Leaving for Cairo in 3 days

[And_Sam 44]

I would back in a heartbeat! In fact I am having a hard time NOT going back!! Could be just traveling is in my blood.

I get stared at all the time. Blonde hair with green eyes. Ever since I was llittle. I have learned when someone is excessively staring at me, just look at them in the eyes and smile and usually they smile back. I was nervous at first in Egypt because I didn't want to cause any unwanted attention to other men, so I made sure I was holding my husband's hand when I smiled back so they knew I was just being friendly.

It just shows me that people aren't being rude, just openly curious. I had to explain that to my husband when he got here to the US that most people think staring is impolite. It is just a culture difference.

[sandinista! 1,816]

Do you think this an Egypt-specific thing? I don't recall there being a lot of staring in Morocco. Even when we took the whole family (my blonde mom/sister/step-father) with us. I mean, people look if you're in a non-touristy area a little bit, just because you stand out, just as they might in any other country, but I don't recall staring. In fact, my husband told me that *I* stared too much at other people when we were in Morocco. Maybe I was Egyptian in a past life.

hahahaha!

i may have been an egyptian too at one time, cause i'm guilty of the same when i was in morocco. though it wasn't with everyone, just certain people i found really interesting. i wear big sunglasses, so i could get away with being all covert about it. i never noticed any weird leering or anything, but i was in larger cities most of the time.

[Angel Eyes Yuseef 5]

I know the feeling. But i was starred at more in Morocco then Egypt. And when my husband and I would go out they thought he was not egyptian. He is lighter then most. And then when he would turn around and comment to them in arabic, there jaws would drop and say you are egyptian??? ahahahaha. Now my question is have any of you ladies been touched while in Egypt. If you all like to hear my story I will tell. And I mean more then a touch on the side.

I know this has really nothing to do with the subject but you brought up the staring. It's so off putting. I wish Egyptians and other people who have the habit of staring could learn how off putting and rude it is. Makes me incredibly uncomfortable and was one of the things I truly disliked about being in Egypt. I have dark hair and dark eyes but my skin is fair and even with a hijab (used as an attempt to blend in) didn't completely stop the staring. I was on the bus once and this girl nearly got in my face she stared so hard. Some people seriously need an education on manners. I felt like the traveling freak show.

[Angel Eyes Yuseef 5]

For me it was worse in Morocco or I just learn to deal with it the 2 times I went to Morocco. And by the time I went to Egypt it did not phase me. But in Morocco they don't touch you. But in Egypt I had a bad experience with touching. Lets just say the guy got arrested.

Do you think this an Egypt-specific thing? I don't recall there being a lot of staring in Morocco. Even when we took the whole family (my blonde mom/sister/step-father) with us. I mean, people look if you're in a non-touristy area a little bit, just because you stand out, just as they might in any other country, but I don't recall staring. In fact, my husband told me that *I* stared too much at other people when we were in Morocco. Maybe I was Egyptian in a past life.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

I don't ever remember being stared at.

My poor brother on the other hand, whew. We visited Mahalla, and my brother was the center of attention. He was 16 at the time, over 6 feet tall, and blond, and he acquired a flock of followers. A group of school girls were trailing behind him, giggling, and trying to shoot him goo goo eyes

[Angel Eyes Yuseef 5]

That is what my husband said there just curious. If they are over the line I will take care of it. And ummm he did too.

I would back in a heartbeat! In fact I am having a hard time NOT going back!! Could be just traveling is in my blood.

I get stared at all the time. Blonde hair with green eyes. Ever since I was llittle. I have learned when someone is excessively staring at me, just look at them in the eyes and smile and usually they smile back. I was nervous at first in Egypt because I didn't want to cause any unwanted attention to other men, so I made sure I was holding my husband's hand when I smiled back so they knew I was just being friendly.

It just shows me that people aren't being rude, just openly curious. I had to explain that to my husband when he got here to the US that most people think staring is impolite. It is just a culture difference.

[Mithra 1,185]

I was never touched, personally. I do know of a few American ladies who have been though. Sexual harrassment is definitely a problem in Egypt.

[sandinista! 1,816]

indeedy, regardless of what yr wearing. girls in scarves and long dresses are harassed too. egyptian women are harassed just as badly. american appearance, whatever that is, may be a contributing factor, but it's definitely not as though egyptian women are in any way immune.

[Angel Eyes Yuseef 5]

The guy who touched me was a part of a gang. It was a bad experience, and it was more then one, just did not pay much attention to the 1st 2 touches on the side. Becasue we was in Old Cario and it is not uncommon for the roads to be crowded. But it was at night and not that crowded so after the 2nd time it had my attention. It was men riding by on there mopeds. But when the 3rd guy pretty much reached inbetween my legs it was very obvious. And he almost ran over a man from paying attention to touching me but not letting my husband know. I was like he touched me. And all h*ll broke lose. My husband found him in the store and they went to the street. But at the same time my husband had to ensure my safty. I did not even have a chance to yell or hit the guy. My husband would not allow the guy to come and kiss his forhead, because it was not alright. And by the customs there, my husband can not fight in front of me. But he did push the guy as he was coming in to kiss his forehead. The guy rolled out of the 3rd push and got away. But my husband called the police and a hour later they caught him. He left his moped on the street and hide behind the sofa in the house. But i guess that is the best he could do being high off hash. It was a crazy experience. And my husband felt he did not do enough. He said if i was egyptian he would of sent me in a cab and then took care of business. But we could not do that. But for the most part everywhere we went there was no problems at all. Just that one gang, and i am sure they did not think my husband was egyptian, and thinking that he would not turn them into the police. But they thought wrong..lol

I was never touched, personally. I do know of a few American ladies who have been though. Sexual harrassment is definitely a problem in Egypt.

[FormerlyKnownAs 17]

Found out today that my flight has been changed. This will cut 2 days off of my originally intended stay of 10 days, so I'm considering postponing for a few weeks so that I can spend a full 10 days (2 weekends!) there. It's going to kill me to reschedule again, but we've gotta do what we've gotta do I suppose. Good luck to everyone else on your plans, I hope we all see our loved ones soon!

[Sunny123 44]

[Tyeger87 10]

living there for a while and i know sexual harassment is definitely a problem. my experiences have not been extremely bad and they were mostly comments and the occasional touches. there are definitely women i know personally who have had it worse.

i am sorry u had to reschedule. I am actually flying back in Cairo in less than 1 month. So hope everything goes smoothly. I also hope that the embassy begins working soon so I all of the people (including myself) who are waiting for visas and have/need/will need interviews can get everything done.

[Mithra 1,185]

Definitely. All women are fair game there regardless of origin or attire. Not only the touching and groping but the cat calls are pretty disgusting and offensive as well.

indeedy, regardless of what yr wearing. girls in scarves and long dresses are harassed too. egyptian women are harassed just as badly. american appearance, whatever that is, may be a contributing factor, but it's definitely not as though egyptian women are in any way immune.