life in egypt
What is Life Like in Egypt Today?
egypt
Life in Egypt can be an ideal solution for who seeks diving into the gate of the middle eastern world, with its vivid cultures and rich customs. Living in Egypt is safe and dependable and suits the students with tight budgets. However, it will be useful if you are aware of the following points before coming to Egypt.
Moral Codes
In Egypt, there are hardly any restrictions
on foreign women. Ticket lines, for example,
are occasionally segregated. Women should
line up with other women (especially since
the lines are usually shorter). On buses,
the driver may want you to be seated in the
front with other women. On the metro lines,
the first car is usually reserved for women.
For men, speaking to an unknown Egyptian
woman is a breach of etiquette.
Take care of any liaisons you form because
some families still follow ancient
traditions. A man who expresses himself
physically in public to a woman (it doesn’t
matter if she is his wife) incurs the belief
that she is, to put it politely, “loose”.
While it is inappropriate to touch a woman
in public, don’t be surprised to see men
holding hands, with arms wrapped around each
other or kissing each other on the cheek in
greeting. Friendships between men are an
important part of the culture and because
the assumption is that homosexuality and
bisexuality don’t exist, men are physical
with each other.
Religious Limits
When talking about life in Egypt, we must
talk about religious rules. Devout Muslims
do not drink alcohol though most do not
object to others imbibing in reasonable
amounts. If in doubt, ask. In addition to
the prohibition on alcohol, the faithful
don't use drugs or eat pork, which is
considered unclean. Explicit sexual
material--magazines, photos, tapes, or
records--is illegal and subject to
confiscation.
Keep in mind that proselytizing is
illegal in Egypt. Foreigners actively
working to convert Egyptians have been asked
to leave. Remember, almost all the Egyptians
are either conservative devoted Moslems or
Coptics.
Weather
Egypt’s climate is superb with long sunny days, little rainfall and light winds to keep the temperature pleasantly cooler. The southern areas of Egypt are hotter than the northern areas and further inland temperatures become hotter. Cairo gets particularly hot from May to October which is summer and winter from November to April still remains pleasant. We would advise light cotton clothing to aid in keeping cool and a lightweight jacket or jumper for evening wear.