If you are a foreigner, prepare to be harassed

If you look like a foreigner, chances are you will be harassed at some point in your trip. Harassment can come in all forms from pushy salesman wanting to sell you scarves, felucca & horse-drawn carriage operators wanting you to take a ride, or even taxi drivers pulling up near you offering to take you places. In other words, you cannot possibly walk down a street without being offered a service you don't need, or an item you never intend on purchasing.

Case in point: while walking down the street next to our hotel, my friend and I were approached by a plain-clothed person carrying a gun. He explained to us that he was a policeman and showed us his gun in the holster. Fair enough. He further explained to us that a market is nearby that is "very good". We thanked him and kept walking. He proceeded to follow us and said "I protect you". At this point, he started pointing out all the dangers of the road, from uneven pavement, to exposed screws in the ground due to a removed street light. He even pointed out approaching cars when we were crossing a small alley, in his attempt to escort us to safety.

My friend and I stopped by a convenient store at a gas station, while the policeman explained that he will wait outside for us. At this point, I realized that the policeman wanted baksheesh (tips) from us for his "services" that he kindly imposed on us. After we left the convenient store after a few minutes, the policeman resumed his "services" as we made our trip back to the hotel. He stuck out his hand, repeating the phrase "1 dollar". I waved my hands at him and said "no, thank you" each time he asked for money. I was determined not to give him any money since he imposed his services. My friend, who was a girl, was worried at this point on how the situation might unfold and was about to tip the policeman. But after my insistence, the policeman finally realized that I will not be tipping him and stopped offering his "services".

If you are Asian like me, you will constantly be greeted in either Mandarin or Japanese as you walk down the street. If you are a Canadianized or an Americanized Asian, then good luck explaining your nationality to the Egyptians. They do not seem to think that Asians can be Canadians or Americans and they insist on knowing your actual roots. Whenever I tried explaining to people that I'm Canadian, they would shake their heads and say "I don't think so". I would then have to explain that I'm from Taiwan but lived in Canada for most of my life. Eventually I learned to just "play along" and respond in whatever language they greeted me in, whether it be English, Mandarin or Japanese. Just for kicks I would sometimes throw in Korean for good mix, but I'm sure they can't tell the difference.

At the end of the day, you'll be glad to return to your hotel room where no more services are imposed on you.