Your Egypt

Blitzhund · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Scotland

All of my life I have always wanted to travel to Egypt and see this great and ancient land. Besides ancient Egypt, I understand that the country is unparalled in the Middle East for its beauty and friendliness of its people.

I guess I have on question, even though I currently live in the UK, I am an American and as a result I worry that I wouldn't be very popular in Egypt right now. I don't want to go into my politics, but suffice to say that I don't like GWBush and don't wear my politics on my sleave. I love and respect all cultures in the world.

Are my fears founded? Would I have anything to worry about? I don't worry about terrorism so much as I know Egypt is a safe country in that respect, but rather I worry about being treated poorly or rudely and that ruining my trip.

Your thoughts please?

Basboosa · Guest

hi
i am an egyptian female living in Cairo, and i can assure you that you will have no problem whatsoever with friendliness and hospitality, people here love to see foreigners - if you don't mind their staring at you it's gonna be all right, a foreigner is always a sight :)- many americans come here and they are not treated differently from those of any other nationality.
the only people who might find a different treatment are israeli people, even though i believe not many people will be rude to them as well cos people here dont' show their feelings so readily, they could be hating you yet still smile at you :roll: also everyone will be trying to make money out of you so be careful with that :wink:
hope you have a good time here

Blitzhund · Guest Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Scotland

Thanks Basboosa, I am very much looking forward to my trip in Egypt in late spring this year. I am especially looking forward to the Nile river cruise that I'll be on (a small boat hopefully not so commercial).

Kind regards,
Blitz

sa3eadi from Aswan · Guest

Because most neighboorhoods like Bulaq won't allow them into their coffe shops. Hahahahahah :P :P

raymon · Guest Joined: 20 Nov 2003 Posts: 1452 Location: Here

Blitzhund,

For Egyptians, politics is something, tourism is another thing.
Egyptians adore American movies and culture. Americanism has had its own days here also. However, they hate the US policy in general.
This is one of the most amazing thing about Egyptians.

So don't worry ... there is no problem at all, and you don't even have to conceal your nationality, though most people won't be able to identify whether you are American, European, Australian ... etc.

You may find the following links interesting:
http://www.gannettonline.com/gns/mideast/tensions.htm
http://www.egyptmonth.com/mag06012000/mag6.htm

Raymon

Monica · Guest Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 4933 Location: Egypt

Please have no fears. Egypt is the safest place.
I travel to Egypt regularly through my work. I was there in October 2003 June 2003 as well as in in February 2003, and in December 2002.

It is so peaceful you have no idea. The traffic jams are a bit entertaining to say the least!!! but overall, you will never regret it!

Blitzhund wrote: All of my life I have always wanted to travel to Egypt and see this great and ancient land. Besides ancient Egypt, I understand that the country is unparalled in the Middle East for its beauty and friendliness of its people.

I guess I have on question, even though I currently live in the UK, I am an American and as a result I worry that I wouldn't be very popular in Egypt right now. I don't want to go into my politics, but suffice to say that I don't like GWBush and don't wear my politics on my sleave. I love and respect all cultures in the world.

Are my fears founded? Would I have anything to worry about? I don't worry about terrorism so much as I know Egypt is a safe country in that respect, but rather I worry about being treated poorly or rudely and that ruining my trip.

Your thoughts please?

Dienrose · Guest Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 245

Blitzhund,
As an American traveling to Egypt last Spring, right after the Iraq war was supposedly over, I had the same concerns. I had been to Egypt before and found friendly and gracious people there. Yes, people liked the American buck, but their friendliness was NOT just mercenary.
I was concerned that my reception as a visiting American might be different in 2003. If it was different at all it was only better. People seemed to go even further out of their way to make me feel welcome. Certainly, I was not walking around wearing an "I'm with you George W!" T-shirt or anything, but people repeatedly told me they knew that the American people were not the same thing as American government policy.
Over and over I heard that the Egyptian people knew the difference between the American people who came to visit and the politics that came from Washington, D.C.
Treat people with respect and they will usually respond in kind. From my experience, you should have nothing to worry about regarding treatment by the people of Egypt.

Bulldog · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 10:03 pm Post subject:

I've never had any problems, Alright I've been stared at and didn't know if it was me as a foreigner, or me because i'm slightly on the large side if you know what i mean. :oops: If you dont mind me making an observation, I find that you Americans do scare easy. Do like us Brits and keep a stiff upper lip. :)