advice (15)

Taxi queues at Central Station main exit may be very long at times. Try the dropping-off area one floor higher where many more taxis are available.

Recent airline failures such as Eos and MaxJet serve to remind us that cyclical industries such as airlines are subject to huge pressures when a slowdown in the economy occurs. Make sure you protect yourself from being caught short by paying by credit (not debit) card. Airline failures should be covered under section 75 of the 1974 consumer credit act and thus a refund can be obtained for services not received.

Don't use American slang - New Yorkers love a British accent and our own idiom.

You should culitvate friends in locations where you are planning to visit. Make contacts on internet bulletin boards and seek advice from like-minded locals on any activities/hotels/restaurants etc.

This is always the best way to minimise your risk when visiting a new city (or even one that you have been to many times!). Also, be prepared to help others with advice on your own city also :-)

I really think the tip about Abras is misleading. Unless things have changed dramatically in the two years since I last took an Abra, they are powered by diesel engines.

A quick Google reveals that there are moves to introduce solar-powered engines, and there may possibly be a couple of token rowed Abras, but my guess is they would be very hard to find among the hundreds of working Abras you will find at the two stations mentioned. Sounds more like the kind of kite-flying PR gimmick at which Dubai excels.

One reason why Emirates Towers is the hotel to be in if you are doing business with the Dubai government (or one of its agencies) is because, as well as being an excellent business hotel, it is owned by the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

It’s worth extending this principle to other business you may be doing in the city. Most businesses based in Dubai itself, rather than one of the Free Zones, are part of large, family-owned holding companies, many of which will have hotels among their interests. It’s always worth staying in the leading hotel of the group you are doing business with. It probably won’t make the deal but such courtesies are valued highly in the Gulf.

You are likely to meet plenty of extremely well-educated, modern young Emirati women – particularly if you are dealing with the government. However, remember that traditionally Muslim women are not supposed to touch men outside their family. Therefore, however warmly they smile when they hand over their cards, don’t automatically attempt to shake their hand unless they offer it. I might also add that Arab men are normally slightly more sensitive when touching each other and no one will infer weak character from your failure to crush their hand with your firm grip.

Favourite restaurants: Gordon Ramsay’s Verre at The Hilton Dubai Creek for European cuisine. Go for the food, not the décor, and because it’s somewhere you can actually talk. Lebanese is often the fallback for mixed entertaining but Iranian is a good alternative and in many ways closer to the Emirati palate; I would recommend the Shabestan at the InterContinental. Sadly, both are on the Deira side of town - but they are well worth the effort.

Need to travel outside of London to a regional office or just to see a little of England? Don't just rush to the airport. Direct trains from London Euston take you to Manchester (and other northern cities) in less than 2.5 hours which, by the time you've got to the airport, checked in and got through security is longer than your 1hr flight actually takes!

Virgin trains offer a great first class service with very attentive staff. When making this journey I often plug my laptop in to the socket at my seat and catch up on some work or just sit back and enjoy the English countryside. A much more stress-free trip than a visit to Heathrow for a 1 hour flight!

Taxis are cheap and plentiful but getting to an exact address can be difficult unless your Cantonese is up to scratch. Use the underground (MTR) instead.

Each MTR station has lettered exits. There is always a map in the station and using this can help you find the correct exit. Or just ask the office you are visiting for the exit number. If you are revisiting, write the exit number on any business card you get - but not while you are in the meeting. It's a bit of an insult to write on a business card.

Taxis can be hard to find in Shanghai, particularly if it is raining. I always get myself an English-speaking chaffeur – the Shanghai car service is very reliable. That way you get the lowdown on the city as well as a car exactly when and where you need it.

NYC traffic is abysmal so think twice before getting in a grimy, appallingly uncomfortable yellow cab – unless, of course, you enjoy spending two hours in traffic guided by a monosyllabic driver who doesn’t know the way. If you really must use the roads, book a limo (Carey International have knowledgeable drivers and phenomenally comfortable Lincoln towncars) and leave for work early. Otherwise, use the subway.