and repeat themselves for emphasis. They frequently will interrupt each other and will speak over other speakers.

Egyptians touch when speaking with good friends and established business associates, but until they know you well they usually confine physical contact to handshakes. However, after they trust you, expect close contact including hugging

When in Egypt, you had better negotiate like an Egyptian. Be sure to leave your cowboy hat at home since the rules are very different in the Middle East.

Egyptian culture has five thousand years of recorded history, so I won’t be giving a history lesson today. Let’s just say that every aspect of life in Egypt has a special meaning and a reason why they do things as they do. If asked why something is done a certain way, they will likely recite history from thousands of years ago.

Egypt is a high context culture which means that a lot what is communicated is transferred implicitly with body language, silence, eye contact, and oblique words or phrases. For example, it is considered impolite to deny a wish to someone. Instead of saying “no”, other phrases are used to describe an inconvenience, which implies that the answer is no. When an Egyptian says “yes”, he or she may actually mean “possibly”. Communication can include intense eye contact and frequent gestures for emphasis.

The official language of Egypt is Standard Arabic and is used in most written communications. Egyptians tend to speak at a much closer distance than Americans. This close contact can be awkward for Americans, but don’t back away. Moving away could make you seem cold or disinterested. Egyptians tend to be emotional and tend to use emphatic language; they also tend to exaggerate. When making a point they will speak loudly and repeat themselves for emphasis. They frequently will interrupt each other and will speak over other speakers.

Egyptians touch when speaking with good friends and established business associates, but until they know you well they usually confine physical contact to handshakes. However, after they trust you, expect close contact including hugging

hey do things as they do. If asked why something is done a certain way, they will likely recite history from thousands of years ago.

Egypt is a high context culture which means that a lot what is communicated is transferred implicitly with body language, silence, eye contact, and oblique words or phrases. For example, it is considered impolite to deny a wish to someone. Instead of saying “no”, other phrases are used to describe an inconvenience, which implies that the answer is no. When an Egyptian says “yes”, he or she may actually mean “possibly”. Communication can include intense eye contact and frequent gestures for emphasis.

The official language of Egypt is Standard Arabic and is used in most written communications. Egyptians tend to speak at a much closer distance than Americans. This close contact can be awkward for Americans, but don’t back away. Moving away could make you seem cold or disinterested. Egyptians tend to be emotional and tend to use emphatic language; they also tend to exaggerate. When making a point they will speak loudly and repeat themselves for emphasis. They frequently will interrupt each other and will speak over other speakers.

Egyptians touch when speaking with good friends and established business associates, but until they know you well they usually confine physical contact to handshakes. However, after they trust you, expect close contact including hugging

y a wish to someone. Instead of saying “no”, other phrases are used to describe an inconvenience, which implies that the answer is no. When an Egyptian says “yes”, he or she may actually mean “possibly”. Communication can include intense eye contact and frequent gestures for emphasis.

The official language of Egypt is Standard Arabic and is used in most written communications. Egyptians tend to speak at a much closer distance than Americans. This close contact can be awkward for Americans, but don’t back away. Moving away could make you seem cold or disinterested. Egyptians tend to be emotional and tend to use emphatic language; they also tend to exaggerate. When making a point they will speak loudly and repeat themselves for emphasis. They frequently will interrupt each other and will speak over other speakers.

Egyptians touch when speaking with good friends and established business associates, but until they know you well they usually confine physical contact to handshakes. However, after they trust you, expect close contact including hugging

most written communications. Egyptians tend to speak at a much closer distance than Americans. This close contact can be awkward for Americans, but don’t back away. Moving away could make you seem cold or disinterested. Egyptians tend to be emotional and tend to use emphatic language; they also tend to exaggerate. When making a point they will speak loudly and repeat themselves for emphasis. They frequently will interrupt each other and will speak over other speakers.

Egyptians touch when speaking with good friends and established business associates, but until they know you well they usually confine physical contact to handshakes. However, after they trust you, expect close contact including hugging

and repeat themselves for emphasis. They frequently will interrupt each other and will speak over other speakers.

Egyptians touch when speaking with good friends and established business associates, but until they know you well they usually confine physical contact to handshakes. However, after they trust you, expect close contact including hugging and kissing. It’s good thing. You made the team.

Non-verbal communication is huge in Egypt. Never point since it is rude. A “thumbs up” gesture is very insulting similar to our middle finger salute. They remove their shoes often in meetings, but never show the bottoms of their feet.

Relationships are very important and gifts are often given. When a gift is needed you might want to consider an exquisitely made compass; this enables a devout Muslim to always know where Mecca is (even when traveling). When offered coffee always accept it, since it is considered very rude to do otherwise.

The Islamic religion dominates Egyptian life. They believe that many solutions to current problems are to be found in the orthodox practice of an Islamic life. Egypt is a fatalistic culture which believes that the hands of God will define their destiny. There is a pervasive collectivist thinking because of the centuries old battle with the harsh climate and deprivation; to survice they have had to share with others. The individual is always subordinate to the family, the tribe, or the collective. It is a male dominated society.

Business meetings tend to be very formal affairs. They usually begin with coffee and conversation even in situations when the issues are important or time is limited. The business day is similar to American business, but with longer lunches and frequent breaks for coffee. The pac