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Doing business & staying in touch

Businesspeople are generally expected to dress smartly. Western business courtesies should be observed, although Americans tend to be less formal than Europeans. Appointments and punctuality are expected procedure and business cards are widely used. Dates in America are written month-day-year.
 

Detroit is a Midwestern city, whose main industry is auto manufacturing, so it is hardly surprising that the city is somewhat conservative when it comes to business. Although immensely friendly, its citizens are hardworking and efficient and see to it that the working day is not wasted. Formal business wear is often the norm in the office and certainly always worn for sales calls or when meeting business associates.

Entertaining usually takes place in restaurants for lunch and dinner, and home visits are rare. Don't exchange business cards until after dinner, and always address your business partner by their last name until you build up a strong working relationship.

Office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0830-1730.

Economy: 

Telephone: 

For emergency police, fire or medical services in major cities, dial 911. The following codes denote toll free (freephone) numbers: 800, 855, 866, 877 and 888.

Mobile phone: 

Foreign mobile telephones only work if they are tri-band or quad-band; charges are high. Visitors can also hire a mobile telephone. Pre-pay cell phones can be purchased from a variety of retail outlets, including drug stores.

Internet: 

There are Internet cafés in most urban areas, and an increasing number of Wi-Fi hotspots. Many coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi. Many of the international airports offer Internet access too.

Media: 

Freedom of expression in the US is guaranteed by the constitution. The USA has the most highly developed mass media in the world. Public broadcasting is partly government-funded, but also supported by private grants.

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