I had a friend that went to Egypt quite awhile ago and I remember that he was saying that when you tip you have to make sure you tip the right amount. Is there a common practice in Egypt on the amount that you should tip a person. I know that it varies from country to country. Thanks

Well I don't think there are hard and fast rules because Sales Tax and Service charge are normally added to your bill.
In the Hotel's the staff get a share of the service charge.
In cafes and restaurants outside Hotel's check your bill and if the service charge is included, it is very much up to you whether you leave an extra tip. If the service really has been good, 5% is quite acceptable. If you are only ordering a coffee/tea/cold drink from a pavement cafe either 1 or 2 LE is enough.
I am not being mean here, but most places the tips are pooled with everyone getting a share, which i think is a pity as some waiters are better than others.

Thanks for the information. You are right when it is added into the bill and split up that really isn't fair to the person that may have done all the work.

Even when there's a service charge added onto the bill, if the service was great I like to leave some cash for the waiter. I like countries where there isn't a service charge added so the customer can leave what they think is merited.

It depends on where it is at and whether or not it's included in the bill. I tend to tip more at mom and pop type shops than some cafe in a tourist hotel.

I do that leave something even if it is added into the bill when I have had exceptional service. Sometimes I don't even realize that it will be added to the bill and tip.

I really like when a set percentage is included in the bill for a tip; it takes much of the hassle out of trying to figure out what is most courteous.

I have just read my previous post and thought I would make it clear that even though the service is added to the bill I still leave a tip. As we don't eat ior have coffee in the tourists Hotels, and I know how poorly paid the waiters are in the coffee shops/restaurants, I really don't mind leaving a little bit extra.

I think tipping in Egypt can be a little more complicated than I would have thought.

Here's a link that goes into some detail:

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/baksheesh.htm