Cairo Tourist Trap Tips by uglyscot

when visiting the Pyramids at Giza, be prepared to be surrounded by or followed by men touting for customers for their horses or camels.

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At Least Do This: the best thing is to ignore them. or say "La, shukran' [no thankyou] and then walk on.
Alternative: it is better to hire a taxi for the whole trip who can take you up to the viewing point and wait till you have finished your explorations. It will be costly, but less stressful and can be a blessing if the sun is too hot.

At the observation point are a number of salesmen with all the usual heads of Nefertiti, arab head-dresses, shisha pipes, metal pyramids , papyrus, etc.
Most people in Egypt are paid a pittance compared to the rest of the western world, so they are only trying to make a living.

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At Least Do This: Bargain. Inevitably you will get the price down considerably, and take it as all part of the holiday fun.
Today [27 May 2005] I got 3 large metal model pyramids for 25 E Pounds,; he originally began at 40E pounds. I don't think I was ripped off, because last year I was with someone at Khan el Khalili who was happy to pay 19 E pounds for the smaller models. The little boy I bought them for was over the moon, and that compensates for any extra profit the salesman made.
Alternative: Try somewhere else away from the tourist sites. Many smaller shops will have similar things, and as the economy is not very good these days may be prepared to sell at a lower price just to make a sale.