IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL Business Customs Special customs do not figure significantly in business dealings in Romania; Western business conduct standards apply. Romanian nationals are friendly, industrious people, and foreigners are usually made very welcome. Romanians have genuine regard and admiration for Americans. The quality of U.S. products and services, the efficiency of American management practices, and the reliability of U.S. business partners are widely recognized. Other factors being equal, Romanians would generally prefer to do business with U.S. companies. Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. The formal addresses of "Domnul" (sir) and "Doamna" (madam) are used by Romanians when addressing one another, although first names are used among younger people and in business with English-speaking partners. It is important to take business cards to meetings and to give a card to each person present. Casual wear is the most suitable form of dress for most social ocassions, but attire should be more formal when specified for entertaining in the evening or in a restaurant or theater. Normal courtesies are observed when visiting people's homes. Flowers are very popular in Romanian culture, and are given for almost every occasion, including name day celebrations, weddings and visits to Romanian homes. Offering an odd number of flowers is the rule, except for such sad occasions as funerals, when bouquets should have an even number of flowers. When dining, it is usual to say "Pofta Buna" (bon appetit) before eating, and "noroc" (cheers) before drinking. Travel Advisory and Visas It is advisable that Romanian visas be obtained in advance from the Romanian Embassies in the countries of residence. The cost varies, and must be paid for in hard currency. To exit Romania without problem, the visa must be still valid, and one must have one's "exit form" (talon de iesire), which was filled out when entering the country, and is a small white sheet of paper placed in the foreigner's passport. If a Romanian visa expires while in Romania, it can be extended at the Police Headquarters in any larger city. If somebody loses the "exit form," the person must contact the Romanian passport office. Visitors are required to change money only at official rates at approved locations such as banks, hotels, tourist offices and exchange offices. Only currency so obtained may be reconverted upon departure. Romanian law allows foreigners to bring up to 50,000 US dollars in cash into Romania, but requires them to declare any amount above 1,000 US dollars upon entry. No amount in excess of that declared upon entry may be taken out of Romania upon departure. Sums larger than 50,000 US dollars must be transferred through banks. No more than 2,500 Romanian lei, local currency, may be brought into or taken out of the country. There is no requirement for foreigners to change any specific amount of money per day while in Romania. Foreigners are usually required to pay hotels, air and international rail tickets in hard currency or in lei, showing an exchange receipt from an exchange office. Official Holidays in 1995 -- January 1-2 (New Year's) -- April 23-24 (Orthodox Easter) -- May 1-2 (Labor Day) -- December 1 (National Day) -- December 25 (Christmas) Business Infrastructure -- Language: The official language of Romania is Romanian. This language, which uses the Latin alphabet and is a Romance language, evolved from the Latin used in the Roman colony of Dacia. English, French and German are also widely spoken. -- Transportation: Three Romanian airlines, Tarom, LAR, and Romavia, serve major points in Romania, Europe, Asia, and North America. International carriers currently serving Romania include Aeroflot (Russia), Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, Balkanair (Bulgaria), British World Airways, CSA (Czech Republic and Slovak Republic), Delta, El Al, LOT (Poland), Lufthansa, Malev (Hungary), Swissair, and the Turkish Airlines. All major cities and towns of Romania have airline service nearby and are connected to the Bucharest hub. Timisoara and Constantsa airports are also ports of entry. Taxis are readily available at airports. Romania is also well served by an international and domestic rail system. The daily Wiener-Waltzer Express from Vienna takes roughly 20 hours to reach Bucharest. The current domestic highway network is extensive and the road quality is adequate. Intercity roads are currently being upgraded. The highway system in Romania is still under development, however, and the construction of a new highway that bypasses the capital is in progress. Driving to Bucharest in December-February is not advisable because mountain passes can be hazardous. Driving after dark at any time of year also is not recommended because of pedestrians, animals, or slow-moving vehicles often encountered on the roadway; otherwise, the main roads are reasonably good. -- Accommodations: Romania offers a wide variety of hotel and long-term living accommodations that can be reserved through international travel agents or by direct contact. Major hotels offer fax, telex, and international telephone service. Payment for accommodation, meals, and other services can be in lei, convertible currency, traveler's checks, or by major credit cards. U.S. dollars in cash are easily exchanged and very widely accepted as a payment medium. It is advisable to reserve hotel accommodations before ariving in Romania, especially during peak periods. -- Office Space: Because of the sharp increase in the number of Romanian and foreign companies, finding adequate office space in Bucharest and in other major Romanian cities is difficult. However, the opening of the World Trade Center in Bucharest and of business centers in other cities, as well as the appearance of many efficient real estate companies which also offer assistance with finding office space have helped alleviate this problem. -- Telecommunications: Local telephone service is automatic and fairly dependable. International telephone and telegraph connections are generally good, but delays may occur in placing calls. The cost of international calls is quite high, with price per minute rising with the length of the call. -- Healthcare: Romanian doctors are very competent, but due to lack of equipment and adequate facilities, medical care is often below Western standards. The Emergency Hospital in Bucharest (Spitalul de Urgenta, Calea Floreasca 8, tel. 679-64-00) or its equivalents in other cities should be addressed in urgent cases. For less serious medical problems, such clinics as the Policlinica Batistei, Str. Tudor Arghezi 28 (right across the street from the American Embassy, tel. 613-34-80) offer good assistance. Hotels sometimes have doctors on call, and more private clinics are opening each year. -- Getting Dollars in Romania: The best way to get dollars in Romania is to bring them with you. Traveler's checks will be accepted for payment of hotel, airfare and car rental. Traveler's checks can be cashed for dollars for a fee in Bucharest at the Romanian Bank for Foreign Trade (BRCE) or other banks. Outside of Bucharest you should go to the local BRCE branches. To tranfer funds to Romania commercially, your bank abroad can wire money to BRCE or get in touch with Chemical Bank, which has a branch in Bucharest. Make sure to specify to whom the money is payable, and that it be paid in dollars or other hard currency. Total transaction time is usually three to four working days.