Greeting

A traditional greeting in Egypt is a handshake, both between men and women.

Conservative Muslims do not shake hands with members of the opposite sex.

The handshake should not be firm or energetic; rather, it should be gentle but not brief — somewhat prolonged.

Men in Egypt who already know each other traditionally exchange kisses on both cheeks during a handshake, after which they may place their left hand on the other person’s shoulder. Foreigners should not imitate this greeting ritual, as it may be misinterpreted and irreparably damage the relationship.

When greeting a woman, wait for her to offer her hand first. If she does not, a simple nod of the head as a greeting will suffice.

Maintaining eye contact during a handshake is important, as it is seen as a sign of honesty and sincerity.

When a guest enters a room, it is expected that the men present, if seated, will stand up to greet them.

When meeting an Egyptian, you can use the Arabic greeting "Salam alaikum", which means "Peace be upon you". In response, you will hear "Wa alaikum as-salam", meaning "And peace be upon you too." These expressions are a traditional form of greeting and are not necessarily religious. Therefore, foreigners are welcome to use this form of greeting in Arabic.

Introduction

A title, degree, or rank shows a person’s status in this society, so it is extremely important to use them correctly. It’s a sign of respect.

In business settings people here typically address each other using a title/rank along with the person's first name (not their last name).

If the person does not hold any specific title, commonly used international forms of address should be used: “Mr,” “Mrs” (for married women), or “Ms” (for women whose marital status is unknown). These should also be followed by the person’s first name, not their last name—for example, Mr. Gamal or Mrs. Rashida.

If the person holds an academic degree such as a PhD or a Doctor of Medicine (MD), they should be addressed: Dr. Seth (again, using the first name, not the last name).

When speaking to each other, Egyptians often use the other person’s title or rank, even if they have known each other for many years. This tradition does not typically apply to foreigners.

Even after many years of working together, you should not switch to informal speech or omit the appropriate title/degree/rank when addressing your partners in Egypt.

Exchange of Business Cards

It is customary to exchange business cards during introductions at a first meeting.

The text on the business card should be in Arabic (preferably, the Egyptian dialect), either on one side of the card or on a separate card.

When handing over a card, it is important to hold it so that the side with the Arabic text is visible to the recipient.

There is no specific ritual for exchanging business cards in Egyptian business culture.

Small Talk: Overview

Egyptians believe that light conversation—for example, before the start of a business meeting or negotiation—can help foster closer relationships.

Close and trustworthy relationships with partners are very important.

Try to show genuine interest in Egypt or in other aspects of Arab life during conversation.

Preferred Topics

Topics related to your profession, the company you represent, or even your home country.

Personal topics, such as family or spending time with family. However, these should be avoided in the early stages of acquaintance, especially questions about your interlocutor’s spouse or children.

Leisure and hobbies, movies, travel.

Positive remarks about Egypt and its culture (for example, sights, beaches, nature, architectural monuments).

Various sports, especially football (soccer), tennis, and equestrian sports.

Taboo Topics

Personal Space

During conversation, Egyptians typically stand about an arm’s length apart. This distance may vary depending on who is speaking: women may stand closer to each other than men do, and the same applies to close friends or acquaintances.

Physical contact is possible only between people who know each other well or are family members.

Egyptians are emotional and may gesture actively during communication, especially if they feel the need to emphasize a particular point.

Maintaining eye contact is important, as it is seen as a sign of respect toward the speaker and also indicates honesty and sincerity.

Communication Specifics

Polite and person-oriented, yet indirect communication style. They try to spare the feelings of others, which is reflected in the avoidance of harsh or overly blunt statements.

Context and the situation itself, as well as various hints and signals exchanged between interlocutors and understood by all, play a significant role in communication.

Often, HOW something is said turns out to be more important than WHAT is said. This type of communication is typical of many Arab cultures, where establishing and maintaining personal relationships is key. It is believed that much is already clear from the context, so there is no need to verbalize everything.

Your Egyptian partner may find it difficult to say “No” directly in response to a request. In such cases, their speech might be vague or ambiguous. You will need to listen for subtle cues in their language to understand their true intentions.

Focus on building a personal relationship before moving on to business collaboration. Conversations about culture, sports, hobbies, and family can help both you and your partner get to know each other better and foster mutual trust.

Eloquence is highly valued in Egyptian society and is considered a sign of sophistication, education, and sincerity.