Caroline_afifi

I thought I would open this as a topic for discussion as it maybe really valuable for anyone travelling to Egypt.

We can discuss other countries too, as I know nothing about the accepted norms in Yemen for example?

I think there are alot of misconceptions about what to do and accept as behavioual norms. I am often surprised at how many regular travellers still dont know the behavioural expectations from both sides.

What are your thoughts, experiences and areas of confusion?

karena

I have a question, but no real reason for knowing except curiosity. I read on here once about the Ladies' carriage on the Cairo tube. Do women have to go in it, or can if they don't want to be with the men? Was wondering whether it was a choice if they didn't want to be with the men, or enforced that they aren't allowed. And are the other carriages the 'men' carriages, or are they just the normal carriages, making the women the 'others'.

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"Nothing is black and white, it's all shades of grey" Me

Caroline_afifi

The first and sometimes second Carriage on the metro is reserved for women only, but women can sit in any carriage they choose.
The womens carriage is very popular as it avoids the bum pinchers. Yes, even veiled women fall victim to the 'rub upers' and 'bum feelers'.

Maria_Aya

Trust me when you see the men carriage you will be happy that a women only exist !!!
I would prefer to walk than get in the men's one lol

Maria Aya

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... because Oriental Dance is the visual poem over the music....

karena

Thanks. I've been wondering that for ages. What happens if a man gets in the women's one?

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"Nothing is black and white, it's all shades of grey" Me

Suheir

I'm just imagining a whole carriage full of women shrieking and hitting him with their shopping bags!

Aisha Azar

Dear Gang,
Be prepared, if you travel outside of tourist areas, to meet with some hostility in the form of hard looks, no matter how conservatively you are dressed or how well you are behaving. Keep in mind that it has nothing to do with YOU, personally, but you as a representative of the the "foreign infidel". The word used is derogatory and it is "Hawaga" (even sounds bad!!) Hallah Moustafa has become the resident Hawaga in her neighborhood where she is the only foreigner living, and she has a few stories to tell. Fortunately, she has become a sort of inverted status symbol in the area where she lives. As she says, "I might be a Hawaga, but I am THEIR Hawaga!" This has saved her a couple of times when people in the neighborhood have rescued her.
Be respectful enough NOT to take pictures of people without asking. Do NOT ask unless you have some kind of acquaintance with them.
A big confusion for me was when you are not in tourist areas there is rubble everywhere in Cairo,and also to a lesser degree in Alexandria. It is so ubiquitous that I missed it in the desert!! It's like buildings have fallen down and no one cleared away the the remains. I am still a little perplexed about that, though several explanations have been given, mostly having to do with Mubarak not continuing the building efforts of Sadat....???
Regards,
A'isha

karena

Well that's what I was imagining too

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"Nothing is black and white, it's all shades of grey" Me

Outi

It used to be so, but in the beginning of this year the women only cars are in the middle of the metro. They have stickers on top of the doors of those cars.

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http://www.outiofcairo.com

Caroline_afifi

What made them do that?
It has been about two years since I went near a metro and usually only with the mum in law as she wont pay taxi prices.