Tipping is an integral part of Egyptian culture. It is a way to show appreciation for good service and can significantly impact the livelihoods of those in the service industry. Those who work in the hospitality business in Egypt, including the individuals I collaborate with, are genuinely kind and warm-hearted. They take immense pride in ensuring that you are happy with their service.
When I inform staff members that they have received praise in a good review—whether it’s at Mara House, on a cruise boat, or during a tour—their gratitude is palpable. They genuinely appreciate being recognized for their hard work. After all, isn’t it essential for everyone to feel valued and appreciated?
On the flip side, I hope that, by the end of this article, you will understand that not tipping a person in Egypt can have a demoralizing effect. It’s not just about the financial aspect; it’s about acknowledging their effort and making them feel that their work has made a positive impact on your experience.
Tipping is culturally embedded and expected by Egyptians from Egyptians. It played a critical role during the economically tough years from 2011 to 2017, acting as a form of mutual aid without loss of dignity.
- Egyptians tip with gratitude and grace, or not at all if there’s a valid reason like discourtesy.
- Tipping or not tipping signals to workers whether they performed well.
- The Egyptian economy has faced several challenges, including the devaluation of the Egyptian pound and removal of government subsidies, increasing the cost of living. Tipping helps supplement wages which cannot keep up with the cost of living for many.
The Economic Context
- Even government employees such as teachers and clerks take on additional jobs.
- Devaluation of the Egyptian pound in 2016 and subsequent devaluations since 2022 have severely impacted purchasing power.
- Removal of subsidies increased the cost of basic necessities.
- Tourism industry struggles: operators often quote prices below costs, resulting in hidden extras and reliance on tipping to supplement wages.
Understanding these elements helps explain why tipping is vital in Egypt.
General Tipping Guidelines
- Tour Guides and Drivers: Tip guides minimum US$20 = 1000 egyptian pounds per day and drivers around half that amount.
- Hotels: For porters, it’s customary to give around US$1 = 50 egyptian pounds per bag. Housekeepers should receive at minimum US$10 = 500 egyptian pounds per day.
- Cruise Boats: End of Stay Tipping on Cruise Boats and Hotel. Most have a tip box in reception for the staff you don’t meet, such as laundry staff, kitchen staff, and general workers. The expected tip would be $10 = 500 egyptian per person per night. Managers are not generally included in the tip box, so if you have had regular contact with a manager of some sort, who was extra helpful to you, a tip may be in order, depending on how much you have had to do with him or her. The same goes if you had a particular waiter who was very attentive to your needs. Discretion when tipping waiting staff on the boat is important. You need to specify the tip is directly for him and not a general tip for the kitchen. Sometimes there are chefs who are particularly proud of the food they have prepared for you and you will notice that these will have been keeping an eye on your reaction to their food during the trip. If you are feeling generous you could make it a point of complimenting them and giving a tip also.
- Restaurants: Leave a 10-15% tip on top of the service charge included in the bill. Tip directly to your server. While some restaurants may include a service charge, it doesn’t always go to the staff. Therefore, it is still appreciated if you leave a tip directly.
- Felluca Captains and/or their helpers: US$10 = 500 egyptian pounds.
- Taxis: US$2 = 100 egyptian pounds for a short journey
- Shops and Markets: If a salesperson or stall keeper helps you extensively, it’s polite to leave a small tip as a token of appreciation
- Toilet Attendants: US$1 or 100 egyptian pounds
Tipping vs. Baksheesh
It’s important to distinguish between tipping and baksheesh.
- Tipping: This is for services rendered. You give a tip to show your appreciation for good service, whether it’s to a waiter, hotel staff, or tour guide.
- Baksheesh: This term can sometimes be used interchangeably with tipping but traditionally refers to giving money without a service being rendered, often resembling begging. It’s important to recognize individuals who genuinely provide a service versus those who ask for money without offering one.
Alternative Tipping Recommendations You Might Have Encountered
Questionable Tipping Guidance: Insights from Tour Operators
I’ve encountered certain tour operators, often those masquerading as genuine local experts, offering misguided advice on tipping, some even boldly advising against tipping altogether. Some of these operators, who vehemently reject tipping and claim to include it within their prices, may be using this as a tactic to win your business. It’s crucial to scrutinize what they’re truly offering in return for your business. These operators are aware of the frustration tourists often feel about tipping and exploit this sentiment, assuring you that tipping is unnecessary and relieving you of the emotional and mental burden associated with it. Instead, they should aim to help you grasp foreign customs in unfamiliar territory and guide you on making a positive impression on the locals. After all, every tourist serves as an ambassador for their home country while abroad.
