Malta
COUNTRY BRIEF!
2
Fast Facts!
2
Cultural Essentials!
2
Etiquette and Customs!
2
Meeting People!
2
Dining Etiquette!
3
Tipping!
3
Faux pas!
3
Doing Business!
3
Business Cards!
3
Business Meetings!
3
Communication!
4
Key Words & Phrases!
4
Styles!
4
Health concerns!
4
Economy Overview!
4
NEWS!
5
Current events!
5
Weather!
6
JCI Monaco!
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COUNTRY BRIEF
Monaco is the second smallest country (by size) in the world; only
Vatican City is smaller. Monaco is also the world's second smallest
monarchy, and is the most densely populated country in the world. The
state consists of only one municipality (commune). There is no
geographical distinction between the State and City of Monaco, although
responsibilities of the government (state-level) and of the municipality
(city-level) are different.
Monaco has been governed under a constitutional monarchy since 1911,
with the Sovereign Prince of Monaco as head of state. The executive
branch consists of a Minister of State as the head of government, who
presides over a five-member Council of Government. Until 2002, the
Minister of State was a French citizen appointed by the prince from
among candidates proposed by the French government; since a
constitutional amendment in 2002, the Minister of State can be French
or Monegasque. However, Prince Albert II appointed, on 3 March 2010,
the Frenchman Michel Roger as Minister of State.
Historical background: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monaco
Fast Facts
Name of country: Principality of Monaco
Population: 36,371 (2011 est.)
Capital city: Monaco
Telephone country code: +377
Cultural Essentials
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Monaco is a very cosmopolitan country so ty your best to be a
citizen of the world! When it doubt, adopt Italian / French customs.
Etiquette and Customs
Meeting People
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Handshakes are common.
Friends may add a light kiss on each cheek in succession — one to
four in number, depending on the greeter’s region.
Say “bonjour” or “bonsoir” (good morning and good evening) with
the honorific “Monsieur” or “Madam”.
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Dining Etiquette
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You may arrive 15 minutes late, rather than on time. The further
south you travel, the more flexible time becomes.
Don’t ask for a house tour. Your host will show you what they want
you to see.
Send a handwritten note thanking your hosts the next day, possibly
with a fruit basket or flowers.
Don’t eat until the host says “bon appétit”. At a formal meal, this
may not occur; wait instead for your host to raise his or her fork for
your cue to eat.
Tipping
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Restaurants: 5–10%
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Porters: €1 per bag
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Taxis: Round up
Faux pas
Avoid the following while in Monaco:
• Public gum-chewing
• Flaunting wealth
• Snapping, which is considered offensive
• Pointing with a finger—use your whole hand instead
Doing Business
Business Cards
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Business cards usually follow initial introductions and don’t involve
formal ritual.
Business Meetings
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Meetings are relatively formal and adhere to protocols. There may
be a seating plan based on hierarchy.
A great importance is placed on eloquence. It is more important for
a message to be understood than the time it takes to convey.
It is important to state both the positive and negative outcomes of
a business case. Stating the negatives at the outset demonstrates
that you are not attempting to delude your colleagues.
The decision maker is generally a passive listener at meetings.
Their role is to listen to everyone and decide if it is possible to
reach a compromise.
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Meetings can be somewhat chaotic. There may be frequent
interruptions and several mini-meetings occurring at the same
time.
Do not expect an ending time for a meeting. It will end when
everyone has had their say.
Communication
Key Words & Phrases
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Yes: Oui
No: Non
Hello: Bonjour
Hi: Salut
Goodbye: Au revoir
Good day: Bonjour
Good evening (after 6 p.m.): Bonsoir
Good night: Bonne nuit
Sorry: Pardon
How are you: Comment-allez vous?
Fine, thank you: Bien, merci
Very well, thanks: Très bien, merci
Please: S’il vous plaît
You are welcome: De rien
Thank you: Merci
Thank you very much: Merci beaucoup
Sorry: Désolé
Pleased to meet you: Enchanté!
Styles
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It is a good idea to learn at least a few key phrases in French. This
demonstrates a sincere interest in developing a relationship. It is
also advisable to apologize for not being able to converse in
French.
Health concerns
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There are no health risks that cannot be avoided by exercising common
sense.
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Food preparation hygiene standards are excellent. Tap water is safe.
Economy Overview
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One of Monaco's main sources of income is tourism. Each year many
foreigners are attracted to its casino (which citizens are prohibited from)
and pleasant climate. In 2001, a major new construction project
extended the pier used by cruise ships in the main harbor. The
principality has successfully sought to diversify its economic base into
services and small, high-value-added, non-polluting industries, such as
cosmetics and biothermics.
The state retains monopolies in numerous sectors, including tobacco and
the postal service. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to
those in prosperous French metropolitan areas.
Monaco is not a member of the European Union. However, it is very
closely linked via a customs union with France, and as such, its currency
is the same as that of France, the euro.
Monaco also has the world's highest life expectancy at nearly 90 years,
and the lowest unemployment rate at 0%, with over 48,000 workers
who commute from France and Italy each day. For the fourth year in a
row, Monaco in 2012 had the world's most expensive real estate market,
at $58,300 per square meter. According to the CIA World Factbook,
Monaco has the world's lowest poverty rate, and the highest number of
millionaires and billionaires per capita in the world.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$4.694 billion; per capita $132,571
Unemployment rate:
0%
Population below poverty line:
NA
Industries:
Tourism, gambling, high-value-added, non-polluting industries, such as
cosmetics and biothermics
NEWS
Current events
As His Father Did, Rosberg Wins Monaco Grand Prix
New York Times-3 hours ago
MONACO — With his father, Keke, watching by the side of the track, the German driver Nico Rosberg won
Formula One's most prestigious race, (Mercedes Team)...
Monaco: An official visit to the Corsican island will see the princely pair honouring ties with
Lucciana
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Princely couple visit Corsica
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene will be in Corsica this Monday public holiday. The oneday trip is packed with events and places to visit, from masses and fairs to processions
and parishes, in the company of many important local figures. Read more …
Weather
JCI Monaco
Creation: 1993
Members:
6
Website: http://www.jcemonaco.mc/
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6865961267/
Please see: http://www.jci.cc/info/en/organizations/factsandfigures/105
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Sources for this document:
http://premier.rw3cg.com/content/approved/united%20kingdom/
premier_frame.htm
http://www.jci.cc/
News sites
JCI Malta site and FB page
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