Egypt

Egypt

Arab Republic of Egypt

Local short form: Misr

Local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah

Former: United Arab Republic (with Syria)

Cultural Note

Arabic is read from right to left, rather than left to right—the direction of writing in English and modern European languages. An Arabic-language magazine or book starts at what would be the last page or back cover in the United States. Businesspeople bringing sales literature to Egypt should make sure that all the materials, even items printed in English, have an impressive back cover.

●3 What’s Your Cultural IQ?

1.True or False? Egypt was primarily a Christian nation until it was conquered by Muslim Arabs in a.d. 642.

ANSWER: True. Egypt still has a large minority of Coptic Christians.

2.Which of the following describes the political system of Egypt in the twentieth century?

a.British protectorate

b.Constitutional monarchy

c.Republic

d.All of the above

ANSWER: d. The British protectorate over Egypt ended in 1922. It was followed by a constitutional monarchy, which was overthrown in 1952. Egypt today is a republic.

3. Match the following Egyptian Nobel Prize laureates with the correct category:

a.	Naguib Mahfouz	1.	Nobel Peace Prize
b.	Anwar al-Sadat	2.	Nobel Prize in chemistry
c.	Ahmed Zewail	3.	Nobel Prize in literature

ANSWERS: a. 3: Mahfouz won the 1988 prize in literature; b. 1: President Sadat shared the 1978 peace prize; c. 2: Zewail shared the 1999 prize in chemistry.

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●		Tips on Doing Business in Egypt
3
●	Egypt is one of the most westernized nations of the Middle East. You will encounter some
	international executives who are very familiar with Western business customs. Other
	Egyptian executives may have traditional Arab manners. Be prepared for any extreme.
●	As a general rule, keep both feet on the ground. Traditional Arabs do not cross their
	legs when sitting. Never show the bottom of your foot to an Egyptian; this is considered
	offensive. Even when a person removes his or her shoes (as when entering a Mosque), the
	soles of the shoes are placed together, preventing the sole from being pointed at anyone.			Egypt
●	Adjustments foreigners must make include the work week (Friday is the Islamic Sabbath,

so the work week runs Saturday through Wednesday) and Ramadan (the month of fasting, when no one eats or drinks during the day).

Cultural Note

The terms“Upper Egypt” and“Lower Egypt” are oriented to the flow of the Nile—not our geographic concepts of North and South. Consequently, Lower Egypt is in the north of the country and ends at the Mediterranean. Upper Egypt ends in the south at the border with Sudan.

●3 Country Background

History

Egypt’s recorded history dates back 7,000 years. Protected by deserts on both sides, ancient Egypt achieved unprecedented levels of wealth, architecture, and culture. But its wealth made it an irresistible target of powerful outside states. The Persians occupied Egypt in 525 b.c. Later occupying forces included Alexander the Great, then the Roman Empire, various Islamic rulers (including the Ottoman Empire), and finally Great Britain, which established a protectorate over Egypt. For more than 2,000 years, the rulers of Egypt were not Egyptians.

Under Ottoman control, the French were allowed to build a canal connecting the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. This Suez Canal was completed in 1869. Claiming that the Suez Canal was endangered, the British sent troops to occupy Egypt in 1882. They would remain in control until 1956.

The First World War broke the final bonds between Egypt and the Ottoman Empire. Under British control, Egyptian troops were sent to fight Ottoman control of the Arabian peninsula. Nationalist disturbances broke out in 1919, and the British granted Egypt independence in 1922. But the British remained influential and manipulated the constitution to keep nationalists from gaining control.

During the Second World War, Egyptian territory was invaded by Italian and German troops. The Axis threat to Egypt was ended with the Allied victory at El Alamein in 1942.

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The Kingdom of Egypt came to an end with the 1952 revolution, which marks the beginning of the Republic of Egypt. Both the British and the profligate King Farouk were eventually thrown out of the country. Gamal al-Nasir (known as Nasser in the West) emerged as Egypt’s leader. Nasser played the great powers off against each other in the Cold War. He nationalized the Suez Canal (which almost provoked an invasion by the United Kingdom, France, and Israel) and accepted aid from the USSR to build the massive Aswan High Dam project.

From 1958 to 1961, Egypt and Syria were joined into the United Arab Republic. The experiment failed, and Syria withdrew from the union, although Egypt continued to be known as the United Arab Republic until 1971.

In 1967, Egypt closed the Suez Canal to Israeli shipping. Israel retaliated with an air strike that effectively destroyed the Egyptian Air Force. In the subsequent Six-Day War, Israel also routed the combined forces of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Israel occupied a large amount of formerly Arab territory, including Egypt’s Sinai.

