General Information
Facts about the USA
This vast nation, approximately three times the size of India, and the fourth largest country in the world, is spectacular in its natural beauty, full of old world charm in the rural reaches of its small towns, and brightly seductive in the glitter of its modern metropolises.
American people are one of the friendliest and most informal people in the world. However, inquiry into their personal lives are not welcome unless a degree of intimacy has been established. It appears to be almost mandatory that everyone be polite and friendly. Everybody, from the supermarket clerk to the bus driver, is likely to greet you with a "Hi! How are you doing?" which, unlike in India, is not always an invitation to stop and have a friendly chat.
Geography and Climate
Administratively, the United States (all 3,628,062 square miles of it) is divided into 50 states and the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.). Of these, 48 states and D.C. are adjacent. Alaska, the 49th state, lies in the upper northwest portion of the North American continent, separated from the main part of the country by Canada. The last state, Hawaii, is made up of a group of islands, off the western coast of the continental United States, in the Pacific Ocean.
There are four distinct seasons in most parts of the U.S. Spring, Summer, Fall (Autumn), and Winter. Unlike India, there is no marked rainy season. Except for large portions of the southwest that are desert, the rest of the country gets a fair amount of precipitation throughout the year.
Using Telephones
The first thing you might do when you come to U.S.A. is call someone. Telephone calls within U.S. are considered "local" (within the area of the caller) or "long distance" (outside the area of the caller). Local calls within a short region are free unless made from a public pay phone which is a coin operated machine. Long distance calls are charged at varying rates, depending on how you make the call (which long distance carrier/company you use), for how long you speak and the time of the day. Note that the telephone companies in the U.S. are private.
All U.S. Phone numbers consist of ten digits. The first three digits make up the area code for a particular location. When making a local call ( in the same area), you normally exclude the area code and dial only the last seven (7)digits of a phone number. Again, sometimes when the area code is the same as yours, you may still have to dial a "1" before the number without the area-code e.g. 1-(7-digit phone number)
Other important facilities provided are -
1. Yellow pages (Tel. directory) - Advertisements and Telephone numbers of businesses.
2. Emergency Telephone Number - There is one emergency number that you can dial for any type of emergency which is 911 (Fire/Ambulance/Police).
3. Directory assistance - Local telephone numbers - 411 , Long distance - 1-(Area Code)-555-1212 , Toll Free number enquiry - 1-800-555-1212
4. Toll free - Most of the 1-800 numbers are toll free. You will not be charged for the calls you make to such numbers. Some telephone numbers have alphabets in them such as 1-800-COLLECT. To dial this number, just press the digits on the telephone pad which has the corresponding alphabet you want to dial on it, simple!.
Most people use answering machines which are connected to their telephones, or some kind of voice mail system. It has a standard pre-recorded greeting which is played when you call up and then after some beeps, it records your message. Initially you will feel like you were talking to a dead person, but soon you realize the importance of owning an answering machine. We bet you'll buy one too!.
Public telephones
Public telephones, commonly referred to as pay phones, are easy to use and have fairly clear instructions printed across them. They can be used to dial local, long distance (trunk) and in several areas, even international calls directly, without the assistance of an operator. They are conveniently located all over cities, airports and shopping areas. Every gas station (petrol pump) usually has a pay phone on its premise.
You should check the amount printed near the slot which takes the coins as the cost could be more in some areas or less in some. The phones do not return change.
Always listen for the dial tone and insert the coin(s) before dialing a number. You will hear the sound of the call going through, and then the ring at the other end. If the line is busy (engaged) or no one answers the call, just put the receiver back on the hook and your money will be returned in the slot at the bottom of the phone.
To make a direct long distance call, get plenty of coins ready, insert a coin, and dial one (1) + the area code + the seven digit number. The operator's voice will come on to tell you the amount you need to deposit for the first three minutes of your call. After you have done this, the call will be put through. The operator will interrupt after your time is up and ask that you deposit more coins if you want to extend the call.
To make a direct international call, dial the international access code (011), followed by the country code (e.g. 91 for India), the city code (e.g. 22 for Bombay), and the number. If you need assistance in finding out the correct codes and/or making the call, call the operator (dial 0).
To make a collect call (a phone call that is charged to the recipient), dial 0 and when the operator comes on the line, ask that a collect call be placed to the number you provide. But before that the operator will check with the other party if they want to collect (pay for) the call. An easier way is to dial 1-800-COLLECT from any phone and just follow the recorded instructions.
If you wish to have someone return your call on a pay phone, you will need to provide them with the number written in small print across the top of the phone. Please remember, however, that several pay phones (especially at airports) cannot receive incoming calls. A printed sign on or over the phone will usually indicate whether this is the case.
