Using traits from the Bem Sex Role Inventory, this cross-cultural study examined young adults' perception of masculine and feminine traits and adherence to traditional gender roles within same-sex friendships in Egypt and the United States. Based on more traditional cultural norms (Mensch, Ibrahim, Lee & El-Gibaly, 2003) and the group influence of same-sex peers (Fathelbab, 2004; Korienko, Santos, Martin, & Granger, 2016), gender role adherence was predicted to be more pronounced in Egyptian sample than in the U.S. sample. Specifically, we expected male participants to endorse greater conformity to masculine gender roles and female participants to endorse greater conformity to feminine gender roles in Egypt. Contrary to predictions, men and women in Egypt reported less adherence to traditional gender roles in their friendships than in the U.S., particularly for traits identified as being feminine. These results suggest Egyptian social norms may allow for more flexibility in the expression of gender related traits. Future research is needed to provide a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between culture and gender that goes beyond stereotypes associated with being traditional versus Western.