While the final decision rests with the couple today, historically, this marriage arrangement was more common and involved negotiations between families
What is an arranged marriage?
This simple, flatbread is a staple of the Egyptian diet, with its name also meaning "life".
What is aish?
For formal business meetings, a standard Western business suit with a shirt and tie is expected for men.
What is a dark-colored business suit?
If you are invited to a business meal at an Egyptian home, you should be careful not to do this to the food, as it is considered an offense
What is adding salt?
This massive statue with the body of a lion and the head of a human guards the Giza plateau.
What is the Great Sphinx?
Symbolizing eternal commitment, these items are worn on the right hand during an engagement and moved to the left after the wedding ceremony.
What are wedding rings?
Considered the national dish of Egypt, this carb-heavy meal is a mix of rice, lentils, and pasta topped with a spicy tomato sauce.
What is koshari?
For women, a modest dress code is important, which includes wearing skirts of a reasonable length and having sleeves of this length.
What are long sleeves?
This common Arabic greeting is appropriate for most business and social settings.
What is "as-salaam alaikum"?
This was the main purpose of the ancient Egyptian pyramids.
What is a burial site for the pharaohs?
This pre-wedding tradition for the bride is a significant ritual that dates back over 5,000 years and involves decorative body art.
What is a henna night?
Instead of eating a falafel made with chickpeas, the Egyptian version of this deep-fried patty is typically made with this legume.
What are fava beans (ta'meya)?
When doing business in Egypt, wearing native Egyptian attire as a foreigner might be viewed as this.
What is offensive?
This business practice is not as important in Egypt as it is in other cultures, and your business counterpart may not be on time.
What is punctuality?
For 3,800 years, this structure was the tallest human-made building in the world.
What is the Great Pyramid of Giza?
In more traditional ceremonies, the bride may be presented with this gift, a sum of money she can use for things like furnishing the marital home.
What is a mahr?
This sweet, traditional dessert is made from layers of filo pastry, chopped nuts, and a sweet honey or syrup.
What is baklava?
Men and women visiting religious sites or conducting city business should avoid this type of clothing.
What are shorts?
This business practice is not as important in Egypt as it is in other cultures, and your business counterpart may not be on time.
What is punctuality?
This structure is located in Cairo and was the last ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic writing found on.
What is Philae?
According to archaeological evidence, Egyptians were the first to popularize this common wedding accessory
What is the wedding band?
Leaving a small portion of food on your plate at the end of a meal is a polite custom that indicates this.
What is, "you have had enough"?
For both men and women, wearing layers made of light fabrics, such as cotton or linen, is recommended because of this.
What is the heat?
If you are offering a gift or business card to an Egyptian, it is important to give or receive it with this hand.
What is the right hand?
This valuable artifact, housed in the British Museum, was key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.
What is the Rosetta Stone?