Fiji
It is advisable to re-confirm business appointments and meeting arrangements. However, U.S. business people should not be disappointed when kept waiting for several minutes beyond scheduled times. Business meetings are generally informal. Ties are suitable but optional. Very casual attire should be avoided. Evening functions are normally informal (Bula/Aloha shirts or shirt and tie), unless otherwise specified. It is appropriate to discuss business over lunch and dinner, less so at cocktail or evening receptions.
Standard business hours in Fiji are generally from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday inclusive. Most retail outlets are open five and one-half days a week. Most non-essential services are closed on Sunday.
Robberies, thefts and assaults have occurred against foreigners in Fiji, particularly at night, with most of the incidents occurring in urban areas.
Theft from hotel rooms and purse snatching or pick-pocketing are the most common crimes against tourists. Store your valuables in a hotel safe where available. Take particular care to safeguard your passport and credit/ATM cards. Do not carry large amounts of cash with you or openly wear expensive items of clothing or jewellery. Take care when withdrawing money from ATMs, as the incidence of thefts at these outlets is reportedly on the increase.
Crime statistics for the first five months of 2006 showed a large increase in burglaries in Fiji. There has also been an increase in robberies and violent home invasions carried out by large gangs.
To avoid robbery and/or assault, when taking a taxi, use one from a reputable firm, preferably booked by phone or arranged by your hotel. Avoid traveling alone in the center of Suva or Nadi late at night. Do not enter a taxi that already has a passenger, and do not permit a driver to pick up another fare.
The major towns provide a wide range of hotel accommodations, housing facilities and shopping centers. There are a good number of luxury hotels, the majority of which are located in Nadi, Sigatoka, Douba, Suva, Raki Raki, Tavua and Lautoka and off Viti Levu at Savusavu and Ovalau. There are also many small, inexpensive hotels throughout the islands. Small resort islands include Beachcomber, Treasure, Castaway, Mana and Plantation Islands. A hotel tax is levied on all services charged to guests’ accounts, including meals in hotel restaurants.
Telephone IDD service is available to Fiji. The country code is 679. International calls can be made from hotels via an operator, or from the Fiji International Telecommunications (FINTEL) office in Victoria Parade in Suva. The FINTEL office in Victoria also offers fax services. Major hotels have facilities. The national telephone service has over 64,000 installed lines. This works out to 8 lines per 100 population, of which 40 per cent are business customers and 60 per cent residential. There are over 500 cardphones located around the country and approximately 83 in rural areas. 19.6 million items were posted in Fiji for delivery to local addresses in addition to 4.76 million items posted for overseas destinations making total posting of 24.45 million items in 1995. There are currently 50 major post offices and 108 postal agencies.
Electricity is 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Larger hotels also have 110-volt razor sockets.
240 volts AC, 50Hz. Larger hotels also have 110-volt razor sockets.
Social conventions
Fijians are a very welcoming, hospitable people and visitors should not be afraid to accept hospitality. The ethnic variety of Fiji society can be seen mainly in the towns. There are powerfully built Fijians dressed in wrap-around sulus, numerous Indians, men in Western clothes, women wearing colorful saris and a scattering of European, Chinese and other Pacific Islanders. One celebrated tradition is the practice of fire-walking; the Indian variant is performed for religious reasons. Tourists can pay to see these ceremonies but the ritual remains a religious penance and not merely a tourist attraction. Informal casual wear is generally acceptable. Smoking is only restricted where specified. Tips about visiting villages: Before visiting, it is customary to purchase a bundle of unpounded yaqona (kava) – the traditional sevusevu (gift); half a kilo, which is an appropriate amount for a gift, costs approximately $20. When approaching the village, visitors should not enter immediately but wait until someone comes to greet them and ask the purpose of their visit. They will then be taken to the Chief or Turaga Ni Koro (Headman), to whom the kava should be offered. Visitors who are accepted by the Chief will be assigned a guide and host. Once inside the village, please also note the following: visitors should dress modestly and not wear shorts or hats and women should not have their shoulders bare; shoes should always be taken off when entering someone’s house or any other village building; visitors should speak softly and not raise their voices too much as this may be interpreted as expressing anger; visitors should show respect but be cautious about praise as Fijians will feel obliged to make a gift of an object if visitors show too much liking for it; Fijians will always, out of custom, ask visitors to stay or eat with them, but if one has already been invited, new invitations should be politely declined and possibly arranged for a later date; visitors who spend a night in the village should reward their host with a useful gift of similar value for each member of the party; it is not recommended to give money.
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International cuisine is available, but the local cooking is Fijian and Indian. Table service is normal, although some establishments offer buffet-style food at lunchtime. Hotels often serve meals to non-residents. Bars and cocktail lounges have table and/or counter service. Only licensed restaurants, clubs and hotel bars can serve alcohol.National specialties:
• Kakoda (a marinated local fish steamed in coconut cream and lime).
• Rourou (a taro leaf dish).
• Kassaua (tapioca, often boiled, baked or grated and cooked in coconut
cream with sugar and mashed bananas).
• Duruka (an unusual asparagus-like vegetable in season during April and May).
• Breadfruit.
• lovo (feast of meat, fish, vegetables and fruit cooked in covered pits). National drinks:
• A wide range of drinks is available including the traditional kava. Traditionally, the drink was prepared by virgins, who chewed the root into a soft pulpy mass before adding water. It is made from the root of the pepper plant and the yaqona drinking ceremony is still important in the Fijian tradition, although it has also become a social drink.
• Carlton (a local beer brewed in Suva).
• Fiji Bitter (brewed in Lautoka).
• Meridan Moselle and Suvanna Moselle (local wines).
• Booth’s Gin, Bounty Fiji Golden Rum, Cossack Vodka and Old Club Whisky (produced by South Pacific Distilleries).Tipping:
Give small tips only for special services.Nightlife
Major hotels and resorts have live bands and dancing. There are also nightclubs with entertainment, especially in Suva. Cinemas show English-language and Indian films. Most social activity, however, is in private clubs and visitors can obtain temporary membership through hotels. Hotels offer Fijian entertainment (meke). Suva has many bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Just off Victoria Parade travelers will find various places to while the night away. There is a jazz and blues bar, a pizzeria and even an Irish-themed pub. The many nightclubs include Signals, The Planet and Purple Haze, playing an eclectic mix of music.
