Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Cross Cultural
Egypt
People
All Egyptians share a remarkable
attachment to important social
values.
They
consider their family as an
integral entity which they have
to protect.
Egyptians are known to be the
most funny, friendly and helpful
nation of the Middle East.
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Society
A multicultural society where
modernity and western customs flirt
with traditions
Religious practices are moderate
but still deeply anchored in the
everyday life.
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Religion
Major religion: Islam
About 90% of the population
are Sunni Muslims
About 10% are Coptic
Christians and others
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Language
Official language: Arabic
The Egyptian dialect is distinct from all
other arabic countries because of the
dominance of the media (television, cinema,
radio and music)
English and French widely understood by
educated classes
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Arts
Ancient history, strong Islamic traditions,
modern pan-Arab political and intellectual
history and relative freedom
cultural capital of Arab world
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Egypt
First Meetings
Plenty of greeting styles prevail
it is safest to wait for your counterpart to initiate
Being punctual is not a priority
but arrive on time!
Expect your partner to be late or the
appointment getting canceled
Standard practice is to keep foreign business
people waiting
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Speaking distance
closer than in other parts of the world. Do not step back. In
their perception you will be an unfeeling person
Use simple words
like hello, please or thank you. You can expect to be
better respected
Do not be surprised if the voices are raised at some
point
it is not an argument, but just the way Egyptians discuss
matters
Welcome topics of conversation
are Egyptian achievements, reputation of Egyptian leaders,
Egyptian cotton, sports
Submitted
by- Shiv Pratap Sin
try
to avoid inquiring
about the female members
of
their
Cross
Cultural
Egypt
Submitted to- Mrs. Bhavna Kapo
Egyptian agent
allow him to explain the major points of
your business in Arabic
in a short meeting, a translation can be
very useful
your points will be made much more
concisely
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Business
Business meetings are usually quite
formal
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Business
Business schedule:
In summer: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In winter: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Business Cards
Should be printed in English on one side and in
Arabic on the other
When an Egyptian gives you a business card it is
polite to make a nice comment about it or make a
question:When are you available at your office?
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Business Meals
String muslims will not touch alcohol or
pork
One should ensure that there is a
selection of non-alcoholic drinks available.
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Egypt
Welcome with
men
Egypt
is considered unclean
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Egypt
Gifts
Are old customs, expected in business meetings, should
have a meaning
Good gift selections when visiting Egyptians
baked goods and chocolates
an exquisitely made compass, a compass enables a
devout muslim to always know where Mecca is- even when
travelling
be
given only to very westernised Egyptians
One should make sure that gifts are given and received
with the right hand
Submitted by- Shiv Pratap Sin
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Submitted to- Mrs. Bhavna Kapo
References
How to negotiate Sergey Frank Financial Times
Gesteland, Richard Cross-Cultural Business Behavior
Copenhagen
Business School Press, 1999
Hofstede, Geert - Cultures and Organizations: Software of
the Mind
McGraw-Hill, 1997
www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/eg.html
www.arab.net/egypt/index.html
www.hejleh.com/countries/egypt.html
www.animaweb.org/pays_egypte_pourquoiinvestir_en.php
Cross Cultural
Egypt
Cross Cultural
Egypt