Briefing Paper - Visiting Egypt (mgmt 445)

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Finally, we will discuss business etiquette. Egyptians will address you by your title, and will expect the same courtesy from you. Be sure to ask permission to address someone by their first name before doing so, as it is considered rude to do so otherwise.

Whenever you are having a meeting, appointments need to be made in advance and are required and should also be confirmed a week prior either by phone or in writing and then again a day or so prior. Be sure to accept the beverage that is offered to you whether you drink it or not because it is considered rejecting the person if you do not accept. Make sure you are conservative in your appearance but also dressed and presenting yourself well, you will be judged on how you look. For a meeting, you should wear conservative formal wear to make a good impression. Men should wear dark colored suites and women also need to be sure they dress appropriately with everything being properly covered, knee length skirts or dresses and sleeves that cover most if not all of the arm. Eye contact is most important as it demonstrates honesty and sincerity so you will be receiving intense looks and stares. Even though Egyptians tend to be soft spoken, they do use emotions and hand gestures when they get excited, so if they get loud or pound on the table, do not be alarmed, they are merely demonstrating a point.

In Egypt, rank and hierarchy are extremely important so be sure to yield to the judgment of the spokesperson, this person is the most senior person there. Age and experience is highly regarded in Egypt, so older businessmen tend to have more success. It is also recommended that you have older people with titles in your group because of this. Unless the subject at hand is confidential or being held by high government officials, meetings are not held privately, they often work with an open-door policy. This may mean that the meeting is interrupted by others with a whole new conversation being started. It is acceptable join in on the new conversation, but is not acceptable to attempt to change the subject back to the prior discussion before the interruption. Meetings will usually start with small talk. Keep in mind that if you plan on sending an itinerary or any materials prior to the meeting, but sure to send them both in English and Egyptian Arabic languages. The same goes with business cards, make sure you have one side translated into Egyptian Arabic and that you hand it to them so that they can read it. If you receive a business card, be sure to study it before you put it away.

Decisions are jury-like in Egypt, they are not made until there is a long deliberation and because businesses are hierarchical, the highest ranking person there will make the decision after a group agreement. If this is a governmental decision, it may take longer for a decision because it requires approval from ministers of several departments. Because it is very bureaucratic, it may take multiple meetings to finish a simple task. They also tend to negotiate a lot since it is rare that they consider an offer as final and can be tough when it comes to negotiating a deal. Egyptians also do not like the word no, so they tend to use silence as an answer as opposed to saying now and they do not fare well with bullying tactics, so refrain from trying to pressure them into a decision.

In conclusion, I have learned that in Egypt family is everything and put above anything else. Money does not identify your class, your family lineage does. They take their customs very seriously and expect you to know them and respect them while visiting. I have also learned that they use group decision making but at the same time they do leave the final decision to be made and announced by the most senior person that is there. Honor is also extremely important and their word is everything, and to go back on their word would not only dishonor themselves but their families as well. I truly enjoyed writing this briefing, so much more than I thought I would!

Sources:

Bebenham BA, L. (2012, December 27). Etiquette in Egypt. Retrieved October 31, 2015, from http://www.traveletiquette.co.uk/etiquetteegypt.html

Egypt - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. (n.d.). Retrieved October 25, 2015, from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/egypt-country-profile.html

Orrill, J. (n.d.). What Are the Customs & Beliefs of Egypt Today? Retrieved October 31, 2015, from http://traveltips.usatoday.com/customs-beliefs-egypt-today-22770.html