In the United States, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf has been a staple for coffee-lovers and celebrities rushing to escape the paparazzi alike for quite some time. In Egypt, the café chain is just getting started.
With its exposed-brick and light-wood interior filled with plants and a great selection of magazines, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf provides a comfortable, Zamalek-corniche arena for the popular Cairo pastimes of people watching and loitering. The two-story structure has an exceptional amount of seating, both indoors and out, with an upstairs smoking section and a large outdoor patio. As in LA, the dress code is money: AUC students seem to favor the place and can be seen flaunting the latest fashions from Dubai. As the name suggests, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf specializes in all things caffeinated. A wide selection of teas, coffees and other whipped and frothy delicacies are sure to satisfy at least one of your cravings. There are also sandwiches and several kinds of quiche on offer, along with the requisite pastry collection found at most coffee shops. One of the most unique aspects of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is the service, by which I mean that there isn’t any. In true American form, you pick out what you want at the counter, pay, and then wait while the barista makes your drink. When you are finished, you simply leave the restaurant — a novel idea. A large sign above the cashier states that tips are expressly verboten, a nice change from the finish-your-coffee-and-wait-half-an-hour-for-the-bill-and-change routine that other coffee shops put you through. et The Coffee Bean and Teal Leaf 5 Abou El-Feda St. (Omm Kolthoum Hotel) Zamalek Open 8am to 2am 7 Days Tel: +2 (02) 735-0429
Ford Rolls Back into Egypt Ford Motors is back in Egypt after a two-year absence. The group behind the American car company’s return is Egyptian American Automotive, a member of Fikry Group. The first showroom with sales and service opened in November of this year in Sixth of October City. In 2007, similar showrooms are expected to open in Giza and Alexandria. Overall, there will be five dealerships and 14 showrooms across Egypt. The models available here in Egypt will include the Ford Fiesta, Fusion, Focus, Focus C-Max, Mondeo, S-Max, Transit and Transit Connect, all assembled in Europe. Also ready-to-purchase: the Ford Ranger, which is made in Thailand, and the Maverick, Explorer, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and, the godfather of all Fords, the Lincoln Town Car from the United States. Ford touts its V-4 Focus as the most affordable in its class. Available in sedan, hatchback, and sports varieties, the Focus is a family-sized car. The smaller, more economical option is the Fiesta three- or five-door, four-cylinder hatchback, which will do little to live up to its Latin namesake as the tiny car couldn’t support a very large party. The classic Ford Mustang is also available as a coupe or convertible in V-6 and V-8 configurations, and can be built-to-order to suit a variety of tastes. Ford Egypt / Egyptian American Automotive 4th Industrial District (next to Akhbar Al-Youm Academy) Sixth of October Tel: +2 (02) 832-0407 / 11
The Etiquette of Giving You may be asking yourself, “What gifts should I buy for my boss, my client, or my employees to show my appreciation in the New Year?” This ultimate show of courtesy can turn into an ultimate embarrassment if it backfires. Knowing the proper etiquette for business gift giving is crucial to avoid awkward moments and unduly negative impressions. Here are ten tips for safe gift giving: 1 – Avoid any personal gifts such clothing or jewelry.
2 – Avoid any gifts with religious connotations.
3 – If the gift is for your boss, it is better to be a joint gift from all employees to avoid negative thoughts from your peers.
4 – Choose the proper time and surroundings to present your gift.
5 – You must always present your gift with a handwritten note.
6 – Choosing gifts for recipients from different cultures needs very special attention. For a Chinese recipient, never give a clock, as in Chinese culture the word “clock” carries the connotation of death, so it is considered bad luck. For Indians it is not advisable to give leather products, as cows are sacred to Hindus.
7 – Try to avoid any embarrassment to the recipient, such as the misperception of a gift as a bribe. International-trade expert Roger Axtell suggests accompanying the gift with a note that says “This is not intended as a gift, but merely as a small memento of”
8 – Be involved in the gift-choosing process and do not leave it entirely for someone else to do on your behalf.
9 – Try to personalize your gift if possible with a special engraving or printing with the recipient’s name or initials on it.
10 – Accepting gifts is also a very sensitive issue. In some situations, you do not need to reciprocate the gift, but you must in all cases be gracious and courteous when accepting the gift and send a handwritten “thank you” note —even if you don’t like it.
Riham El-Hawary a certified business-etiquette, cross-cultural protocol and image consultant et
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