A
female
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:Hello this is not strickly a question about relationship but all the same I need advice for the great advisors of dear cupid,I'm going on holiday later this year (already booked) to egypt and just doing some reading up on the country before I go. One thing I have read is that women have to cover up... alot. I'm not saying I want to wander around topless or anything just that the whole point of going on this holiday was to spend a few days exploring all the while sunning myself and getting a great tan! please dont get me wrong I do not want to upset the local community I just wandered if anyone else has been there in the heat of summer and really had to cover up completly as not to upset everyone. Please help!
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female
reader, egy_flower  +, writes (11 April 2008):
hi dear. I'm an egyptian female. Well, the reply above mine is true. Look, here in egypt we've extremes. Starting from ppl who r covering their faces (who r few) to veiled females to females who r ordinary (like me). Our clothing is simple but it respects our traditions. Our clothes r decent n they don't show much of our bodies. Me for example, i wear jeans but not tight . I wear tops and t shirts. I wear skirts. But i respect my body and my community. Also i do swim but i don't wear bikini's. I never go topless on the beach. Look, the weather here is wonderful. U will enjoy it. Try wearing a hat in the morning and during ur visits. If u need anything, just send me and i'll be pleased to help u and to reply to any inquiry u have. I wish u a great stay here.
A
female
reader, Tisha-1  +, writes (10 April 2008):
 Here are some links which might help you as you research the trip!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g21-i870-k193548-o10-Is_Egypt_Safe_to_Visit-Middle_East.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/country_profiles/737642.stm
http://dg.ian.com/index.jsp?cid=74105&action=viewLocation&formId=60603
That should get you off to a good start!
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A
female
reader, Tisha-1 +, writes (10 April 2008):
Hi, Egypt is a very interesting country to visit and explore. My advice comes from my experience there well over 20 years ago, so bear that in mind.
In public, you'll see women dressing from completely veiled to what you would think of as ordinary western dress. But, and this is important, no bare shoulders, no cleavage, avoid showing as much skin as you can. Wear loose fitting natural fiber clothing, which will breathe and allow some air circulation. Don't wear tight jeans or tight tops; you'll just attract unwanted attention. A hat to keep the sun off is a good idea too, as it is quite hot. Having a large scarf to cover your head or shoulders isn't a bad idea, especially if you are touring a mosque. You can keep it looped around your shoulder bag when you don't need it. The heat is dry, so you won't notice it as much as you might in a humid environment.
So forget about getting a great tan while strolling through the streets.
That being said, if you are staying at a resort which caters to tourists and the wealthy, you will see at once that bikinis are not unusual to be seen. The key is that you are not out in public dressed that way.
I remember going to the beach in Alexandria. On the public beach, the girls were in long dresses or skirts and tops, even going into the water. There were no women at all in bikinis or swimsuits as we would recognize them. We stayed at a resort catering to westerners, and there was a rope dividing the two beaches. At the private beach, women wore ordinary swimsuits and even bikinis, but again, this was considered the private area.
I found having sunglasses on to be a huge help, to keep some form of privacy or a barrier from prying eyes.
No public displays of affection between men and women, at all, it is really frowned upon. This includes holding hands. No kissing in public.
So have one wardrobe for the public areas and the streets, and you can still pack a swimsuit and shorts if you're going to be at a private resort.
I did not feel comfortable going anywhere by myself, and I don't know if I would recommend it, but again, it's been many years since I've been there.
Don't forget the sunblock, and some really good face and body cleansers, the air and streets can be quite dusty.
Have fun!
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