1) WHAT WARRANTS " BAKSHEESH " ?
a) When someone helps you carry your heavy luggages for you from Point A to Point B, with a nice attitude ( and not aggressive, pushy, grabby etc ). Having someone move a plastic bag from one spot to a few steps away to " help " you out DOES NOT warrant a baksheesh!
b) When a guard opens up a sectioned off door or gate for you at monumental sights ( E.G. I wanted to take a picture of the hieroglyphs inside one of the storage rooms at Medinat Al Habu temple for Ramses III, but it was closed off to the public. A guard opened it up for me, providing that I gave him a baksheesh of 2 Egyptian pounds or 5 Egyptian pounds if you feel generous ).
c) Nice toilet personnel at very nice public bathrooms, who actually hand you toilet paper, open up taps for you, squeeze soap, basically going out of their way to help you out even though it can be a bit intrusive or ridiculous since you know you can easily flush the toilet yourself etc deserves a tip ( Having someone point to a nasty bowl, in some hole in the wall toilet does NOT warrant a baksheesh ).
d) Nice restaurant servers and hotel staff who particularly helped you out a lot.
2) NO BAKSHEESH TO....
a) Anyone who speaks English to you while walking along the street. Usually they are touts working for stores, coffee houses, travel agencies etc.
b) Anyone YOU personally ask on the street to show you the way. Asking for directions and basically pointing you to the right direction should NOT warrant baksheesh unless the person offers to drive you there in his or her own vehicle etc. Even then, you shouldn't even get into a stranger's car unless they're a cab driver!
3) HOW TO AVOID GIVING " BAKSHEESH "
a) Look them straight in the eye and just say " La " ( " No " )
b) Briskly walk away and look straight ahead if you see anyone coming at you, with some intent of asking you for something.
c) Say in Arabic " I'm not on holiday here, you know ".
d) You can play the " dumb tourist " by looking confused like, " Huh? Bak...what? Sheeshahh? Eh ? "
e) You can play it off with humour....when they approach you with baksheesh, take an empty bottle from your bag and offer it to them, pretending to sell it and say loudly, " 1O Dollars...ONLY 10 DOLLARS FOR YOU! SPECIAL PRICE, MY FRIEND! "
4) HOW TO AVOID BEING OVER CHARGED OR SHORT CHANGED
* The most important thing : Know the basic prices for basic necessary items in Egypt before you go. Also study the numbers from 1 - 10.
- Bottled water ( Small : 1.50 - 2 Egyptian pounds. Large : 3 Egyptian pounds. )
- Can of soda ( 2 Egyptian pounds )
- Coffee ( 3 - 4 Egyptian pounds, dependent on milk or type of coffee )
- Tea ( 3 Egyptian pounds )
- Juices ( 2 - 3 Egyptian pounds )
- Fresh juices ( 5 Egyptian pounds )
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| Here is what they LOOK like |
A Guide to speak Aribic numbers
a) OVER CHARGED
- Wear a thick skin and HAGGLE LIKE A FISH MONGER'S WIFE anywhere you go. Haggle, haggle, haggle. Haggle with assertiveness, firm judgment, thick skin, humour and you will win over them. Do not be shy...and be forceful.
- When they overcharge you for something that has a price that you know well ( example : Big bottle of water is 3 Egyptian pounds. Some places sell it for 10 Egyptian pounds ), give them the 3 Egyptian pounds and walk away. If they say something about the water being 10 pounds, then ask for your money back, put the bottle in the fridge and walk on. They JUST lost a customer...and that will ultimately suck for them. ( Think about it this way : Which is better? 0 Egyptian pounds or 3 Egyptian pounds?! )
b) SHORT CHANGED
- Just stand there with your hand extended UNTIL they give you back the correct change. If not, then tell them to give your money back and return the goods.
- Stand there and say in Arabic, " I am NOT on vacation here. Give me back my change ". ( Or you can say it in English in a loud voice and they will give in ).
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