The only place where smoking is strictly off-limits is on airplanes.

I loved travelling through Egypt, it was an incredible adventure and an unforgettable journey. From meeting Exploring the pyramids, temples, and tombs was a truly humbling experience. Documentaries like “Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb” provided invaluable context, deepening my appreciation for Egypt's rich history and its etiquette and cultural perspectives.

For many years, Etiquipedia contributor, Elizabeth Soos, has had a keen interest in cultural customs. With her European background and extensive travel, Soos developed an interest in the many forms of respect and cultural expectations in the countries she has visited. With her 20 years’ experience in customer service within private international companies based in Australia, and her lifetime interest in manners and research, she decided to branch out into the field of etiquette and deportment. Through her self-directed studies and by completing the Train-The-Trainer’s course offered by Emma Dupont’s School of Etiquette in London and by Guillaume Rue de Bernadac at Academie de Bernadac based in Paris and Shanghai, she founded Auersmont School of Etiquette. Elizabeth is currently traveling throughout India and brushing up on her Hindi.

www.auersmont.com | +61 466 344 331 | auersmont@gmail.

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia © Etiquette Encyclopedia