US VISITOR
Yet another unofficial visitor welcome page.
Copyright 2006 George D. Peterson, Jr.

I created this page because I've  traveled internationally and I since I encounter different things, I assume you may on your first visit here.  Maybe this will make your visit easier. I know a few words in a few languages, but not well enough to write this in anything other than English.  Certainly not all languages!  This is not sponsored or encouraged by any government or private organization. I'm just another human on this planet trying to help you.  The links I have provided on this page are NOT in any way related to me nor do I attest to the credibility of their content--view it, as this page, at your own discretion and risk!

CURRENCY
US Bills are pretty easy to understand. Our currency is the US Dollar or Dollar.  Visit the government's web site: http://www.moneyfactory.gov/section.cfm/4  to view the bills. We also call this paper money, bills, green-backs, or bucks.  The word "Dollar" would be a visitor's word of choice.  Most common bills are one, five, ten, and twenty.  Fifties are not too common and hundreds are even less common.

US coins are designed to confuse you (and our kids as they learn it) from the very start.  Their size is of no value in determining their worth nor is their weight (mass).  There are no visible numbers (other than a mint date--the year the coin was manufactured or struck).  So you will have to learn each coin one by one.  Many nations at least have the value in a number form on the coin but don't look on USA coins.

Coins are the fractional denomination of the dollar.  Its basic value is called a cent.  100 cents (written as 100¢) equals one dollar (written as $1 or $1.00). If the cents symbol did not translate in your web browser it is the lower case "C" (c) with a forward slash (/) through it.  To express a value of dollars and cents such as a price of $2.37, you would say "two dollars and thirty seven cents." With few exceptions, all coins are round.

I can't find a good web site to reference to about coins and because of the legal wording in terms of use of the government's sites, I don't know if I can link or put pictures on this site.  This site is for kids... and since you are learning, this may help:  http://www.syvum.com/cgi/online/serve.cgi/quiz/us/uscoins.tdf?0

PENNY
This is 0.01 dollar and the smallest coin denomination. It is called.  You would say "please give me 3 cents" or (not as frequently) you may say "I need 3 pennies."  The penny is the only coin that is copper colored.

NICKEL
This is 0.05 dollar.  A nickel is 5 cents.  You would say "I need another nickel to pay for this."  The coin is a flat silver color.

DIME
This is 0.10 dollar.  A dime is 10 cents.  You would say "Does that cost a dime"?  The coin is the smallest physical coin in the present circulation.  The coin is a shiny silver color.

QUARTER
This is 0.25 dollar. A quarter is 25 cents.  You would say "Do you have an extra quarter"?  The coin is a shiny silver color.  The reason it is called a quarter is because it is 1/4 (a quarter) of a dollar.  Occasionally this is called "2 bits" but mostly by the older generation.

HALF DOLLAR
By far, the 4 coins above are the MOST common in use today.  The half dollar is occasionally seen and is 0.50 dollar. A half dollar is 50 cents and occasionally called a 50 cent piece. The coin is a shiny silver color. It's called a half dollar because it is one half of a dollar.  You would say "where did you find a half-dollar"?

SILVER DOLLAR
Much less frequently seen than the half dollar almost to the point of being extinct. It is the largest coin and is worth a dollar, or 100 cents.

DOLLAR COINS
The US attempted to put other dollar coins in circulation. Some were odd colored (a brass color) and one had 8 sides (not quite round). This failed because the size was the same as the quarter and it caused confusion.  One coin with Susan Anthony on it was called a "Susan" but you are probably not going to see any of these.

PHYSICAL SIZE
From smallest to largest:
Dime, penny, nickel, quarter, half dollar.

DRIVING / ROADS
We drive on the right side of the road. Our driver's position, in the vehicle, is on the left side.  Therefore, the center of the road will be to your left as you are moving with opposing traffic advancing toward you, from your left.  Please obey traffic signals and speed limit signs.  We have fines, as most nations, if traffic laws are not obeyed. 

Pedestrians usually do not have the right of way and you are not required to stop your vehicle just because some one appears at the street's edge (However, I would not like to live with the thought that I hurt or killed anyone, so if in doubt, stop.)   PLEASE - Check ALL of your destination's local laws or ask at the car rental agency to be sure you comply with local driving requirements and laws.  Also, remember it can change from city to city or state to state.  If you do hit another car or a person, you MUST stop and try to help the person and do NOT leave until the law arrives to take your statement.  If necessary, some one should stay if some else is needed to find help or a telephone.

ROADS
There are good web sites for learning more about the US Interstate and highway system.  Interstates are Major routes between cities and have limited access (that means you may go a long time before it is permitted to exit). Interstates are also called expressways, beltways, parkways, or freeways in some regions.  US Highways also connect major cities but some one's home can be directly at the highway. 

