The Vernisaj flea market in Yerevan attracts sellers of all kinds of goods and is popular with tourists. Shops stay open longer in the summer. Handshaking is the normal form of greeting. Business cards are invariably exchanged at any kind of official meeting and not infrequently on first meeting people socially as well. Conversation tends to be highly politicised, and guests may be well advised to avoid expressing strong opinions.
Women tend to be less retiring than in nearby Muslim countries.
Expected by waiters and doormen in restaurants - sometimes in advance to ensure service. Taxi fares should always be negotiated before starting a journey, and visitors should be aware that rates proposed initially are likely to be unreasonably high, in the expectation that foreigners will have unlimited cash and little idea of how much they ought to be paying. It is therefore advisable to make enquiries about 'going rates' per kilometre of travel before entering into negotiations with taxi drivers. The same applies to market stall holders, etc.