How To Talk to Egyptians | Empower
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
How to Talk to Egyptians
If you have never talked to Egyptian people, you may find some of their social behaviours different to yours. For example, a conversation may swing drastically from an inaudible whisper to a shouting match between the two parties. As well, communicating parties may be so near to each other that they are almost touching. This is because the concept of personal space is quite different in Egypt.
So then, how do you communicate with Egyptians? Here are tips on how to go about it.
Do not be alarmed by sudden swings in conversation
In Egypt, people may sometimes communicate in very low tones, to the point where they may be almost inaudible. But the next moment, the very same conversation might erupt into a shouting match between the parties involved. Such drastic changes in conversation may occur between two males who know each other well, but can also happen between complete strangers.
When this happens to a conversation that you are involved in, do not be alarmed and start wondering what you have done or said wrong – understand that this is perfectly normal in Egypt.
Use gestures when you are talking
The Egyptian people make use of gestures heavily in their conversations, because they see communications as a sensory experience that makes use of all five senses, not just the verbal aspect. As a result, they often gesticulate when they are talking, such as nodding their head or pointing to a physical object to stress their point. Trying to adopt this practice too would definitely make the locals feel as though you are making an effort to assimilate into their culture.
But do make yourself familiar with the physical gestures that you are using, because you may unconsciously offend someone in Egypt without realising it. For example, raising your hand and making a circle with the thumb and index finger symbolises “okay” in the United States and Australia – but this is a very rude gesture in Egypt – so never do this. Instead, use the “thumbs up” gesture to signify “okay.”
Get accustomed to close proximity when talking
In many other cultures, such as the United States or Britain, there is a minimum distance of proximity that are observed when two people are talking. But in Egypt, people get very close to each other during a conversation, even though they may be complete strangers. For example, Westerners opt for a personal space of about 46 cm (18 inches) while Egyptians stand about 23 to 25 cm (9 to 10 inches) apart, when talking. So this is something that you will have to adjust to, in Egypt.
Be careful when you are smiling
While the Egyptian people are generally a friendly community, do be careful about smiling at them on the streets. It is acceptable to smile as a friendly gesture to an acquaintance or a business client, though.
Never direct your smile at an Egyptian woman you don’t know, especially if you are a man, because this can be seen as a lack of respect and can compromise a woman’s reputation.
Try to get used to intense eye gazing
Some cultures do not gaze intently at a person’s eyes when one party is talking to another. So you might find it uncomfortable talking to an Egyptian. To the locals, looking intently at someone’s eyes may reveal something about that person’s character. So this is something that you would most likely have to get used to in Egypt.
Be wary of physical touch
While the Egyptian people are usually physically close to each other when talking, be careful about making physical touch, such as kissing, especially between people of the opposite gender. If you have come from a culture where the people use kissing as a form of greeting, try to refrain from doing so in Egypt – because such behaviours are not socially acceptable. Shaking hands is permissible though.
Common Phrases
The Egyptian people use Arabic to communicate. Here are some common Arabic words and phrases to help you survive your stay there.
- No – La
- Yes – Aiwa or naam
- Thank you – Shukran
- Welcome – Ahlan
- Possibly – Mumken
- Perhaps – Yemken
- Good morning – Sabah el kheer
- Good morning (reply) – sabah e-noor
- Good evening – mise el kheer
- Good evening (reply) – mise e-noor
- Please – Min’fadhlek
- Sorry – asif
- Goodbye – maa e-salemma
Reference
Wilson, Susan L., (2011). Culture Shock Egypt. 4th ed. New York: Marshall Cavendish.
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