As everywhere else, stay away from politics and religion. Most foreign business people know little of either which concerns Egypt, or even if they do, they can quickly get in trouble by broaching these topics. Beyond religion and politics, it is usually best to stay clear of questions about the Egyptian business person's family, and particularly female members of the family. Perhaps you may be told that the business person's daughter attends the American University in Cairo, but asking her age, or to see a picture might very well be interpreted as showing suspicious attention, even with a businessperson you have grown to know personally. In such cases, asking about the welfare of his or her family in general, or about specific male members of the family is as far as such discussions should usually be taken.
The Go-Between - Get an Egyptian Representative
How Meetings Work
Social Talk
Appearance
Mannerisms
Titles
Gifts
Business Cards
Tipping
Learn at Least a Few Words of Egyptian Arabic
On Being Patient and Understanding Egyptian Time |
