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Miami
Beach
Nightlife
Shopping
Enjoy a subtropical mood
Men in suits and surfers will pass by each other all the time. Miami’s rhythm is unstoppable, but there’s always time for some fun in the sun. From the nearly seven miles of sand of Miami Beach, South Beach is the trendiest place to be and to admire Art Deco style buildings. In Coral Gables, the Mediterranean charm rules. And in Virginia Key's island there’s water sports and the Seaquarium.
Transform at sunset
If Downtown Miami is where business and cultural life pulsates, it’s also where nightlife begins. Restaurants have great world cuisine — especially Latin flavors — and the fun continues in clubs and bars by the water. But before that, don’t forget to taste unbelievably good coffee in the district of Little Havana.
Culture and Business
Before leaving
Make sure you have your passport and boarding pass with you. Depending on your country of origin, take care of your visa or other necessary documentation ahead of time.
Climate
Due to its large geographical area, the US climate is very diverse. Generally speaking, summers are hot and humid in the plains and southern states, while the southwest is very hot and quite dry.
Time zone
Boston, Miami & New York = GMT - 5
Geography & politics
The US is a federal presidentialist republic made up of 50 states. The US shares land borders with Canada and Mexico and maritime borders with Russia, Cuba, and the Bahamas, in addition to Canada and Mexico.
Tipping & paying
The currency is the US Dollar (USD). You are expected to leave a tip of 10 to 15%.
Languages & useful phrases
The official language in English. In English: “hello” = hello, “please” = please; “thank you” = thank you; “sorry” = sorry.
What you should do
Business breakfasts, lunches and dinners are very common. Americans are direct in their communication, and like eye contact when talking to someone. It is usually not important to develop a personal relationship to establish a successful business relationship.
What you shouldn’t do
Don’t smoke in public places. If in doubt or if you are at someone's house, always ask before smoking. Don’t invade someone else's personal space too much—Americans usually like to leave some space between them when they are talking.
What to wear
Depending on the part of the country where you are and the industry you are in, you can choose different levels of formality. When in doubt, go for a conservative style, and adapt it as needed.
First impressions
When meeting someone in a business context, greet them with a firm handshake. In social situations, it is normal not to greet each person individually. A general "hello" or "hi" is often enough. If you are invited to someone's house, take a bouquet of flowers or a bottle of wine as a thank you gesture. Addressing people by their first name is normal—if in doubt, use the appropriate title and surname.