Any Egyptian's about to advise me on etiquette?

[Humpthree]

Hi, I'm due to fly to Egypt in June for a long awaited medical procedure.

It will be staying at a hospital in Alexandria for 3 nights, a local hotel for the 4th and finally a hotel in Cairo, by the airport, before flying home the next morning. The hospital has drivers who will transfer me to and from the airport and the hotel's after my operation.

I'm autistic so I struggle with my own culture's customs and I'm anxious about getting it right. Do I tip? How much? In English money? Should I wear a headscarf? Would the nurses appreciate boxes of chocolates?

Not Egyptian, but travelled there many times.
No need to wear a head scarf, but don’t wear anything revealing - this wouldn’t matter in the tourist destinations on the Red Sea, but anything skimpy in the cities will make you stand out, and you are likely to receive unwelcome attention.
Tipping in GBP, euros, or dollars all acceptable.
The nurses would love chocolates!
Expat Cairo is a great online resource.
And good luck!

Do NOT walk like an Egyptian, it’s a total myth. They walk just like everyone else and if took me 4 days until someone told me

@CrumpetsForAll what?!!

Crumpets Like Wilson, Keppel and Betty, you mean?
(Sorry, very very old)

When I went to Egypt the favourite currency to tip was US dollars but this was years ago. Pounds would be fine too I think. Definitely don’t wear anything skimpy, I was wearing maxi dresses which I thought was modest enough but got really harassed as was showing my shoulders. I should have worn a light scarf/shawl or cardigan over my shoulders. But no need for headscarf by any means.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv6tuzHUuuk

Good luck with your medical procedure op. I think I remember you made a previous thread?
I honestly think don’t waste too much time worrying about chocolate for nurses and things... you really have enough to think about. If you have time do it , but just relax as much as possible before you go. Stick a light pashmina in with your luggage (tkmaxx/ local markets have loads).
Handy to wear as a headscarf if necessary and to wrap round shoulders etc.

Chocolates will melt...

I know the song. I don’t understand why you thought it was something that really happened?

Um I think crumpets was joking!

@Choice4567

I know the song. I don’t understand why you thought it was something that really happened?

Sarcasm. Have you heard of it.

@Humpthree

Hi, I'm due to fly to Egypt in June for a long awaited medical procedure.

It will be staying at a hospital in Alexandria for 3 nights, a local hotel for the 4th and finally a hotel in Cairo, by the airport, before flying home the next morning. The hospital has drivers who will transfer me to and from the airport and the hotel's after my operation.

I'm autistic so I struggle with my own culture's customs and I'm anxious about getting it right. Do I tip? How much? In English money? Should I wear a headscarf? Would the nurses appreciate boxes of chocolates?

Buy long or three quarter sleeved maxi dresses, nothing too low cut. Eye contact and smiling at men can give the wrong impression & don’t do it when you’re ordering at a restaurant. If it’s a woman serving you then it’s encouraged.

I was also told off by my Egyptian friend for saying please and thank you when ordering food / buying stuff outside of a western mall / hotel context.

oops. Don’t usually miss that...

Hi, I live in Cairo.

It'll be fine, Egyptians are absolutely used to tourists wandering about in western dress. Keep your shoulders & knees covered if you want to avoid unwanted attention, but that's about it.

Say 'shokran' (thank you) to everyone & tip taxi drivers etc about 10%. No need to tip in restaurants a service charge is included, but it'll be appreciated if you want to.