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Boston
Beach
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Athens of America
Classical architecture and monuments found all over Boston show us a city that helped to found a country and has always been a center for education, science and culture. Here we find elite universities, cutting-edge technology industries, an alluring coastal area and a young and dynamic population.
A Lively City
Boston is a place of strong popular traditions connected to Irish immigration, and the general environment is also academic and multicultural. The city's daily life revolves around the neighborhoods, the arts, music and sports. Crowds gather for massive sporting events: baseball, basketball, regattas and a huge annual marathon, the oldest in the country. And there is no shortage of entertainment in museums, galleries, theaters and countless nightspots.
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.