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Business in Oxford / Business Tips
(Oxford, England)



Oxford is predominantly a university city and much of the Oxford's wealth has derived from its vast network of almost 40 Oxford University colleges. Employing over 7,000 people, almost 10 percent of Oxford's total workforce, Oxford University has a major contribution to Oxford's economy. Each year, more than four million people visit the city of Oxford and many of Oxford's most popular tourist attractions are historic Oxford University buildings, churches, libraries, gardens and parks.

Some of the main businesses in the Oxford are include tourism, retail and hospitality. Oxford is a busy city, with many student and tourists arriving throughout the year. As a result, there are a large number of shops, restaurants, cafés, bars and public houses in and around Oxford city centre, providing an excellent choice. There are also numerous tourist attractions in and around Oxford and these continue to thrive as the city of Oxford expands. The Oxford hotel industry also reflects the high number of tourists and Oxford is full of affordable hotels and guesthouses, with competitive prices.




The city of Oxford has grown in status as an important financial city and a number of trade estate and out-of-town developments have emerged in the suburbs of Oxford. The include financial institutions, corporate head offices, large office blocks, software companies, shopping centres, garages and law firms. The pace of business life in Oxford tends to be fairly relaxed and less hectic than other cities in England.

Oxford Business Tips: Oxford Business Hours / General Etiquette - Oxford, England
In both dress and manners, locals in the University City Oxford are fairly formal and normal business courtesies should still be observed. The degree of formality depends entirely upon the actual nature of the business, with Oxford's financial and legal professions being more formal than computer software, Internet, publishing and media organizations. Many men still wear suits and short sleeve shirts are acceptable in the summer months in Oxford. Woman may also wear suits, but tend to be more casual in appearance.

Business hours in the Oxford area are usually from Monday to Friday, between 09:00 to 17:30, although some offices some close later. Many of Oxford's shops are open longer and often throughout the weekends, and some supermarkets are open 24 hours. Banks in Oxford generally open from 09:00 to 17:00 and larger branches may also open on Saturday mornings.

Working lunches are a popular way to do business in Oxford city and Oxford's locals are often quick to use first-name terms when appropriate. Some of the most exclusive restaurants in Oxford have a strict dress code, although most are more informal and a relaxed dress code is acceptable.

Oxford Business Tips: Greeting Someone in Oxford - Oxford, England
A brief and friendly handshake is usually the customary greeting in Oxford and generally throughout England. New acquaintances are often addressed on first name terms in Oxford.

Oxford Business Tips: Smoking in Oxford - Oxford, England
Many restaurants and public buildings in Oxford have a strict 'no smoking' policy, although some do tend to cater for smokers in different areas. Most Oxford offices and businesses are now 'non-smoking' and although the British have neither a positive nor a negative attitude to smoking, it is best to only smoke when in the company of like-minded people. This is generally true throughout England as a whole.

 
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