Talk Like An Egyptian
Many foreigners travel to distant lands expecting that the locals will speak English. In Cairo, you will likely meet Egyptians who speak some English. However, this should not deter you from making the effort to learn a few words of Arabic. This truly is the best way to make new friends and it may come in handy during an emergency. Invest in a pocket-size Arabic phrase book (I recommend the BBC or Berlitz series) and carry it with you during your stay. Learn the Arabic numbers before you arrive in order to decipher directions (some roads have no names, only numbers) and to avoid magically inflated prices. Also, a few polite greetings will go a long way to making your journey a more enjoyable one. A simple SHUKRAN (thank you) will delight Egyptians, a feeling that can be contagious. Likewise, learning a few necessary phrases may help you to deter overly amorous individuals and/or camels (some may say these are one and the same!)
Egyptians are sometimes taught either English or French in school. During a tour of the pyramids you will likely be surrounded by local schoolchildren eager to practice their knowledge of English. If you have the time, stop and chat - you will be rewarded with huge smiles. You may also draw a crowd: when it's time to leave, simply smile and wave as you move on.
Outside of Cairo you will rarely hear English spoken. The Red Sea destinations (such as Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh) are popular tourist stops for Greeks, Germans, Italians and Russians and you many hear the languages of these nationals, but very little English. Be prepared to have to repeat yourself to 3 or 4 people before finding someone who can answer you.
When you first speak Arabic, regardless of whether you say ISMAK EH? (What is your name?) or a simple AYWA (yes), you may be greeted with great enthusiasm for your efforts. This will include a huge grin, and a fast and highly detailed reply. After all, you DO speak Arabic! Do not let this discourage you - treat it as a sign of your success! Smile, say WAHDA WAHDA (slow down) or take a deep breath and try again. Alternatively, you may hit a run of people who simply cannot understand a word of the foreigner-pronounced Arabic words. Once again, take a deep breath, try again and use lots of gestures!
For the most part, Egyptians are genuinely friendly and curious. You are in their land and they see many tourists, whose behaviour can be either good or bad. Try not to let the stares, pointing and comments deter you from having a good time. I often hear a mother pointing out the KHAWAAGA (foreigner) to her child. The best thing is not to confuse the harmless with the more offensive. Listen to the tone and move away if you are unsure of the intention. With foreign women, some boys and men may make inappropriate gestures and comments in Arabic (see below for possible responses and refer to Women's Issues for more information) but don't anticipate everything as being negative. There are also perfect gentlemen out there.
Foreigners who intend to remain in Egypt may quickly realize that a minimal vocabulary is vital. If you are interested in a personal tutor, ask around or check the Maadi Messenger (tel: 378-5562). There are also some excellent Arabic classes available (check the magazine Egypt Today for a current list). I have heard positive comments about classes offered at the Community Services Association (4 Road 21, Maadi; tel: 358-5284), the British Council (192 El-Nil Street, Agouza; tel: 303-1514, 347-6118) and the American University in Cairo (28 Falaki Street, Bab El-Louq; tel: 357-6872).
INSHAALLAH: roughly translated, it means 'if God is willing, than it will happen'. Stepping off the plane, INSHAALLAH is probably the first and most frequent thing you will hear while in Egypt. It can be applied to just about anything, from flight arrivals, room reservations, meal orders, business deals, lost luggage, elevators, etc. Needless to say, it is used A LOT!
Good Luck!!
