Egypt tips

PUREHOMES

As in how much to tip waiters, pool attendants etc. Going to Taba on Monday. Thanks

odowdchr

10LE (a quid) a day for the cleaners, 10LE - 30LE per night in the bars, depending how long you stay? We never tipped in the daytime, just signed the bill.
If its Taba Heights you're going to, remember that the prices in all 3 hotels are quite(ok very) high for Eygpt (about £3 for beer, £1 for water), so don't think you need to tip proportionally. The staff are very grateful for those tips i mentioned.

(ps. Marriott does a happy hour from 6-7pm each night, its very popular with Sofitel and Hyatt guests)

vansboy

All the kids like pens & pencils - probably too late to grad a load of free ones from Argos & Ikea, but if you've any at home, take them.

The older kids wanted disposable lighters, but think you're restricted on taking on the aircraft.Still, that'll stop them smoking, I guess!!

VB

grumbler

Egypt: Taba Advice Required! thread

skr80ab

keep a few bits of loose change (pennies) to tip anyone that does aything for you (i.e. open door / toilet attendant etc) - seems to be custom / practise

MDUK

Baksheesh (tips) is part of everyday life in Egypt, money passes hands between Egyptians for just about everything. It is not just for the tourists but it can make you feel a little harassed by the expectations if you are not prepared, you are asking questions and will therefore be better prepared than many.

The general rule is little and often, as soon as you can after arriving change some money into small notes particuarly LE1's and piastres if you can (the equivalent of pence (downside is they are often filthy) and keep in a seperate pocket so you can hand them out easily. If the bureau de change in the hotel doesn't have small notes, tell them to make sure they have some the following day. If you are out and about nip into a bank (you might even get clean notes) Piastres are useful for 'street tipping' (25 piastres pays for a trip on the bus for locals)

DO NOT try and convert or compare tips with what you would pay here it is all relevant! I tipped very small amounts but for just about everything, a LE10 would be a good tip, opening doors etc is literally piastres. The airport has big signs saying 'no tipping' the bag handlers (and who can blame them) stick their hands out for tips before the police or holiday reps see them. Tourists were giving 5 pound notes, no wonder they were smilling. An affluent Egyptian could live comfortably on £2-4000 A YEAR. (the rich much, much more though) The poor are very poor and that can be a little disressing when you see some of the beggars but the people and the country are wonderful.

Truthfully though if you are not going out of the complex, you are not going to see that much. You will know yourself when to tip and , the small and regular rule still applies and and am talking an LE or 2 each time. Waiting is a good job, they need a good education to speak to the foreigners and they have the opportunity to earn good money.

The other thing to consider is buying, bartering is another way of life, they start very high for the tourists so even if you get half you may not be doing that well. You may have to settle for a price on the basis if you are happy with it then it's a good price....but again don't start trying to convert it back into pounds, "it's only £10, no its LE100, Try not to buy in the first 48 hours to give you an idea of what a reasonable price is by looking or talking to others. Treat bartering as fun and push back hard but don't be rude or agressive and you will get a souvenir to remember for more than one reason.

Egypt is a wonderful place, enjoy your holiday.
there is a nice link hereon baksheesh