General Nasser died in 1970 and was succeeded by Vice President Anwar al-Sadat. In 1973, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel. Although Israel again came out on top, Egyptians felt that the improved performance of Egyptian troops restored their country’s honor.

Sadat stunned the Arab world by visiting Israel in 1977, where he negotiated directly with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. The following year, at negotiations in the United States, Egypt and Israel hammered out a peace treaty. Over the next few years, the Suez Canal was reopened to Israeli shipping and Israel withdrew from the Sinai.

President Sadat’s overtures to Israel were bitterly opposed by various groups within and without Egypt. Muslim extremists and other opponents within Egypt were silenced by mass arrests. In retaliation, Anwar al-Sadat was assassinated by religious extremists in 1981. He was succeeded by Vice President Hosni Mubarak in a smooth transition of government.

Type of Government

The Arab Republic of Egypt is a democratic republic. The president is the chief of state. The prime minister is the head of the government. The main legislative body is the People’s Assembly, which has elected and appointed members. There is also a consultative council called the Shura; its function is mostly advisory. Under the current government, the judiciary has increased its independence. The legal system is derived from European models, primarily the French Napoleonic Code, but it is also influenced by Islamic law.

For current government data, check with the Embassy of Egypt at www.egyptembassy.us. Another interesting site is www.arab.net/egypt/index.html.

Cultural Note

Terrorist violence occasionally breaks out in Egypt, but it does not usually affect non-Israeli foreigners. The speaker of the Egyptian Assembly was assassinated in October of 1990 by Islamic Jihad, the same group responsible for the death of President Anwar al-Sadat in 1981. A number of tourists (mostly German) were killed in 1997.

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In general, Egyptians are friendly and hospitable. However, Egypt faces serious economic and population problems, and sometimes, when Arab populations see no hope in political or economic solutions, Islamic Fundamentalism gains strength.

Language

The official language of Egypt is Standard Arabic. Linguists have identified eleven languages in Egypt, five of which are different versions of Arabic. One of these eleven languages, Coptic, is now extinct except for its use by the clergy of the Coptic Church.

Most businesspeople who work with foreigners speak English, French, or both.

The Egyptian View

About 90 percent of Egyptians are Sunni Muslims, and most of the remaining 10 percent are Coptic Christians. (The Copts are the direct descendants of the ancient Egyptians.) Before 1952 there were some 80,000 Jews in Egypt, but as a result of Arab-Israeli tensions, only a few hundred remain.

After centuries under foreign rule, the Egyptian people are intensely proud that their leaders are now native Egyptians. However, there is widespread discontent with the current regime. The current government is supported by the West because (it is believed) open elections would bring Muslim fundamentalists to power. The ruling class that dominated the country’s politics and economy before 1952 is now much reduced in influence but will still be encountered in business affairs.

Living in Egypt requires patience. Few things seem to happen on time. Traffic is often gridlocked; the bureaucracy takes forever. The three words heard most often in Egypt are bokra (tomorrow), insha’allah (God willing), and malesh (never mind).

With a huge population and chronic unemployment, Egypt used manpower for services that are automated elsewhere. For example, instead of mailing utility bills, they have been delivered by hand.

Islam puts great value on charity. Consequently, there is little shame in begging in Egypt, and you will find beggars everywhere. They compete with taxi drivers, porters, trinket sellers, and others for cash from foreigners. Some Egyptians rely on irregular sources such as these for their entire living.

*Know Before You Go

■

Egyptians are manic drivers. Traffic lights tend to be ignored unless there is a police officer physically present to enforce it. Amazingly, they also tend to drive at night without turning their headlights on. (Some Egyptians believe headlights deplete their car battery; others turn them on and off to warn other drivers.) Foreigners should not attempt to drive; hire a driver.

Consequently, the greatest hazard to visitors comes from Egyptian traffic—not only when you are in a vehicle, but when you are on foot. Pedestrians must be on guard against unpredictable Egyptian drivers. Where sidewalks exist, cars may drive up on them.

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If you travel outside populated areas, be aware that mines are still present from former conflicts. Minefields are not necessarily marked, although they are usually enclosed by barbed wire.

As in other Middle Eastern nations, Egypt has armed soldiers patrolling the streets and other public areas.

Egypt’s crowded cities are heavily polluted, with poor air quality. Egyptians are also inveterate smokers. (Environmental protection—whether regarding air pollution or the damage to marine life caused by the Aswan High Dam—is still in a nascent stage in Egypt.)

