tipping in Egypt

Hello,

I and my wife will be spending two weeks in Egypt. We booked an organized
tour for Cairo/Luxor/Aswan/Hurghada.
I understand that tipping is mandatory in Egypt. Any ideas how, when and how
much to tip?

Regards,
Stanjo

I went on a holiday to Egypt last year and I could not discern any hard and
fast rules. For example some tourist guides demanded substantial tips,
others said it was not necessary. We went on a Nile cruise, where they
solved the problem by recommending that guests place an (optional) tip in an
envelope at the end of the cruise, to be distributed among the staff on the
boat. They didn't recommend an amount. Of course, there is no guarantee
that any of the tip reached the people at the bottom of the pecking order .
If most of your accomomodation and tours are being arranged through an
Egyptian travel agency, you might ask their advice. I come from Australia,
where tipping is not customary, and I was inclined to tip only when I
thought I had received exceptional service.

Regards

"Stanjo" wrote in message
. com...
Hello,

I and my wife will be spending two weeks in Egypt. We booked an organized
tour for Cairo/Luxor/Aswan/Hurghada.
I understand that tipping is mandatory in Egypt. Any ideas how, when and
how
much to tip?

Regards,
Stanjo

Stanjo on 03/06/2005 wrote:

Hello,

I and my wife will be spending two weeks in Egypt. We booked an
organized tour for Cairo/Luxor/Aswan/Hurghada.
I understand that tipping is mandatory in Egypt. Any ideas how, when
and how much to tip?

Regards,
Stanjo

You understand wrong, tipping is not mandatory in Egypt, there are no
laws that say you must tip or how much you must tip. Tipping is
customary and attempt to tip the person giving you service. At a
restaurant tip the waiter who serves you not put a tip into the
combined tip jar where you pay for the meal as the waiter may not get
it. As far as how much goes aim for around 10%. So saying that the
following may be useful. In pricey restaurants etc. tip the person
giving you service well whereas in cheaper places a customary tip will
do. The reason for this is that waiters etc. in expensive places tend
to be paid very poorly, it's a status job, so they rely on tips to make
a living. In cheaper places waiters etc. tend to be paid better than
in the more expensive places.

Tip lavatory attendants who keep the toilets clean and supply you with
soap and tissues, E?0.50 to E?1.00 is reasonable.
You should not tip government officials (unless necessary and you know
the ropes and you should not come across this).
Keepers of tombs etc. would like a little gratuity, but, it is not
compulsory.
If someone tags along with you at a site showing you things without
being asked to the choice is yours. You can discourage him or accept
his service in which case you will be expected to tip him. If you tell
him you do not want a guide and he still hangs around make it clear
it's his choice and you will not give him money as you don't need his
service.
In restaurants, cafes etc. look at what other people are doing and
giving.
Give to a few beggars per day, it does not have to be much and you will
not miss it. It is a tenant of Islam to give charity to beggars etc.
and although it should be done from the heart it will put you in good
esteem plus it helps the needy in a place without any welfare structure.

Rob

Thank you for the advise.
I didn't mean "mandatory" literary, "customary" as you said would have been
more appropriate...
I am well aware of the "baksheesh" ("share wealth") and since we, the
western tourists, are seen as wealthy people, baksheesh is very much
expected.

What I would like to know is examples of how much to tip in certain cases
and when. I am totally lost of ho much our money are worth to them as the
difference in standard of living is huge.

- Guide, personal/group driver - $5-10 per day ?
- Restaurants: 10% on the bill.
On a side note, in Eastern Europe, for example, the restaurant tip is not a
percentage, but round up to an even amount and don't ask for change. Having
the waiter rummage his/her pockets for change is demeaning.
- Hotel maid - leave money in advance, per day, or at the end?
- The Nile cruise - tip with an envelope. $20 for 3 days ok?
- Toilets - $1 ok? less? more?
- Doormen, luggage helpers, etc ?

