EGYPT - TIPPING
Jul 29th, 2009, 12:42 PM
#22
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WOW! That sounds great. Is it just a satellite campus or do they have particular programs out that way? I know several women who took courses at AUC while I was there and they either took the metro or taxis to the downtown campus. Sounds like this one is a little more remote - at least from public transportation.
My older son is interested in Architectural Engr and AUC has a program. I would love for him to be able to go back and spend a semester studying there.
My older son is interested in Architectural Engr and AUC has a program. I would love for him to be able to go back and spend a semester studying there.
Jul 30th, 2009, 07:07 AM
#23
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Debbie, the name doesn't ring a bell. Maybe someday I'll meet one of them.
Grcxx3 - No, the university moved last fall; the downtown campus is the satellite campus now. There are dorms & great facilities right on campus.
Check out this link for details about the new campus: http://www.aucegypt.edu/newcairocamp...s/default.aspx
Grcxx3 - No, the university moved last fall; the downtown campus is the satellite campus now. There are dorms & great facilities right on campus.
Check out this link for details about the new campus: http://www.aucegypt.edu/newcairocamp...s/default.aspx
Jul 31st, 2009, 06:56 AM
#25
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Careful anyone using that AUC site. The virtual tour messed up my computer for some time. Don't know why.... may have been my AOL didn't like it, but everything was locked up for awhile and I had to reboot twice to get back here.
Just a warning. Hope it works better for everyone else.
Just a warning. Hope it works better for everyone else.
Aug 1st, 2009, 08:21 PM
#26
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The demand for tips I felt most annoying was that which came from the guards that keep the sights (tombs, etc...)
You will always find a guard to "guide" you through the tomb or the sight or to negotiate to let you take photos and so on.
These were the ones I felt more difficult to deal with.
You will always find a guard to "guide" you through the tomb or the sight or to negotiate to let you take photos and so on.
These were the ones I felt more difficult to deal with.
Aug 1st, 2009, 08:25 PM
#27
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Forgot to say, try to tip in Egyptian pounds.
One occasion I got really pestered by someone who was trying to exchange a bunch of one euro coins for Egyptian pounds at a considerable discount.
For some reason coins will have to be traded for a considerable discount.
One occasion I got really pestered by someone who was trying to exchange a bunch of one euro coins for Egyptian pounds at a considerable discount.
For some reason coins will have to be traded for a considerable discount.
Aug 6th, 2009, 07:34 PM
#29
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Hi Percy
Yes, make sure you get plenty of small money notes, and keep them separate from your larger ones. Dont confuse the 50 piastres with the 50 pounds. Think of them as cents and dollars or pennies and pounds. If some of the more unscrupulous people see you with a 50 pound they will nod their head and expect that instead of a smaller note.
Always tip in the toilets, apart from anything else these people work damn hard in the heat, and especially during ramadan they havent drank or eaten since the sun rose. Also, they control the toilet paper!
If you have a private tour guide it is always good to make sure you give them your tipping money, that way they can tip the bus driver, guards, boat navigator etc etc and you dont have to be embarrassed.
And for the kids, I always take packets and packets of biro pens. Did you know that some kids in the poorer areas cannot go to school unless they have a pen? something as simple as that. The kids LOVE pens, and at least that with a couple of sweets means that the kids get something.
Remember this though, if you tip a child money, then their parents are less likely to send them to school. Why would they educate them if they can bring home money when they are 6 years old. I was told this by a very well educated man in Cairo recently. He said to me, if you tip the children you are giving the green light for poorer families to send their kids out to beg rather than send them to school to be educated. What will they have then when they are older? no education and no cute face to beg for money. It was a valid point
So my advice, take pens, and some sweets. but dont bring them out in bulk!, keep a few in your bag / pocket, because kids appear out of nowhere, and it would be shame to disappoint those cute little faces.
Have a great time, and remember, small notes!
Scotsgirl
Yes, make sure you get plenty of small money notes, and keep them separate from your larger ones. Dont confuse the 50 piastres with the 50 pounds. Think of them as cents and dollars or pennies and pounds. If some of the more unscrupulous people see you with a 50 pound they will nod their head and expect that instead of a smaller note.
Always tip in the toilets, apart from anything else these people work damn hard in the heat, and especially during ramadan they havent drank or eaten since the sun rose. Also, they control the toilet paper!
If you have a private tour guide it is always good to make sure you give them your tipping money, that way they can tip the bus driver, guards, boat navigator etc etc and you dont have to be embarrassed.
And for the kids, I always take packets and packets of biro pens. Did you know that some kids in the poorer areas cannot go to school unless they have a pen? something as simple as that. The kids LOVE pens, and at least that with a couple of sweets means that the kids get something.
