The very relative safety of Egypt
Issandr El Amrani | Egypt police Egypt is generally considered a very safe place, and Cairo is perhaps the safest megapolis in the world — consider that in Rio you might be killed for your Nikes and in Mexico City gunned down in a gang war. That's why when something happens, it feels all the more surprising, especially for foreigners who think (usually rightly) that they have extra protection from the seedier side of the city. Check out the experience of this American blogger in Egypt first getting beaten up by some kind of protection racket, and then being arrested by police and forced to apologize to his attacker.
Muggings take place everywhere. But the way the police acts, as Egyptians know all too well, is a much more depressing and serious problem. When you think of some of the things that can happen in detention, the khawaga factor may have saved him from a worse fate than humiliation.
Conclusion: Egypt is a very safe place — until you have a problem.
Update: Also take a look at Sarah Carr's latest post for another take on everyday violence.
Reader Comments (11)
Great post.
egypt-unveiled.blogspot.com
I'm sorry but I find the American bloggers story far fetched and pretty impossible to believe.
People write all sorts of BS nowadays.
Five
Have a lot of trouble believing this -- no detail on where this "public building" was, what time of day it was, where... He also comes off as an idiot: "I demand to speak to the American embassy!" Piece of advice to naive young travelers -- expect to be treated like dirt by every cop on the planet after these words leave your mouth. He also somehow thought the US embassy was in the business for paying for his troubles in a foreign land? Something not quite right here.
I do not know if I find it hard to believe. I would comment on his post, if he allowed comments on any of his posts. Got love a blogger so righteous, he cannot dream of reading an opinion of his own work.
I must, I have strong dislike of law enforcement everywhere. I do not trust them, because giving a guy with a chip on his shoulder a gun and some authority is a recipe for disaster. Still, I never had any problems in Egypt like this post describes. Hell, I even voluntarily filed a complaint against my landlord at a local 2ism. Needless to say, great treatment and was even offered cigarettes. Cops are often really disinterested in Egypt, so you have to be bitchy with them to get them riled up. Judging from your own biased assessment of the situation, you were bitchy to the max and succeeded in pissing him off.
So, my friend, the reason you got your ass handed to you is that you are a 5awaaga of the first order. If you see a cop, appeal to him as one person to another. I am always detested by the infamous asshole that shouts "I am an American, and I need to speak to the embassy," in English or Arabic. You are suggesting you get special treatment. Who enjoys indulging such a person? To be honest, as a bystander, I would have applauded the cops treatment of you. Judging by your name (Amir), I assume you must be of "Islam" heritage (to sarcastically the idiots on TV among your fellow Americans stateside, I know I love them). It is likely the cop did not believe you (I have been party to and heard of such scenarios with my dual nationality friends, believe me) or you were overly self-assured and assumed you go under the radar. Not today, friend.
I bring your background up, Amir, since I am disappointed your Arabic is crap. Imagine the horror of them laughing you off with your crappy Arabic skills, Mr. Graduate Student Studying in Egypt. Do you think the "illegals" in America get a translator when they are charged with petty crimes? Get a grip on reality. The ones who know English in the US are lucky, and English fluency stills means you get treated like s*** often, English speaking citizen or alien or whatever. I avoided so many scenarios like you in Cairo because a) I made a very strong effort to practice the language (I was there under year, and I could hold a decent conversation, what's your excuse?) b) associated with street smart Egyptian friends (and always knew to text them when I felt I was in over my head) and c) never responded to people on the street, even for a quip like: what are you going to do? Famous last words. Now they know you speak English, and they can easily get your attention. A simple mish faahim could solve your problems, but you probably dress enough to highlight your nationality like a flagpole on your back.
Seriously, Americans are so spoiled in Cairo. Even this is nice. It could be worse. If you run into trouble next time, do what I told all clueless friends visiting for the short or long term, find the Tourist and Antiquities Police. I had a whiny friend with them on speed dial on his cell. He always got what he wanted, since they are pigs who will love your passport and f*** over anyone in your path lacking one, but I digress.
Americans are spoiled in Egypt. Unless they want to protest the siege of Gaza.
One has to almost admire the ability you folks have to justify tales of police wrongdoing.
@epppie Not sure how one should take your comments re Gaza. Frankly, if I understand your sarcasm, I am of the opinion you deserve your removal from Egypt if you protest on a hot button topic their government dislikes. Do not be surprised if they tell you to f*** off. I can only let you guess what Americans think and do regarding visiting foreigners who engage in anything unsavory by their standards. They get a pretty rapid departure from the US too. What a shock! Spoilied Americans get slapped on the wrist for bad behavior abroad! They would never do that to foreigners stateside. How paradoxical!
As for your comment about justifying tales of police wrongdoing, I do not remember justifying it anywhere. I was saying you get what you deserve in life, and there is such a thing as karma. Suggesting I would clap watching the scene does not somehow show my belief in how justified it is. Life is cruel and ironic, justice need not fit into the picture.
No one should wonder that no egyptian loves americans.
If you take a look what america does in that region every day, cruelties like this what happened can be awaited anytime.
You cannot destabilise a complete region, support corrupt regimes and break human rights as you want and than come to a land like egypt and cry: "Why don't they love us?"
I'm a german and have been in egypt for several times. Despite the fact that no one trusts egypt police with exception of tourists, I never had troubles with egyptians in general. Because wether I nor my country rapes egypt, its people, its culture or politics, every people I met there was very kind to me, happy to meet me and very helpful.
But I know some egyptians who told me never to miss a chance to take an american to trouble, if possible most bad troubles.
Stop killing and raging like Satan in Near East, America, and no one will beat you.
Promised.
This is a reply to Michael Feisal. Do you think its fair that all Americans get painted with the same brush?
Any why do you think any American traveling to Egypt, spending money In a country that needs
all the tourism it can would want to go there to get harrassed. I hope and pray this is story is exaggerated
or not true at all. And you said you are a German? What if no one traveled to Germany because of the Holocaust? No one needs to be harassed or beaten in Egypt! and talk about corrupt countries, just look at
the police in Egypt and you will find all the corruption you want.
I barely can believe this guy's story! It can work as a nice screenplay, but not the reality! I am a foreigner here in Egypt, it's already two years i live in this country , and so far have never heard something like this! Even Egyptians say: "Masr mish li Masreyeen!". I know the police is treating Egyptians extremely bad, but never with the foreigner!
@ Al Haraka > Accept my BIG respect!
@ Michael Feisal > "some egyptians who told me never to miss a chance to take an American to trouble" Reading this, i remembered a story which happened to me in Alexandria. Me and my two Italian friends rented a small boat to have a short ride in the sea. Our "Captain" was a "low class" guy, who could hardly pronounce some words in English. So, after he suggested to buy a hashish from him and got rejected, asked where are we from?, when we answered and he discovered we are not from US, he added: "Amrica, Israyil, f**k you!" ;)