Question:
Flying to Egypt soon;wondering if there is something special for sale; I know the pharao's loved perfumes.There are many perfume shops with handmade stuff; do you think there is something usefull for sale in this country?Who knows.......

Answer:
I have been to Egypt but that was before my recent coversion to fragrance aficionado. I also live in the Middle East and have visited most countries in the region.
But I do remember that there are very many perfume shops, most of them selling essential oils, mainly from flowers. I think that Upper Egypt (the Southern part, around Aswan) is a major producer of flower oils and supplies the French perfume industry. I think lotus oil is one of their specialties, but there are very many more on offer.
My advice would be to visit a few shops, sample the oils, and buy something if you like it. I'm sure you'll find something ;-) There will be lots to choose from.
If you haven't visited the Middle East before, be aware of the following. First of all, the shop proprietors are more than likely to ingratiate themselves with you before even talking business, so be patient. They will usually offer you tea for a start, talk to you about general things for a while. I've had some shop owners introduce me to their families, and have had their young children visit with me for a while, drinking tea, eating pastries, and chatting away like old friends.
It's part buttering you up so that you'll want to buy something, but it's also a genuine part of their culture, to get to know the customers so that a relationship can be built. After all, there's lots of competition, so setting the foundation for a friendly relationship with a potential regular customer just makes good sense.
So unless you are in a hurry (and I recommend not being so, because in the Middle East you will only become frustrated) I advise just going with the flow, enjoying their company, and learning as much as possible. Most of the people will be very friendly and will be glad to impart their knowledge.
Now those guys are typically very good ;-) They are professional sales people on a different level than what you see in Europe or the U.S. Once they get in good with you they will make it very difficult for you to say no. It will be tough, but don't let them talk you into anything you don't really want. They will certainly try ;-)
And by all means bargain with them. It is normal procedure. They get pleasure from the jousting back and forth and consider it good fun. Their initial price will be high (I guarantee it!), but give up your ground slowly. Start with 1/3 (or if you're feeling bold, even 1/4) of what they are asking and very slowly work up as the proprietor works down. Normally you should be able to get things for about half of what they initially asked.
But don't worry about it too much, especially if the price isn't that much anyway. Their incomes are very different than most of ours, and what seems like a lot to them may not be so much to you.
So relax, be patient, try to enjoy the different way of doing things. You might seem embarassed or awkward at first, but it won't take long for you to get used to their ways. You will come away with some stunningly beautiful oils.
Hope this helps. Enyoy your trip!
noggs

Answer:
Since the Egyptians invented the concept of perfume and incense, you should have quite an adventure in the city of Cairo. The main market, Khan el-Khalili, is a mix of ancient and modern. Muski Street is where you will find the perfume shops. Essential oils are the name of the game here. Look for Attar of roses, Frankincense, ouds and sandalwoods. You can also buy beautiful, highly decorated, and somewhat kitsch perfume bottles. I haven't been in quite awhile, but I'm sure it rarely changes. Have fun!

Answer:
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2006/792/li1.htm
Here is a link to an article which has some info about the Egyptian perfume industry. The two specific perfumers mentioned, Karama and Warda, sound like good places to start.
noggs

Answer:
Originally Posted by noggs I have been to Egypt but that was before my recent coversion to fragrance aficionado. I also live in the Middle East and have visited most countries in the region.
But I do remember that there are very many perfume shops, most of them selling essential oils, mainly from flowers. I think that Upper Egypt (the Southern part, around Aswan) is a major producer of flower oils and supplies the French perfume industry. I think lotus oil is one of their specialties, but there are very many more on offer.
My advice would be to visit a few shops, sample the oils, and buy something if you like it. I'm sure you'll find something ;-) There will be lots to choose from.
If you haven't visited the Middle East before, be aware of the following. First of all, the shop proprietors are more than likely to ingratiate themselves with you before even talking business, so be patient. They will usually offer you tea for a start, talk to you about general things for a while. I've had some shop owners introduce me to their families, and have had their young children visit with me for a while, drinking tea, eating pastries, and chatting away like old friends.
It's part buttering you up so that you'll want to buy something, but it's also a genuine part of their culture, to get to know the customers so that a relationship can be built. After all, there's lots of competition, so setting the foundation for a friendly relationship with a potential regular customer just makes good sense.
So unless you are in a hurry (and I recommend not being so, because in the Middle East you will only become frustrated) I advise just going with the flow, enjoying their company, and learning as much as possible. Most of the people will be very friendly and will be glad to impart their knowledge.
Now those guys are typically very good ;-) They are professional sales people on a different level than what you see in Europe or the U.S. Once they get in good with you they will make it very difficult for you to say no. It will be tough, but don't let them talk you into anything you don't really want. They will certainly try ;-)
And by all means bargain with them. It is normal procedure. They get pleasure from the jousting back and forth and consider it good fun. Their initial price will be high (I guarantee it!), but give up your ground slowly. Start with 1/3 (or if you're feeling bold, even 1/4) of what they are asking and very slowly work up as the proprietor works down. Normally you should be able to get things for about half of what they initially asked.
But don't worry about it too much, especially if the price isn't that much anyway. Their incomes are very different than most of ours, and what seems like a lot to them may not be so much to you.
So relax, be patient, try to enjoy the different way of doing things. You might seem embarassed or awkward at first, but it won't take long for you to get used to their ways. You will come away with some stunningly beautiful oils.
Hope this helps. Enyoy your trip!
noggs Thank you! I appreciate your advice very much:thanks a lot
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Originally Posted by Ruggles Since the Egyptians invented the concept of perfume and incense, you should have quite an adventure in the city of Cairo. The main market, Khan el-Khalili, is a mix of ancient and modern. Muski Street is where you will find the perfume shops. Essential oils are the name of the game here. Look for Attar of roses, Frankincense, ouds and sandalwoods. You can also buy beautiful, highly decorated, and somewhat kitsch perfume bottles. I haven't been in quite awhile, but I'm sure it rarely changes. Have fun!
I also go to Cairo;thanks for your advice!

Answer:
Originally Posted by noggs I have been to Egypt but that was before my recent coversion to fragrance aficionado. I also live in the Middle East and have visited most countries in the region.... noggs Wow, that was a nice introduction into the most difficult part of buying next to anything in Arabic countries! I admit I will never overcome my problems with this, to the point of forgetting to bother at all. But I shall think of your advices, if I go eastwards again. Even as a rucksack tourist I considered the preliminaries as a loss of time. Unfortunately I also love persian rugs....(to look at).

Answer:
Believe me, I've done just about everything wrong that you could do ;-)
I've bought things I really didn't want, bought too much of certain items I shouldn't have, and paid way too much for other things. And yes, I have certainly been taken advantage of from a sales point of view. But over the years I've learned how to manage the buying process much better ;-)
My advice will work best in traditional, individual owned shops. When dealing with corporate owned stores and shops in malls, things may not work in quite the same way.
BTW, buying rugs is a LOT trickier than buying perfumes, and also a LOT more costly ;-)
noggs