San Jose, Costa Rica

There is a difference between tourists and Egyptians. If you ask Egyptians in Egypt whether to tip in a restaurant or elsewhere, they will tell you it is NOT customary to do it. Many places will have the service already included in the bill. Don't feel that you're forced to tip because you've heard it's the norm. There is nothing that is the norm in Egypt except what is pushed on tourists. On trains the luggage guy will put his hand out to tourists but they let Egyptians go right by. If you give a couple of pounds, they will ask for more, while an Egyptian might give a few piastres. They might even play a game with you and pretend like they locked the exit door and the door to the other car so that you feel scared and give a tip. Don't fall for games and don't feel guilty to pay for services you don't wish to receive.

Egypt is a predominantly muslim country. While you can wear anything you want, it is inappropriate and disrespectful to wear certain articles of clothing. It is out of respect that you should adhere to some clothing do's and don't's. You will see women with scarves and without. There will be young Egyptian ladies dressed with form fitting clothing that covers all of their body. That's as far as it will go. For men: feel free to wear t-shirts and long pants anywhere. In tourist sites if bused around by tour bus and not making any stops in local shops, and in resorts it's ok to wear shorts. For women: wear 3/4 sleeve shirts, skirts below knees, and longer pants. The less skin you show, the more respect you will receive. It is ok to wear t-shirts or tank tops at tourist sights where other bus loads of people are present. Have a long sleeve shirt to cover up once you leave the sight. Cairo is the busiest and most businesslike city in Egypt. Dress smart.

Every store will ask you to go into it and will try to sell you whatever they can. Many items are made in China, know that. If there is an item you're interested in, don't show your interest. First ask about other items and price them. Be prepared to walk away and not take the item you want. They will undoubtedly start the price at 3-4 times more than it's worth. You have to negotiate to bring it down. First figure out how much you want to pay for something. Then ask how much something you don't want is. Then move casually to what you do want and ask for its price. Let's say the item is quoted at 150 but you only wanted to pay 60 for it. You can say that's a lot and start walking away. Chances are he will reduce his price right away. Sometimes they will reduce it twice before you even have to give a counter offer. You have to then give him a price lower than the 60 you want to pay. He will come back with a different price. You will play this game until you reach a mutually agreeable price. It's not an exact science. It's a game and you have to play it to get close to the price you want.