Egypt: Body language
 

I wonder about body language and what's considered polite.

For instance, when standing up to a counter or bar I tend to lean forward on elbows when speaking with the person I'm facing.

When speaking with a waiter in a restaruant, I tend to lean back into my chair, with my right leg crossed over my left knee.

Stuff like that.

I also find that I'm really annoyed by strangers, especially sales people, who get "too close for comfort?
I don't want to offend anyone and I don't want to be offended myself.

Anyone?e

During our recent visit to Egypt I had to 'reign' myself in a few times while visiting with locals. During conversations with my customers I sometimes will lightly touch an arm or shoulder. In Egypt I did not want to offend so I constantly made myself aware that I was not at home. Personal space is another issue that I was aware of.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Egyptians have been hosting foreign visitors for hundreds of years and I had no feeling that I was ever in danger of offending. Quite the opposite, a welcoming and inclusive culture, especially where you're likely to be.

< a welcoming and inclusive culture, especially where you're likely to be. >

I very much agree. We felt so welcomed every where we went. Our hotel room was upgraded to a suite, schoolchildren surrounded us at tourist sights. A bookstore owner gave us a lovely book after I mentioned how much we enjoyed Egypt.

Tourism has definitely dropped off and the locals are appreciative of those that do visit

YOu have a rather odd habits, that's all I can say. Especially the idea of leaning back in a chair and crossing your leg over your knee when sitting at a table in a restaurant, just when you order. This is weird. Just don't do that. There is no reason to be leaniong on bars to talk to people you don't know, eithger.

I would suggest you don't do such weird things, for one thing. I think a lot of people in many countries would find that odd and impolite, just kind of crude. Many people in Egypt got too close for my comfort, but that was because I am female and they were male and did not respect Western women. I presume you are male from the leg crossing thing, but who knows. so you may have different concerns. I don't know what you can do about people being too close, that can happen in crowds or bazaars, etc., but I'm not sure what you are saying you do when that happens. I wouldn't yell at people or anything.

Kind of you to say so.;)


I never said I was normal ;) , but then a lot of people sit that way in a restaraunt. It's called relaxing.



I talk to strangers to get to know them. It's more comfortable than standing erect like I'm tied to a body board ;)

That may be difficult. Wierdness is something you simply are. It's not like you can flip it on/off like a light switch. It's like a family curse. I have to do something wierd, like, every 23 minutes.

This will be my first time to a foreign country. If it wasn't for the fact that we're leaving tomorrow, I would give serious thought to abandoning my plans because it seems like I'm just too damned wierd for Egypt. Maybe we could go to Amsterdam instead. Or Boston.

Really? Maybe we should cancel. What do you think? I don't want my wife being disrespected/assaulted by Egyptian men ......

Yeah. I think yelling with be a Bad Thing. End up being jailed or shot or something equally bad.

Do you think my wife would pitch a fit if I called right now, and told her we have to cancel the trip because I'm too wierd, and Egyptian men are disrespectful and I could end up shot or in prison?

Do you travel alone?

<Many people in Egypt got too close for my comfort, but that was because I am female and they were male and did not respect Western women. >

Wow! This comment is WAY off base. This generalization of Egyptian men is both incorrect and mean-spirited.

I felt very respected by Egyptian men during our recent visit. They were very polite to me. Never did I once feel uncomfortable or disrespected.