Kiribati
Most business meetings are informal. Suits and ties are generally reserved for formal occasions. People are very friendly and hospitable and retain much of their traditional culture and lifestyle. In this casual atmosphere, European customs still prevail alongside local traditions. Although in official correspondence the Western convention of signing names with initials is adopted, it is more polite (and customary) to address people by their first name. Office hours are 0800-1230 and 1330-1615 Monday to Friday.
Kiribati has a very low crime rate and around 250 police officers patrol the islands. On some outer islands, the island councils occasionally order strokes with palm fronds to be administered for public drunkenness and other minor offenses such as petty thievery. Criminals do not generally single out travelers.
There are four hotels in Kiribati, on Tarawa, Christmas Island and Abemama. Accommodation is good but not luxurious.
Telephone: IDD is available throughout urban Tarawa. Country code: 686. Radiotelephone calls can be arranged to most outer islands. All international calls from Kiribati have to go through the operator. Fax: This is available at the local Telecoms Office. There is a weekly postal service for overseas mail. Post office hours: 0800-1230 and 1330-1615 Monday to Friday. Electricity is 240 volts AC, 50Hz.
240 volts AC, 50Hz.
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Restaurants are few in number and are situated mainly in the larger towns. Local specialties in the southern islands include the boiled fruit of pandanus (screwpine), sliced thinly and spread with coconut cream. A Kiribati delicacy is palu sami, which is coconut cream with sliced onion and curry powder, wrapped in taro leaves and pressure cooked in an earth-oven packed with seaweed. It can be eaten on its own or served with roast pork or chicken. As in many of the islands of the South Pacific, there is a tendency amongst local people to regard imported canned products as luxuries.Tipping
: Not expected.Nightlife
There are ‘Island Nights’ which feature traditional Polynesian music and dancing, film shows and feasts in maneabas (local meeting houses), which can be found throughout the islands.
