244 CultureShock! Egypt
To avoid making a bad situation worse, euphemisms
replace explicit references to an illness, death or disaster. Until
you can learn the local euphemism code, it is probably best to
try to avoid conversations related to these types of sensitive
subjects. The principal exception is describing symptoms to
a doctor, which should always be explicit.
How you say something is often perceived to be as
important as what you say. Egyptians speak and write with a
fl owery eloquence unlike English verbal or written patterns.
What appears to be long-winded, repetitious dialogue
should be viewed as a demonstration of the speaker’s high
educational level and refi nement. Don’t be put off by threats,
promises, exaggerations or nationalistic slogans that pepper
dialogues. These are meant for effect, and again represent
the speaker’s language profi ciency.
Certainly, command of the local language gives you an
advantage in daily life or business. On the other hand, since
so many people in Egypt speak English, native English
speakers fi nd simple daily survival easy without fl uent Arabic,
especially in the major cities. If you plan to stray away from
the beaten path, you will likely need a minimal command
of Arabic or a translator. The respect you receive and your
acceptance in the country improves considerably once you
command knowledge of elementary greetings and responses.
Listed below are some key everyday greetings and phrases
Shukran
Literally, ‘thank you’. Probably shukran will be the fi rst
Arabic word you learn.
’Afwan or el ’afw
Literally, ‘you’re welcome’, ‘not at all’, or ‘don’t mention
it’. Either the long or short form is an appropriate response
to ‘thank you’.
Iwa (Aywa) or naíam
Literally, ‘yes’. Iwa (pronounced like the mid-western state
of Iowa) seems to be used more frequently in Egypt than
naíam, although both are understood and accepted.
La’
Literally, ‘no’. Used alone or in a series—la’, la’, la’ is the
common way to say no.