The traffic on the streets of Cairo amazes foreigners no less than the famous Egyptian treasures
The prohibitions and taboos known to all of us, of course, are not a guide to action. They are not such for the vast majority of Egyptian citizens either. Nevertheless, it is worth at least for a while remembering that the peculiarities of behavior that Arabs may consider offensive and indecent may be quite inherent in us.
It is clear that a vacation in Egypt, like any other trip, does not encourage imposing any prohibitions on oneself (quite the opposite). But let's agree that restraint and politeness have never been considered out of the ordinary in any culture. And it's not that difficult for us either. Therefore, above all, let us be polite and cultured.
It is worth remembering that traffic in Egypt, even from the point of view of a Moscow resident, is sheer hell. At the same time, the accident rate is so low that it is simply surprising. Do not expect kind drivers to let you cross at the traffic lights, as is still customary even in the countries of the former Soviet Union. In Egypt, you will have to cross when you are lucky, hoping for the mercy of the god of traffic.
The Arab ban on alcohol, of course, does not apply to tourists, but it is still worth limiting yourself to drinking excellent wine (Egyptian or imported) until you get to your room. Well, the eternal gender issue also deserves attention – the sociability of Arab men is as well-known as the seclusion of Arab women. It is worth observing the taboo and coming to Egypt with your significant other, or in a foreign country only meeting European women, but under no circumstances should you try to hit on local ladies. Female tourists would also do well to bring a partner to Egypt so that they don't have to fend off endless advances from passionate Egyptians.
Even if you are lucky enough to go to Egypt for relatively little money on a last-minute tour, it is worth spending some time packing. For all the financial advantages, last-minute tours to Egypt (and to any other visa-free country for us) can be rather carelessly organized. The risk, of course, is small, but it is worth thinking about money, a phrase book, and arranging a reasonable rate for international calls. You should also take your own medicines – this is warned to absolutely all tourists.
Nighttime is not the best time for walks around the city in any country (well, except perhaps the Vatican), so it is better to refrain from extreme activities. A different matter is a night on the Nile, when its quiet waters reflect the stars. You want not to sleep, but only to meditate, sitting at the stern or bow of the ship. But the city is not the Nile, so night walks are not necessarily to be included in the list of holiday activities.