[kashmir]

Multi-pronged approach. Started with Rosetta Stone - which I enjoyed and did absorb quite a bit - but it isn't fast enough for a part time learner. Then did a Standard Arabic course at University which was very useful - learnt to read and write Arabic characters and letters (which mean you feel less lost when surrounded by Arabic signs - even if you have no idea what they mean); also learnt pronunciation and basic grammar.

With an Egyptian Arabic phrasebook in hand it then became obvious that the most common every day stuff is what is different in Egypt (ie if your Arabic was up to discussing philosophy you probably wouldn't have an issue - but "gidday, how's it goin" will be quite different.) I tried a local Egyptian teacher but picked very little up other than children over here leave home too early and belly dancers are all sluts (no I didn't tell her I was one). Finally, I got another Egyptian to teach me just basic phrases and correct my pronunciation (when he stopped rolling around on the floor laughing).

If you stay in the tourist areas you shouldn't need any Arabic - people who deal with tourists will have better English/German/French that most of us will ever achieve in Arabic. But I think a little language is a mark of respect.