At most of the American airports, luggage
carrier trolley's are not free of charge. You will have to pay a
nominal charge of 1 to 2 dollar.
Just like China here in America, one has to
keep to the right hand side of the road. And the drivers seat is on
the left side of the car.
For crossing roads there will be buttons
provided on the signal post, which have to be pressed in order to
get the "Walk" signal. You must use pedestrian crossing to cross a
road, otherwise you will be fined, if caught.
You will be fined heavily, if found walking on
the highways.
For all nature calls, you are suppose to take the closest exit, and
use public rest rooms.
In public local transport buses, there is no
ticket conductor. Also in some places you won't get any formal
tickets for traveling, unless you want a day pass.
You need to make a stop request to the driver, by pulling the bell
string.
** Remember: Whatever you put in the
cash box, if extra, is gone. Maximum driver can do is, to give you
that much worth tickets, but not the money.
You won't find any taxi/cab waiting in a queue
on the road sides. You will have to call them up (at the numbers
given in the yellow pages). Although there are taxi stands at the
Airports and Railway Stations.
Most of the Gas Stations (Petrol Pumps) are
self serviced, i.e. you need to fill it up yourself. And all
machines are equipped to pay by credit cards.
Some of the traffic signals are equipped with
video cameras. Don't wonder if you get a traffic violation ticket in
your mail box.
You can be fined for driving above the posted
speed limit. Make sure you know the speed limit and drive within it.
Your license can be seized and maybe even be
put in to a jail, if caught drunk, while driving.
If a cop (police officer) asks you to stop
while you are driving, just stop the car at the right side of the
road, and wait inside. Never get out of the car. Cop may consider it
as an offense, and might shoot you for self defense.
Never throw any kind of paper or any other
waste out of your car windows. If caught, you might be fined for
littering.
Try to avoid using car horns, unless required.
Normally, apartments provide basic kitchen
appliances like cooking burners, oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher.
Mostly all the apartments are equipped with
centralized heating system. And some are equipped with A.C. too.
You would find both "Hot" and "Cold" water in
the tap at all places, viz. Apartments, offices as well as in all
public rest rooms.
At the restaurants, you won't get steamed hot
towel but dry napkins.
Unlike in China, at restaurants, usually you
get 2 categories of dishes. "On the wall" and "A La Carte". You will
have two more menus, wine list and dessert list.
At fast food joints, you would be asked if the
food is for "Here" or "To Go"?
"Here" means to have there itself, and "To Go" means packed/
parceled.
At most American restaurants, it is a custom to
tip the server. Normally a sum of minimum 10% of the check.
In most of the Chinese restaurants you will
find buffet. At buffets, it is a custom to use a fresh plate for
each next serving. Leave the earlier one at the table itself, server
will clear it up.
At any Dine-in place, don't go and occupy any
empty table yourself. Wait at the front desk, as someone would
assist you to get seated.
Are you a Vegetarian? No Problem. Just be
careful while ordering to specify "no meat" and
don't say anything else like "without meat", "meat-less"
etc., as they don't understand these terms.
When you want a drink without ice, specify "No
Ice", and not "Without Ice".
You would be fined heavily, if caught shop
lifting, and might be handed over to the Police.
In US, Beer and Wine is available in the super
markets. At some stores you might also find hard drinks like,
Whiskey and Rum. Don't forget to carry your ID's having your age
proof, if you are walking down in a bar, to have some drinks. The
drinking age is 21.
Electric switches are operated in the opposite
direction, i.e. upside-ON and downside-OFF.
Never ever ask for a
rubber when you need an eraser.
Here a rubber means "condom" !!
The date is written as, MM/ DD/ YY i.e. Month/
Date/ Year or Date/Month/Year.
When you are going to smoke, don't say, "I am
going out for a fag". "Fag" in British English means, "to smoke",
whereas in American English, it means a "Gay".
Here pink color shirt is normally taken as the
sign of being a "Gay".
Mainland USA is divided into 4 time zones. They
are "Eastern Time", "Central Time", "Mountain Time", and "Pacific
Time". Depending on the zone, your time will differ from any other
zone state.
All watches are reset twice every year (viz.
March and November), in order to make the maximum use of the day
light.
Never, ever talk in your native language in
presence of Americans during a gathering. They don't like it.
There is no such thing as "Eve teasing" in the
USA. It is called "sexual harassment", and one can land to a serious
consequence even to be put in jail, if caught.
If you don't find public toilets anywhere
around, the best option is to go to any fast food joint like Mc.
Donald's etc.
Don't say, "I'll ring you back." or "I'll give
you a ring later". Here ring is the engagement ring, rather say
"I'll call you, or buzz you".
Don't offer chewing gum, or a breath freshener
to others. It gives them a message that they have a bad breath. Your
intention may not be that, but it is easily mistaken.
Don't call a black person a "Negro" or "Black",
it is always polite to call them "African Americans". Also never
call an "American Indian" as a "Red Indian", they get very
offended.
Don't walk/sit with arms around the shoulders
of anybody of same sex, as you might be mistaken for "a Gay" or "a
Lesbian".
In cars, kids under 12 years of age should
always be seated at the back with a seat belt. Additional car seat
must be used for infants and toddlers.
When standing in a line make sure there is
enough space between you and the person standing in front of you. If
you stand too close to strangers, they feel you are invading their
personal space....Watch Out!!!
In supermarkets, if the cashier asks for paper
or plastic? It means what would you like to carry your stuff in,
paper bags or plastic bags.
During your conversation, Don't say, "I have a
doubt", rather say "I have a question."
Usually, all ATMs will only give $20 bills and
you may only withdraw in multiples of $20.
Punctuality is a necessary habit. It would be
good if you could come at about 5 to 10 minutes earlier for an
appointment. But you should not be much too early either.