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- Formal dress is the norm for corporate executives and those working in the legal, consulting, accounting and banking industries. Dress is more casual in other sectors, particularly in the technology domain and particularly during hot summer weather.
- Appointments should be made and kept punctually.
- It is customary to open and end a meeting with a handshake.
- Casual conversation, lasting a few minutes, often starts a meeting.
- Business cards can be presented at the start or end of a meeting.
- Privacy should be respected in business contexts.
- An open and direct business style is the norm.
- Deals should be followed up and confirmed in writing as quickly as possible.
- Friendships in the business community should not be underestimated when it comes to getting things done.
- Ask where (and when) smoking is permitted.
- If invited to someone's house, it is customary to bring flowers or another hostess gift.
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Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Tel. : +1 312 494-6700 The U.S. and Mexico Chamber of Commerce Tel.: +1 312 372-3010 British American Chamber of Commerce Tel.: +1 312 828-9861 Czechtrade Tel.: +1 312 644-1790 Italian American Chamber of Commerce Tel.: +1 312 553-9137 Japanese Chamber Of Commerce Tel.: +1 312 332-6199 Latin American Chamber-Commerce Tel.: +1 773 252-5211
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Brazilian Consulate General 401 N Michigan Avenue; Tel: +1 312 464-0244 British Consulate The Wrigley Building, 400 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 610; Tel.: +1 312 970-3800 Chinese Consulate General 100 W Erie Street; Tel: +1 312 803-0098 French Consulate 205 N Michigan Avenue, Tel.:+1 312 327-5200 German Consulate 676 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 3200; Tel.: +1 312 580-1199 Irish Consulate 400 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 911; Tel.: +1 312 337-1868 Italian Consulate General 500 N Michigan Avenue; Tel: +1 312 467-1550 Japanese Consulate General 737 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1100,; Tel.: +1 312 280-0400 Mexican Consulate 300 N. Michigan Avenue; Tel: +1 312 855-1380
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Business centers provide a range of services that include secretarial, translation/interpretation, and office services, including computer rentals, audio/visual equipment rentals, cellular phone rentals, copy and printing services, and temporary office space and staff. World Trade Center Chicago 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza Suite 444; Tel.: +1 312 467-0550 Business Zone 1220 N Massasoit Avenue; Tel.: +1 773 921-3000 Hq Global Workplaces 401 N Michigan Avenue # 1200; Tel.: +1 312 644 9613 Hq Global Workplaces 311 S Wacker Drive; Tel.: +1 312 697-4700 A Avenue Business Centers 500 North Michigan Avenue Suite 300 ; Tel : +1 312-238-7900
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John Marshall Law School Conference Center 315 South Plymouth Court; Tel.: +1 312 427-2737 McCormick Place 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive; Tel. +1 312 791-6516 Navy Pier 600 E. Grand Avenue; Tel.: +1 312 595-5100 Summit Executive Center 205 North Michigan Avenue, 10th Floor; Tel.: +1 312 938-2000 The Conference Center at the Sears Tower 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 3350; Tel.: +1 312 474 0090 The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business 450 N. City Front Plaza Drive; Tel.: +1 312 464-8677
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Burg Translations Tel.: +1 312 263-3379 Cosmopolitan Translation Bureau Tel.: +1 312 726-2610 International Business Tel.: +1 773 549-6441 Nelles Translations Tel.: +1 312 236-2788
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Arrow Messenger Service, Inc. Tel.: +1 773 489-6688 Deadline Express Tel.: +1 312 850-1200 Midwest Messenger, Inc. Tel.: +1 312 563-1200 On Time Courier Tel.: +1 312-491-1320 Airborne Tel.: +1 800 247-2676 DHL Tel.: +1 800 225-5345 FedEx Tel.: +1 800 238-5355 UPS Tel.: +1 800 742-5877
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All upper-range and most medium-priced hotels are equipped with dataports that allow guests to use laptop computers. Many hotels offer business centers equipped with computers and Internet access. Outside hotels, cyber cafes are available including: After-words Bookstore Tel.: +1 312 464-1110 Cyberia Chicago Internet Cafe Tel.: +1 773 276-2698 Catedral Cyber-Café Tel.: +1 773 277-2233
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Passports valid for at least six months after arrival are required for all. In general, travelers visiting the U.S. are required visas. However, under the Visa Waiver Program, citizens of Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom are allowed to stay for 90 days without a visa. Citizens of Canada and Mexico do not need a visa but must carry proof of citizenship and identity. Beginning October 26, 2004, all travelers, including children of any age, who want to travel visa-free to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program must have a Machine-readable passport. Duty-free allowances are 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2 kilograms of tobacco, 1 liter of alcohol, and gifts worth up to $100. Meat products, seeds, plants, fruits, and hazardous goods are prohibited.
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The area codes for Chicago are 312, 773, and 847.
