Burma
Lightweight suits are recommended during the day and jackets needed for top-level meetings. Most commercial business transactions will be conducted in English. Business cards in Burmese script can be useful. Handshaking is the normal form of greeting. Full names are used, preceded by U (pronounced oo) in the case of an older or well-respected man's name, Aung for younger men and Ko for adult males; a woman's name is preceded by Daw. When sitting, avoid displaying the soles of the feet, as this is considered offensive. Small presents are acceptable and appreciated, although never expected. Office hours are normally 0930-1630 Monday to Friday.
Security in tourist areas is generally good. The level of violent crime is exceedingly low and crimes against property are modest. There are occasional reports of pickpocketing and petty theft. Travel to the main tourist areas of Pagan, Inle Lake and the Mandalay area is generally safe. Travel to nearly all other parts of Myanmar is permitted, although transportation is difficult.
Since the privatization of the hotel industry in 1993, a large number of new hotels and guesthouses have been completed or are under construction, particularly in Rangoon. There are also hotels at the resorts of Sandoway, Taunggyi and Pagan.
Telephone direct dial services is available to the main cities. Country code: 95. Outgoing international code: 0. There is a limited public internal service. Telegrams may be sent from the Central Telegraph Office on Maha Bandoola Street and there are further facilities at the Post and Telecommunications Corporation in Rangoon. Telex facilities are available to businessmen at main hotels but not to the public.
Electricity is a 220/230 volts AC, 50Hz.
230 volts AC, 50Hz.
C,D,F,G
The regional food is hot and spicy. Fish, rice, noodles and vegetables spiced with onions, ginger, garlic and chillies are the common local ingredients. Local dishes include lethok son (a sort of spicy vegetarian rice salad), mohinga (fish soup with noodles) and oh-no khauk swe (rice noodles, chicken and coconut milk). The avocados by Inle Lake are very good. Delicious fruits are available in the markets and food stalls appear on the corners of most large towns. Chinese and Indian cuisine is offered in many hotels and restaurants.
Tea is a popular drink; the spices
which are added to it can make the tongue turn bright red. Locally produced soft drinks are generally of poor quality and rather expensive. Coffee is not common. Locally produced beer, rum, whisky and gin are generally available. Tipping:
It is usual to give 5 to 10 per cent on hotel and restaurant bills. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.Nightlife
Western-style nightlife is almost non existent, although there are occasional performances in Yangon’s three theaters as well as a number of rock and pop groups gaining in popularity. Cinemas are popular and seven of Yangon’s 50 cinemas regularly show English-language films.