Regards,
Stanjo

"Canopus" wrote in message
...
Stanjo on 03/06/2005 wrote:

Hello,

I and my wife will be spending two weeks in Egypt. We booked an
organized tour for Cairo/Luxor/Aswan/Hurghada.
I understand that tipping is mandatory in Egypt. Any ideas how, when
and how much to tip?

Regards,
Stanjo

You understand wrong, tipping is not mandatory in Egypt, there are no
laws that say you must tip or how much you must tip. Tipping is
customary and attempt to tip the person giving you service. At a
restaurant tip the waiter who serves you not put a tip into the
combined tip jar where you pay for the meal as the waiter may not get
it. As far as how much goes aim for around 10%. So saying that the
following may be useful. In pricey restaurants etc. tip the person
giving you service well whereas in cheaper places a customary tip will
do. The reason for this is that waiters etc. in expensive places tend
to be paid very poorly, it's a status job, so they rely on tips to make
a living. In cheaper places waiters etc. tend to be paid better than
in the more expensive places.

Tip lavatory attendants who keep the toilets clean and supply you with
soap and tissues, E?0.50 to E?1.00 is reasonable.
You should not tip government officials (unless necessary and you know
the ropes and you should not come across this).
Keepers of tombs etc. would like a little gratuity, but, it is not
compulsory.
If someone tags along with you at a site showing you things without
being asked to the choice is yours. You can discourage him or accept
his service in which case you will be expected to tip him. If you tell
him you do not want a guide and he still hangs around make it clear
it's his choice and you will not give him money as you don't need his
service.
In restaurants, cafes etc. look at what other people are doing and
giving.
Give to a few beggars per day, it does not have to be much and you will
not miss it. It is a tenant of Islam to give charity to beggars etc.
and although it should be done from the heart it will put you in good
esteem plus it helps the needy in a place without any welfare structure.

Rob

Stanjo on 04/06/2005 wrote:

Thank you for the advise.
I didn't mean "mandatory" literary, "customary" as you said would
have been more appropriate...
I am well aware of the "baksheesh" ("share wealth") and since we, the
western tourists, are seen as wealthy people, baksheesh is very much
expected.

What I would like to know is examples of how much to tip in certain
cases and when. I am totally lost of ho much our money are worth to
them as the difference in standard of living is huge.

- Guide, personal/group driver - $5-10 per day ?

?10 a day would be a good fee for a personal taxi for a day (excuse me
if I use ?Sterling and LE Egyptian pounds. The Egyptian pound is
roughly 1/10 the UK Pound) A LE10 to LE20 tip on top of that if he's
nice would be good.

- Restaurants: 10% on the bill.

That's fair, but, remember what I said about the difference in wages
for waters in low class and high class eating houses.

On a side note, in Eastern Europe, for example, the restaurant tip is
not a percentage, but round up to an even amount and don't ask for
change. Having the waiter rummage his/her pockets for change is
demeaning.

Don't expect much in change in Egypt, it's normally rounded up to the
nearest pound or half pound. Often they say they have no change.
Coins are generally given to beggars and children.

- Hotel maid - leave money in advance, per day, or at the
end?

At the end and if you can give it to them as they may not get it
otherwise.

- The Nile cruise - tip with an envelope. $20 for 3 days ok?

I would tip whoever gives me service as I go along. $20 for three days
seems a bit high, but, if you can afford it they will appreciate it.

- Toilets - $1 ok? less? more?

Good God, are you intending to buy them? LE0.50 is ample per visit and
most locals wouldn't dream of paying that. Then, you have to be aware
that there is a dual price system in operation, locals with residence
papers pay a lot less for everything compared to tourists.

- Doormen, luggage helpers, etc ?

I've never tipped a door-man and know of no one else that have done
that either Egyptian or non Egyptian. LE5 should be ample for the guy
who shows you and takes your luggage up to your room, more if you want,
but, they should be happy with LE5.

Regards,
Stanjo