I've been trying to call my friend in Egypt today. He still lives with his family, and whenever I've called, a man would pick up, say "hello" several times, speak in Arabic to someone next to him, and hang up on me. This has happened twice.

Is there a proper way of calling an Egyptian? Do some Egyptians feel uncomfortable about speaking with an English speaker? I just don't understand why I was hung up on.

I said "Hi this is ----, may I please speak with [his nick name]?"
The second time, I said "Hi, this is ---- from ----, may I please speak with [his real name]?"

I don't know what to do. Is there a certain time that I should call? Is it rude to call at 9 or 9:30 pm?

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Originally posted by sharmlady:
It just sounds like who ever is answering doesn't understand english. Perhaps arrange a time so your friend can pick up the call.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Dulcibella:
Thank you very much, but the issue has finally been resolved. The man on the other line can't hear me due a bad connection via my phone card. My friend e-mailed me recently to say, among other things, that when he tried calling home from America, he always had a bad connection.

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Yeah, its Egyptian government fault because its a state monopoly. And calling on Fridays are a complete joke.

My husband and I pull our hair out all the time due to the bad quality of phone service for international callers to Egypt.