Currency
Before you leave, find out what the currency exchange rates are. These are two good
Websites I've used in the past. www.oanda.com includes
a "Cheat Sheet" you can print, as well as search for exchange rates for previous
dates (helpful at Expense Report time). Another good site is www.xe.net/currency/.
When determining how many U.S. Dollars something cost, just round to the closest decimal,
or you'll need to take a calculator.
Before you leave the country, try to spend as much of your loose coins as possible, and
exchange the rest to paper currency: the Money Exchange booths normally will not accept
coins. One method I have used is to pay the hotel bill with all my left over cash, then
pay the balance with a credit card (leave a few coins/bills to get you to and through the
airport).
You will normally have to pay a fee to exchange currency. Keep those receipts and
expense the fees when your return home.
Electricity & Phone
Electrical and Telephone (modem) jacks
You will need a kit of electrical and phone jack adapters. Ask your IT or Helpdesk
department for assistance.
These adapters or not generally electrical converters. They will however, allow you to
use most laptop and mobile phone chargers.
For electric razors, hair dryers, curling irons and small irons, you will need to take
a converter. You can purchase one at any travel store. However, you could take a regular
razor and use the built-in hair dryers in most of the good hotels. If they don't have one,
you can generally borrow one from the front desk. (Ask for it early, before they run out
of loaners).
All good hotels will include a clothes iron or let you borrow one.
Your adapter kit needs to include converters for your normal laptop modem connector
(RJ11) into the local socket.
Using the telephone for local and long distance
Make sure you have been given a Company Calling Card. It will make your life a lot
easier, plus save your company money.
If you are going to need to use public phones, note that many countries don't accept
coins in their public phones. You need to purchase a local calling card. Not to worry, any
corner convenience store will sell them to you. Ask your hotel concierge.
Many of the phones and phone systems abroad are not "Touch Tone" phones by
default, but can be used as such, if you know what to do. Some may have codes you can
enter after making the call, that will switch to "Tone" mode after establishing
the connection. You will need to ask someone at your office or hotel to help you, if that
is the case.
Many of the phones don't have keypads with letters on them, just numbers. Many of the
U.S.A. voicemail systems allow you to spell a name, but unless you know the letters
associated with the number keys, you can't use those features. Print a keypad alpha display and take with you.
Toll free numbers in the USA (1-800, 1-888, etc.) are not usually free when calling
from International locations. In some cases, you can complete the call after an operator
warns you it is not toll free, but in other cases you cannot call the number at all. It is
important that you know the local number equivalent, otherwise you may be stuck, unable to
call.
Transportation
Take a few 3in. x 5in. cards with you and clearly write down the address and phone
numbers for the office, hotel and other sites you want to visit. If you can get someone to
write them out in the local language, it would be even better. It will help you
communicate your destination clearly to the taxi driver. It will also help others help you
find your way. If no one you know knows the foreign language, not to
worry. Ask the Concierge of your hotel to do it for you.
Find out from the Concierge what is expected for tips. In some countries tips are not
expected, or they are already included in the price. If you don't know, err on the side of
tipping vs. not tipping, in order to avoid embarrassment.
Plan your schedule with plenty of time to get lost, or have delays in arriving there.
Get a local map and get oriented. The Concierge can help you.
Before you get into a cab, ask how much it will cost. It will give you an opportunity
to say no if you feel you are being taken advantage of. Some destinations will have fixed
prices.
If you are the adventurous type, use the subways, (the "Tube", the
"Metro"). The ticket counters have maps, and in the big cities, it is very easy
to travel this way. Sometimes you'll arrive faster than traveling in a car!
Culture
It's very important that you familiarize yourself with the basic culture of the country
you are visiting. Remember that you are a guest.
What may be perfectly appropriate here in the U.S.A. may be considered extremely rude
in other countries and vice versa! Take some time to learn how to say the common courtesy
words in the local language. As popular as the English language is throughout the
world, don't forget that it may not be spoken well, or at all in many cities. You will be
appreciated for your efforts to communicate in their language (don't be embarrassed if you
can't pronounce words perfectly). Smile and be patient with those who are trying the
best to understand you and help you.
If you find yourself getting frustrated, just stop and think: what if the situation
were reversed? How would you handle the situation if you were trying to help a
foreign visitor in your home town?
In my experience people treat you as you treat them. Most people are nice if you
treat them nicely. I can say that about New York City as well as Paris.
