Working practices in Pittsburgh and Dallas 2

[MedicineEng]

Hi everyone:

I will be travelling to US next week to stay around 6 days working in a project.
It will be my first time in US so I am a little worried with the working practices there. I've read something about this subject in the internet but either way I would like to hear your real life oppinion.

I will be staying a couple of days in Dallas and around 4 days in Pittsburgh.

What is the common working practices in these 2 places?

I work in a pretty "informal" company environment, usually I wear jeans and a shirt to work, despite being part of the management team. My working time is 9-13h,14.30-18.30 but if I arrive at 9.15h nobody will tell me nothing.
I'm expecting a different working environment in US, but how much different? Do I need to wear suit everyday? What is the usual lunch break time and working time?
Which are "off-limits" subjects talk?
Please don't take me wrong in these questions, I will certainly adapt to local conditions, but I just wanted to be prepared as much as possible in order to not make any mistake that will embarass my hosts.

Another thing, is it customary to offer gifts or presents to your hosts? I am not referring to anything expensive, just some traditional cookies or artifacts from our place.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[tygerdawg]

You don't say WHAT your job or task is, but that would help to understand the scope of where you fit in. I've worked with a lot Europeans in the past, in design offices, research centers, and manufacturing sites. Here is the advice I would offer them:

<1> leave the jeans at home, except for casual after hours unless your job will be to crawl on the floor working on dirty machinery. When Euro Guy show up wearing a dress shirt+tie+jeans+dress shoes, Americans chuckle behind their backs. Even though this is completely acceptable in many parts of Europe. Casual slacks (like "Dockers" brand cotton slacks) may be suitable. More dressy slacks may be required, depends on the office culture. "Polo" -type shirts may be suitable, culture may require a collared dress shirt.

<2> office working hours here in US are generally assumed to be 800h-1200h, lunch 1200h-1300h, 1300h-1700h. Arrive early if necessary, stay late if necessary. You're "Managaement" and you have to do what is necessary to get the job done. You are travelling from somewhere else and your time is very limited: you can sleep on the plane ride home.

<3> I would hazard a position that dress shirts + ties are not necessary....for MOST office situations for engineeers these days. Typically this is reserved for meeting with clients, or very important high level meetings. Many times I've hosted Manufacturing Engineers and it was very casual. I've gone to Europe wearing what I thought was essential shirt+tie clothing, then had to "dress-down" to fit into the existing culture.

<4> It is very rare for engineers to wear suits to an office, but it does happen. I have seen this done by Director-level engineers arriving and having high-level meetings.

<5> Call the people at the respective offices, claim your ignorance of American Culture, and ASK THEM what is the appropriate dress and hours expectations. You may be pleasantly suprised when they say "don't worry about it, we're very casual here, just wear jeans."

<6> You gain more respect when you overdress than underdress.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering

http://www.bluetechnik.com

 

[SomptingGuy]

One thing you've not asked is what to tell the officials at the airport. Be prepared to show proof of your (home)employment and your reason to be in America.

Be prepared to eat out for lunch every day. It's amazing how much weight you can put on in just 6 days. Your suit may start to strain.

Don't get into politics, gun control or racism. Just smile and look dumb.

- Steve

 

[MintJulep]

Jeans will probably be fine in Dallas. Not in Pittsburgh.

Even so, wear a nice pair of pants, dress shirt and tie on the first day. You can always take the tie off if no one is wearing one.

It's not necessary or customary, but if you bring some traditional cookies and leave them by the coffee pot they'll be appreciated. If nothing else they're an ice breaker; "hi, did you try a cookie?"

 

[pennpiper]

Pittsburgh and Dallas,
We do not know where you are coming from so I am trying to cover all the bases.
Both of these cities can be very cold at this time of the year. You should get on the internet and checkout the seven day forecast for both and then pack accordingly
Dallas will be windy and cold whereas Pittsburgh will be a wet cold with a strong possibility of snow.

 

[TheTick]

Be on time.

Shower every day.

No one wants to hear how rugby or soccer ("futbol") is better/superior/tougher/more popular than American football, especially in Steelers and Cowboys strongholds.

