There are many cultural elements to be aware of when conducting business in Egypt. Factors to consider when creating a public relations plan for Egypt include appearance, mannerisms, time, and religion. Business in Egypt is significantly different from the way we do business in the states.
When creating the PR plan for Egypt, there are several guidelines for business dress. Foreigners are expected to follow Egyptian standards of modesty. The customary attire for men is pants, long-sleeved shirt and preferably a jacket and tie. Women are expected to dress modestly at all times. They should wear shirts or dresses with high necklines. Hemlines should be ankle-length or well below the knee. A well covered, shapeless appearance is desired for women. The spokesperson for the company
Egyptians have different views on time than Americans do. In the Egyptian business culture, punctuality is not a priority. The pace of business is much slower in Egypt than in the west. Business is not conducting on Friday. This is the Muslim holy day. Usually the work week is from Saturday through Wednesday. Business hours are usually from 8:00am to 2:00pm. In the winter months businesses close for much of the afternoon and re-open for a few hours in the evening. These hours usually include the media. PR professionals need to realize the hours and days it is acceptable to conduct business.
There are many things Americans do that Egyptians find rude or an insult. We need to be aware of acceptable and non-acceptable mannerisms when creating a public relations plan for Egypt. Manner