To becreative - answering your concerns

Submitted by Isis (Australia), Mar 5, 2009 at 18:30

I will try to answer some of your concerns. The Orfi paper does not need to be registered in a court just so long as it has the offical gvt recognised stamps and it is witnessed by 2 males. Outside of Egypt the Orfi paper is not recognised as a legal marriage contract. Although in saying that, the Egyptian Gvt is trying to give women in Orfi marriages some rights if there are children involved but I think that this is a way off yet.

Egyptian men do not have girlfriends - they only have wives and they do not use the term"girlfriend". You will be referred to as his wife because that is the only way that he can be with you on your own in Egypt. Please don't worry about this as it is part of their culture and widely accepted there.

As for being rushed, this is exactly how an Egyptian romance progresses whether you are Egyptian or a westerner in Egypt. Sometimes the courtship can only last for a few weeks before the ceremony takes place. You will need to explain to your man that this is not how it happens in the west and ask him to slow down a little. It may slow down or may not as their culture in deeply ingrained.

In public you are not able to show this man any affection as it is against Egyptian law and if you are dining out he will have to settle to bill. If you offer to pay arrange this beforehand and not at the table where it can be seen by others. As for buying you Egyptian clothes - that's a strange one. Does he want you to cover up when meeting his family?

And onto your doubts - you will always have doubts about this man until you get to know him. Just have a good time and judge his actions and reactions carefully. Gauge his status amongst his friends and the status of his friends. As you are meeting his family it is polite in Egyptian culture to take small gifts for them. They are responding in kind by offering you a special meal.

I don't know how old your man is but if he has only been in tourism for 9 months then I expect that he is young. It is very prestigious for an Egyptian man to have western "wife" but be careful regarding money as I am fairly sure that he will expect you to support him and his family whilst you are there. Don't take any more money than you will need.

What more can I say than have a great time but be careful!

PS - where is your man from?

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