 

[IRstuff]

There's a big difference between the East and West coasts. Also, there's a big difference between normal work and meetings. On the East coast, business "casual" can actually mean suit and tie, but with the tie loosened, while on West coast, it means button-down shirt with slacks.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[cvg]

Texas and much of the southwest in general is very casual. However, north and especially the northeast is not. Mintjulep hit on it that jeans may be ok in Dallas but not in Pittsburg. I can't remember the last time I wore a suit and tie on the job. But I rarely wear jeans either. The requirement here is "dress casual". I would tend to agree, however it really depends on the job and all are different. If this is field work, jeans, boots and a hat may be necessary. If it is office work, than jeans may not be allowed. Gifts are not necessary, but everybody appreciates a free cookie and it might help to break the ice with your co-workers.

 

[HgTX]

More "off limits" topics: Religion, sex.

Hg


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[Waidesworld]

Thought I would throw in my two cents here. I have traveled for a number of occasions to a varies number of places. All of the above information is pretty valid with some notables.

1. The dress sense of casual is indeed different depending on your location. While the South may be more "casual" than the North, I would definitely arrive in a pants and button down (oxford) shirt. If you are upper management, you might even consider the suit. This can change over the course of the first day and that's fine. At least you didn't disrespect by showing up in jeans and a tanktop.

2. Dining out isn't a gimme, there may be some order in/working lunches, especially when you are on a limited timeframe for your trip. During the lunch hour avoid all the standard stuff you'd avoid down the boozer. It's OK to answer questions about your customs, traditions but not too cute to ask questions of your hosts, no matter how ridiculous they look, act, talk etc. You are the guest here.

3. While showering and shaving every day is a gimme here in the US I know for a fact it isn't common practice elsewhere...I am Irish and have worked in Europe before coming here. I also have worked in the Caribbean and South America coming from the US.

4. Gifts aren't typically expected but in the past we have gotten some tea from our Asian counterparts and have given some Irish food to compatriots in other companies. In general, it's business and not Aunt Ida you are visiting. A box of candy never goes astray nor does the proverbial cookies.

Above all, remember you are working with these people on their turf and some of them do have homes and families to go to so be prepared to have some nights where you will possibly do some work in your hotel room. If you are coming from Europe, you could call your home office BEFORE your arrival at the company so you aren't wasting valuable time onsite. Remember the time zones because you body won't let you forget. Good luck and safe travels.

drawn to design, designed to draw

 

[stanweld]

If your business will be conducted in an office setting in either city, a shirt, tie, slacks and sport coat or "suit and tie" is recommended attire for the first day. After that you can decide on altrenate clothing based on the attire worn by your business associates - most likely dress shirt, no tie.

As others have indicated, bring warm clothes for Pittsburg and Dallas. The weather in Dallas can vary from cold to quite warm even in Winter. I've been there on business, arriving with snow and below freezing; three days later 90F and humid.

 

[stanford94]

khaki's and a button down shirt should be fine for any engineer in the united states....

 

[MedicineEng]

Thanks a lot to you all for your feedback.
Just some more information about this:
I'm Mediterranean European but I've been working in Southeast Asia for the past 7 years.
We are going to have meetings to discuss a major construction project in our city (around 500-700mUSD). I am expecting to have some high level meetings to discuss the details of the JV, scope of work of each party, approach to prepare the tender, costing, etc. Also, I am expecting to visit some sites to get a deeper insight of the technical solution proposed by our American partner.
We've already had a couple of meetings here and by that time the attire was quite casual (no ties, no suit, just pants and shirt) but I'm afraid that back in US the attire changes and I must be prepared for this.
I am expecting my calories intake to jump during my stay in US, so I am taking my snickers to make some exercise, if I have time.
Regarding the cookies, should I be carefull with this? I am not speaking about some strange, smelly (in western terms)southeast asian cookies. These cookies are quite neutral, peanus or cashew nuts based, perfect for tea or coffee breaks. Nevertheless, I've read that in US there are a significant number of persons that are allergic to nuts. I hope I don't get sued by someone that had a cookie and got some allergic reaction to it...

 

[stanford94]

in that case, wear a sport coat.

 

[MintJulep]

Your peanut perception is tainted by the media.

The US media tends to blow the food allergies way out of proportion when some kid accidentally eats something they are allergic to and has a reaction.

In a business setting with only adults rest assured that anyone with a peanut allergy will know that they have a peanut allergy and will be smart enough to ask "are there peanuts in these?"

 

[monkeydog]

I agree, sport coat, and have a tie handy.
Most hotels in the US have fitness rooms you can work out in if the weather outside is too cold.

This time of year (Christmas, Hanukkah) treats in the office are quite common.

