Madagascar
Business meetings tend to be somewhat informal, but tropical lightweight suits are appropriate wear. While many businessmen speak English or French, interpreters may at times be useful for business meetings. Office hours are generally 0800-1200 and 1400-1800 Monday through Friday.
The major concerns for visitors to Antananarivo are street crime, as well as theft from residences and vehicles. Walking at night, whether alone or in a group, is not considered safe in urban areas, including in the vicinity of Western-standard hotels. Wearing expensive jewelry, or carrying other expensive items while on foot or using public transportation, is strongly discouraged. Valuable items should never be left in an unattended vehicle. Although crimes, such as burglary, do occur in areas outside the capital, the threat of confrontational crime is less common in rural areas. Night travel in private or public conveyances outside Antananarivo is discouraged due to poor lighting and road conditions.
In 1999, there were a series of robberies at Libanona Beach and Peak Saint Louis, in the Fort Dauphin area, perpetrated by persons representing themselves as "guides." Although there have been no such incidents reported since, visitors should hire only an authorized guide and be cautious when visiting any isolated areas.
Business-class hotels are available in Antananarivo and a few other main towns, but since hotel development is in its early stages, outlying areas have less-appealing accommodations.
Telephone IDD service is available to major towns. Country code: 261. Outgoing international code: 16. Telex services are available at the telecommunications center and the Colbert and Hilton hotels in the capital. The main post office (PTT) in Antananarivo offers a 24-hour telegram transmission service. The Poste Restante facilities at main post offices are the most reliable option. Airmail to Europe takes at least seven days and surface mail three to four months. Electricity is mostly 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are generally 2-pin.
Mostly 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are generally two-pin.
C,D,E,J,K
In Madagascar, eating well means eating a lot. Malagasy cooking is based on a large serving of rice with a dressing of sauces, meat, vegetables and seasoning. The people of Madagascar enjoy very hot food and often serve dishes with hot peppers. Local restaurants are often referred to as hotely.
The choice of beverages is limited. The national wine is acceptable. National specialties:
• Ro (a mixture of herbs and leaves with rice).
• Beef and pork marinated in vinegar, water and oil, then cooked with leaves, onion, pickles and other vegetables
and seasoned with pimento.
• Ravitoto (meat and leaves cooked together).
• Ramazava (leaves and pieces of beef and pork browned in oil).
• Vary amid ’anana (rice, leaves or herbs, meat and sometimes shrimps), often eaten with kitoza (long slices of smoked, cured or fried meat). National drinks:
• Malagasy drinks include litchel (an aperitif made from lychees).
• Betsa (fermented alcohol).
• Toaka gasy (distilled from cane sugar and rice).
• Three Horses lager.
• Non-alcoholic drinks include ranon ’apango or rano vda (made from burnt rice) and local mineral waters. Tipping:
Not customary, although waiters expect 10 per cent of the bill. In European-style hotels and restaurants, the French system of tipping is followed. One should also tip in Chinese and Vietnamese establishments.Nightlife
There are a few discos, sometimes with bands and solo musicians. Casinos can be found at Antananarivo, Toamasina and on Nossi Bé. Most main towns have cinemas and theaters, and touring theater groups perform local plays throughout the country. Traditional dance troupes can also be seen.
