Djibouti
Business meetings are formal and suits should be worn. French and Arabic are the main languages used in business. As there are few reliable interpreter services, knowledge of either of these languages is essential. Business entertainment will often take place in hotels or restaurants. Office hours are 0620-1300 Saturday to Thursday.
Petty crime occurs occasionally in the capital and elsewhere in the country, but violent crimes in urban areas are rare. Travel outside of urban areas at night should be avoided. Banditry and rebel activity is common near border areas, and these should be avoided.
Hotels in Djibouti tend to be expensive and the few cheap hotels are often rundown and lack most amenities. The major hotels are the Sheraton, the Hotel Plein Ciel, the Menelik and the Résidence de l'Europe. Outside Djibouti, accommodation is limited, although attention is being given to upgrading and adding to the accommodation available in outlying areas.
Telephone IDD available. The country code is 253 and the outgoing international code is 00. There are currently no Fax facilities for the public. Telexes and telegrams can be sent from the main post office from 0700-2000. Telegram services are also available at the Telegraph office. Letters and parcels to Western Europe can take about a week by airmail or up to three weeks by surface mail. Electricity is 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
220 volts AC, 50Hz.
C,E
Restaurants serve Arab, Chinese, French and Vietnamese local specialties. National specialties:
• Lentils, fried meat and unleavened bread are all popular.
• Fish from the Red Sea.National drinks:
• Drinking is not a social activity and alcohol is not widely available. Tipping:
A 10 per cent service charge is usually added to bills. Tipping is rare and never requested. Not usual for taxi drivers. A tariff is normally set but visitors will be charged at a higher rate.