Remember this though, if you tip a child money, then their parents are less likely to send them to school. Why would they educate them if they can bring home money when they are 6 years old. I was told this by a very well educated man in Cairo recently. He said to me, if you tip the children you are giving the green light for poorer families to send their kids out to beg rather than send them to school to be educated. What will they have then when they are older? no education and no cute face to beg for money. It was a valid point
So my advice, take pens, and some sweets. but dont bring them out in bulk!, keep a few in your bag / pocket, because kids appear out of nowhere, and it would be shame to disappoint those cute little faces.
Have a great time, and remember, small notes!
Scotsgirl
Aug 6th, 2009, 07:54 PM
#30
Thanks scotsgirl
I am sending a friend down in late November and I have explained all the tipping to him............and will do so again in November
I am sending a friend down in late November and I have explained all the tipping to him............and will do so again in November
Oct 5th, 2009, 12:01 AM
#32
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All of the replies have been fabulous and I am glad to know what is acceptable. I am happy to offer a reasonable tip - without going overboard and having everyone chase me - as I can afford it. What is a few extra dollars to us tourists. I dread to think about the life some of these workers have.
Oct 7th, 2009, 09:57 AM
#33
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MissGreen: That's very true. All of us who are lucky enough to travel to places like Egypt are doing OK in life, and I also believe in tipping well everywhere. The only caveat I would add is, I believe in tipping anyone who has done something for me (drivers, guides, bellhops and maids at the hotel and cruise boat, etc.) but what annoys me is giving tips to people who haven't done anything and still expect a tip. The two instances I can think of are bathroom attendants and guards at the tombs. I was traveling with my family and my mom believes in visiting the bathroom at EVERY place we go to (in fairness, she is on a medication that acts like a diuretic in the mornings, at least that's her excuse!) At a lot of the public bathrooms, she noticed that the attendants would just take all the toilet paper that had been provided in the various stalls and would be just outside the bathroom (or sometimes inside), and if you wanted some paper, you had to tip them for it. Now it's 1 Egyptian pound which is not exorbitant, but it was the principle of it that really got her goat - that they should be taking what was supplied (presumably by the government) for everyone to use free of charge, and demanding tips in return for giving you something you were already entitled to. After the first day, she bought several packs of tissues and wipes to use and didn't tip anyone - they still came running after her shouting "Madam, Madam" and she told them she hadn't used any of the toilet paper. The other place was in some of the tombs, the guard was handing out little paper fans for people to fan themselves with. Stupidly, I assumed it was an amenity provide to everyone, so took it. On the way out, he demanded it back, plus a 1 Egyptian pound tip for the use of the fan! That was the first and last time I used that fan. I went back to the boat and got out my Japanese embroidered fan to use on all future tomb visits.
To be clear, we were happy to tip (and tip generously) everyone we interacted with like our guides, etc. I just object to people who are trying to work the system to get tips out of tourists, that feels like scamming. I also followed some really good advice offered by Casual Cairo who said we should only tip if the people had done something for us, and the service was in line with our expectations. I can honestly say I think our guides, drivers, hotel and boat staff, etc. were happy with the tips we gave them.
To be clear, we were happy to tip (and tip generously) everyone we interacted with like our guides, etc. I just object to people who are trying to work the system to get tips out of tourists, that feels like scamming. I also followed some really good advice offered by Casual Cairo who said we should only tip if the people had done something for us, and the service was in line with our expectations. I can honestly say I think our guides, drivers, hotel and boat staff, etc. were happy with the tips we gave them.
Oct 7th, 2009, 12:36 PM
#34
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<<At a lot of the public bathrooms, she noticed that the attendants would just take all the toilet paper that had been provided in the various stalls and would be just outside the bathroom (or sometimes inside), and if you wanted some paper, you had to tip them for it. >>
Just re-iterating what was written on another thread.
I have NEVER seen one of these bathroom attendants STEAL TP. It is often NOT provided in bathrooms because Egyptian women (and many others) don't use it. The women in the bathrooms usually buy the TP themselves because they know that the Americans (and other westerners) will want it. It is NOT a scam, and for some - this may be the only way they have to earn money.
As for the guards, yes - they are often out to get whatever they can from tourists. I have paid tips for guards to take photos of us and for other small things, and on a hot day I probably would have tipped for the use of a fan if I didn't have one.
Just re-iterating what was written on another thread.
I have NEVER seen one of these bathroom attendants STEAL TP. It is often NOT provided in bathrooms because Egyptian women (and many others) don't use it. The women in the bathrooms usually buy the TP themselves because they know that the Americans (and other westerners) will want it. It is NOT a scam, and for some - this may be the only way they have to earn money.
As for the guards, yes - they are often out to get whatever they can from tourists. I have paid tips for guards to take photos of us and for other small things, and on a hot day I probably would have tipped for the use of a fan if I didn't have one.