Questioning the Credibility of Some Travel Bloggers on Tipping
I find some travel bloggers’ advice on not tipping or suggesting minimal tips frustrating. It’s evident they receive complimentary accommodations, along with commissions from various sources, in exchange for promoting places, operators, products, etc. They enjoy a few luxurious days in a country with everything provided, and suddenly, they present themselves as experts without a genuine understanding of the local economy or cultural customs.
Why Not Include Tipping in the Pricing?
I understand that some guests would prefer if tipping was included in the pricing. Every year, when reviewing my own tour prices, I am tempted to include the tipping in my group tours, as I cringe inside any time I or my guides have to remind people to tip the bus driver, a cruise boat, or a waiter. I also feel very embarrassed if guests at Mara House ask me the appropriate amount to tip my housekeepers or Amr for cooking up his amazing Salahadeen Feast. However, altering the economic landscape of a country that isn’t mine isn’t a viable solution. Instead, my aim is to help you navigate and appreciate the local tipping culture.
Including tipping in our prices wouldn’t serve its purpose because Egyptian workers would not comprehend it. They may assume the tip solely originates from us and not from you. Alternatively, they might think you tipped us on their behalf, and we failed to pass the full amount on to them.
Additionally, if you don’t personally offer tips, the workers may interpret it as a sign that you didn’t find their service worthy of a tip, which could leave them feeling disheartened. It’s essential to recognize that tipping isn’t merely a financial transaction; it’s a culturally ingrained way of expressing gratitude throughout Egypt. It’s a tradition that extends beyond individual preferences.
How to Tip Someone
In all situations, except when you’re directly settling the bill in a restaurant, it’s customary to discreetly fold the tip in the palm of your hand and offer it subtly during a handshake while expressing your gratitude. It’s generally seen as impolite to wave the tip in the air and hand it over to someone, such as a guide or housekeeper, as if you were making a payment. Some Egyptians view it as a display of good manners to initially decline the tip once or twice, so it’s considered polite on your part to insist while expressing your sincere thanks.
Tipping: A Source of Frustration
Throughout the years, I’ve observed that tipping can be a source of annoyance for most tourists. They often feel the strain of additional payments for services they believe they’ve already adequately covered. As a foreigner, I can completely empathize with this sentiment, and my intention in writing this is to offer you a fresh perspective.
The tipping system used to irk me considerably for an extended period. Primarily, it was due to the constant concern that I wasn’t tipping sufficiently. For a long time, this left me feeling inadequate, guilty, stingy, and overwhelmed by the whole process.
Currency to Use for Tipping:
You can tip in any currency. However, in an effort to close down the black market on currency exchange the government have become very strict and watchful now on the Egyptians who are exchanging foreign currency. Tipping tour guides in foreign currency is fine. But for others it is easier if you tip in Egyptian pounds.
Be aware that foreign coins are not exchangeable or spendable in Egypt so please do not use foreign coins for tipping. If you are stopped in the street by someone holding a handful of coins, they are asking you to exchange them for Egyptian pounds. They have been keeping them until they find someone who will change the coins for them. This can be an annoyance but changing them is a kindness.
Exceptions to Tipping: When It’s Not Required
- Police or security personnel.
- Guardians in temples (avoid those offering to show something special).
- Guardians in tombs offering to let you take photos (you can do this without their permission and avoid potential hassles).
- Street food vendors (though I advise against eating street food due to hygiene).
- Anyone in airports except baggage handlers who actually load and push your trolley. Be wary of someone meeting you at the door going into the airport, unless you have pre-arranged it, offering to fast-track you through check-in, this is a trick and can turn into an unpleasant encounter.
Conclusion
Understanding who, when, and how much to tip in Egypt is essential for ensuring a positive and respectful experience while exploring this amazing country. Tipping is a cultural practice deeply ingrained in Egyptian society, and it plays a vital role in supporting the livelihoods of many individuals. While tipping can sometimes be frustrating for tourists, knowing the nuances of this tradition helps bridge cultural gaps and allows you to express gratitude for good and exceptional service. As you journey through Egypt, remember that tipping is more than just a financial transaction; it’s a gesture of appreciation and respect. Embrace the local tipping customs and leave a positive impression as an ambassador of your home country abroad.
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