TIPS TO DO BUSINESS IN THE UNITED STATES

Foreign travelers require a passport to enter the United States. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador to find out what type of visa you require.

Most cities have an international airport, the most important being Los Angeles International (LAX); San Francisco International; Sea-Tac International in Seattle; Dallas-Ft. Worth International; Washington Dulles International in Washington, DC; John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York; Chicago O’Hare International; Boston-Logan International; Atlanta International; and Miami International. In most cases, airports are fairly far from large urban areas, so take this into account in order to arrive at your meetings on time.

Domestic Transportation System

Although the public transportation system is well organized, when travelling from one city to another air transportation is often used due to time and comfort issues. To travel to and from the compact cities of the East Coast it is best to use a cab because of parking constraints. Taxi drivers expect a tip of approximately 15% of the fare. The cities on the West Coast are farther apart so it is cheaper to rent a car to go from one city to another. A foreign drivers’ license may be used to buy a car and insure it, but after six months you should get a US drivers’ license. You may also use an international drivers’ license, but only for ten days simply to rent a car. However, very few car rentals will accept an international drivers’ license to issue car insurance.

Hour Zones

The United States is made up of six hour zones. Between March and October the country uses “daylight saving time” in order to take advantage of natural sunlight. In the spring, time is increased one hour and switches to “standard time” , effective during the winter months.

Government and business offices are open eight hours a day, from Monday through Friday. Working hours range from 8h00 am to 6h00 pm, most of the time. Bank hours also vary, but most banks are open to the public between 9h00 am and 3h00 pm, from Monday through Friday. Some banks also open to the public a few hours on Saturdays. Stores are open between 9h00 am and 6h00 pm, although some stay open until 9h00 pm, from Monday through Saturday and between 11h00 and 5h00 on Sundays.

As far as holidays, each state sets those that apply to its territory, the most common being:
New Year’s Day – January 1st
Martin Luther King’s Birthday – Third Monday in January
George Washington’s Birthday – Third Monday in February
Memorial Day – Last Monday in May
Independence Day – 4th of July
Labor Day – First Monday in September
Columbus Day – Second Monday in October
Veterans’ Day – November 11
Thanksgiving Day – Fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day – December 25
In most cases, if a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is observed the following Monday.
Before travelling to the United States, check with your American contacts to make sure there are no administrative or religious holidays that interfere with your travel plans.

Weights and Measures

The metric system is not widespread in the United States although it is slowly gaining acceptance. The most predominant weight and measure system in the country is the U.S. Customary System or the American Standard, based on the British Imperial System.
The following tables contain certain weights and measures and their equivalents, depending on whether you start out from the metric system or from the U.S. Customary System. These tables were prepared by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the U.S. Commerce Department.

Tips on Behavior and Commercial Practices

• In dealing with American businessmen, your requests, applications and communications should be brief, concise and to the point.
• When contacting a company for the first time, a phone call is usually more effective than a letter. A letter will probably languish in some overworked person’s desk under a pile of papers and end up unresponded.
• An e-mail message is practical, but only after having made the first contact.
• Communication by fax is also quite common. Try to answer the faxes you receive from the U.S. by the following day. In the United States lack of response is perceived as lack of interest.
• Business meetings in the United States must be coordinated with sufficient advance notice to ensure that key company staff is available and able to include the meeting in their usually tight agendas.
• Depending on the product, showing up at a company without an appointment may end up being frustrating and time-consuming, as the much awaited meeting usually never takes place.
• Business breakfasts, luncheons or dinners are quite common. Don’t hesitate to make an invitation of this sort.
• Academic qualifications should not be included in business cards. Americans will be far more impressed by your knowledge of market and business issues, and your interrelation skills, than by your diplomas.
• Americans tend to be less formal and reserved from the start. The use of first names is quite common even between managers and assistants.
• Business people tend to dress more informally on the West Coast than on the East Coast. However, you will never feel out of place if you wear a suit. When in doubt a suit is best.
• Avoid using too much slang. It’s possible you may be misunderstood or misinterpreted. Plus, Americans may not appreciate your sense of humor.
• Be prepared to answer questions and provide some essential data.
• It’s normal to tip at restaurants (15 to 20% of the bill). If a porter at the airport or a bellboy at your hotel helps you with your luggage, you should tip him at least US$1.00 per bag. Likewise, hotel chamber maids should also get US$1.00 per night at the hotel.
• The use of major credit cards (American Express, MasterCard, Visa) is extremely common and most stores, restaurants and businesses accept them.
• Make your hotel reservations ahead of time through your local travel agent; you’ll be asked to provide your credit card number. In general, reservations are honored until 6:00 p.m. unless you advice them you will be late.
• It is a good idea to have international medical insurance coverage when travelling to the United States since health care is very expensive.

Summarized from BUY USA.GOV – Venezuela.