The traditions and customs of Egypt have been formed over thousands of years. They intricately intertwine the norms of religious behavior, love of pleasure and innate cheerfulness, responsiveness and willingness to help even a stranger, and a constant search for personal gain.
Egyptians are very conservative people. The fidelity of the people to the traditions of Egypt can only be envied, and sometimes even sympathized with. It so happened historically that the majority of the population is now Muslims, a little more than 10% - Orthodox Christians, Copts. No matter how religion influences the way of life and thinking, communicating with both of them, you understand how much they have in common, starting with love for their country, ending with family customs. Everyone considers themselves direct descendants of the pharaohs, holding themselves with royal dignity.
Amazing holidays in Egypt
Incredible historical heritage, sunny weather throughout the year, fabulous Red Sea and affordable prices have made Egypt one of the best holiday destinations on the planet. Millionstourists are annually rushed to the shores that have become native, where you can sunbathe on the beach in the cold Russian winter, swim, overeat with fruits, go on interesting excursions, go to discos.
Hospitality and goodwill of the local population are almost inexhaustible. In the resorts of Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam, luxurious hotels with generous meals and entertainment programs, spas have been built. Throughout the country there are thousands of diving clubs with professional instructors, where you can get initial diving training or improve your skills.
Egypt tours
From the southern resorts it is convenient to go to Ancient Thebes, on the site of which Luxor is now located, visit the famous temples of Karnak, Hatshepsut there, and also go to the wonderful city of Aswan, get acquainted with the traditions of the Nubian people, admire the Nile and the Aswan reservoir built with the help of the USSR. Not far from Hurghada is the monastery of St. Anthony and Paul.
Staying in Sharm el-Sheikh, you can go to the monastery of St. Catherine, Alexandria, located on the Mediterranean coast. Everyone wants to go to Cairo to see the pyramids.
How to behave in the country?
A brief rule of conduct in Egypt is: “Share your smile, and it will come back to you more than once.”
It's enough to be casual and polite. When communicating, you need to take into account that innate curiosity and some importunity are part of the Egyptian mentality, you need to calmly accept its manifestations.
How should I dress?
No matter how much they say that Egypt is a Muslim country in which a certain dress code is observed, nothing will stop compatriots from walking in thong shorts, but even more impressive is the appearance of white men with naked sweat torso in shorts. According to tradition, Egypt has quite feasible clothing requirements for tourists and visitors, the main of which is compliance with the measure.
How to get a taxi ride?
In order not to have conflicts with taxi drivers, prices must be negotiated in advance, and money must be prepared without change. Otherwise, at the end of the trip, it will turn out that you will pay much more than you planned.
In the culture and traditions of Egypt, the basis of relationships between people is the manifestation of respect and fantastic patience.
Marriage: for love or convenience?
Until recently, marriage in Egypt was a family matter, little touching on issues of love. Now more and more marriages are made at the personal choice of the spouses, and Muslim unions created at the insistence of parents are increasingly ending in quick divorces.
Men who, according to Sharia, can have 4 official wives, often do not find it difficult to file divorces, and they do not always consider it necessary to inform a foreign wife about an imminent wedding with an Egyptian woman or about the presence of a family in a distant village with a cheerful brood of curly kids.
Christians can only marry once, there is no way to break the marriage bond. Tothe wedding, the groom must earn money for an apartment and gold for the chosen one, and the bride's family is engaged in equipping the kitchen of the future housing.
Wedding and family life
The spouses take place on the first day of the wedding ceremony in a mosque or church. The central point of the program is a photo shoot. Here the Egyptian photographers succeeded pretty well, the pictures are excellent. The bride spends half a day at the salon in the morning to get her eyelashes glued, hair done and incredible makeup, including skin whitening.
The wedding escort circles the city, trying to make as much noise as possible with drums, music and songs.
The rich rent restaurants, but you can organize a wedding in a huge tent that breaks on the street, a huge number of relatives and friends are invited there. No one expects food. It is possible that they will offer sweets and soft drinks, that's all. The main thing is a good mood, music and dancing.
Until now, in Egypt, virginity is a great value, a necessary condition for a successful marriage. If funds allow, then a belly dancer is invited to the wedding, who dances around the bride and groom all evening, probably in order to cheer up, energize before the upcoming action.
Egyptian husbands are the breadwinners and breadwinners, and the woman is responsible for the order in the house, delicious food, looks after the children. Although the economic crisis is changing the course, more and more Egyptian women are behind the counters of stores, working in the service sector, inmedical facilities.
Tipping
One of the generally accepted traditions in Egypt is to give baksheesh wherever there is a reason to express gratitude for the services received. The Egyptians themselves pay for all the extra gestures made in their direction. Carried goods from the store to a taxi, served in a cafe or restaurant - please get rewarded, even if it's only one pound.
And don't feel sorry for fragrant hookah or amazing Turkish coffee, called "agva" here, which is much tastier than in Turkey. If you need some sugar say "sugar shwaya" if you order "masbuta" it will mean medium amount. According to tradition, in Egypt everyone loves very sweet. If you do not specify "sugar moment", coffee syrup will be brought to you with at least three teaspoons of sugar mixed in a small cup.
Mother's Day and Spring
Love and respect for parents here are manifested in tireless care and help. Many generations often live in the same house, which is built on as needed. Since 1956, a tradition has been introduced in Egypt to celebrate Mother's Day on March 21, which appealed to all residents. In addition to congratulations on Mother's Day, parents receive monthly assistance from their grown sons in the amount set by the family.
If we talk briefly about the traditions in Egypt, we can say that most of them are associated with religious holidays and fasts, but some arose long before the advent of religions, for example, Nile Flood Day, Holidaymeeting of spring, which is celebrated 4500 years, many others.
