Luxor4u

Walking along the Corniche the other day my Egyptian friend and I liked the look of one of the open air restaurants. Naturally the staff were pleased to see us and we were seated and had the menu presented. I fancied the humble mixed grill priced at 260le and my friend wanted the same. However he noted the price on the English menu was 260le and on the Arabic menu it was half the price.

When we queried this the staff were quite embarrassed and blamed the management for this culture. Needless to say we left. Is this normal practice in Egypt? Please don’t blame Covid for this one!!!

I am surprised you have only just come across this. It is quite normal and has been going on for years and is likely to on for many more years to come.
To be fair, I don't think Egypt is the only country that operates a two tiered pricing system in restaurants and, no doubt, other areas where money exchanges hands.

I would imagine even the very old ghosts of this forum will be p***ing themselves laughing at this initial post. .

I must say that I'm more than surprised to find that someone who's been a member on here (and therefore presumably has had an association with Luxor) since 2015 has just come across this phenomenon. I'm absolutely astonished!
I'm also astonished that your Egyptian friend (seemingly) didn't know or expect that it would normally be the case.

14-17 years ago, I used to frequent a restaurant with very good value for the money, I thought. One day I had to tell a waiter that they must have forgotten something because the price was about a third of what I had expected to pay.
He smiled: “Madame, you are Egyptian now!”

That was my first experience with dual pricing in Egypt and my last visit to said restaurant.

A gentleman invited me for dinner at any restaurant of my choice. When I suggested Sofra, he was worried that it would be too expensive. I offered to pay but he would not hear of it. He took me to the same place where all my other East Bank friends go; they serve delicious local food, but the few times I have been allowed to pay, each dish has cost more than at Sofra.

My friends eat there every night after work, and there is no way that they can afford to pay what I am supposed do. I always try to avoid going there because of dual pricing, even though I have been offered “discount“ despite white privilege.

I remember going with Carol(Carrie) to a small chicken restaurant behind the Egyptian souk. She always demanded the Egyptian menu, and ordered in Arabic - no chance of her being charged tourist prices

A-four and Teddyboy I get your point. As a lone traveller I e never bothered with expensive restaurants before. I always eat the the places near the station and the food is excellent. Lesson learnt here but worth mentioning in case any newbies come onboard

crewmeal wrote: Sun Aug 21, 2022 11:08 am A-four and Teddyboy I get your point. As a lone traveller I e never bothered with expensive restaurants before. I always eat the the places near the station and the food is excellent. Lesson learnt here but worth mentioning in case any newbies come onboard

Crewmeal, please be aware that dual pricing does not just apply to the more expensive restaurants. It can be, and often is, applied in cafes and restaurants of all levels. We just are not always aware.

Personally, I don't really see it as a scam especially if I am shown or told a price originally and I have agreed to that price.

HEPZIBAH wrote: Sun Aug 21, 2022 1:44 pm

Crewmeal, please be aware that dual pricing does not just apply to the more expensive restaurants. It can be, and often is, applied in cafes and restaurants of all levels. We just are not always aware.

Personally, I don't really see it as a scam especially if I am shown or told a price originally and I have agreed to that price.

Quite. You’re given a menu, in English, with the prices in EGP. Any Egyptian companions will have their menu , in Arabic, with the prices in EGP. It’s not difficult to see the difference and if you object…..vote with your feet. You might find it difficult to find an eatery where there isn’t a price differential….now that you’re aware of it

It’s a widespread practice in tourist resorts the world over…..and has been subject to heated arguments, on both sides, since time immemorial

Some restaurants do not even have their prices printed on the menu. The cost may depend on the friend of the tourist who can be seen returning to get their lighter or whatever else they have conveniently forgotten on the table.

BENNU wrote: Sun Aug 21, 2022 6:29 pm Some restaurants do not even have their prices printed on the menu. The cost may depend on the friend of the tourist who can be seen returning to get their lighter or whatever else they have conveniently forgotten on the table.

Yes, again common in many tourist places around the world alas.

HEPZIBAH wrote: Sun Aug 21, 2022 6:36 pm

BENNU wrote: Sun Aug 21, 2022 6:29 pm … The cost may depend on the friend of the tourist ...

Yes, again common in many tourist places around the world alas.

I had spent enough time in Greece to get a fair price - unless I was in the company of local “friends“, so I recognised it first time I was in Luxor. Anyway, I let the men pay.

I was at a cafe where an Egyptian asked if I might buy him a cup of tea. I gave him half of what I paid and said he can pay Egyptian price much to the amusement of those in listening distance. He then asked for a coffee hoping I would double up. My first time in Aswan some locals bought some sweet treats. One happily told me I would get it at that price. Back in Luxor I decided to buy some, the price being much higher. I pointed out I know the price so it came down. If you make light and share banter you can get your way. Could have succeededcat the restaurant.

I was at a cafe where an Egyptian asked if I might buy him a cup of tea. I gave him half of what I paid and said he can pay Egyptian price much to the amusement of those in listening distance. He then asked for a coffee hoping I would double up. My first time in Aswan some locals bought some sweet treats. One happily told me I would not get it at that price. Back in Luxor I decided to buy some, the price being much higher. I pointed out I know the price so it came down. If you make light and share banter you can get your way. Could have succeededcat the restaurant.

I found it amusing to see the same old scam has been going on for years. It was going on when we lived there 6 years ago