Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
area codes. Government numbers are usually printed on blue paper, or
blue-edged paper within the White Pages. Printed on yellow paper, the
so-called
Yellow Pages
list all local services, businesses, industries, and
houses of worship according to activity with an index at the front or back.
Time
The continental United States is divided into
four time zones:
East-
ern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard
Time (MST), and Pacific Standard Time (PST). Alaska and Hawaii have their
own zones. For example, noon in New York City (EST) is 11am in Chicago
(CST), 10am in Denver (MST), 9am in Los Angeles (PST), 8am in Anchorage
(AST), and 7am in Honolulu (HST).
Daylight saving time
is in effect from 1am on the first Sunday in April
through 1am on the last Sunday in October, except in Arizona, Hawaii,
most of Indiana, and Puerto Rico. Daylight saving time moves the clock 1
hour ahead of standard time.
Tipping
Tips are a very important part of certain workers' income, and gra-
tuities are the standard way of showing appreciation for services provided.
(Tipping is certainly not compulsory if the service is poor!) In hotels, tip
bell-
hops
at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 per bag if you have a lot of luggage and the
bellhop was especially helpful) and tip the
chamber staff
$1 to $2 per day
(more if you've left a disaster area for him or her to clean up). Tip the
door-
man
or
concierge
only if he or she has provided you with some specific serv-
ice (for example, calling a cab for you or obtaining difficult-to-get theater
tickets). Tip the
valet-parking attendant
$1 every time you get your car.
In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip
service staff
15% to 20% of the
check, tip
bartenders
10% to 15%, tip
checkroom attendants
$1 per gar-
ment, and tip
valet-parking attendants
$1 per vehicle.
As for other service personnel, tip
cab drivers
15% of the fare; tip
sky-
caps
at airports at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of luggage);
and tip
hairdressers
and
barbers
15% to 20%.
Toilets
You won't find public toilets or “restrooms” on the streets in most
U.S. cities, but they can be found in hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, muse-
ums, department stores, railway and bus stations, and service stations.
Large hotels and fast-food restaurants are probably the best bet for
good, clean facilities. If possible, avoid the toilets at parks and beaches,
which tend to be dirty; some may be unsafe. Restaurants and bars in
resorts or heavily visited areas may reserve their restrooms for patrons.
Some establishments display a notice indicating this. You can ignore this
sign or, better yet, avoid arguments by paying for a cup of coffee or a soft
drink, which will qualify you as a patron.