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Currency and Taxes
Spending While You’re Here
U.S. currency comes in coins (1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢ and, less commonly, 50¢ and $1) and bills ($1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 and, less commonly, $2). Two tips: Keep 25¢ pieces (quarters) on hand for parking meters, buses and subways. If you can help it, don’t pay for low-cost items with larger than a $20 bill – shopkeepers may be unable – or unwilling – to make change.
You can exchange foreign currencies at most large banks, tourist centers and at agencies in the terminals of major airports. But you’ll receive the best rate using an automated teller machine (ATM). They’re everywhere, though some banking networks charge fees of $1-2 per transaction.
Another way to optimize the exchange rate is to make purchases with a credit card. Major credit cards are widely accepted across the U.S. In fact, some businesses, such as hotels, require a credit card to confirm a reservation. Keep some U.S. currency or traveler’s checks on hand for use in an emergency.
Taxes
The U.S. doesn’t have a national sales tax comparable to the value-added tax (VAT) or goods and services tax (GST) found in other countries. Instead, individual U.S. states and localities (counties and cities) set their own rates of taxation.
Thus, the sales tax you may be required to pay depends on where you are and even what you’re buying. Sales tax on food items, for example, may be lower than for merchandise; tax on gas is often higher.
Keep in mind that sales tax is never included on a price tag. Since sales tax isn’t collected on a national level, you can’t obtain a refund on departure. However, many states don’t charge tax on items shipped out of state. Inquire at the store, especially if you are making a large purchase.
Two states – Louisiana and Texas – have limited sales tax refund programs (www.taxfreetexas.com; www.louisianataxfree.com). And several states – Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon – don’t have any state sales tax at all.
Health & Medical
Medical facilities can be found in all hospitals as well as urgent care clinics. Hospitals emergency rooms and urgent care clinics do not require appointments, though in non-life threatening situations, it may be helpful to call ahead. Health care is superior in the US but it can be very expensive because there is no universal health care. Traveler’s health insurance should be purchased prior to travel to the U.S. in case of an emergency. Prescription medication should be brought from home and carried in its original, labeled container. The nationwide emergency phone number for police, fire and ambulance is 911.
Social Customs
U.S. culture is as diverse as the geography, and what’s considered good manners often changes from region to region. Americans are generally an easygoing people – famously open and welcoming – but observing a few customs will guarantee a successful trip.
Dress is generally casual; business dress is sometimes required in high-end restaurants and private clubs, but less frequently than even a few years ago. Nevertheless, if you are attending a special event, it’s probably best to risk being overdressed, rather than too casual. Small gifts are appreciated if you are visiting someone in their home.
Tipping is customary for service industry professionals: waiters, bartenders, taxi drivers, hairdressers, hotel porters and chambermaids, coatroom attendants, parking valets and airport skycaps. Tips are an important part of their income. The tipping custom in the U.S. is 15 percent of the total bill – 20 percent or more for exceptional service. Tip coatroom attendants $1 per garment; parking valets $1-2 when you drop off your car and another $1-2 when you pick it up; hotel porters and airport skycaps at least $1 per bag; and hotel chambermaids $3-5 a day.
Look before you light up. Smoking is much less accepted here than it once was. In fact, it’s restricted in many establishments and often banned entirely. Even entire cities – including Seattle and New York – are “smoke free” in most public areas. Check for no-smoking signs and never light up unless you’re sure it’s allowed. It’s polite to ask for permission if you’re in the company of others.
Every culture has some quirky do’s and don’ts. Here are a few of America’s: Observe queues and don’t cut in line. Be aware that Americans are fanatics about showering and hygiene. Keep your voice down when talking on a mobile phone in public. And only use your phone in appropriate places where others will not be disturbed by being a party to your conversation.
Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting, but many Americans are quite casual and demonstrative: it’s not altogether unusual to receive a hug and sometimes even a friendly kiss on the cheek from someone you’ve only just met.
Communications
Internet service in the U.S. is widespread and fast. Connect for free at most public libraries and, for a fee, at cybercafés, copy centers and hotels. Many coffee houses offer free wireless if you have your own Wi-Fi-enabled computer.
