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 stations. Gasoline costs about half as much here as it does in
Europe (about $2.50 per gal. at press time), and taxes are already
included in the printed price. One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters or .85 impe-
rial gallons.
Holidays
Banks, government offices, post offices, and many stores,
restaurants, and museums are closed on the following legal national hol-
idays: January 1 (New Year's Day), the third Monday in January (Martin
Luther King, Jr., Day), the third Monday in February (Presidents' Day,
Washington's Birthday), the last Monday in May (Memorial Day), July 4
(Independence Day), the first Monday in September (Labor Day), the sec-
ond Monday in October (Columbus Day), November 11 (Veterans'
Day/Armistice 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). See
chapter 2 for Hawaii's holidays.
Legal Aid
If you are “pulled over” for a minor infraction (such as speed-
ing), never attempt to pay the fine directly to a police officer; this could
be construed 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 serious offense, say and do nothing before consulting a lawyer.
Here the burden is on the state to prove a person's guilt beyond a rea-
sonable doubt, and everyone has the right to remain silent, whether he
or she is suspected of a crime or actually arrested. Once arrested, a per-
son 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 forth). Most post offices will hold your mail for up to 1
month. They 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. This is essential to prompt delivery.
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 a half-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
