Current Time in Luxor
Egyptian culture regarding time
Egyptian culture regarding time
Flexibility regarding appointment time
Egyptians have a relatively flexible sense of time, and being a little late for an appointment is not a big problem. This is due to a culture that values human connections.
Late lunch and dinner times
Egyptians generally have lunch around 14:00 and dinner after 21:00, which is quite late compared to Japan and the West. This is influenced by lifestyle habits that avoid the heat during the day.
Friday is a special time flow
On Friday, which is the Islamic Sabbath, many companies and public institutions are closed or have reduced hours. On this day, prayers at mosques take top priority, and the rhythm of the city also changes slowly.
Egyptian values regarding time
A sense of time that prioritizes relationships with people
In Egypt, "relationships with people" tend to be more important than "punctuality." It can also be considered rude to be concerned about time during a conversation.
A mindset that values flow over time
Even if things don't go as planned, the idea of "valuing what you can do now" is deeply rooted in the people. It is common to take your time and act according to the situation.
Time divisions rooted in faith
Due to the influence of Islam, prayer times (five prayers a day) are incorporated into the rhythm of life, and business and household activities may be adjusted accordingly.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or relocating to Egypt
Schedule with delays in mind
Taxis, public transportation, and meetings with people often do not go on time, so it is important to make a schedule with plenty of time.
Be aware of differences in business hours
Many stores close in the morning, and many are open from early afternoon until late at night. Business hours are significantly different from normal, especially during Ramadan.
Public institutions are closed on Fridays and Saturdays
Government institutions and many businesses are closed on weekends (Fridays and Saturdays), so please check in advance when making a procedure or visiting.
Interesting facts about time in Egypt
The rhythm of the day changes dramatically during Ramadan
During Ramadan, eating and drinking during the day is prohibited, so the focus of life shifts to the evening. The city begins to bustle in preparation for the "Iftar" (meal to break the fast) after sunset.
The adhan (call to prayer) tells the time
The adhan played from the mosque also serves as a time division in daily life, and many locals use it as a clock.
A culture of sudden invitations and a sense of "come now!"
Due to the culture that values relationships with friends and relatives, invitations and visits are often made on the "flow of the moment" rather than planned in advance, and time is used flexibly.