How do you cope with unwanted male attention on holiday in Egypt?

Question

We are having a family holiday in Egypt in the New year. My 25 year old daughter is stunningly beautiful, if I say so myself. I also have younger children. What is the best way of avoiding unwanted attention from hotel staff, shop keepers etc. while we are trying to enjoy ourselves. Are there any useful Egyptian phrases we could use. No disrespect to the local community, who we found to be pleasant and charming in the most part last year. I just want to avoid embarassing experienceswhich may possibly occur.

Answer 1

I will give you just the opposite answer from all the rest you got by now.
I am a European girl. People tell me that I am pretty. I have visited Egypt and I have also been in Turkey several times and the situation there is similar. And you see, I am still perfectly fine. (Egyptian and Turkish people, please, don't get this wrong, this was a sarcasm about all those complaints about you.)
Yes, your daughter will probably attract a lot of male attention. But, you know, nobody will grab her or take her anywhere or do anything to her. Nobody will hurt her in anyway. They will just stare at her or try to talk to her. If she doesn't want to talk, she doesn't have to, nobody will force her to.
I received a lot of male attention myself when I was in Egypt. Still, I didn't have any single problem. And yet, I just acted normally like I do at home, nothing more or less. Btw, I met many people there and made some friends. But if you don't want to have any relationship with them, just don't. There is no need to take any precautions about it. Those people don't bite, for God's sake.
About your daughter... Either she will be relaxed, act normally and enjoy her holiday or she will be obsessed with how to avoid as much attention as possible and she will care about that all the time and spoil her vacation. It is up to her.

Answer 2

I'll be very brief in answering your question. My answer is: While in a hotel lobby, you cannot avoid attention from the hotel staff because they are the ones who serve you there. To avoid that, then, stay in your rooms and get room services. Two, while you are in the streets and shops, you can just mind your own business and just attend to whatever tasks you had in mind for the day.So long as the stare or the attention is just mere inquisitiveness and not violent, then just chat a little with whoever comes to you, and then proceed. That is the purpose of visiting new places - to meet people, mix, learn and enjoy different cultures. You do not need any Egyptian phrases now. Learn such phrases from the people you meet in the hotel, streets and shops. You cannot look and avoid beeing looked at. Enjoy your trip.

Answer 3

This is completely understandable but you should not worry too much. Yes she will get male attention but they will not cause trouble, as you said it will just be embarrassing for you.

Some others have given good advice/ideas how to deal with this or try to avoid it happening. Also, not wearing too much jewellery, keeping covered-up etc... is not only practical for your situation but common sense whilst in any busy and hot country.
You will of course want to dress up a bit more in the evening and so you should! Just be aware of any advice given.

You have been to Egypt before and seem to know what to expect. You know that the locals are pleasant, so any unwanted attention should just be dealt with politely and quickly. Then just carry on as you were - having a fab holiday!

Answer 4

Hi, Im a 21 year old blonde female and I have been to Egypt the past two years...yes I get attention but just a smile and no thanks or something like that, and to keep walking worked. In fact I thought the majority of them came across as just really friendly and the service was excellent as a result. The staff in the hotel sort of made the holiday. I suppose its better if she's accompanied by a male if possible as they tend to steer clear then and if shes not got blonde hair she shouldnt get as much attention either as I believe they like the blondes.

Answer 5

Take some responsibility and join the real world. If I walk downtown with banknotes sticking out of my pockets I can expect to get mugged or pickpocketed. If I choose to dress in the Spurs football gear and stand with the Arsenal crowd, I can expect trouble. If I, as a man, walk around with my a** sticking out of my trousers I can expect comments. If I, as a man, walk around wearing little tight pants, I can expect people to stare or worse. So why does a woman have a magical right to make herself look as attractive as possible, go out on a tour of the bars on a Saturday night when she and everyone around her is drunk and looking for a good time, and then expect the world treat her as if she is invisible? And why wouldn't she expect some unwanted attention, especially from random idiots, thugs, muggers, junkies and rapists? Get real.

Answer 6

I travel to Morocco regularly and understand how you feel, you are sure to receive attention but not just because of your daughter. As a family they will want to make sure you enjoy your holiday.
Just be polite and keep walking, don't wear lots of jewellery and cover up/dress modestly. Also maybe your daughter could hold the hand of her younger sibling when walking outside. Tying her hair up is a good idea, don't wear alot of make-up, wear sunglasses, maybe a hat.
Don't worry about learning phrases, they will understand.
You are already aware that it could happen so are well prepared.
Enjoy your holiday!

Answer 7

Snobbish attitude and no eye contact would probably do the trick, but don't mistake Egyptian friendliness with unwanted male attention, because I've seen that misinterpreted on many occasions.

Answer 8

I think that your BEAUTIFUL daughter needs to look more of a tomboy just for that time to avoid male attention. You could make her tie her hair up in a pony tail and tell her to wear dark sunglasses! She should also use ordinary jeans and a regular shirt that's not too flashy. She could also wear a hat that covers her ponytail. I hope this helps! Enjoy your New Years! Oh, and tell them that she is married for pretend!

Answer 9

Your daughter (who sounds like a lucky girl) needs to start by tying up her hair on her head and wearing a hat to avoid male attention. She will look less feminine with her hair tied up. She is best to also cover up as much as possible and not wear low cut tops/short skirts and she'll be fine! Enjoy your holiday!

Answer 10

You'll get less attention if you're properly dressed (show minimum) but the most effective is a male companion. Smile and say "shokran" (thank you)