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An historical city with a vision for the future, Boston is a welcoming, exciting and dynamic  place where we can always learn something new.

Athens of America
Classical architecture and monuments found all over Boston show us a city that helped to found a country and always was a centre for education, science and culture. Here we find elite universities, cutting-edge technology industries, an alluring seaside 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 neighbourhoods, the arts, music and sports. Crowds gather for massive sports events: baseball, basketball, regattas and a huge yearly marathon, the oldest in the country. And there is no shortage of entertainment in museums, galleries, theatres and countless nightspots.

Culture and Business

On a business trip, knowing the culture and customs of the country you are visiting can have a big impact on the success of your business.

Before leaving

Make sure you have your passport and boarding pass with you. Depending on your country of origin, arrange your visa or other required documentation well in advance.

Climate

The US climate is very diverse due to its large geographical area. Generally speaking, summers are hot and humid on the plains and in the southern states, while the southwest is very hot and quite dry.

Time zone

Boston, Miami and New York = GMT - 5

Geography and Politics

The US is a federal presidentialist republic composed of 50 states. It shares land borders with Canada and Mexico and maritime borders with Russia, Cuba and the Bahamas, as well as Canada and Mexico.

Tips and Payment

The US currency is the US Dollar (USD). It is expected to give a tip of 10 to 15%.

Language and expressions to memorize

The official language is English. Some useful phrases in English are: “hello” = hello; "Please” = please; "Thank you very much” = Thank you very much; “Sorry” =Sorry.

What to do

Business related breakfasts, lunches and dinners are common. Americans are direct in their communication, and they like eye contact when they are talking to someone. Typically, it is not important to develop a personal relationship to establish a successful business relationship.

What not to do

Do not smoke in public locations. If in doubt or if you are in someone's home, always ask before smoking. Do not invade someone else's personal space too much - Americans usually like to leave some space between them when they are talking.

What to wear

You can choose different levels of formality depending on the part of the country where you are and the industry. When in doubt, opt for a conservative style, and adapt it as needed.

First contact

When meeting someone in a business context, greet him or her with a firm handshake. In social situations, it is normal not to individually greet all the people. A general "hello" or "hi" is sometimes sufficient. If you are invited to someone's house, offer a bouquet of flowers or a bottle of wine to show your appreciation. Addressing people by their first name is normal - if in doubt, use the appropriate title with the surname.