Please Share Your Thoughts on Egypt
Mar 1, 08 Posted in Africa, Egypt
If you would like to find out more about how to negotiate effectively in Egypt, take a look at the corresponding Country Section from the book Negotiating International Business by Lothar Katz.
If you have any experience to share (or questions you would like answered) relating to Egypt, please click on “Comment” in this entry’s title line. Please note that we will integrate your good ideas when we periodically update these materials, so your comments and criticisms will help others.
2 Responses to “Please Share Your Thoughts on Egypt”
By Youssef ElKhadem on Jun 6, 08
I think it is generally a good section. However, there are a few sentences which I would advise to be removed:
1) ….many Egyptians are non practicing Muslims…
It is not a very accurate sentence since unlike in the US where some people are practicing and some aren’t, Muslims generally consider themselves practicing Muslims, each with his/her own degree of practicing. So a person who drinks alcohol might also be fasting in Ramadan or prayin g once in a while.
2) Muslims consider the left hand unclean. This is an incorrect statement. It might have some tribal origin (mistakenly thought to be a Muslim thing); however, this is not the case. Everyone uses their left hand at all times, you are probably expected to use your right hand most of the time especially when eating, but being unclean is not a true assumption. It is considered offensive to shake hands with your left hand though as it is seen as a sign of disrespect, but nothing more than that.
3)The thumbs up gesture is an offensive gesture in the Arab world.
Not true. We do use the thumbs up gesture all the time in Egypt.
Regards,
Youssef
By Lothar on Jun 7, 08
Great inputs, thanks. I have updated the country information accordingly.
The historic origin of the preference for the right hand is that the left one was considered unclean, but you are absolutely correct that today it has simply become a matter of etiquette.