Cultural Tidbits on Egypt:

Obviously Egypt has a rich and interesting history.  Here is a very high level and brief history overview and is in no means a comprehensive view.

The pre-Hellenic period is divided into Kingdoms and Dynasties.  The great pyramid was built in the 4th dynasty and Egypt reached it’s most powerful and influential during the 11th and 12th dynasties.  With the onset of the 20th century Egypt’s power weakened.  Egypt was invaded repeatedly and ruled by foreign powers.  Alexander the Great invaded in 332 BC and in 642 AD Arab forces invaded and gained control. Subsequently Saladin reunited the Muslim world through his rule of Egypt.  Egypt was then under Ottoman rule from 1517 through 1798.  Napolean then invaded in 1798 and was later driven from the country by Sir Ralph Abercromby and the British.  Mohammed Ali drove out the British in 1802 and the British returned to occupy Egypt again from 1862 through 1952.  The Suez Canal was opened in 1869. The British ended their protectorate and recognized Egypt’s independence in 1922.  The British rule further lessened in 1936 with the Anglo-Egyptian treaty and again in 1952 when the Wafd Party repealed the right of Britain to run the Suez Canal.    

The Egyptians supported the Allies in World War II with the understanding that Egypt would gain full independence at the end of the war.  Egypt was a major strategic base during WWII.  The Egyptian Arab Republic was declared in 1953. Abd Al-Nasser became the head of state and then President in 1956.  During the 1956 Suez Crisis an Anglo-French-Israeli military operations attempted to seize the Suez Canal.  Israel regained control of the Sinai peninsula and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Six Day War.  Nasser died in 1970 and Anwar el-Sadat became president. After warring with Israel in 1973 Sadat made peace with Israel at the Camp David Summit in 1977.  Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula and Egypt recognized Israil.  Hosni Mubarak became President in 1981.    

Family is very important in Egypt.  The family plays an important role in all aspects of life including business and personal relationships.  Egyptians are close with both their immediate and extended family members.  Many generations may live in the same house.  Honor is an extremely important part of Egyptian relationships.  Respect is expected and provided and every member of the family must live up to the expectation of honor and respect. Egyptians value and respect their elders and care for them well.  Promises have a very deep honorable meaning and should not be taken lightly.  If you dishonor an Egyptian or break a promise, you dishonor the entire family. 

Egyptians are born into a social class based on their family background.  Someone in a lower social class may still become wealthy but will not climb the social ladder according to wealth.  Greetings are based on the social standing of the individual.  Handshakes and direct eye contact are used when two males greet each other.  When two men have a well established relationship they may kiss on one cheek and then the other while shaking hands. Interactions between men and women are more formal and one should always take the lead of the male Egyptian.

Consider the following when in Egypt: