Just one kiss, he says, waving five Egyptian pounds at me.
One kiss on the mouth, and he'll give me the equivalent of a dollar. I am walking through a bazaar bordering the Islamic section of Cairo, Egypt, when I realize that sexual harassment has no limits here.
One says he wants to marry me. Another grabs me by the arm and asks my name. A few simply yell, "China," and hope I'll turn around — I'm Asian, but not Chinese.
Harassment in Italy is notorious. But the cat-calls I experienced in Venice and Rome pale in comparison to the shockingly sexual statements and shameless groping my roommate and I endured in Egypt.
This isn't to say we didn't expect it. After all, the United States warns its female citizens that they are "vulnerable to sexual harassment and verbal abuse" when traveling unescorted in Egypt.
In a survey released by the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights this summer, 98 percent of foreign women and 83 percent of Egyptian women reported that they'd been sexually harassed in the country.
So we prepared. I spent nearly $200 on more "appropriate attire" for the weeklong summer vacation, stocking up on long-sleeved shirts and ankle-length hippie skirts. We learned the Egyptian word for "No" — it's "Laa." I packed a pair of sunglasses to avoid eye contact, a scarf to cover my curves and a hat to cover my long hair when necessary.
Physically, we were prepared. Mentally, not so much. So if you're a woman planning to travel alone, or even with other women, to Egypt to explore truly one of the most amazing civilizations in ancient history, I hope you learn from a few of our mistakes:
>> It all started in a hostel. We booked a room at the Paris Hotel Cairo for our first night in Egypt and were very impressed when the hostel owner himself picked us up from the airport, stopped to buy us breakfast and then arranged our tour through the pyramids of Giza.
So when we returned from an awe-inspiring tour on camelback, we assumed that his invitation to join him for a beer on the hostel balcony was an extension of this top-notch hospitality. Over bottles of Stella Artois, we talked about his life in Egypt and our lives in America. We were advised by friends who've traveled the country to say we were married — my roommate had even bought a fake engagement ring for the occasion — but we figured we could trust the owner of our hostel when he asked.
That's when the conversation swerved into the inappropriate. He casually began detailing his sex life, describing a few of his more unusual fetishes. My roommate and I exchanged uncomfortable looks when he asked if we liked "to be kissed on the bum." I came out of the experience physically unscathed, but my roommate was apparently subjected to some rather aggressive advances while I was in the bathroom.
>> That same day, we paid for camel rides in Giza. According to a tour book, some guides will try to climb onto the back of the camel and ride with you. "Don't allow this to happen," it said. But neither of us had spotted this in our guide books ahead of time, so if you're ever in the market for a camel ride, you'll be the wiser and not let this happen.
>> Sharm el-Sheikh, a popular tourist resort along the Red Sea, is always swamped with European tourists, so we went fairly unnoticed in that part of the country. We were able to shed our long-sleeved shirts for a day and sun bathe.
But even here, you can't completely escape the hands of seedy men. One local refused to walk away after we repeatedly turned down his offers to massage us. At one point, he abruptly took off my hat and tried to rub my head.
At one point, I wondered if "Laa" actually meant "Yes." It doesn't.
After our brief trip to Sharm El-Sheikh, we headed to Luxor and toured the ruins of some of the most breath-taking Ancient Egyptian temples and tombs, including that of King Tutankhamun, in the country. We then heeded the advice of every tour book and paid for a short felucca ride down the Nile.
This short ride turned into a much longer one than expected, with two local sailors who, not only pawed at us, but spent a good 10 minutes trying to kiss us and lure us back to their flat, where we "could all drink alcohol and have sex time." The two didn't actually begin to set sail back until we told them our guide was waiting for us on land and would notice if we weren't back within five minutes.
My roommate said one of the men actually shoved her lips against his as she climbed off the boat.
Constant Harassment
These were some of the more disturbing experiences we had, but they are most definitely not the only ones. We were constantly followed by men on the streets and my roommate, who is blond and blue-eyed, was an obvious target for unwanted attention.
So as I walked through that bazaar bordering the Islamic section of Cairo, on my last day in Egypt, I was not nearly as surprised as I should've been when solicited for a kiss. Neither did it surprise me much when a hand reached out and groped my butt.
I turned around, but of course, nobody took responsibility.
Some might say we were lucky. Video clips of women being molested by mobs of men on the streets of Egypt have made their way onto YouTube in recent years, and some local women say they are sexually harassed several times a day.
I didn't exactly feel "lucky" at the time. I hate to say this, because it goes against all of my principles as a woman: I wish I had been traveling with a man.
So to all of my fellow women traveling to Egypt, I say: Be wary. Cover up. And mentally prepare yourself to accept a culture that is more tolerable of sexual harassment then your own.
Though we don't deserve it and shouldn't have to tolerate it, this harassment is currently part of the price we pay to see the last standing wonder of the world.
posted
sadly its too true but according to Egyptian mentality it would be their own fault for being out in the street with hair uncovered and not being Muslim. Not that Muslim women dont get harrassed too, especially foreign ones. Everyone here knows the western woman who is not circumcized wants sex anytime, anyplace and it is assumed they come to Egypt for sex and men, nothing to do with the temples or tombs. Men get the same too so you're not entirely 'safe' being with a man.
Its sad this wonderful country is tainted by these animals who are oh sooo pious during ramadan, but not all, I was groped last year while fasting just before iftar and even had a man trying to get in my flat with his willy in hand, again during fasting, my fault I shouldnt have opened the door when someone rang the bell.
Egypt, a country of beautiful temples, ancient tombs of the pharoahs, thousands of years old pyramids, millions of Muslims and not a shred of Islam.
-------------------- If you don't learn from your mistakes, there's no sense making them. Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
In my expierence, the only way to avoid this all, is to be guided with a man, preferably middle-aged and higher class.
-------------------- “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.” Posts: 7202 | From: EU | Registered: Nov 2006
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posted
being with a man does not seem to make a diffrence, i wore hijab, completly covered from head to feet and still experinced this problem, my first visit to egypt 4 years ago with my family scared my youngest daughter into never wanting to return, she was 11 years old and was harrassed every time we went out, from men trying to touch, talk and shout at her across the street, followed by a man in a car, she hated the place and couldnt wait to come home, i half expected to face a few problems with men and my other daughter who was 16 at the time, but this really wasnt the case, yes she had men attempt to talk to her,but she was very blunt and let them no she had no interest, she spent the holiday shoting, and arguing with all regarding my youngest daughter, poiting out that she is only a child of 11 years old , and telling them how sick they are,it become the norm to hear her shouting how sick these men are, they even learnt how too say go away and another few choice words in arabic,but it made no diffrence, my son of 19 would walk one side of my 11 year old, my ex husband the other side, but still didnt make any diffrence, so from then on i would advise anyone going to egypt with young children, be aware, and be carefull, theses men do not seem to care of the age, a girl or a women are a easy target for all. i have returned to egypt many times but still my youngest daughter will not go back, theses men totally spoilt what should have been a lovely holiday into holiday from hell for her
Posts: 426 | From: england | Registered: Oct 2006
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quote:Originally posted by ?????: In my expierence, the only way to avoid this all, is to be guided with a man, preferably middle-aged and higher class.
you mean a foreign man or an Egyptian guide thats middle aged and 'higher class'? because the higher class middle aged Egyptian men also sexually harrass women here and a middle aged foreign man being with you would get just as much sexual harrassment as the women do. Dont you know that in the mind of the average Egyptian women AND men only come here for sex? Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
I had minimal problems with men over 50 on the street; usually the younger ones would talk to me or make noise. I had a fantastic elder Egyptian co-worker and we would sometimes run errands together - nothing to complain about in his presence.
It was totally different thing though being out alone or with another foreign female. Even with my ex - who was half-Egyptian - problems arose.
Luckily I know what to expect in Egypt - so many others don't.
تيجرليلي
Posts: 30135 | From: The owner of this website killed ES....... | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
When i was in Egypt with my husband i did not wear my hijab i had one of them huge bands on with only a bit of hair showing ,well walking back to the flat i felt a hand on my hair he was stroking my hair knowing my husband was in front of me then i shouted actually i swore WTF next i hear my husband going on one shouting and the man was shouting my cousins started shouting .My husband frogged marched me back to the flat and shouted this would never have happend if you wore your hijab???i cried i have never been shouted by him before he was so upset and said sorry but what got me when he said about me wearing it and it would have not happend how wrong was he even with hijab and covered i got it even worse .???
-------------------- "Most men are accredited fools shortly after they leave the womb.” Posts: 1116 | From: WARNING All stressed out & no one to choke | Registered: Sep 2008
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quote:Originally posted by ?????: In my expierence, the only way to avoid this all, is to be guided with a man, preferably middle-aged and higher class.
you mean a foreign man or an Egyptian guide thats middle aged and 'higher class'? because the higher class middle aged Egyptian men also sexually harrass women here and a middle aged foreign man being with you would get just as much sexual harrassment as the women do. Dont you know that in the mind of the average Egyptian women AND men only come here for sex?
I mean Egyptian. When I'm taking a guide, of course he doesn't harass me, otherwise he wouldn't be my guide anymore soon enough! But I think it's different for me. Because I'm in a family, they know I'm not there for sex Never have been in Luxor, so maybe it's different there...
Posts: 7202 | From: EU | Registered: Nov 2006
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posted
It's a complete myth that only lower class Egyptian men harass women, yet you see this stated time and time again on ES.
Posts: 1157 | From: Censor - Edit - Delete, but you will never take away my FREEDOM! | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Of course. But If I am guided by a middle-aged man from a higher class, at least most men will show respect...
-------------------- “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.” Posts: 7202 | From: EU | Registered: Nov 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Lumos: It's a complete myth that only lower class Egyptian men harass women, yet you see this stated time and time again on ES.
Yup.I've even read one saying he's from a "good family".Yeahh,i guess that makes him a "good harrasser" Posts: 3833 | From: here,there,everywhere | Registered: Nov 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Lumos: It's a complete myth that only lower class Egyptian men harass women, yet you see this stated time and time again on ES.
Yup.I've even read one saying he's from a "good family".Yeahh,i guess that makes him a "good harrasser"
Posts: 2591 | From: **Ex Oriente Lux** | Registered: Jan 2007
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posted
I walk the streets daily alone and all I get is a hiss off a guard who wants to shout 'good morning'. If you don't wanna be harrassed in Egypt walk with me as in 15 years I have never had a bad experience
I know lots of women here who have never had problems in Egypt either...
I guess I just have a demeaner that demands respect Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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quote:Originally posted by ?????: In my expierence, the only way to avoid this all, is to be guided with a man, preferably middle-aged and higher class.
you mean a foreign man or an Egyptian guide thats middle aged and 'higher class'? because the higher class middle aged Egyptian men also sexually harrass women here and a middle aged foreign man being with you would get just as much sexual harrassment as the women do. Dont you know that in the mind of the average Egyptian women AND men only come here for sex?
I mean Egyptian. When I'm taking a guide, of course he doesn't harass me, otherwise he wouldn't be my guide anymore soon enough! But I think it's different for me. Because I'm in a family, they know I'm not there for sex Never have been in Luxor, so maybe it's different there...
Most holiday makers dont want a guide with them 24/7. Most holiday makers dont take the entire family on holiday with them either and you read above even if you do have family with you, even young girls of 11, they still get harrassed. They may KNOW you're not there for sex, or you may think they know that, but they will still think that, not all but some will. Its no different in Luxor to what it is in any other place in Egypt, people do get harrassed whether they have a middle aged guide with them all day or not.
I dont get harrassed but i have been, at my own front door I have been, at my corner veg store I have been, and I am covered from head to toe and dont need any extra sex. My friend who lives here had a young BOY stand in front of her on the street and tell her he wanted to have sex with her, she slapped him. should we who live here need to have a guide with us 24/7?
it doesnt happen to everyone all the time, but it does happen and it happens a lot and it can ruin a persons holiday altogether.
Its nothing to do with class or age its to do with some men thinking westerners are easy and need sex every 2 minutes. A friend of mines hubbys uncle was asking if she walked around the house naked and needed sex all the time because shes not circumcized, thats whats in the minds of many here im afraid, and what you see while on holiday is totally different to living here believe me. Yes in many respects the mentality in upper Egypt has a long way to go to catch up with Lower Egypt, perhaps in another 50 years it wont be so bad.
Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
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quote:Originally posted by cheekyferret: I walk the streets daily alone and all I get is a hiss off a guard who wants to shout 'good morning'. If you don't wanna be harrassed in Egypt walk with me as in 15 years I have never had a bad experience
I know lots of women here who have never had problems in Egypt either...
I guess I just have a demeaner that demands respect
GOD YOU MUST BE UGLY!!
Come on you don't expect us to believe that, do you??
Posts: 30135 | From: The owner of this website killed ES....... | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I often wonder how it was in Egypt in the 60's you know when so many women were dressed like Westerners, showing off their figures and wearing short skirts. There couldn't have been such a killing sexual depression and harassment around. Now it's like a woman is not allowed to show off anything of her female body, not even her hair or she's deemed 'not good'.
تيجرليلي
Posts: 30135 | From: The owner of this website killed ES....... | Registered: Feb 2004
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quote:Originally posted by ?????: In my expierence, the only way to avoid this all, is to be guided with a man, preferably middle-aged and higher class.
you mean a foreign man or an Egyptian guide thats middle aged and 'higher class'? because the higher class middle aged Egyptian men also sexually harrass women here and a middle aged foreign man being with you would get just as much sexual harrassment as the women do. Dont you know that in the mind of the average Egyptian women AND men only come here for sex?
I mean Egyptian. When I'm taking a guide, of course he doesn't harass me, otherwise he wouldn't be my guide anymore soon enough! But I think it's different for me. Because I'm in a family, they know I'm not there for sex Never have been in Luxor, so maybe it's different there...
Most holiday makers dont want a guide with them 24/7. Most holiday makers dont take the entire family on holiday with them either and you read above even if you do have family with you, even young girls of 11, they still get harrassed. They may KNOW you're not there for sex, or you may think they know that, but they will still think that, not all but some will. Its no different in Luxor to what it is in any other place in Egypt, people do get harrassed whether they have a middle aged guide with them all day or not.
I dont get harrassed but i have been, at my own front door I have been, at my corner veg store I have been, and I am covered from head to toe and dont need any extra sex. My friend who lives here had a young BOY stand in front of her on the street and tell her he wanted to have sex with her, she slapped him. should we who live here need to have a guide with us 24/7?
it doesnt happen to everyone all the time, but it does happen and it happens a lot and it can ruin a persons holiday altogether.
Its nothing to do with class or age its to do with some men thinking westerners are easy and need sex every 2 minutes. A friend of mines hubbys uncle was asking if she walked around the house naked and needed sex all the time because shes not circumcized, thats whats in the minds of many here im afraid, and what you see while on holiday is totally different to living here believe me. Yes in many respects the mentality in upper Egypt has a long way to go to catch up with Lower Egypt, perhaps in another 50 years it wont be so bad.
Once I was on a holiday with my husband, and had similar expierences. Untill the Egyptians near the hotel discovered that my way of react was not like others, and started to talk with my husband. After this conversation they warned each other to treat me in another way, because I was Egyptian. No trouble anymore. When I'm in Egypt, I'm living in a family, in an ordinary neighbourhood, just living daily life as any other Egyptians in that area. I can't leave the street all alone, because the neighbourhood is not that safe that I could walk there alone without being harassed. When I'm going out, and there are younger people guiding me, I get harassed. When I'm going out and my friend is with me, I get harassed. When I'm going out and her husband is with me, I don't get harassed. Only in that area or similar area's. When I'm in, for instance, New cairo; no trouble. Or in the theatre, hospital, school....it depends where and with who... And it's changing. Last time I was very dissappointed when I was in Cilantro (Korba) and two young men behind our table discussed western women with a high voice, in Arabic, started to track attention by making embarrassing movements with their bodies, and nobody did anything to stop them. There was absolutely no reason why they should behave like this, they were young, and stupid, I guess... And yes, I also did expierence high placed gouvernment officers that wanted to make an appoinment alone, without anybody else. To talk.... Untill now I only have two guides that make me able to go out without trouble. One is that middle-aged man and one is a member of the special forces. He would beat them immediatly and I think his attitude is warning enough...
Posts: 7202 | From: EU | Registered: Nov 2006
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quote:Originally posted by cheekyferret: I walk the streets daily alone and all I get is a hiss off a guard who wants to shout 'good morning'. If you don't wanna be harrassed in Egypt walk with me as in 15 years I have never had a bad experience
I know lots of women here who have never had problems in Egypt either...
I guess I just have a demeaner that demands respect
GOD YOU MUST BE UGLY!!
Come on you don't expect us to believe that, do you??
I must be a badger's arse
I have never had any trouble; at 17 I had women stroking my hair in the market as I guess I was 'novel' but as tourism has grown and more and more westerners come I am no longer a novelty.
Feel free to ask any ESer I have met if I have ever been bothered by anybody I have travelled Egypt as well so I have never been harassed in Cairo, Alex, Luxor, Aswan or Hurghada. Perhaps I should go to sharm
I guess in these parts i am a familiar face but even down town yesterday I was left alone.
I get guys saying good morning and welcome but I am hardly gonna scream I have been harrassed, I am a victim of niceness!!!
Like I say, I am not alone, I have lots of friends who have never been harrassed and some of them are the bees knees.
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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posted
Well I have just walked to the main road, been in a taxi, into two hotels past all the tourist police, stripped to a bikini in one.. sat next to 5 lads who had a bottle of JD and what I believe to be a spliff... I had a couple of beers and I jumped in a taxi back and not once did I receive any attention whatsoever. My worst experience of the day was some woman putting the brolly up and blocking the sun from me!!! This was easily rectified
I did not see one westerner in either hotel inside or out in a bikini or fully covered being
Rather than me keep posting when I don't get harrassed I will let you know if I ever do Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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posted
I think if you had stripped into the bikini and jumped in front of a taxi and poured JD on yourself while smoking the spliff you might get harassed.
Try harder. Like seriously dude. You gotta work hard for your pay! Posts: 6335 | From: Straight to my heart. | Registered: Sep 2007
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posted
I dress conservatively but I guess having hair and a rather large chest makes me a target. Some women here in Egypt in Hagib or even in the full naqib have been harrassed if the young men think they can get away with it.
It's funny if you ask my Egyptian friends they say everyone around should step in and stop it. A few days ago a young man grabbed my breast and when I yelled he ran across a busy street but once he got there not one person tried to stop him. I decided not to risk my life just to smack him. I believe he was sobbing hysterically by that point because I could have ruined his whole Eid by handing him over to the police. YELL LOUDLY. LAAAAAAAAAAAAA WAHISH OWEEE I probably should have yelled in English as well. My friend's husband wasn't there luckily because he believes he would have killed the little fool. I think that would have spoiled everyone's day. It is not considered acceptable or a "part of life in Egypt" in my neighbourhood of Alexandria. If a man touches so much as your arm you have the right to yell NO or LA at him Even in the pyramids, even in the market. It doesn't matter. Unless he is preventing you from being hit by a car or a rogue camel he has NO RIGHT to touch you at all.
Posts: 153 | From: Egypt | Registered: May 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Vader: I think if you had stripped into the bikini and jumped in front of a taxi and poured JD on yourself while smoking the spliff you might get harassed.
Try harder. Like seriously dude. You gotta work hard for your pay!
I am so sorry, I guess I just don't try hard enough.
You told me guys check me out but I get that in the UK!!! Doesn't mean I am a victim lol... Guys look at me in City Stars as I stand out sometimes if no other westerners are around
I too have hair and a large chest I also have arms and calves and sometimes a neck. Nada, nothing, zlich lol...
I am looking for volunteers to harrass me (guys only need apply)
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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quote:Originally posted by Vader: I think if you had stripped into the bikini and jumped in front of a taxi and poured JD on yourself while smoking the spliff you might get harassed.
Try harder. Like seriously dude. You gotta work hard for your pay!
I am so sorry, I guess I just don't try hard enough.
You told me guys check me out but I get that in the UK!!! Doesn't mean I am a victim lol... Guys look at me in City Stars as I stand out sometimes if no other westerners are around
I too have hair and a large chest I also have arms and calves and sometimes a neck. Nada, nothing, zlich lol...
I am looking for volunteers to harrass me (guys only need apply)
lol, you make me laugh, even when im down Posts: 426 | From: england | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Ah, welcome to the group of us who simply cannot be telling the truth.
I was actually harrassed last night as on the way to City stars a cat followed me down the street for approximatley 7 minutes Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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