5 Tips For Interacting With Locals in Egypt

Egypt can feel thrilling, maddening, stunning, and frustrating all at once. It is an overwhelming experience, and its chaos can either make you fall in love with the country or have you booking your flight home early. After visiting Egypt 8 times, I can say that I’ve felt both ways during a single day, yet that is all part of the adventure that makes this a one-of-a-kind place. No matter how many times I said it was the last time, I keep finding myself back at the Cairo airport arrivals hall - drawn back by its magic and allure.

That being said, there are a few things you should know to be prepared and make the most of your experience. If you are someone who can get easily overstimulated, it is essential to do your research in advance and understand the culture. While you will come home entirely transformed and grateful for the experience, I recommend being prepared to navigate cultural differences, so your experience is enjoyable rather than pull-your-hair-out frustrating.

Before getting into the nitty-gritty details, check out this video my family and I made that sums up the fun experience of exploring Egypt:

Get Ready To Be Open & Extroverted

Egyptian people are extremely friendly and will not hesitate to come up and talk to you, crack a joke, or bargain for a fair price. Be prepared to pull out your most extroverted self and be open to conversation. While this can sometimes be tiring if you are having a bad day or not feeling 100%, it is part of the cultural experience and a way to get to know the country beyond its ancient sites.

It breaks my heart to see travel bloggers and influencers posting online about their horrible experiences in Egypt because they felt overwhelmed by the people and “harassed.” Yes, it can sometimes feel like you are being followed or hassled non-stop, but there are tactics to navigate through this and make friends in the process.

If you are introverted or not prepared to talk to every person that hassles you - especially in markets or archaeological sites - a simple smile, nod, and “no thank you” can go a long way. Of course, I’ve also had encounters that were not so pleasant. Some taxi drivers and vendors may try to make you feel bad for not using their services or buying their products. While it may feel offensive, I’ve tried to let it roll off and not get to me, because most people are kind and friendly beyond their hassling and selling tactics.

Some People Want to Scam You, Others Are Being Nice - It Can Be Hard to Tell the Difference

There is a chance you will find yourself in a predicament where you won’t know if someone is being kind or potentially leading you into a scam. Don’t worry, it can sometimes be challenging to see what is what. For example, a common scam in Egypt is for someone to approach you and tell you about a shop, location, or site entrance that is cheaper, better, or higher quality. Usually, this is to get you to go into their shop rather than to the place they actually promised.

I’ve even had people try to tell me they’ll show me to the “real souq” whilst standing in front of the souq's real entrance. If you aren’t careful, you may find yourself being led to places you didn’t actually decide to visit.

In situations like this, it is essential to do your research ahead of time and know where you are going, or to have a guide. Even if it is your first time and you are alone, try your best to rely on official websites and maps to find the correct entrances to archaeological sites or destinations.

Other times, people are friendly and want to genuinely help you find your way or get you what you need. If you are invited to have a cup of tea in a shop, for example, they are being kind while also hoping you buy something. It is all about finding a balance and, when you can, being kind and having fun with the process.

Bargain - They Are Expecting You Too

While the rising trend in ethical tourism is not to bargain with local vendors who are already making low wages, Egyptians are expecting you to haggle with them - it’s just part of the buying experience. Once you ask for a price, you will usually be quoted a much higher price than they believe you will pay, expecting you to start haggling it down. The recommended amount is to ask for half of what they are asking for, and then work your way to the middle.

Of course, this is entirely up to you, and they will most certainly be happy if you agree to the first price they offer. If you are in the souqs or big markets, it is recommended to bargain, even a little bit. If children are selling to you or people coming up to you in the streets, you can give them the price they ask - it is all up to you.

However, bargaining in Egypt is not a serious affair. On the contrary, you can make it a game. We discovered that the best way to bargain is to laugh with them and stay lighthearted, which helps keep the energy fun and breaks down barriers between cultures.

Baksheesh is King - Don’t Fight It

Baksheesh is the Arabic word for tip, and it is one of the most essential things you need to know whilst visiting Egypt. For every service that someone provides, it is customary to tip. I can’t tell you how many times having small change on me has saved the day.

One of the most common experiences you’ll have with baksheesh is in the temples, where the “temple guardians “will either offer to take your picture or show you around - for a tip, of course. You may also encounter this if you are in the tombs in Luxor or in a more isolated area. While it can feel scary if you are not accustomed to someone following you or trying to teach you facts, this is entirely normal. You can either politely say no thank you, or accept their help and end up having access to closed-off parts of the temple or great pictures. Just as long as you are okay with paying some small cash, you’ll have a great experience.

I would always recommend tipping when you can! Rather than giving all our money to international tourism companies and hotel chains, tipping supports local families and the community. It also shows our appreciation and respect for their work and culture.

People Will Want to Take Pictures With You - It Is Up to You to Say Yes or No

I remember the first time I visited Egypt and was totally caught off guard by how many people wanted to take pictures with my family and me. This was back in 2015, when very few tourists were coming to the Middle East.

However, this did not change as tourism increased. It is a common thing for kids or families to want to come up and take selfies - saying yes or no is entirely up to you. I will admit there have been times when I felt uncomfortable, especially with teenage boys or men wanting pictures. My course of action today is to say yes only to children and women. It can still feel awkward, but it means that if you want to talk to locals and interact, you’ll primarily be talking to women and children.

Egyptians are among the kindest and friendliest people I’ve ever met, and I highly recommend having fun, making conversation, and learning some Arabic. While it may seem like I’m giving you a big warning sign not to interact, definitely do!

No matter what, do not be discouraged from visiting Egypt. Being prepared is essential to ensuring you have an incredible experience and avoid scams or frustrating moments. From the breathtaking ancient monuments to cultural traditions that have endured for millennia, Egypt will leave you transformed. It is the reason I fell in love with archaeology and travel in the first place.

If you are ready to plan your trip or want more information on an ideal itinerary and hotel tips for visiting Luxor, check out my free guide here!