AYA, 25, CAIRO:
It took me just 15 minutes to drive to work instead of the usual 45 - there were no traffic jams. There was hardly anyone waiting at the bus stops. I work in a very big bank. Most of us came to work - I think those who didn't were just staying at home to avoid trouble. However I think there is support for the strikers, because of the huge price rises. The action yesterday was about boycotting shops, to try to force shopkeepers to lower their prices. Most of my colleagues didn't buy anything.
We have a maid that comes to our house to clean for two hours every day. She does this after a full day's work as a nurse in hospital - she is the sole breadwinner for her three children.
Will I vote in local elections on Tuesday? No. I am not registered, I have never voted before. I'm not going to leave work and queue at the polling station - only for my vote not to be counted anyway.
TONY, 28, CAIRO:
Our dear Egypt will never change, with all the bad things. We will keep on talking, sometimes shouting, but actually do anything? No way. Are there elections on Tuesday? I had no idea.
MOHAMED, 20, ALEXANDRIA:
The police were everywhere, every step of the way. These forces are not there to protect us, by the way, they are there to suppress us. The police protects the government, but not the normal people walking the streets.
People are suffocating from all the economic problems - and the corruption.
[President] Hosni Mubarak has been ruling against the will of the people for more than 25 years now. It's very humiliating. We have no democracy, no freedom of thought, we can't say what we want to say. The ruling party will win in Tuesday's local elections - no question. So I think most people are reluctant to participate. It's a nonsense.
source: BBC news.
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