Drinking Water

The tap water in some countries requires boiling first before drinking. The exporter should be careful lest he/she suffers from diarrhea. Boiled or bottled water is available in most hotels.

Dining

The hotel usually has a restaurant. There are restaurants and fast food outlets in shopping malls, where the cost of foods is usually lower than from a hotel restaurant.

Tipping

Tipping is optional. It is usually 10-15% of the invoice value. Many hotels and restaurants include a service charge in the bill, in which case tipping generally is appreciated but not required. It is insulting not to tip for restaurant and other services in certain countries.

Credit Cards and Currency Exchange

Major credit cards are accepted in large cities of the world. Never give out your credit number over the telephone, especially to people whom you do not know.

If the exchange of currency is needed, as a safety precaution change it with an authorized currency exchange center (e.g. bank and hotel cashier). In many countries, changing foreign currency with private citizens is illegal.

Passports, Money and Other Valuables

In certain countries, robbers may prey on foreigners. Better leave your passport, extra money (cash and traveller's cheques/checks) and other valuables in the hotel safety box. The safety box is provided to the hotel guest usually free of charge. It may be available at the hotel reception or check-in counter.

Electric Current Characteristics and Plug Types Abroad

The electric current characteristic and plug type used in a foreign country can be different (please see Electric Plug Types in Domestic and Commercial Use). Some hotels may be equipped with the dual voltage (110V/220V) electrical outlets, both flat pins and round pins, to accommodate electrical appliances such as hair dryers.

Artifacts, Souvenirs and
Endangered Species from the Host Country

Ignorance of the law excuses no one. In some countries, the antique hawker or antique shop near the hotel or in the tourist area may offer artifacts for sale at a tempting price. It is a crime, usually punishable by imprisonment and/or payment of heavy fines, for attempting to bring artifacts out of the host country, if such an artifact is a national treasure.

The exporter must make sure that dried flowers (plants) bought as souvenirs from the street peddler or the flower shop during a visit to Indochina or other region of the world is not the dried opium poppy or related plant. The plant may be nice for home decoration but the visitor could wind up in prison for attempting to bring a prohibited plant into his/her country.

Endangered plant and animal species are protected by international law. Any attempt to bring them, or any product made therefrom, out of the country is subject to a harsh penalty.

Embassies and Trade Commissions Abroad

Contact your embassy or trade commission in case of emergency.

Other Pointers in a Foreign Visit

Please click here for other pointers in a foreign visit.

Business hours generally run from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one hour noon break. In some Hispanic countries, the noon break (siesta) may take 2 or 3 hours.

Most Asian countries work on Saturday for either half or whole day.

In the Islamic countries, people in businesses operate from Saturday to Thursday, with Friday as the day of rest and worship, and businesses are closed during Ramadan (fasting from dawn until sunset).

During summer, many businesspersons in North America and Europe are on vacation and it can be difficult to get an appointment.

Some important public holidays include New Year's Day (January 1), Holy Week (varies), Labor Day (varies), National Day (varies), All Saints' Day (November 1), Christmas (December 25), and last day of the year (December 31). Several countries have their own New Year (e.g. Chinese New Year, which usually falls in February).

Always bring plenty of business cards---name cards, calling cards or company cards---on a foreign trip, particularly when visiting Asian countries. It is customary to exchange cards with each person in the meeting.

It is polite to use both hands in passing a card, with the name (on the card) in upright position facing the recipient. Passing of cards using the right hand only is acceptable. Avoid using left hand only as it is insulting in certain cultures.

To say a greeting in the local language is always appreciated. The most common form of greeting is a simple hand-shake. Some more elaborate greetings include the bear hug, kissing on the cheeks, patting on the back, and bowing. Always follow the lead of the host. To shake hands, using the right hand only, before and after a meeting will often suffice in international trade.

Address the foreign customer with the title (e.g. Miss, Mr. or Mrs.) first and follow by the last name (the surname or family name). Do not address a person with his/her first name (the given name) unless invited to or after a long and close association. Some customers are less formal and preferred to be addressed with the first name only. In certain cultures, it is impolite to address a person by his/her first name, especially if the person is an elder.

A person's first name MORRIS in one country could be a person's last name in another country. Sometimes, it is difficult to identify gender by a name, for example, EDY, CHRIS or LESLIE could be a male or a female name. In some countries, a person's name has a meaning and a wrong pronunciation can be a grand faux pas.

In a foreign visit to an importer, the exporter should know the important protocol and etiquette in order to make the business trip a success. The basic protocol is to follow the lead of the host. Following are some pointers that should be taken into account:

• Socialize first before talking business, particularly in Asia and the Middle East.
  
  
• Do not cause other to lose face under any circumstances, or else they may lose respect for you.
  
  
• It is impolite to pry into one's privacy, including one's personal finance.
  
  
• Do not touch the other person, in particular the opposite sex, except in a handshake. In certain countries, the host may show signs of friendship, for example, put arm around the guest while walking.
  
  
• Avoid folded arms, gun chewing, hands in the pockets, and resting of feet on furniture when conversing, they are signs of arrogance, disrespect and insulting in certain cultures.
  
  
• Stand at a distance during conversation. Never clear the throat and blow the nose when conversing.
  
  
• Avoid hand gestures, they do not have the same meaning in every country.
  
  
• Remove the shoes before entering a house or a holy place, that is, temple and mosque
  
  
• Taking pictures inside the holy place, museum, art gallery, and of the military installation and, at times, of the airport is prohibited.
  
  
• Avoid taking picture of people without their permission.