Interstates are mostly used to get to a major city when speed is important.  Highways are of value when there is not any major cities to connect to or if you are looking for a good road to less populated areas and attractions.  Most of these road systems are of good quality and occasionally patrolled by law enforcement agencies.
Interstates:  http://www.hm-usa.com/driving02.html
Highways:  http://www.us-highways.com/usbt.htm
More info: http://freespace.virgin.net/john.cletheroe/usa_can/driving/roads.htm,
US Federal Highway Administration: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ 

As you progress out from these main roads, you will be using the state and county road systems.  While most of these are maintained, the roads that are farther from the population masses, will begin to suffer in quality in some places.  Usually a state road has a square sign that has a picture or silhouette that resembles the physical shape of the state where you are driving.  County roads are not usually marked with numbers. Mostly, these roads have names.

TOLLS
Some highways can have a toll attached to use them. As you enter or exit you can be charged, usually collected by toss coins in a change basket or at a window, where there is a person to make change.  These roads are generally called toll roads or toll routes or turnpikes.

STREET NAMES/ CITY / TOWN / POSTAL CODES
Roads are also designated by different names. The name remains the same for the total extent of the road, but there are rare exceptions. (Abbreviations are in parenthesis) Street (St.), road (Rd.), lane (Ln.), way, circle, court (Ct.) Boulevard (Blvd.), Avenue (Av. or Ave., Drive (Dr.), Place (Pl.).  Cul-de-sacs and do not have any other exit, SOMETIMES they are called circles but not often and are NOT like traffic circles, rings,  or "roundabouts," which are uncommon in the US.  Ways, courts, and lanes, are generally connected but may be part of a neighborhood (or "subdivision" ) which has only one or two entries and exits. This varies from city to city, also.  (See "alcohol" below about driving after having an alcoholic beverage.)

We will generally list a street number first, then the name of the street.  After that you will see "lane, road, street, and so forth. Example:
407 Novi Road.  If there is an apartment (abbreviated Apt.), it will be listed after the road designation. Example: 515 May Street, Apt. 1107.

City, State, and zip code (postal code) are listed next. Example:
Mobile, Alabama 36619-1016.  The last 4 digits are usually optional.

ROAD SIGNS
There are already some sites that have done an excellent job:
http://www.discoverabroad.com/US/LivingAbroad/Transportation/AmericanRoadSigns.htm These are tiny but readable.
http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/transport_network/traffic_ops/road_signs.asp Our government has a page, just no pictures.
http://www.trafficsign.us/ nicely done.
http://www.usatourist.com/english/tips/driving.html less signs but has different languages.
http://freespace.virgin.net/john.cletheroe/usa_can/driving/signs.htm (British travel site describes the signs but there are no examples)
http://www.street-signs-usa.com/ Commercial site but useful.

LANGUAGE
While USA is a big country composed of 50 states, we all speak English. We don't learn different languages because we don't have to. Certainly people study and enjoy speaking languages, but other than a few areas of the US (South Florida and South Texas, where Spanish is influenced by the bordering nations), it is English.  If you learned English in the UK or Australia, you will be able to communicate well. There are a few words that are different, but you should have no trouble.

With the exception of Spanish, most signs, literature, instructions, etc are all in English.  SOME tourist centers may have some non-English brochures, but do depend on finding this.  You will not be able to get printed instructions, menus, directions, information, in any language but English. Few people speak another language. If you get in real trouble and need a translation, your embassy may be able to help you if you are able to contact them.  Otherwise, I would go to a university or college and hope that they have a department that knows your language. 

Some hotels, mostly international, have a few instructions in other languages.  Large international hotels and restaurants in larger cities, may have international menus. If this is important, contact your host or hotel or travel agency for more information.

MEASURE
No metric. Sorry.  There are, however, some items that are metric and many people in the US use metric. Get a chart or conversion table for the things that are important for you.  Distance and temperature are probably the more important values to you  Gasoline is sold by the gallon. Small cars will use about 10 gallons and larger will use about 20 gallons if they are nearly empty.  Most soft drinks & bottled alcohol are sold in liter measurements.  Clothing and shoe sizes are different. These sites have some size conversion charts: http://www.tyzo.com/tools/clothing.html http://www.onlineconversion.com/clothing.htm .

FOOD
America is a diverse country.  You can probably find anything you are familiar with back home, but not always.  It may have been altered somewhat, too, and may not even look/taste like your home made food!  Pork is pig, Beef is cow, Chicken & Fish are called the same.  Some places offer regional foods. Coastal areas, for example, will have fresh seafood.  We do not have the variety of salads that you can find in other nations but they are certainly enjoyable.  Some areas will have specialty foods like snake, alligator, crawfish, moose, deer, squirrel, quail, and other game, but this is quite rare.  Most US foods are about beef.

Food centers ("Grocery Stores") are large and will have sections that contain canned food, fresh food, and frozen food.  There are drinks and some have alcoholic beverages (beer & wine) depending on local laws.  You can pay with cash or credit card. Some food stores will carry other items as a convenience but are generally higher, such as motor oil.  Some places in some cities have open street markets or rural areas called "farmers' markets."  Gasoline (Automobile fuel) is mostly sold from a convenience store. These carry a limited supply of food items and are generally much higher than grocery stores.