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Emergency police, fire, and ambulance 911
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For local calls, dial the seven-digit telephone number. For long-distance calls within the U.S., dial 1, then the three-digit area code, then the seven-digit number. For long-distance calls outside the U.S., first dial 011 and the country code. Four special prefixes, "800," "888," "877," and "900," are not area codes but indicators of special services. "800," "888," and "877" are toll-free calls. The "900" numbers charge you for the call and are often expensive. For collect calls or operator-assisted calls, dial "0" instead of "1". For local directory assistance, dial 411. For long-distance information, dial 1, and then the appropriate area code followed by 555-1212. The most common public phone is the coin-operated type. Telephone-card phones are becoming increasingly common.
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There are several cellular service providers in the U.S., including: Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Cingular, AT&T Wireless, and Sprint PCS. Mobile phone numbers follow the regular telephone number convention, with the seven-digit telephone number followed by the area code. If you choose to bring your cellular phone into the U.S., be sure to check with your home cellular service provider to establish compatibility of your phone with systems abroad. Rent a locally compatible cellular phone before you arrive to obtain reasonable rates and reliable service.
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Foreign currency must be exchanged to U.S. dollars. Money can be exchanged at banks and various foreign-exchange services. Most restaurants, shops, and hotels will take travelers' checks and major credit cards. Travelers can also withdraw cash from ATMs. The basic unit of U.S. currency is the dollar, which equals 100 cents. Coins are the copper penny (1 cent) and four silver coins: the nickel (5 cents), the dime (10 cents), the quarter (25 cents), and the half-dollar (50 cents). Silver $1 coins and "golden" dollar coins also exist. Paper bills come in denominations of $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.
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Restaurants 15 to 20 percent of bill, none at fast-food restaurantsBars About US$1 per drink or 10% to 15% of drink pricesAirport Skycap/Porter US$1 per piece of luggage Taxis 10 percent of fare Hotel Bell Desk US$1 per piece of luggage or per taxi summoned Hotel Housekeeping US$1 per person per day Hotel Room Service 15 percent of bill Parking Attendant/Valet 15 percent of parking rateHaircare/Personal Services 20 percent of bill
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Chicago lies in the Central Time Zone (Greenwich Mean Time minus six hours). Chicago observes Daylight Savings Time.
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In Chicago, an 8.75% state and county sales tax is added to all purchases except groceries and prescription drugs. At restaurants, there is an 8.5-9.5% meal tax The hotel tax in Chicago is 14.9%, and slightly less in suburban hotels.
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110V AC, 60Hz. Plugs are of the flat, two-pin type.
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Taxis are easy to hail on the streets, especially in the Loop and Wrigleyville. Initial charges varying from US$1.50 to US$4. Each extra mile costs US$1.50 and each additional passenger US$0.50. Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates trains centered around the Loop, named so because they make around the city's main business district. The fare for all CTA rides is US$1.50, regardless of distance. CTA offers 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, and 5-day passes. Pace operates suburban buses throughout the Chicagoland area.
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No specific immunizations are needed to enter the United States. For more information, contact the Center for Disease Control at +1 800 311-3435
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New Year's Day January 1 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Third Monday in January Presidents' Day Third Monday in February Easter Sunday in mid-March or early April Memorial Day Last Monday in May Independence Day July 4 Labor Day First Monday in September Columbus Day Second Monday in October Veterans' Day November 11 Thanksgiving Fourth Thursday in November Christmas December 25
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America's third-largest city restaurant scene is vibrant and rich in choice. Chicago's best known chef, Charlie Trotter serves a multi-course-tasting menu along with carefully chosen wines in the eponymous Charlie Trotter's. For inspiring views and delectable cuisine, both Everest, on the 40th floor of the Stock Exchange, and Signature Lounge (on the top level of the John Hancock Building) are good options. Gioco provides rustic Italian cooking on the site of an old speakeasy. In the Fairmont Hotel, Aria offers an eclectic menu: European cassoulets, Asian curries and stir-fries. Nine is an elegant establishment serving quality steak and seafood courses. For Japanese and South American fusion food, try SushiSamba Rio, where the sushi bar coexists with churrasco grilled meats and Caipirinha with sake. A unique experience.
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For unique Art Deco objects, collectable kitchen and bar ware, Belmont Avenue shops located a bit west of Ashland Avenue to Western Avenue are worth a browse. Hip vintage clothing and antique shops can be found on a mile-long stretch of Lincoln Avenue, from the intersection with Diversey Parkway up to Irving Park Road. North Milwaukee Avenue is also known for its concentration of interesting antique shops. If a jazz-related gift is in order from this city where the word "jazz" was invented, the Jazz Record Mart has an enormous selection.
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To enjoy the city's cultural offerings, pay a visit to Chicago's Art Institute, or take in a play at one of its many famous theaters, such as the Steppenwolf Theatre, Oriental Theater, Palace Theater, or Goodman Theater. For comedic entertainment, try Second City, in Old Town. Many of the country's funniest and most famous comedians, like Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, got their start here. To hear exceptional classical music take in a performance by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or the Lyric Opera of Chicago. And of course, Chicago has a multitude of great venues for live jazz, like Green Mill on North Broadway, and blues, such as B.L.U.E.S. on North Halsted Street. A popular place during fine days is the Lakefront area. For admiring the city's architecture and skyline, walking tours can be started from downtown or Oak Park.
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