Things NOT to do in Egypt

[DJKeefy]

Many things in the Egyptian culture is different to the western world, like: women dont hang their underwear on the line, I'm not sure with the rest of Egypt, but I was told 2 different stories in Luxor,

1: that it might turn the men on.

2: Maybe an Egyptian see's a red pair of knickers on your line and he might then gossip to others that he has seen you in a red pair of knickers (or something similar).

What would you advise new ex-pats coming to live here on the culture side of things they should not to do? and the reason why.

[LivinginLuxor]

Not to listen to expats telling them what not to do!

[DJKeefy]

Not to listen to expats telling them what not to do!

Im talking about culture things Stan.

Like not to throw food on the floor, dont hang your knickers on the line. etc...

[Who2]

Now I have to rush up to the roof to check out 'her next doors washing line, report back soon...
'phew, no sign of knickers red or any other colour to be precise, mind you it might not be washing day today.

[Yildez]

Many things in the Egyptian culture is different to the western world, like: women dont hang their underwear on the line, I'm not sure with the rest of Egypt, but I was told 2 different stories in Luxor,

1: that it might turn the men on.

2: Maybe an Egyptian see's a red pair of knickers on your line and he might then gossip to others that he has seen you in a red pair of knickers (or something similar).

What would you advise new ex-pats coming to live here on the culture side of things they should not to do? and the reason why.

Not just in Luxor Keefy!! It's the same here in Turkey - it's considered "ayip" (shameful) for ladies knickers to be on display on the washing line, although it's OK to peg men's pants in full view!!! My Turkish sister in law explained that I had to put my knickers behind other things, ensuring that no-one could see them, otherwise all the neighbours would gossip that I was "fast"!!! As I usually wear plain black or white cotton jobbies from M&S, I found it a bit surprising, and wondered what they'd make of my black lace "special occasion" ones!!

I've been divorced some years now, but find myself still doing it! How sad am I?????

[Wills]

I remember when I rented a flat just off TV street I put my knickers and bra on the line and my bra fell off and landed in the street, I ran down the stairs to retreive it and there was a guy standing beside it.

[Chocolate Eclair]

Wills he probably wanted to see if they fitted him

[Dusak]

If you did manage to glance a pair of unmentionables, chances are they would be blue, not red, considering the amounts of 'Dolly Blue' they put in the water.

[LovelyLadyLux]

I'd of thought if it was so completely haram to hang up a pair of women's bloomers on the line the MEN would have sweated it out a bit more in their daily labours and bought the little woman a clothes dryer OR even a wooden clothes horse so she could hide her modesty whist drying her knickers. Guess that would take away all the issues of gossip - course on the other hand how many Pervs are out there staring at the laundry line for a cheap thrill?

[Dusak]

And to see the benefits of drying inside, read my post ''UFO'S OVER LUXOR'' about five years ago.

[dsaxelby]

Now I would agree normally with hiding your underwear and have been known to do so here in the UK.

But seriously have you seen the shop windows displaying ladies underwear that would give Soho a run for its money. Flouncy, see through, leopard print front opening nighties. Model's with over inflated cleavage, all that nylon is probably dangerous in this heat.

A no no I have found is sitting in the front of a car with a man not your husband.

[Wills]

My undies were hidden behind t-shirts and towels, after that the were hanging up on a clothes horse in the spare room.

[Dusak]

My undies were hidden behind t-shirts and towels, after that the were hanging up on a clothes horse in the spare room.

WOW, must of been reaaallly big t-shirts and towels. Suppose that's my gravy down the pan

[Wills]

My undies were hidden behind t-shirts and towels, after that the were hanging up on a clothes horse in the spare room.

WOW, must of been reaaallly big t-shirts and towels. Suppose that's my gravy down the pan

YES haha

[Gopha75]

From my time in Saudi - I remember that women shouldn't go out with wet hair - something about looking like you've just had nookie. I like to dry my hair naturally... mais bon....

[carrie]

You should never when speaking to an Egyptian man in public mention his wifes name, dont ask how Hoda, or what ever her name is but ask how his wife is or Uhmm...insert name of eldest son..
If your a woman here and your husband is not at home or you don't have one, always leave the front door open if you have a workman on the premises or even if a male friend calls. You cant get up to anything naughty if the door is open.
Underwear, I remember one day when an Egyptian friend called and I was hanging my washing out, I have quite a lot of face cloths, wet one and put it in the freezer then take it with you in a plastic bag, super for keeping cool. Well I was hanging out my washed face cloths and I was told not to because a lot of women here use them for sanitary protection and they shouldn't be put on display.

[DJKeefy]

If your a woman here and your husband is not at home or you don't have one, always leave the front door open if you have a workman on the premises or even if a male friend calls. You cant get up to anything naughty if the door is open.

Also an Egyptian man (workman on the premises) will think that's an open invitation (you want some other service) if you close the door.

[BENNU]

I used to live in a building here in my hometown, where I was the only native Dane. Most of my neighbors were Muslims. I had reserved the laundry room for three hours, and with one machine out of order, I came back with more laundry when the first load was ready.

I was upset to find that not only had someone taken over the machine, they had emptied it and my precious underwear was in the dryer at maximum heat, something I would never do to any of my clothes. With my height I cannot allow long pants to shrink, so I treat my clothes very carefully.

:wl:

A Palestinian woman was surprised that I did not want my clothes destroyed and that I was upset to have to give up a pair of brand new sweat pants. I can understand that in a family of twenty, which they were in a flat the size of mine, there would not be room for such luxury as hanging your clothes to dry over the bath tub with the window open. Besides, the women were twice my size – then – and half my height, so they would have no problem with XL clothes getting a little shorter.

She said that a man had taken my clothes out of the machine and just meant to help me. “A man touched my underwear!!!???!!!”, I shouted genuinely offended in more than one way. This released so much respect and acceptance for a while among the women, with which in the back of my mind, I have never let anyone see my delicates in Egypt. But I have seen more boxers than I like, unfortunately not always on the laundry line.

:ff:

[Chocolate Eclair]

Use my old Boxers to clean the motorbike, Mo does not seem to mind at all, he thinks the marks are exhaust fumes.

Apart from underwear there are many things you should not do,

a)Drive on the correct side of the road, you will get yourself killed.

b) Put your litter in the litter bin provided

c) Keep a kerb ladder in your wallet, it stretches the stitches and it eventually breaks open

d) Never spit in your handkerchief when there is the open streets to do so.

e) Play pocket billiards, unless you have a crowd of onlookers

f) Never use the urinals when the floor is dirty and needs cleaning
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[Maakari]

The hiding of the undies and the having a man in the flat, were the two first things I was advised on when I first started coming regularlly.
I think it is because they DO think that the neighbours will be turned on by the sight of your Unmentionables!!!!!! I find that thought absolutelyhilarious, as mine, were they union jack patterned, could easily be mistaken for the ensign flag on an ocean going liner, no teeny tiny frothy bits of lace for me!!!!!!
The man in the flat with the door closed. I found out very quickly that this is a big NO NO. Being British, I have been used to inviting all and sundry male vistors to my home, for tea, meals, BBQs etc,without a thought, they are just friends regardless of their gender, we are used to that. So I have made a few blunders here, I just genuinely forget where I am and put the kettle on,forgeting it is Egypt, and I have as is natural in Blighty, closed the door!!!!
World war 3 has broken out several times............. I have learnt my lesson now! I just say B@#%GGER OFF THE OLD MAN WILL BE BACK SOON!