Time zones
There are four time zones in the U.S.
1) Eastern TZ Example : Massachusetts, New York, Florida etc.
2) Central TZ ( lags Eastern TZ by one hour ) Example : Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana etc.
3) Mountain TZ ( lags Eastern TZ by two hours ) Example : Colorado, Utah, Wyoming etc.
4) Pacific TZ ( lags Eastern TZ by three hours ) Example : California, Oregon, Washington etc.
Day light saving
As the name suggests, the time is set in such a way that maximum day light could be used. e.g. During summer, the sun rises at around 4-5 o'clock. So the clock is set forward by one hour. This forces all activities to start one hour earlier so that maximum day light is used till late in the evening.
Therefore the Clock is set back by one hour on the first Sunday of November 1 (Fall Season) at 2:00 am. Clock is once again set forward by one hour on the first Sunday of April at 2:00 am. (Spring Season). The easiest way to remember this is FALL BACK, SPRING AHEAD.
By the way, Arizona is the only state which is not affected by day-light-saving. People there do not ever change the time in their clocks.
Currency
Dollar : 100 cents
Quarter: 25 cents
Dime : 10 cents
Nickel : 5 cents
Penny : 1 cent
Initially there is some confusion since the quarter is exactly of the same size and shape as the Indian 50 paise coin.
Public Transport
Boston has a very good public transporation system. Check the MBTA website for details.
You can download a subway map here.
You can also buy monthly/semester subway passes through the shopping cart in the My NEU portal.
Taxi Companies
In some areas you must telephone for a taxi and make an appointment. You will not find them waiting in the street corners but you do find them waiting in a queue at the airport. Taxis are listed in the yellow pages under the name "Taxi" or "Taxicabs".
When you call, tell the "dispatch" operator where you are and where you want to go. The dispatch operator will tell you how long it will take for the taxi to arrive at your starting point. He or she will ask for your telephone number, so they can call you if the taxi driver cannot locate you. You should ask for the estimated cost of the ride. When you enter the taxi, the meter will read flat rate. This is the minimum charge. You will be charged the flat rate for each mile you travel.
Shopping
The American system of sizes and measurement is different from that in India. Most of the shops in the U.S. are the equivalent of super markets in India. You can go around the shop, buy what you want and pay at the counter. The important difference you will notice is, the shops are driven by customer service. So if you don't like anything that you bought or it doesn't fit you properly you may return it within a certain period.
You should inquire about the return policy when you buy returnable goods. Ofcourse you will need to preserve the receipt of the purchase. Most of the time they won't even ask you why you want to return the goods.
When you buy shoes, the size should be 2 1/2 more than your size in India. For example, if you buy size 5 in India, you should buy size 7 1/2 in the US.(Or approximate it to the nearest round figure).
FOOD, I'm hungry
Ofcourse you must be hungry, when you arrive. God knows what you ate on the plane. You don't remember the item's name nor its contents. It may be one of the weirdest things you ever had for dinner or lunch. So you must be apprehensive about what you will get for lunch or dinner. The best thing you can try is PIZZA, which is pronounced as "PiTza".
You get both Veg. and NonVeg Pizzas. But to be on the safer side order a Veg. Pizza that way you won't be left hungry atleast. Order a small pizza if you are alone or a medium size is enough for two or three (well it depends on your appetite actually). You can order pizza by phone and it will be delivered at your doorstep in a few minutes. Refer to the yellow pages or consult the motel receptionist you are staying in, for information.
For breakfast, have 'Continental breakfast' which is cheap and the best. To be sure about Veg. items, always ask for items with "NO MEAT" rather than "WITHOUT MEAT". Besure to say "NO ICE" if you prefer to have your drink without ice. And remember that a CHEESEBURGER is a misnomer. It contains meat besides cheese, so be careful!
Here is a guide for Vegetarian Dishes:
Mexican - Bean Buritto, Enchiladas, Bean Taco, Cheese Taco, Bean Tostadas, Mexican Pizza
Italian or Greek - Eggplant (brinjal) sandwich, Sphagetti with tomato sauce, Lasagna (pronounced Laza-nya), Italian Pitza, Italian Pasta with tomato sauce, Falafal, Veg. Gyro (pronounced Yero).
American Restaurants (Sizzler, Olive Garden) - Best bet is salad bar & French fries
McDonald's - Mac cheese sandwich, Milk shakes, ice-cream sundaes
Pizza Hut - Veggie Lover's delight, Veggie pizza with a choice of toppings such as Jalapenos (pronounced Hala-pin-yose and are green chilies), pineapple, tomato, onions etc.
Burger King - Vege cheese whooper, Garden burger