Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gasoline (Petrol) Petrol is known as gasoline (or simply gas) in the United
States, and petrol stations are known as both gas stations and service sta-
tions. Gasoline costs about half as much here as it does in Europe (about
$2 per gallon in Chicago at press time), and taxes are already included in
the printed price. One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters or .85 imperial gallons.
Holidays Banks, government offices, and post offices are closed on the fol-
lowing legal national holidays: January 1 (New Year's Day), the third Mon-
day in January (Martin Luther King, Jr., Day), the third Monday in February
(Presidents' Day), the last Monday in May (Memorial Day), July 4 (Indepen-
dence Day), the first Monday in September (Labor Day), the second Mon-
day in October (Columbus Day), November 11 (Veterans' Day), the fourth
Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day), and December 25 (Christmas).
Also, the Tuesday following the first Monday in November is Election Day
and is a federal government holiday in presidential-election years (held
every 4 years, and next in 2008). Stores, museums, and restaurants are open
most holidays, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Legal Aid If you are “pulled over” for a minor infraction (such as speeding),
never attempt to pay the fine directly to a police officer; this could be con-
strued as attempted bribery, a much more serious crime. Pay fines by mail,
or directly into the hands of the clerk of the court. If accused of a more seri-
ous offense, say and do nothing before consulting a lawyer. Here the bur-
den is on the state to prove a person's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and
everyone has the right to remain silent, whether he or she is suspected of a
crime or actually arrested. Once arrested, a person can make one telephone
call to a party of his or her choice. Call your embassy or consulate.
Mail If you aren't sure what your address will be in the United States,
mail can be sent to you, in your name, c/o General Delivery at the main
post office of the city or region where you expect to be. (Call & 800/275-
8777 for information on the nearest post office.) The addressee must pick
up mail in person and must produce proof of identity (driver's license,
passport, and so on). Most post offices will hold your mail for up to 1
month, and are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, and Saturday
from 9am to 3pm.
Generally found at intersections, mailboxes are blue with a red-and-
white stripe and carry the inscription U.S. Mail. If your mail is addressed
to a U.S. destination, don't forget to add the five-digit postal code (or zip
code), after the two-letter abbreviation of the state to which the mail is
addressed.
At press time, domestic postage rates were 23¢ for a postcard and 37¢
for a letter. For international mail, a first-class letter of up to 1 2 ounce
costs 80¢ (60¢ to Canada and Mexico); a first-class postcard costs 70¢ (50¢
to Canada and Mexico); and a preprinted postal aerogramme costs 70¢.
Measurements See the chart on the inside front cover of this topic for
details on converting metric measurements to U.S. equivalents.
Taxes The United States has no value-added tax (VAT) or other indirect
tax at the national level. Every state, county, and city has the right to levy
its own local tax on all purchases, including hotel and restaurant checks,
airline tickets, and so on. The state of Illinois sales tax is 8.75%. In
Chicago, hotel rooms are taxed at an even higher rate
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