Middle East Local Custom Tips by JohnniOmani

Tipping is expected in almost every Middle Eastern country other than Oman and Yemen where the practice does not exist. Baksheesh is staple in all of the countries and depending on your past experiences it can be irritating or an experience that you will get used to right away. The worst countries by far for requests for baksheesh are the folks in Egypt and Turkey. Salaries and wages are a lot lower than in Western countries so it is way of supplementing their income rather than depending on it. For Western travellers who are not used to tipping in unfamiliar circumstances, baksheesh can be given to a person for opening a door or pointing out the nearest toilets. One tip is to carry around a lot of small change so that you never have to snub a local in a situation where he has helped you out. Ive been asked for baksheesh in every situation ranging from a man supplying me with toilet paper to turning on my lights in a hotel room. Get used to because it is a fact of life here ;)

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Oh my how I love to do this activity. It is by far one of my favorite things about this part of the world. In the Middle Eastern countries, bargaining is a way of life. People in the West are really used to fixed prices but in the ME anything in a souq, market or bazaar is up for a good round of bargaining. In markets selling basic items such as fruit or vegetables are rarely bargained for but for souvenirs, the price you pay is directly linked to your bargaining skills as well as your command of the language. If you decide to pay the asked price then you must realize that you are actually hurting the game for the rest of travellers that come after you because the bazaaris figure that every traveller after you is willing to pay 3 or 4 times the asking price. It is very important to not walk around assuming everyone is going to rip you off (other than in Egypt) but it helps to ask the price from different sellers before committing to the buyer. Bargaining is a fun way to learn the language and I learned a lot of Arabic from going to the local souq in my town and bargaining with the locals. Not only will you have fun and get a good price but you might end up meeting a new friend or get invited to a house or a wedding etc. Great great fun :0

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One of the highlights of the ME is if you get the opportunity to visit someones home and experience the true Middle East. Sharing a meal is a great way to cement a friendship but the etiquette can be intially complex if you are unfamiliar with the customs. If you are invited to someones house there are some general rules to follow that will ensure you have a great time such as arriving at the house. When you first arrive at the house you should ring the bell or knock and step to the side of the door to avoid direct vision inside the house (because you dont want to make direct eye contact with the women in the house before entering). You should also bring a small gifts such as sweets etc. Second, if you washed your hands before arriving you should do it again to show you are clean and courteous. Only use the right hand when eating or accepting food because the left hand is used for other activities. Avoid licking your fingers or touching your face and nose. Do not put food back on the table as it is considered really rude to the host. Reaching is inconsiderate and eat at a slow pace because Arabs like to enjoy their meal at a slow pace unlike Westerners. The host will usually put the best dishes in front of you so you should sample each of them no matter if you like them or not. The best parts of the meal ie the meat or chicken are usually saved for the last part of the meal so eat the rice or dates first. If you are full then pat your belly and say enough or if you had too many teas then tip your glass side to side to show that you dont need any more. If you are offered tea or coffee after the meal, it is really rude to leave before everybody at the table is finished. Other than these few simple rules, the experience is wonderful :)

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The Middle East is viewed as a mans world and that it is difficult to travel around for solo women. The ME is a mans world but travelling shouldnt be difficult if you take the proper pre cautions. You dont need to run to the nearest store and buy a black chador or abaya but modesty is essential here (ie mens dress shirt and baggy pants or long and baggy dress) if you want to have a great time. After speaking to my female Western friends in Oman and observing tourists in the country for three years, I ve decided to post these tips in the Middle Eastern section of VT. 1. Wear a wedding ring if you are not marred. 2. If you are travelling with a man say he is your husband to avoid any extra attention. 3. Avoid direct eye contact in conservative areas and sunglasses help out a lot. 4. Dont respond to idiotic comments because most of the younger men are looking for a reaction, it is better to just keep walking or ignore them. 5. Dont sit in the front seat of the taxis as many of my friends have been touched or assaulted by taxi drivers looking for a cheap thrill. 6. On public transport, sit next to women if possible. 7. If you need directions, ask women and if this is not possible ask hotel workers or Indian men as they are more likely to be somewhat used to foreign women as opposed to Arabs. 8. If you are eating alone, sit in the family section to avoid stares and unwanted attention. 9. If you are being followed by any creepy men, they duck into a shop or Petrol station or hotel lobby. There are dozens of tips I could write but I think this list is an initial good start to your journey. Good Luck :)

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