WATER
If you ask for sparkling water, no one will understand what you are talking about.  "Tonic" water is about the closest thing we have for sparking water, and may not be available.  Most water is still (and no one knows what "still water" is, either).  Water is generally not chilled. It will generally come with ice in it, so you will need to specify "no ice" if you want water that contains no ice. 

IF you are in a restaurant, the water will probably be cold water unless you specify "room temperature" or bottled water.  This request may not be possible in some places.  Most places serve a cold tea and coffee with a meal.  Many people find US coffee weak, also.  Other drinks are soft drinks, which are products like coke cola, sprite, Pepsi, 7up, Dr Pepper, and so forth.  The tea or coffee is occasionally included with the meal, but may be extra. Water (unless you specify tonic or bottled) will be of no charge most of the time.

ALCOHOL (Spirits)
Beer, wine, and mixed drinks are available at most restaurants. Alcohol is not generally consumed mid day since people are usually returning to work.  It is generally unacceptable to drink or be under the influence of any drink, if you are at work.  If you are here to work, you may find this custom different.  You will need to check with your host because it can be grounds for termination.  People are aware that non-US visitors will consume beer or wine with lunch, however.  This would be your choice, and this note is for your benefit to understand US habits, but you should check with your host before making this decision if you are working here. 

If you are driving, it is not permissible to have consumed but a small quantity of alcohol. If you rent a car, ask about this as it varies in different area or ask your host.  Generally one glass or wine or a beer is about all you are permitted to consume, but you need to check with the local host or even the law enforcement.  The place where you purchase the alcohol should also be able to tell you what limits are permitted.  It is better to have a "designated driver" who is a person responsible for driving and will not consume any alcohol. If you want to learn about US jail systems, this would be a good law to violate, especially if there is property or personal injury as a result of an accident.

BORDERS / LAWS
The United States is composed of 50 states.  Each state has its own government and state laws are often different (usually more strict) than federal laws.  A federal law is a law that applies to all states -- basically everywhere in the USA.  State laws apply to that particular state. States must comply with Federal laws.

States are subdivided into counties.  There can be 30 counties in a state.  Counties have their own laws but must comply with Federal and State laws.  For example, one such law is the purchase of alcohol.  In a "dry" county, the sale of alcohol is not permitted.  There are laws about transporting or consuming alcohol in a dry county, also.

In addition to that, cities have their own laws. Generally at this level, rules about construction, marriage, work conditions, and a variety of laws like that, will affect city government, but some can affect you.  Most people that live in cities are unaware of the different laws/rules because they are either learned the hard way or do not affect the common citizen.

CLIMATE / OTHER
Any climate can be expected. The US has many internet weather sites.  So do a little research before you come or ask your host.  We certainly have our extremes but probably set no world records. There are certainly hotter and colder regions on the planet. The northern part of the US, near Canada or Alaska, is very cold in the winter.  The southeastern US, Hawaii, and south west are hot in the summer. The gulf coast & Florida are quite humid and makes the temperature much hotter in feel (heat index).  If you are not used to the heat, you may want to plan your trip for a cooler time.  Contact your host or travel agency about this area of the US.

ELEVATORS (Lifts)
Hotels and business with multiple levels ("stories")  are entered on the "ground level" or first floor.  The next floor up is the second floor (Floor #2). Below the ground floor is called a basement.  There does not seem to be any standard for denoting multiple basement levels.  There is occasionally a level called the mezzanine, which is a level between the first and second floors.  It is usually a service or show place area.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS
This can be complex at times but generally follows the same rule. Phone numbers in a close location, are made of 7 digits. Simple math can tell you that if you have a 7-digit telephone number, you can only service about half that many people and the numbers run out.  Businesses have many lines and faxes and extensions.  States of low population can have 3-5 area codes.  Large cities can have the same number of area codes.

If you are dialing a number in a nearby area, most of the time you will only need to dial 7 numbers.  If you are calling across a large city, you may have to dial an area code first. Even if you are but a short distance from a state line, you will have to dial the area code of that state before you dial your 7 digit telephone number.

When dialing into another area code, that is often called "long distance" dialing.  When you dial long distance, you dial "1" then the 3-digit area code, then the 7 digit telephone number.  In some cases, you will have a toll charge even when dialing in the same area code from which you are calling.  Most places have a telephone book but even when I travel to other US cities, it is difficult for me to know when it will be a toll. The telephone book (or phone book) is usually helpful, but requires some studying.

DRUGS
Don't even think about bringing illegal drugs to the USA.  You are not welcome nor are the drugs.  If you are unsure, don't.  If you have a Doctor's prescription, be sure you have information to indicate that it is legal and for what reason you are taking this medication.

The US Government has a web site, mostly for citizens, but you may find something of value. 
US Customs: http://www.customs.gov/
US Visit: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/content_multi_image/content_multi_image_0006.xml