I can see everyone's perspective - but...

Many peoples' culture include a lack of tolerance for directness - they will tell you what they think you want to hear, as they consider being direct rude.

Some are fatalistic - "Si Dios lo manda" in Latin America is the same as "inshallah" - let it be God's will. That incoudes a cook preparing fresh food over reoaing flames, which lick a boat cowling where an oxygen tank is lying, unfastened... if God wills it, there's nothing he can do to protect himself, and if God doesn't want him to die, it doesn't matter what he does, anyway.

Put the two together - you have a timed event to make, you ask the driver if you wil lget there on time (in Cairo's nasty traffic,) and the driver will reply "inshallah". He just can't bring himself to say "not bloody likely, mate!"

Relax, let your blood pressure normalize, do a little contingency planning and give yourself lots of extra time. Realize things are more... "flexible" than you are used to at home.

Many places are rife with poverty - desperate people will use depserate measures. When they come into contact with people who are naive and seem to be as rich as Croesus, they will do what they can to separate that person from some of their money.

And there are, of course, professional cons - the "papyrus institute" and "carpet school" are common ones that separate tourists from some of their money, but in fact, not separate from ALL of even an important part of you money, like Enron or some other white collar criminals have done in the "first world."

Realize - papyrii are everywhere, cranked out like "by the numbers" paintings. Look around, get an idea of reasonable prices, bargain a little - it means you care and aren't a total fool - then buy what you like.

A "carpet shcool" isn't training children for a lifetime career - children have the smallest hands and can do the finest work. If you want that lovely finely-woven carpet, don't kid yourself, you are patronizing child labor, and today's fine weaver will likely be tomorrow's taxi driver, for whom an extra 20 Egyptian Pounds means he can feed his family better today, and it is perhaps less than you would pay for one drink.

Egpyt's wonders are incredible, and the culture has ancient roots, even though it is splitting apart at the seams. Do some research, make goals, use reputable agencies, be open to friendships - and realize anyone who approaches you openly on the street as an old friend, here or at home, is highly suspect in his / her intentions.

The culture is definitely different - even at the airport, you will notice the non-smoking departure lounge is ratty, tatty, crowded and bustling - not where yo want to rest - and the smokers' lounge is modern, spacious, comfortable and may not have many smokers. That's because most of the folks using the nonsmokers' are foreigners with no status in the culture, and those using the smoking lounge are often Egyptian politicians, powerful people, etc. (Who esle can afford a lounge membership?) and many of them smoke.

So, remember: we personify our countrymen and origins, so we have to be on our best, and to benefit most, we can refrain from personalizing. We personify, but it's not healthy to personalize too much and allow it to upset us, when it's not about us at all.

Travel is for those who seek differences - if you can't handle them, be selective in where you go; everyone will be happier for it. This is said with no nasty intent - it's just the truth.

Bon voyage, buen viaje, au sa lia mada, safari njema! Oh, and have a good trip.