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Newspapers and Magazines
With rare exception, daily papers in the US are local. National papers such as the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal are all on general daily sale across America.
News weeklies, such as Newsweek, Time, and US News & World Report, are also on sale nationally. The airmail editions of foreign newspapers and magazines are on sale only belatedly, and only at airports and international bookstores in the largest US cities.
Weights and Measures
Americans use the imperial system of measurements, which differs slightly from the British system in respect of gallons.
Electric Outlets
Throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico, electrical current runs at 117 volts, 60 cycles (Hertz). AC appliances not specifically made for this will not operate without a transformer.
Business Hours
Business hours are generally Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. However, all banks, government agencies, post offices, and most places of business are closed on the following public holidays:
- 1st January (New Year's Day)
- Third Monday in January (Martin Luther King Day)
- Third Monday in February (Washington's Birthday)
- Last Monday in May (Memorial Day)
- 4th July (Independence Day)
- First Monday in September (Labor Day)
- Second Monday in October (Columbus Day)
- 11th November (Veterans' Day)
- Last Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day)
- 25th December (Christmas Day)
In addition, many cities and states have their own special holidays.
Etiquette
Dress
Cool, light cottons for the summer are ideal, but come fall and winter sweaters and jackets are favored. Just occasionally, during the winter months, it might get cold enough to warrant putting on a coat.
Smoking
Federal laws restrict smoking in public places such as public transport and public or utility buildings. Most restaurants and bars provide specific non-smoking areas. If you are a smoker, exercise discretion and sensitivity when selecting a location in which to smoke. Many Americans get most agitated by people smoking near them. The best advice would be not to smoke unless others around you do so.
Language
The official language of the United States is English. However, due to its proximity to Latin America, many residents also speak Spanish.
Region Specifics
Population
The city of Austin has approximately 1,057,000 people in the metropolitan area and a further 567,566 resident in the city limits. In Texas as a whole, the total population is 18.3 million. Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the US.
Climate
Austin has a wonderfully pleasant climate, with temperatures rising no higher than 37°C (98°F) in the summer to the occasional 4°C (38°F) in winter (December through February). The city can boast an average 300 days of sunshine, with the months between May and September as the warmest. Spring and fall are considered ideal seasons in which to visit.
Time
Austin is on Central Standard Time and therefore six hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. The far west of Texas, notably the El Paso area, comes under Mountain Standard Time.
The American continent is divided into four time zones. From east to west, these are Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), and Pacific Standard Time (PST). Most areas of the country switch to daylight saving time (one hour ahead of standard) from mid-April through October.
Please note that Americans use the 12-hour clock for timetables, not the 24-hour clock.
Money
Economy
In recent years, Austin has been rated as the "second fastest growing city in the US", ranking seventh in a "Best Cities for Business" league. This is probably due in part to the location of many of the world's top computer software and technology companies. Even by the mid-nineties, there were more than 800 high-tech related companies in the immediate Austin area.
Credit Cards
In the country that invented the credit card, all major international cards are welcome across the US.
Charges incurred in the US will appear on your regular monthly bill, converted to your own currency at the exchange rate applicable on the day the charge was entered.
ATMs
Before arriving in the US, check with your bank or credit card company as to whether your credit or cash card can be used in American ATMs.
On credit card cash advances, you are charged interest from the day you receive the money. Transaction fees for withdrawals outside your local area may be higher than those charged for normal withdrawals at home.
Banks
Banking hours are generally weekdays from 8:30 am or 9:00 am until 4:30 or 5:00 pm, with some banks open on Saturday mornings.
In general, US banks will not cash a personal check unless your account is held with that bank. Large city banks are the only banks equipped to exchange foreign currencies. Therefore, it's best to rely on credit cards, ATMs and traveler's checks to handle expenses during your stay.
Sales Tax
Sales tax is the equivalent of value added tax and in Austin is set at 8.25%. Percentage rates are set by individual states and can vary from between 3% to 8.25%. In some states, localities are permitted to add their own sales taxes. Taxable items, however, vary from place to place.
Documents
Visas
Visitors to the United States from Britain, Holland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland, traveling on valid national or EC passports, do not need a visa for holiday or business travel in the US of 90 days or less. However, they must hold round-trip or return tickets and enter the US on an airline or cruise line that participates in the no-visa travel program.
Citizens of visa exempt countries can also visit Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, as well as the Caribbean islands, and then re-enter the US by any mode of transportation, without needing a visa.
Citizens of countries other than those listed above will require a US visa which can be applied for through the nearest US embassy or consulate. For longer stays, all international visitors should obtain a B-2 (non-immigrant, pleasure tourist) visa which is valid for six months. Should you lose your visa in the US, you must replace it through your national embassy. If you lose your 1-94 form (arrival / departure certificate attached to your visa on arrival), you must replace it at the nearest US Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Form 1-539 is required should you wish to extend your length of stay. These are also obtained at the US Immigration and Naturalization Service. Extensions can be granted of between 15 and 60 days of your original departure date. In addition, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your extended time deadline. You may apply to stay a maximum of six months only. In the case of loss of documents, report the loss promptly to your national embassy or consulate in the US and local police. It is advisable to make photocopies of your passport and other documents, leaving one copy with someone at home, and carrying the other. Replacement of original documents is quicker if you can supply photocopy data of the originals.
Medical Requirements
For visitors taking prescribed drugs, carry a valid, signed prescription from your physician to allay any suspicions of bringing drugs into the country illegally (especially if the medication requires use of a syringe).
Government Publications
The US government provides all sorts of information for a small charge. Publications can be obtained from the Consumer Information Center in Pueblo, Colorado. Alternatively, free brochures are available from the Department of Transportation, the US Customs Service, and other government agencies.
Gifts
Visitors aged 21 and over can bring to the US up to 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or two kilograms of tobacco; one liter of alcohol; and duty-free gifts each to a value of $100.
Visitors must not bring in foodstuffs, especially meat or meat products, seeds, plants, or fruit.