Make calls from any public phone using a pre-paid phone card or phone credit card. Use a coin-operated pay phone (30-50¢) for local calls. Pre-paid phone cards generally offer the best rate, especially for international calls. Pick one up at airports, hotels, bus stations, grocery and convenience stores. Purchasing or renting a mobile phone that operates on a U.S. network is another, pricier option.
Send an international airmail postcard or letter weighing up to 1 ounce for 69¢ to Canada and Mexico and 90¢ elsewhere. Domestic first-class rates start at 41¢ for a letter and 26¢ for a postcard. Purchase stamps and post mail at the local post offices and some banks, grocery stores and pharmacies.
U.S. Holidays
Officially, there are no national holidays in the United States, though the federal government has designated ten “legal or public holidays.” Each of the 50 states sets its own holidays, however, most states observe the federal ("legal or public") holidays. In 1971, the U.S. Congress voted to fix many holidays on Mondays, rather than on a particular calendar date, so workers have a long holiday weekend:
New Year’s Day January 1
Martin Luther King Birthday Third Monday in January
President’s Day Third Monday in February
Memorial Day Last Monday in May
Independence Day July 4
Labor Day First Monday in September
Columbus Day Second Monday in October
Veteran’s Day November 11
Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day December 25
Some States observe holidays that are not recognized by the federal government. For example, New Jersey celebrates Lincoln's Birthday, Good Friday and Election Day; Virginia celebrates Lee-Jackson Day, honoring Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas Jonathan ("Stonewall") Jackson, and the Day after Thanksgiving, affording state employees a four-day holiday weekend.
Transportation and Driving
The U.S.’s transportation system is well maintained and extensive. Go by airplane, bus, train or car. Locally, you’ll find metros, ferries, trolleys and taxis. But avoid hitchhiking anywhere in the U.S.; it’s not efficient or safe.
Given the country’s size, flying is the fastest way to get from one place to another. Most interstate flights connect through main airports in large cities known as “hubs.” Even if you’re flying to a destination within the same state, you may have a more or less lengthy stopover in a hub.
When booking flights, check all airports near your destination – sometimes you can find a better fare or a less busy airfield. New York City is served by three airports: Kennedy, La Guardia and Newark, New Jersey. Manhattan is easily accessible from all of them. Similarly, travelers to Chicago will be fine landing at O’Hare, one of the world’s busiest airports, but should also look at flights into Midway, an easy taxi ride into town.
Passenger train travel in the U.S. has largely been supplanted by air transport, but it’s still an excellent way to hop between urban centers within a region like Seattle and Portland or Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. Amtrak, the national rail service, travels all over the country but its most appealing service is on scenic routes such as Chicago to San Francisco, on a train called the California Zephyr. Amtrak offers 15- and 30-day unlimited USA Rail Passes as well as a number of regional rail passes.
Greyhound is the major long-distance bus, or coach, carrier within the U.S., but Trailways offers more regional routes. If you plan on using the bus frequently, before leaving home, purchase the discounted Greyhound International Ameripass, which is available only outside the U.S.
The U.S. is a car culture and driving is often the most convenient and economical way to travel. From a practical standpoint, public transportation within cities isn’t highly efficient except in large metropolitan areas. So even if you’re jumping between cities by plane, you may want to rent a car on arrival and drive. You’ll find car rental outlets at all major airports. Indulge in that uniquely American pastime, the road trip. Set your own pace, wander down abandoned back roads, stop whenever and wherever you like. It’s prudent to take the LDW/CDW (loss/collision damage waiver) insurance on your rental.
The U.S. interstate highway system is excellent and well maintained. Though gas prices have been rising in the U.S., they are still lower than most international visitors are accustomed to paying. Gas stations are plentiful along highways and in cities, and can usually provide maps and road directions, too. Speed limits vary on American highways, but are typically 55-75 miles per hour. Speeds are posted and often enforced by highway patrol officers. Driving under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs is a serious offense in the U.S. and can result in inconvenience, embarrassment and expense (and criminal charges?).
Hitchhiking is illegal in many U.S. states.
