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Social Profile
Food & Drink: Most restaurants have table service. Hotels, inns and restaurants offer a wide variety of food. Some specialise in Portuguese dishes, while others offer cuisine from China, Japan, Korea and Indonesia. Local Macau food is spicy, a unique combination of Chinese and Portuguese cooking methods with influences of Indian and African spices. Dishes include bacalhau (cod served baked, grilled, stewed or boiled), caldo verde and sopa a alentejana (rich soups with vegetables, meat and olive oil), ‘African chicken’ (grilled with hot spices), galinha a portuguesa (chicken baked with potatoes, onions, eggs and saffron – the appearance of curry without the spice), minche (minced meat with fried potato and onion), Macau sole (fried fish is usually served with salad) and feijoados (from Brazil, stews of kidney beans, pork, potatoes, cabbage and spicy sausage). The speciality of dim sum (Chinese savoury snacks steamed and served in bamboo baskets on trolleys) includes cha siu bao (steamed pork dumplings), har gau (steamed shrimp dumplings) and shui mai (steamed and minced pork with shrimp).
Alcohol is easily obtainable. There are no licensing laws. All restaurants offer a variety of Portuguese red and white wines and sparkling vinho verde, as well as port and brandy, all at low prices.
Nightlife: Most of the nightlife is centred on the hotels, many of which have nightclubs with cabaret, Portuguese folk dancing, lively dance bands, discotheques, international menus and bars. In summer there are several open-air esplanadas serving soft drinks. Many locals, however, tend to relax in the evening in some of the many lively restaurants (see Food & Drink section). Gambling is a big attraction for visitors to Macau and the casinos are open 24 hours, providing famous entertainers, baccarat, blackjack, roulette and Chinese games like fantan and dai-siu (big and small). See the Sport & Activities section for further information.
Shopping: Macau’s most popular buys are jewellery (particularly gold and jade), Chinese antiques, porcelain, pottery, electronic gadgetry, cameras, watches and beading work. They are available at duty-free prices because Macau is a free port and no sales tax is charged. Bargaining is expected on many items although most shops will have the same minimum price. Other popular buys are Chinese herbs and medicines, dried seafood (such as sharks’ fins), abalone, Chinese and Macau pastries, and locally-made knitwear sold at stalls. When purchasing antiques, gold and jewellery, it is advisable to patronise shops recommended by the Goldsmiths’ and Jewellers’ Association and the Macau Government Tourist Office. A warranty and a receipt should be asked for when buying jewellery, gold, cameras, watches and electrical goods. The main shopping area is located along the Avenida do Infante D Henrique and Avenida Almeida Ribeiro, São Domingos Market, Rua de Palha, Rua do Campo and Rua Pedro Nolasco da Silva. Antiques and unique gifts may be found in Macau’s flea market in the lanes around Rua das Estalagens (near St Paul’s Ruins). There is an Artisan's Fair every Saturday evening in Santo Agostinho Square. Excursions can be made across the Chinese border to Zhuhai, where the first floor of the Gongbei market is well known for antiques, ceramics and fabrics. Software is also a good buy in Zhuhai. Shopping hours: Generally 1000-2000 for the whole week. Some shops may close on the first of every month.
Special Events: The Macau Government Tourist Office can supply details of the many festivals celebrated in Macau. Festivals which are also official public holidays are listed in the Public Holidays section. The following is a selection of events taking place in 2003:
Jan 2003 Chinese Lunar New Year. Feb Procession of the Passion of our Lord, The Good Jesus. Mar Macau Arts Festival. May Feast of the Bathing of Lord Buddha; Macau Open Golf Tournament; Procession of Our Lady Fatima. Jun Macau International Dragon Boat Races; Feast of Kuan Tai; Feast of Na Cha. Jul 10th International Youth Dance Festive. Aug 2003 FIVB's World Grand Prix; Feast of Maidens; Feast of Hungry Ghosts. Sep 15th International Triathlon Championship of Macau. Sep/Oct Mid-Autumn Festival; International Fireworks Festival; International Music Festival. Oct Festival of Ancestors; National Day's Fun Run. Nov Macau Grand Prix. Dec Macau International Marathon and Half Marathon.
Social Conventions: Entertaining generally takes place in restaurants and public places. It is rare to be invited to a private home, unless the person is wealthy. Spirits are standard gifts in return for hospitality. Apart from the most formal occasions in restaurants and nightclubs, casual wear is acceptable. Tipping: A ten per cent service charge will be added to most hotel and restaurant bills, but a small tip should also be left.
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