Getting to Know Dublin - Dublin - page 48

keeping in touch when you don't know where or when you can
be reached.
To place a call from your home country to Dublin, dial the
international access code (011 in the U.S., 0011 in Australia,
0170 in New Zealand, 00 in the U.K.), plus the country code
( 353 for the Republic), and finally the number, remembering
to omit the initial 0, which is for use only within Ireland.
To place a direct international call from Ireland, dial the
international access code (00) plus the country code (U.S. and
Canada 1, the U.K. 44, Australia 61, New Zealand 64), the area
or city code, and the number. The toll-free international access
code for AT&T is & 800/550-000; for Sprint it's & 800/552-001;
and for MCI it's & 800/55-1001.
Time Ireland follows Greenwich Mean Time (1 hr. earlier than
Central European Time) from November to March, and British
Standard Time (the same as Central European Time) from April
to October. Ireland is 5 hours ahead of the eastern United States
(when it's noon in New York, it's 5pm in Ireland).
Ireland's latitude makes for longer days and shorter nights
in the summer, and the reverse in the winter. In June there is
bright sun until 11pm, but in December, it is truly dark at 4pm.
Tipping Most hotels and guesthouses add a service charge to
the bill, usually 12.5% to 15%, although some smaller places
add only 10% or nothing at all. Always check to see what
amount, if any, has been added to your bill. If a smaller
amount has been added or if staff members have provided
exceptional service, it is appropriate to give additional cash
gratuities. For porters or bellhops, tip 1 ($1.20) per piece of

luggage. For taxi drivers, hairdressers, and other providers of
service, tip as you would at home, an average of 10% to 15%.
For restaurants, the policy is usually printed on the menu—
either a gratuity of 10% to 15% is automatically added to
your bill or it's left up to you. Always ask if you are in doubt.
As a rule, bartenders do not expect a tip, except when table
service is provided.
Weather Phone & 1550/122112, or check the Web at www.
ireland.com/weather .
Yellow Pages The classified section of the telephone book is
called the Golden Pages ( www.goldenpages.ie ).

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