Greetings and Gestures in Egypt
by Radwa Ahmed, M.Ed.
(with Lisa Bartels)
Egypt is on many travelers’ bucket list, and for good reason! Egypt has something for everyone! For adventurers, Egypt is the grandeur of the pyramids and the splendor of the Nile. For historians, Egypt represents the cradle of civilization and the foundational advancements of papyrus and hieroglyphs. For foodies Egypt represents exotic spices, delicious roasted meats, and crowded marketplaces. For the business-savvy, Egypt is the towering skyscrapers of Cairo and the transportation hub of the Suez Canal. For the culturally curious, Egypt is the warm tea and warmer hospitality of the Egyptian people. A basic understanding of key cultural practices will help travelers experience all this captivating country has to offer.
In Egypt, greetings are an essential part of cultural etiquette and social interaction. They reflect respect, warmth, and a sense of community. In North Africa, particularly in Egypt, greeting habits and gestures are vibrant with tradition and are a product of a rich history, reflecting layers of influence from ancient traditions, Islamic culture, Ottoman and European practices, and modern global interactions. Despite these varied influences, traditional Islamic greetings remain a cornerstone of Egyptian & North African social etiquette.
Egypt has a long history of foreign occupations and influences, each leaving its mark on cultural practices, including greeting habits and gestures. In contemporary Egypt, greeting habits reflect a blend of traditional Islamic and modern Western practices.
Let’s embark on a journey to explore these fascinating customs!
Basic Greetings
"As-salamu alaykum" (Peace be upon you), and the response “Wa alaykum as-salam” (And upon you be peace) remain the most common verbal greetings in most social contexts.
Other common verbal greetings include Sabah al-khair (Good morning) to which one responds, Sabah an-noor (A bright morning), and Masa’ al-khair (Good evening) to which one responds, Masa’ an-noor (A bright evening).
There is also Ahlan wa sahlan (Welcome) which can be used both as a greeting and a way to welcome someone into your home or space.
Greeting Specific People
Handshakes are common between people of the same gender.
People of the same gender often shake hands in Egypt, while greetings between men and women may be only verbal or include a small bow. If a man and woman meet, the woman will usually be the first to extend her hand. Be mindful of gender norms and wait for cues from the other person, especially between men and women! Also take care to use appropriate titles and respectful forms of address, such as Ustaz / Ustaza (Mr./ Ms. or Mrs.) or Haj / Hajja when addressing elders, referring to them fulfilling the religious obligation of pilgrimage which is a great honor.
When addressing elders or people of higher status that one is more familiar with, add a term of respect like Tante/ Khalty/ Ammety (Auntie) or Uncle/ Khaly/ Ammy. Among close friends and family, cheek kisses and hugs are common.
Westernized vs. Traditional Greetings
In urban settings such as Cairo & Alexandria, higher socioeconomic groups, those with international exposure, and millennials and Gen Z; these Egyptians are more likely to incorporate Westernized greetings and speak a “Franco / Anglo -Arabic” language. In contrast, lower socioeconomic groups might stick to traditional forms of greeting and to only Arabic!
Cairo is a modern city with both traditional and Western influence
What to Wear?
A gallibayah is the traditional clothing for both men and women in Egypt
Most Egyptians are Muslims and therefore dress conservatively. The traditional clothing item for both men and women is a gallibayah, a long, lightweight robe with long sleeves. Gallibayah’s may be worn with long pants and are sometimes paired with coats or other outer garments. Men traditionally wear white, but galibayahs come in every color of the rainbow. Both men and women traditionally wear a head covering; a turban or loose fitting headscarf for men and a hijab (a colorful headscarf) for women.
Western clothes such as t-shirts, slacks, blue jeans, and business suits are common in urban areas, and travelers may wear them. Women almost always have their knees and shoulders covered, so female visitors should choose longer dresses with sleeves or loose-fitting pants. Carry a scarf to slip over your hair if you encounter a more conservative situation.
A serious question!
When visiting an Egyptian home, it is polite to bring a small gift such as candy, a dessert, or flowers. When you arrive, you will most likely be asked “Shay wala Ahwa?” (Tea or Coffee?) You should always accept a drink from your host! Egyptians are hospitable and generous people, they will be offended if guests refuse their offerings. Usually the tea, coffee, or even a soft drink will be served with food. Depending on the time of the day and the socioeconomic status of the host, you may be served a meal, a snack, or just a sweet treat! Enjoy and eat up; sharing food together is an important part of Egyptian culture and a way to build lasting friendship with your host.
Special Practices During Ramadan
If you visit Egypt in Ramadan (a month where Muslims fast daily from dawn till sunset) the common greeting is Ramadan Kareem (Ramadan is generous- referring to it being a month of giving). The answer is Allaho Akram (Allah is more generous). You might notice that many stores will be opening really late in the day, as people tend to stay up late and into the nighttime during Ramadan.
If you happen to be driving around sunset during Ramadan, you might be hit by a plastic bag with dates and a drink! People will be throwing food at you because they want anyone who is fasting and not home yet to break their fast. There will also be large dining tables set in many streets and prepared to feed any fasting person passing by. It’s a kind of charity to ensure everyone is fed. These “Mercy Tables” are sponsored by individuals, organizations, or communities.
Community “Mercy Tables” where Egyptians break their daily fast during Ramadan
Taking time to learn these Arabic phrases and common cultural practices will ensure your visit to Egypt is filled with adventure and joy. Ahlan wa sahlan!
Radwa Ahmed, M.Ed.
Radwa Ahmed is a language educator that launched her career in education 8 years ago as an Elementary French Immersion teacher. As she discovered her passion for languages, she embarked in teaching Arabic for High School students and invested her efforts in learning more about effective language teaching pedagogies. After receiving her Master degree in Educational Leadership and her Principal administrative license, she is now growing as an Instructional Leader to advocate for and support Language Learning for all students. Radwa is originally from Egypt and is delighted to share her knowledge of this warm and hospitable culture with her students and colleagues.
