The Basics: ElectricityElectrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz. The UK-style
three square-pin plugs are used. LanguageThe majority of Cypriots speak Greek, and a small
percentage speaks Turkish. The Greek Cypriot dialect differs from
mainland Greece. English, German and French are spoken in tourist
areas. TippingA 10% service charge is levied in hotels and restaurants so a
tip is not obligatory, but small change is always welcome. Taxi
drivers, porters etc, appreciate a small tip. Safety InformationThe terrorist threat is low, and crime against tourists is
rare. Local CustomsAvoid taking photographs near military establishments. Religious
customs such as Ramadan should be respected, particularly in the
north where most of the Turkish Cypriots are Muslim; avoid eating,
drinking, smoking and chewing gum in public during the holy month.
Women should dress modestly. BusinessBusiness in Cyprus is best conducted face-to-face, as developing
a working relationship based on trust is important. Business is
conducted formally, and dress should be smart and conservative (a
suit and tie are the norm). Greetings are usually made with a
handshake, and business cards are exchanged. It is common for women
to hold high positions and they are generally well respected in the
business world. Punctuality is important, but meetings may not
begin on time. Business hours can vary according to the season, but
are usually 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm Monday to Friday in summer,
closing at 5pm in winter. CommunicationsThe international access code for Cyprus is +357. The outgoing
code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the
United Kingdom). Area codes are not required. Mobile phone
operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most
international operators, but not the United States. There are
public phones in all towns and villages and can be used for
domestic and international calls. Phone cards can be purchased from
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