●3 Cultural Orientation

Cognitive Styles: How Egyptians Organize and Process Information

Egyptians are open to information that does not conflict with Islamic values. They tend to be more open to Western ideas than people in other Arabic cultures. Most Egyptians are trained to think associatively, so information is processed from a subjective, experiential perspective. Islamic law is adhered to in all situations, which leads to a universalistic outlook. However, this same law says that one trusts brothers and cousins before outsiders because you must take care of your own, and this is a particularistic (not universalistic) trait.

Negotiation Strategies: What Egyptians Accept as Evidence

Faith in the Islamic ideology is the primary source of truth. This truth is modified by the personal feelings one has about the problem or situation. The highly educated may use facts and reason objectively.

Value Systems: The Basis for Behavior

The Islamic religion is a critical component in Egyptian life, playing an important role in all aspects of social structure. Solutions to all problems are in the correct interpretation and application of Islamic law. The following three sections identify the Value Systems in the predominant culture—their methods of dividing right from wrong, good from evil, and so forth.

Locus of Decision-Making

The male leader is the locus of decision-making, but he makes decisions through the consensus of the group or collective. The individual Egyptian is always subordinate to the family, tribe, or collective. Leadership and identity come from a person’s lineage and his or her ability to protect the honor of the extended family. This is a kinship culture with little social identity outside the network of kin relationships.

Sources of Anxiety Reduction

The family is the cornerstone of the individual’s social identity. Security is found in family loyalty and absolute submission to Islamic law. The most deeply held values—honor, dignity, and security—are available to an individual only as part of a larger kin group.

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In accordance with the precepts of Islam, one’s destiny is in the hands of God. Furthermore, Egypt has historically had a stable, static society, in which an individual’s job and destiny has been determined by his or her birth. Therefore, the status quo tended to be accepted.

Issues of Equality/Inequality

Within Islam all believers are equal and united in the ulema. There is some ethnic bias against the Bedouin nomads and the Nubians. Egypt is under the social, political, and cultural dominance of a small elite, and there is great disparity between rich and poor. Education is the best way for Egyptians to achieve upward mobility, but there are no guarantees—the unemployment rate is high, and many Egyptians with good educations work in menial jobs.

Men and women are not treated as equals. Women make up a relatively small percentage of the work force. While there are women in prestigious jobs like physicians and professors, few women achieve top executive positions in business.

Egypt

●3 Business Practices

Punctuality, Appointments, and Local Time

●Punctuality is not a traditional virtue in Egypt. Your client may be late for an appointment or not show up at all. However, as a foreigner, you should endeavor to be prompt.

●It is standard Arab practice to keep supplicants (including foreign businesspeople) waiting. Until you get to know your clients, it is unwise to schedule more than one appointment per day.

●Don’t forget that Cairo has some of the worst traffic jams in the world. Delays are frequently caused by traffic.

●An appointment is rarely private among traditional Arab businesspeople. Expect your visit to be interrupted by phone calls and visits from your client’s friends and family. Westerners frequently find these distractions infuriating; try to maintain your equanimity.

●Friday is the Muslim holy day; no business is conducted. Most people do not work on Thursdays, either. The work week runs from Saturday through Wednesday.

●Working hours for businesses, banks, and government offices are truncated during the month of Ramadan.

●Government hours are generally 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Government offices are usually closed on either Thursday and Friday or Friday and Saturday (the variation is designed to reduce traffic on congested Cairo streets).

●Business hours vary widely. In the winter, many businesses close for much of the afternoon and reopen for a few hours in late afternoon. A typical business schedule would be 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the summer; 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the winter.

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●Remember that the Islamic calendar uses lunar months of 28 days, so an Islamic year of 12 months is only 354 days long. Holidays will thus be on different dates (by the Western calendar) every year. Any listed Muslim holiday dates are approximations because they depend upon actual lunar observations.

●Paperwork should carry two dates, the Gregorian (Western) date and the Hijrah (Arabic) date. Be aware that Christian Egyptians (Coptics) have yet another calendar, different from both of the above.

●Egypt is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T. +2), or seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T. +7).

Egypt

Cultural Note

Egyptians often consider their country to be a bridge between the European West and the Arab East. Thus, business practices may resemble European or Arab practices or anything in between.

Negotiating

●The pace of business is much slower in Egypt than it is in the West. Be patient.

●Business meetings always start gradually, with long inquiries into one’s health and journey.

●Egyptians operate at their own pace. Trying to force them into making a decision will probably be futile, if not counterproductive.

●An Egyptian will not even consider doing business with you until he knows and likes you. Thus, the social aspects of a deal are just as vital as the business ones.

