Pens or Candy are very popular if you wish to give something, and if you lend a pen don't expect to get it back. Remember if you give one pen, within minutes there will be 10 others looking to get one from you. Drugs are strictly prohibited and the consequences for use can be very severe. Don t even consider it. Aids is almost non existent, arguments may flare up over a traffic violation, but are usually over quite quickly.
Family feuds are more common then any form of crime.
It is safe to walk the streets at any time of day, like all cities you should be cautious and attentive to your whereabouts. Smoking is quite prevalent, although it is banned in all food restaurants. The population is made up of mainly Moslems and Coptic Christians. The main day of worship is Fridays, which is their weekend holiday. Government offices, Institutions, and Banks close Fridays and Saturdays.