Curiosities about Egyptian Culture so you plan to travel there The Arab Republic of Egypt (official name) is a North African country that also includes the Sinai peninsula in Asia, making it a transcontinental state. Bathed by the Mediterranean and Red seas, its capital is the city of Cairo. Egypt has been a republic since June 18, 1953. “Bilady, Bilady, Bilady” (My Homeland, My Homeland, My Homeland) is the national anthem of Egypt, composed by Sayed Darwish. Egyptian film productions do not even show kisses. American movies sometimes show a few kisses, but the strongest scenes are cut. While kissing on the streets is forbidden between couples, so as not to arouse “impure imaginations”, it is common to kiss between men: three kisses on the cheek, sometimes very wet. There is the Egyptian custom of men walking arm in arm. Sometimes joined only by the little fingers. Before the French occupation, all Egyptians wore beard and mustache. Since the French had a shaggy face, the old custom began to fall into disuse, though with some resistance.   The married Muslim woman in Egypt does not show her hair except for her husband and family members. It is common for the wealthiest women to wear a pair of gold bracelets on each arm. For them, gold has the function of a savings account. Even the poorest girls and ladies still wear their jewelry. Sometimes they are badly dressed, in slippers and dirty feet, but displaying their glittering heritage. The ostensive use of jewelry in Egypt is made possible by the absence of robbers. The law is strict and there is the death penalty.   Women wear ornate dresses, brightly colored shoes, gold bracelets on each arm, huge earrings, and necklaces of pharaonic proportions. Men also wear ornate shirts and blouses, flowered shoes, sometimes in bright red or pink. The taxis are decked, many looking like a walking Christmas tree, with flashing lights and melodic horns. Muslims cannot drink alcohol. They have a non-alcoholic Stella brand beer that can be found in every corner of the country. This beer tastes nothing and only goes down well after crossing the desert for a whole day without drinking water.