68 CultureShock! Egypt
of wealth does not provide a basis for moving one from
the middle to the upper class—neither does education.
Although members of the middle class increasingly receive a
university education, their social position, vis-à-vis the upper
class, remains constant. A university education certainly
provides more opportunities for upward mobility within
the middle class and may well increase a person’s intra-
group standing. University education also provides greater
opportunities to migrate for work and achieve distinction in
other countries.
The majority of Egyptians fall into the lower class. These
people are distinguished by low educational levels and
poverty. Members of this class have very little real opportunity
for social mobility, though the hard-working and clever
among them do improve their family’s living conditions.
Rapid population growth among this group has led to greater
migration to the cities for work as family farm land is filled.
Most frequently, they occupy low-paying positions since
they are, by and large, unskilled. Little difference is apparent
to the observer as members of this class are among the
poorest in the country. Increasingly, members of the lower
class achieve a secondary level education. Most still receive
little education above the primary level and illiteracy levels
(besides being able to write their name) continue to be quite
high among this group.
Social gatherings tend to be among social status peers;
rarely would one see a lower- or middle-class individual
invited to a reception or dinner given by an upper-class
individual at their home. Therefore, deferential behaviour
tends to disappear or at least become less apparent in
these settings. Respect due to age, of course, always applies.
Certainly, it is appropriate to invite members of different
social classes to your home for various events. However,
whatever you do, do not mix people from different classes
at a social gathering. Inviting your driver to join a function
with your boss or a high-ranking official would embarrass
both guests.
Even within a grouping of social class peers, different
relative status may still be represented within the group. For