An invitation to eat at an Egyptian home is the best thing that can happen to you in Egypt. It comes with a script. The mother of the house has her lines, and you need yours.
She says
kol! is eat! To a woman it's koli! It's an order, and you'll hear it before you've sat down.
bil-hana wish-shifa is enjoy your meal. Word for word it's with joy and health. It's said as the food arrives, and the reply is allah yihanneek, or a simple .
She also says
'eeh, mish 3aagibak? is what, you don't like it? To a woman, 3aagibik. You'll hear it the moment you slow down. Nobody expects an answer. It means eat more.
kamaan shwayya is a bit more. The plate is already on its way.
- A bit more? No, thank you.
You say
is really tasty. 7elw is sweet or nice, 'awi is very, and it goes after the word. Say it early.
shaba3t, shukran is I'm full, thanks. She won't believe you the first time.
teslam 'eedak is bless your hands, the thanks you give a cook. To a woman, which at most tables it will be, it's teslam 'eedik. It's the line that gets you invited back.
The whole exchange
She: kol! You: shukran, 7elw 'awi. She: kamaan shwayya. You: shaba3t, shukran. She: 'eeh, mish 3aagibak? You: la', 7elw 'awi, teslam 'eedik. Then you eat a bit more anyway.