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Throughout Egypt's history its people have affected, been influenced
by, and intermixed with people from the east, north, and south. People range from fair and
light colored skin mostly in the north, to tall, dark-skinned Nubians in the extreme
south. Upper Egyptians who are not Nubians refer to themselves proudly as Sa’
idis. Fellahiin is the general term for the agrarian peasants, many of whom have
migrated from the countryside to the cities to find work. In the deserts and oases there
are Bedouins and Berbers. Cairo's mix is notably harmonious, showing little or no overt
prejudices, although stereotypes, biases, and plenty of good-natured jokes based on
differences abound. The deep divide in Egyptian society is neither racial, geographic, nor
religious. It is economic, and it is profound.
Walking the streets of Cairo one will find a continuous stream of blaring horns, as a
busy population scrambles about the city. But one may admire this madness from an armchair
next to his favorite coffee shop, where he may be overcome by a feeling of
tranquility.
It is often a culture of the back streets of small neighborhoods, particularly at night,
where the television has not dispatched social accord. The residents of
these small neighborhoods within these monstrous cities know each other well, and look out
for one another. It is also a moral culture.
In a city the size of Cairo, there is virtually no crime rate. Many westerners believe
that this is due to stiff punishment, but the real reason is the population's loyalty to
their religious faith. The virtual absence of drinking and drugs among the local
population, prohibited by Islamic law and enforced by their own piety, surely has much to
do with this.
Do's and
Don'ts
Egyptian values are rooted in the strong family attachments of a still overwhelming
rural heritage and in Islam’s closely woven social code. Though allowances are made
for foreign idiosyncrasies, the same conservative behavior and dress is expected of you.
Physicality should be muted, so that men and women should refrain from kissing and hugging
in public, while generally, it is good idea not to show too much flesh. Except at resorts
and beaches, dress should be conservative, especially for women. Skirts and dresses should
fall below the knee, and both women and men should cover their shoulders.
Do not photograph an Egyptian without asking permission. For some people it is
extremely offensive. If you do ask first, people are often happy to be photographed.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims may not eat, drink or smoke while the sun is up. It
would be polite if you, too, refrained, in public at least.
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