●Egyptians love language. Expect long discussions, using poetic language, emotional viewpoints, and hyperbole.

●You are required to have an Egyptian agent to do business in Egypt. If you are working in both Cairo and Alexandria, it is recommended that you have a separate agent for each city.

●Business cards should be printed in your language on one side and in Arabic on the other. (Remember, Arabic is read right-to-left. Adjust your graphics and text accordingly.)

●Your Web site designer should consider how Arabic is read as well. Colors, symbols, graphics and text should be reviewed by local Egyptian contacts before final launch.

●Egyptians speak at a much closer distance than do North Americans or northern Europeans. Do not back up or shy away. There is also more physical contact, and conversations usually involve touching (but not between the sexes).

●Coffee is often served toward the end of a business meeting. This is a signal that the meeting will soon conclude. Incense may be lit at this time as well.

●Arab men often walk hand-in-hand, although westernized Egyptians rarely do this. If an Egyptian holds your hand, take it as a sign of friendship.

●Arabic is a language of hyperbole. When an Egyptian says “yes,” it usually means “possibly.” Be encouraged by this, but do not assume that the negotiating is over.

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●	Preserving one’s dignity is vital to Egyptians. You may have to compromise on issues to
	avoid embarrassing your contact.
●	Do not bring up the subject of women unless your Egyptian counterpart does so first. Do
	not even inquire as to the health of an Egyptian’s wife or daughter.
●	The topic of Israel should similarly be avoided.
●	Egyptian achievements, both ancient and modern, are good topics of conversation.
●	Positive discussions of sports are appropriate. Soccer (football), basketball, and boxing (in
	which Egypt has won several Olympic medals) are the most popular sports. Horseracing,
	tennis, and all water-related sports (especially sailing and swimming) are also popular.
●	While foreigners should make a point of visiting the pyramids and the antiquities	Egypt
	museum, do not be surprised if some Egyptians are ambivalent about these tourist sites.
	Some Muslims dislike them because they were built by pagans; others dislike the fact that
	they represent a huge waste of resources to glorify the Pharaohs.
●	Egyptians are fond of jokes and often make fun of themselves (Egyptian bureaucracy is a
	favorite target). However, no matter how self-deprecating their humor gets, you should
	never make light of Egypt or the Egyptians.

Business Entertaining

●Hosting visitors is considered a virtue among Egyptians, so they will take care of much of the entertaining within their country.

●Be prepared to remove your shoes before entering a building. Follow the lead of your host.

●In Egypt, the male guest of honor is traditionally seated to the right of the host (rather than at the opposite end of the table).

●Remember that alcohol and pork are prohibited to strict Muslims. If you invite an Egyptian to a social event, make sure that there are nonalcoholic drinks available.

●Some Egyptians will use Western eating utensils and have Western furniture in the home. Others eat Arab style, using only their right hand and sitting on a carpet.

●Traditionally, if you are invited to dine in an Egyptian home, it is considered insulting if you add additional salt to your food. Doing so implies that you find their hospitality lacking.

●In all but the most formal restaurants, the proprietor may visit your table and converse for a while. Egyptians consider this being hospitable, not being intrusive.

●Do not eat everything on your plate. Leaving a little food is a sign that you have had enough.

●3 Protocol

Greetings

●Since there are several styles of greetings in Egypt, it is safest to wait for your Egyptian counterpart to initiate the greeting, especially at a first meeting.

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	●	Westernized Egyptian men shake hands with other men.
	●	Some Egyptian men will shake hands with Western women. Western businesswomen
		should wait for an Egyptian man to offer his hand.
	●	Most women are employed in the service and professional sectors. There are many female
		secretaries and physicians, but relatively few female executives. When you encounter a
		woman decision-maker in business, she will probably be very Western-oriented in her
		behavior. You can count on her to initiate a handshake, with either men or women.
	●	A traditional Arab male will not necessarily introduce his wife. Follow his lead; if he acts
		as if she isn’t there, you should do the same.
Egypt	●	A more traditional Arab greeting between men involves each grasping the other’s right
		hand, placing the left hand on the other’s right shoulder, and exchanging kisses on each
		cheek. However, kisses are always between members of the same sex. Men may kiss men,
		women may kiss women, but men and women may not kiss in public.
	●	The verbal component of an Egyptian greeting is effusive. Tradition demands that an
		Egyptian welcome you several times at your first meeting.

Titles/Forms of Address

●Westerners frequently find Arabic names confusing. The best solution is to request the names—written in your native language—of any Egyptians you will meet, speak to, or correspond with. Find out both their full names (for correspondence) and how they are to be addressed in person.

