Micronesia (Federated States)
Lightweight suits or shirt and tie are usually worn for business meetings and appointments should be made and calling cards are exchanged. Office hours are 0800-1700 Monday to Friday. Government office hours are normally 0800-1200 and 1300-1700 Monday to Friday.
Micronesia's crime rate is relatively low. Burglaries of businesses without security systems or watchmen are common. Homes without alarm systems are also targets of burglaries. Muggings and armed robberies are rare in Micronesia. Violence is generally restricted to alcohol related incidents between individuals that know one another. Nevertheless, foreigners have been subject to, and possibly singled out for, verbal and physical abuse. Visitors are advised to avoid confrontation where alcohol is involved. Valuables should be locked securely in a hotel safe.
There are hotels in the various island capitals. Parts of Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae are being developed into beach resorts. Rooms should be booked well in advance since a shortage continues to exist. Most hotels serve Continental, Japanese, Chinese, Western-style and local cuisine.
Telephone IDD service is available in the country. The country code is 691 and all outgoing international calls must be made through the operator. 24-hour telex and telegram services are available in some areas. There are fax services in Palau. Post offices are located in Kolonia for Pohnpei, Moen for Chuuk, Lelu for Kosrae and Colonia for Yap. Opening hours: 0830-1630 Monday to Friday; 1000-1200.
Electricity is 110/120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs are the American flat 2-pin type.
120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs are of the round two pin type.
Social conventions
There are considerable variations of custom and belief. Approximately 95 per cent of Kosreans are Congregationalists with a deeply held respect for Sunday as a day of rest. Pre-European influences are stronger elsewhere and nowhere more so than in Yap where visitors are only allowed with prior permission. Use of islands, paths, beaches etc may also require permission in many areas; it is best to check beforehand. Photography: Permission should always be sought. Though people are friendly, and usually accommodating, not to seek prior permission before taking pictures is considered an insult, especially on some of the more remote islands.
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Local specialties include breadfruit (Chuuk) and thin slices of raw fish dipped in a peppery sauce. Pohnpeians have over 100 words for yams and grow them to massive proportions (it may take several men to carry one); yams occupy a central position in local culture. Although some dining rooms serve buffet-style fare, table service is usual and operates at a leisurely pace.
Sakau, as it is known on Pohnpei, or kava, as it is known throughout the rest of Polynesia, is made from the root of a shrub which yields a mildly narcotic substance when squeezed through hibiscus bark. There are
several sakau bars where visitors can sample it and watch it being made. Alcohol is prohibited on Chuuk (with the consequence that nearby islands are often used as picnic resorts). National specialties:
• Sweet potatoes.
• Coconut.
• Fish (especially crabs and clams).
• Pork.National drinks:
• Sakau (a traditional drink used in ceremonies).
• Fresh lime juice and water.Tipping:
Visitors to the country are seen as guests and hospitality is an honor in the culture. Therefore tips are neither encouraged nor expected.Nightlife
There are good restaurants and a few cinemas in major island centers. Locals and visitors alike enjoy making their own entertainment. Video rentals are a main form of entertainment and a few well stocked dvd and video rental stores are located in Kolonia. Sakau drinking is the most frequent evening activity on Pohnpei. Cultural dances can be arranged through tourist offices or hotels. Most hotels have music, dancing and discos. Bars and restaurants open untill 2200 every night.