511 Travel Hotline
Many states and metropolitan areas now participate in the 511 Travel Hotline, which provides road travelers with information related to traffic, weather, road conditions, construction, etc. Just dial 511 from your cell phone or from a roadside telephone to get up-to-the-minute advice. For an overview of participating destinations, go to http://www.deploy511.org/deployment-stats.html
Lodging
While hostels are a reliable choice in many parts of the world, the U.S. doesn’t have an extensive hostelling network. For that type of low-priced, communal experience, try outdoor camping. The U.S.’s national and state parks offer an enormous number and range of campgrounds – from simple tent sites to developed areas with hot showers – and opportunities for backcountry camping. Make advance reservations during busy seasons and check with the park ranger about permits if you’re heading into the backcountry.
You can also pitch your tent, rent a cabin or hook up your rented RV (recreational vehicle), campervan or motor home at the endless string of private campgrounds crisscrossing the country. They vary in quality and cost, but many offer amenities like swimming pools and convenience stores.
Hotels and motels are the mainstays of U.S. lodging; you’ll find them in every city, town, even at remote interstate truck stops. Hotels range from budget to five-star luxury. Motels (it’s a motel when the door to your room is accessible from the outdoor parking area, rather than from an interior hallway) stop at mid-range prices.
For generally higher-end accommodations with lots of character, try Bed and Breakfasts (referred to as B&Bs) or lodges. B&Bs are often in beautifully-decorated historic homes; lodges can be comfortably rustic and situated in scenic surroundings.
Measurements and Voltage
Measurements
The U.S. measurement system is based on the English system of measurement and is referred to as U.S. Customary Units. The metric system is used in some specific fields of work, including the medical field, but U.S. Customary Units remain the standard for most Americans.
Length in the U.S. is based on four customary measurements; inch, foot, yard and mile:
U.S. Divisions Metric
1 inch 25.4 mm
1 foot 12 inches 0.3048 m
1 yard 3 feet 0.9144 m
1 mile 5,280 feet 1.609344 km
Americans generally measure rooms and buildings in square feet; carpets in square yards and territory in square miles.
Liquid measure in the U.S. is generally based on number of fluid ounces. Beverages are usually measured in fluid ounces with single servings ranging between 8 and 16 ounces. Milk is usually sold in cups or half pints, pints, quarts and gallons. Water volume for bathtubs, ponds, swimming pools, etc., is usually described in gallons.
U.S. Divisions Metric
1 fluid ounce (oz) 29.573 53 mL
1 liquid pint 16 fl oz 473.176 5 mL
1 liquid quart 2 pt/32 fl oz 946.352 9 mL
1 gallon 4 qt /128 fl oz 3.785 412 L Weight in the U.S. is measured most commonly in ounces and pounds.
U.S. Divisions Metric
1 ounce (oz) 28.349 523 125 g
1 pound 16 oz 473.176 5 mL
Produce and other fresh foods, such as meat are usually sold by pounds.
Voltage
Wherever you stay, don’t forget to pack an AC and plug adapter – the U.S. uses 110 to 120 volts and electrical plugs with two flat parallel blades.
Clothing Sizes
The current U.S. standard clothing sizes were developed from statistical data in the 1940s and 50s. They are similar in principle to the EN 13402 European clothing size standard; however, these sizes are no longer used by U.S. clothing companies.
In recent years, a move towards specialty sizing including Women’s Petites (for women under 5’4), Women’s Plus sizes (for women size 14 and up), Men’s Big and Tall (for men over 6’0 tall). Many stores specialize in clothing for these specific body types, though in department stores, the special sizes are often located in different sections of the store.
Men's shirt and pants sizes are more consistent than women's clothing sizes because they reflect the actual size of their dimensions in inches.
If you decide to buy clothes in the United States, the rule of thumb is “try it before you buy it.” Sizes vary greatly between manufacturers.
Men's Suits and Coats
Country | Size | |||
United States | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
United Kingdom UK and US men's suit and coat sizes are the same. | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
Europe (Add 10 to a US size to get | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 |
Japan Japanese men's suit and coat sizes are marked by letters. S = 34 US, M = 38 US, L = 40 US and LL = 44 US. | S (34) | S (34) | M (38) | M (38) |
Women's Dresses/Blouses
Country | Size | |||
United States | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
United Kingdom (Add 2 to a US size to get | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
Europe (Add 28 or 30 to a US size to get | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 |
Japan (Subtract 1 from a US size to get | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 |
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