Comments on: Cairo

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:05:21 +0000

Oh .. and here is the best tip – they know English, they know a little French, and Russian (of course). They struggle with much else – so we found it VERY useful to make up some weird country name and say “No English” to them. That throws 99% of the “Hello Sir, what country are you from”.

Oh, and since I just gave you advice – where is my baksheesh? (I will wait till you get back to NZ before I hound you).

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:42:23 +0000

Oh, and re comments re police, 90% of the police you see are “Tourist and antiquities” police (I think that’s the name, all from memory).
So they are there for the tourists – they are great if you have anyone hassling you just a tad too much.
The police dont hassle tourists for money (well not that I have ever seen) but they do ask for tips (baksheesh (sp?) ) after giving service, so for example if you ask for directions it’s considered “nice” to tip (a couple of pounds, or 40c NZ is just fine) – think of it as a custom.

I had one local go get me tea (they paid) in a market and then when I asked about a bathroom, took me there (walked me all the way) and then took me back – I offered a thank you at the end (baksheesh) but they said no, so they are not ALL after money.

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:37:30 +0000

David

Try asking a few locals, you will find that men can indeed wear shorts. (In fact they said “you are a man, you can do anything”).
Its not rude, and they especially understand that you are a foreigner.

Totally your call of course (like you, I respect local customs), but the friend I was with in Egypy for 2 weeks wore 3/4 pants for 50% of the time no issue, and shorts the other 50, again without issue. No one even “looked”.

[DPF: Most of the time I have not seen anyone in shorts but at Giza yesterday there was a gaggle of girls in their denim shorts!]

By: Clint Heine

Clint Heine — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:34:30 +0000

Yep, the old name, serial number and anything else that you can make up works a treat. I have offered to walk to the tourist police office many a time when a “copper” gets fresh with me.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:31:05 +0000

You could just tell the Police you are a citizen of the world.
Then again, that may upset them too.

By: Whaleoil

Whaleoil — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:47:59 +0000

Ask for their Police number, rank and name, that usually moves them along

By: David Farrar

David Farrar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:32:56 +0000

Oh I have no problems ignoring the beggars and touts. I have not paid them a cent. But when it is the effing Police hitting you up for money, it is more risky to tell them to eff off

By: Whaleoil

Whaleoil — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:14:54 +0000

Have to agree with Heine, and Farrar has provided yet another reason for permanent exclusion from the VRWC.

The correct response when approached or hassled by beggars, because that is what they are, is “Fuck Off”, if necessary drop the shoulder. Trust me they understand the universal language of “Fuck off”, they can even swear better than most in English.

Heavens knows how much money DPF would hand over in Bangkok just walking a block to the shops.

By: Clint Heine

Clint Heine — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:11:15 +0000

David, you just got to get tougher with the locals! I can’t remember the last time I had to hand over any currency for nothing.

By: philu

philu — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:41:55 +0000

“..’Im not sure I have mentioned this before, but to respect local customs I have not worn shorts outside at all..”

for which ..i am sure..everyone is palpably grateful..

phil(whoar.co.nz)

By: Swiftman the infidel

Swiftman the infidel — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:57:08 +0000

Poor bastards. They are the slaves to the central planners in Egypt the Labour and the Greens want to impose upon us here.

All such scum. Off with their heads (once they have paid us the largesses from their theft of the ‘filthy rich (anyone perceived as having money, including those with less than me).

By: Christopher Simpson

Christopher Simpson — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:45:54 +0000

Dave, I like the view from your room – was it the same price as my as my $1100 a night as it was in Paris when I travelled with you?