I am alergic to cookies and sweets, everytime is eat them I blow-up in my belly and butt.
;-)

 

[Gorpomon]

I live in Dallas, a few tips:

1. I say wear a simple suit, these are meetings for large budget projects.

2. This is Dallas, which is a pretty conservative city, so please no comments about George W. Bush (who lives here and is liked by many here), or negative comments about the war. Let me emphasize, no one here will say anything to you if you discuss these negatively, (we're all very nice!) but they probably will be annoyed in private.

3. If possible, and this is only if you have some real off time or really want to make a good impression, get to know our local football (American style) team the Dallas Cowboys. I'm sure if they saw you made an effort here to get to know the team, it would go a long way. ALL meetings here begin with a little Cowboys small talk. Seriously.

4. Do ask to go out for steak or barbecue if they want to take you out, its great here.

 

[HgTX]

Meeting to discuss major project? I've been to such meetings in Dallas. Wear a suit. You will see others wearing suits, and still others wearing a polo shirt and khakis. Wear the suit. At least on the first day. I say "the suit", but of course there should be multiple suits so that you can wear the second while the first is airing out or being cleaned. Americans have a deep fear of anything that smells like human. Superimposing other scent isn't enough.

Don't bother learning football. I haven't, and I live in Texas. If you're honestly curious about what they're talking about, about football culture or the rules of the game, go ahead and ask them; it'll give them something to say to you. But don't bother faking an interest. (Though, as the saying goes, if you can fake sincerity you've got it made.)

If they get into political discussions, and they very well might, STAY OUT OF IT. Paste a semi-engaged expression on your face and fill your mouth with food. Americans on average are more conservative than people from many other parts of the world, Dallas people are conservative as Americans go, engineers are conservative as Americans go, draw your own conclusion about Dallas engineers. Pittsburgh won't be much better because they're still engineers even if they aren't Texans. If anyone is so uncouth as to ask you your political opinion, be as vague as possible. Unless you happen to agree with what they're all saying, in which case you're fine.

Pittsburgh people will leave you alone about religion. Dallas, they'll probably leave you alone but you never know, especially if you end up at a dinner with spouses. Many Texans have only met one or two non-Christians in their life.

If you don't want to pack double (enough suits for the trip plus enough backup "business casual" in case it's not so suity), the packing is enough of an excuse for you to do what someone else suggested and call your hosts to ask. Another option might be to pack the suits & buy the business casual in the US if it turns out you need it, but you might very likely not have time for a shopping trip, especially if you won't have your own rental car.

Don't forget to check the weather. Weather.com is pretty easy to use. Pittsburgh will be damn cold. Dallas will be moderately cold, though Dallas always runs the risk of being rather warm instead.

Hg

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[MedicineEng]

Following your tips here, I advised my boss (which is coming with me)that we should ask them what to wear and the answer from them was, to my delight,:"Casual but no blue jeans/T-shirt. Khakis and polo/shirt are standard".
I use suit maybe once a year or less so I don't even know how to do a knot tie...

 

[tripleZ]

I'm a Pittsburgh native (don't live there anymore), but most of the advice you've received here is adequate. If you're relationship has progressed this far, shirts and slacks are likely sufficient. You can bring cookies if you like...as mentioned people with allergies will know. Also, don't be offended if they don't go quickly. Some of us just aren't into eating foreign cuisine. I would definitely bring a suit however, but not necessarily for work. If you are being wined and dined by the American company, you might expect to be taken to some of the nicer restaurants on either Mt. Washington or down in Station Square (Grand Concourse comes to mind). These places are less business casual and are often more business formal. Business dinners & lunches are the norm (no price tags on some of the menus will give you a clue).

Speaking of which, if they're ordering in lunch in Pgh you may need to watch the location/cuisine. If they're bringing in dogs/burgers/fries from "The O" in Oakland, go easy on them because it's REALLY greasy. Same goes for some of the Primanti Bros sandwiches. If you have a pretty good diet normally, Pittsburgh based cuisine can be "heavy"...a side pack of Pepto Bismol might be in order. =)

In general, Pittsburghers are fairly nice. If you're renting a car and plan on driving yourselves, GET A GPS with the rental! The one-way streets that converge, the on-off ramps, bridges & tunnels, etc. take some getting used to for the locals. Also be cautious of the street signs during the day. A one-way street in the morning can go the opposite direction in the evening in the "dahntahn" area. Pittsburghers are often very nice people in person. In the car, well, my Midwest-born girlfriend describes us as "insane". I tend to prefer the phrase "aggressive driving".

And yes, prepare the the Pittsburgh-ese accents and phrases. They can be humorous. Which company are you working with? Just curious.