April 10, 2025
Egypt: Can An Innocent Tipping Culture Fuel Corruption?
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Kimberly Paredes
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24 comments
Sabrina Arguello
This infographic was very eye opening. I had no prior knowledge of the tipping culture in Egypt I had always thought it was only an American theme, but it is very interesting to see how this leads to corruption. The best part is the inclusion of how tourists can tip properly.
Rebecca Amaya
I was surprised to find out that Egypt’s tipping culture could unintentionally contribute to corruption. The best part of the infographic is how it clearly links everyday habits to broader systemic issues, making it relatable. I think adding specific examples or visuals would make the argument even stronger.
Cris Saldana
As previously stated, the thing that definitely caught me by surprised was the fact that the practice of baksheesh, basically tipping, was even seen as a bad thing. It played a somewhat minor role in corruption withing Egypt. The fact that what can be seen as a kind gesture actually has some undertones to it not noticed by most people who travel there is interesting to say the least. I think a little more examples though, say from media or publication outlets about it would be helpful though since, it can help go more in depth on what it probably is more.
Teagan McSherry
It’s surprising to me that something that people often find simple, like tipping, could have broader negative effects, such as encouraging systemic corruption. I liked your use of numbers and statistics to help illustrate the drastic impact of baksheesh, it showed me the fine line between gratitude and bribery. Good Job!
Michael Ortiz
I was surprised to learn how deeply the tradition of “baksheesh” (tipping) is tied to broader issues of corruption in Egypt. I always assumed tipping was just an act of generosity, but this infographic explained how it can sometimes blur into bribery and reinforce inequality, undermining transparency in daily life. It really opened my eyes to how even small, everyday actions can have much larger societal consequences, especially in a country where informal payments are expected across many services, from tourism to government bureaucracy.
The best part of this infographic was how clearly it connected personal actions, like tipping while traveling, to larger economic and social problems. The section “Knowledge is Power: Resisting Corruption” really resonated with me because it showed how being an informed tourist can make a positive impact. As constructive feedback, you might consider balancing the text and images a bit more in some sections to make it easier to scan quickly. Overall, though, your design was very engaging and educational — you made a complicated topic feel relatable and important!
Ruben Garcia
I did not realize that corruption–which unfortunately is endemic in numerous regional states–was reinforced by a culture of tipping that was designed to help promote generosity in Egypt, and that tourism helps contribute to this. I like how this infographic comes with a call for what people from outside Egypt can do to mitigate this. It is a valuable introduction to how good intentions can stay this way, instead of contributing to the problem.
Emily Norwood
This is such an informative infographic. I was surprised to learn that tipping from tourists can contribute to corruption. The best part of this was the call to the responsibility of tourists to learn about their impact. Tourism can have so many negative impacts on locals, especially in places that faced colonization, so this is an important aspect of behavior to consider when visiting other places.
Jesse Turnquist
This was a super well-structured and very informative infographic. I found that the information about Bakeesh which I knew about beforehand to be very helpful to not only show its effects but also to help understand how other countries and cultures do things differently. While it can lead to corruption I do know many of the locals rely heavily on tips to survive and feed their families. Of course, as you mentioned, always staying mindful of your tips as tourists is a very responsible thing to do to avoid tips following in the wrong hands, the hands of corruption.
Elena Petrova
The infographic on Egypt is a valuable source of information on the country and its cultural practices. I was surprised to learn about the practice of baksheesh and its social context as well as its impact on transparency and equality.
The layout of the infographic is structured in such a way that it is very easy to follow and I enjoyed the illustrations as they help grasp the topic. Excellent job!
Daniel Foxx
Hey Kimberly,
Fantastic infographic! I was never aware that the tipping culture in Egypt can fuel corruption, and after reading your infographic, you present a strong argument for your claim. My favorite part of your work was when you showcased how different services expect different forms of tipping. Overall, great work!