●Egyptian names are written in Arabic. In part because short vowels are not written in Arabic, translating from Arabic to other alphabets is not an exact science. Thus, Arabic names may be spelled several different ways in English; for example, the revered name of the Prophet has been rendered various ways, including: Mohammed, Muhammad, Mohammad, or Mohamed.

●In general, Egyptian names are written in the same order as English names: title (if any), given name, sometimes a middle name (often a patronymic), and surname (family name). Thus, the former leader of Egypt was President Anwar al-Sadat; his title was president, his given name was Anwar, and al-Sadat was his family name.

●The term al (also written as el) literally means “from” in Arabic. A name like al-Barudi could mean “son of Barudi” or “from the town of Barudi.” Do not mistake the term al for the Western nickname Al (short for Alex or Albert).

●Most Egyptians should be addressed by title and surname (e.g., Doctor al-Nahhas), just as you would address a westerner. Some Egyptians prefer title plus first name. In writing, use the full name. If an Egyptian does not have a title, just use “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” or “Miss.”

●Egyptians may address one another in different ways, depending upon the setting. An Egyptian you were on a first-name basis with at a party might address you by your title in a business meeting.

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Gestures

●	The left hand is considered unclean in the Arab world. Always use the right hand in
	preference to the left (unless you are handling something that is considered unclean).
	Never eat with the left hand, and avoid gesturing with the left hand.
●	While Egyptians constantly gesture with their hands while speaking, they do not point at
	another person. This would be considered impolite.
●	As a general rule, keep both feet on the ground. (See “Tips on Doing Business in
	Egypt”).
●	The “thumbs-up” gesture is rude throughout the Arab world.
●	A gesture meaning “calm down” or “wait a minute” is accomplished in this way: with	Egypt
	your palm facing you, touch all your fingers to your thumb, and bob your hand up and
	down (as if you were weighing something).

Cultural Note

Not only do Egyptians speak to each other at a closer distance than North Americans, they naturally gravitate toward others in public. In a nearly empty theater, an Egyptian may choose the seat next to you. On public transportation, when you are sitting alone on a long seat, an Egyptian might sit right next to you instead of at the other end. This does not necessarily mean that he or she wants to talk to you.

Gifts

●If you are invited to an Egyptian home, bring a gift of baked goods or chocolates. Flowers are acceptable for very westernized Egyptians, but they were traditionally used at funerals and weddings.

●Sometimes a beautifully made compass can be a good gift. A compass enables a devout Muslim to always know where Mecca is, even when traveling.

●Small electronic gadgets make popular gifts.

●Make sure you give or receive gifts with the right hand, not with the left (although using both hands is acceptable).

Cultural Note

Egyptians are a hospitable people. Many are eager to establish friendships with foreigners. However, in Egypt, friends are expected to do favors for each other. These favors can range from small gifts to help in getting paperwork to work abroad. And your obligations are not limited to just one friend—they extend to your friend’s entire extended family, which may include dozens of cousins.

Of course, favors are reciprocal. Your Egyptian friend (and his or her relatives) will be happy to accompany you on errands, to tourist sites, and to suggest places you never would have seen without a native guide. Your friend may help you deal with Egyptian utilities and bureaucracy. And you will be invited to visit your friend’s many relatives.

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Dress

	●	While foreigners are not exempt from Egyptian standards of modesty, do not immedi-
		ately adopt traditional native clothing. Egyptians may find it offensive to see foreigners
		dressed in their traditional clothes.
	●	Despite the Egyptian heat, most of the body must remain covered.
	●	Men should wear long trousers and a shirt, preferably long-sleeved. A jacket and tie are
		usually required for business meetings. Keep shirts buttoned up to the collarbone. Men
		should avoid wearing visible jewelry, especially around the neck. (Gold jewelry is prohib-
		ited to observant Muslim men.)
Egypt	●	While few urban Egyptian women wear traditional clothing, all women—including
		foreigners—are expected to wear modest clothing in public. The neckline should be
		high, and the sleeves should come to at least the elbows. Hemlines should be well below
		the knee, if not ankle-length. The overall effect should be one of baggy concealment; a
		full-length outfit that is tight and revealing is not acceptable. Pants or pantsuits are not
		recommended. While a hat or scarf is not always required, it is wise to keep a scarf at
		hand. The suitability of your attire will be apparent as soon as you venture out; if Egyp-
		tian men stare lewdly at you, your dress is not sufficiently modest.

Cultural Note

Although we think of Egypt as a hot, desert destination, it can get uncomfortably cold in the winter. Many Egyptian homes are not heated. If you are staying in an Egyptian home in the winter, dress accordingly.