Chapter Seven: Egypt

Egypt lies on Africa’s northeastern corner and consists of three major land areas: the Sinai Peninsula on the Asian continent, deserts that blanket two-thirds of the country, and the fertile Nile River valley. The Nile River—the world’s largest at almost 1,000 miles long—flows northward through Egypt. If seen from above, the river valley looks like a narrow green ribbon cutting across the desert. Egyptians call their land "the gift of the Nile." The river supplies 85 per cent of the country’s water, rich soil for farming, and transportation. For centuries, Egypt was ruled by a host of invading foreigners. In 1953 it became an independent republic and one of the most powerful nations on the globe.

What Time Is it in Egypt?

Egypt is seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time. If it’s 10 a.m. in Washington, D.C., then it’s 5 p.m. in Egypt.

People

Nearly all of Egypt’s people are descendants of native Egyptians or Arabs who invaded the country more than 1,000 years ago. Most Egyptians think of themselves as Arabs, nearly 90 percent of whom are Muslims. Almost the entire Egyptian population lives within 20 miles of the Nile River, the most densely populated region in the world. More than 50 percent of Egyptians live in rural areas. Most rural people are farmers, called fellahin. They live much as their ancestors did, working small plots of land rented from landowners. Others live in cities like Cairo, Egypt’s capital and Africa’s largest city. The business and social life of most Egyptians are influenced by their Muslim traditions and the religious belief of Insha’allah (If Allah wills).

Doing Business in Egypt

If you’re planning to do business in Egypt, here are a few tips you might want to know.

Greetings

• Although shaking hands may be the customary greeting, there are many ways to meet someone in Egypt. It’s best to wait for your Egyptian counterpart to initiate the introduction.
• Before arrival, find out how to pronounce and address each of the Egyptians you will meet. Most Egyptians are called by their last name and a title (Dr., Mr., Mrs., Miss).

Gestures

• Always use the right hand, for example, to eat or gesture. The left hand is considered unclean.
• When dining, don’t eat everything on your plate. It’s considered impolite to the host.

Protocol

• Be punctual, but be aware that it’s traditional for Arabs to keep foreign business people waiting.
• Business cards should be printed with Arabic on one side and English on the other.
• Expect a lot of small talk. Egyptians like to form a person-to-person relationship before doing business. Be patient, decisions will take a long time.

Want to know more about Egypt?

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