Monday, March 26, 2007

15.Shopping

Shopping

The American system of sizes and measurement is different from that in India. Most of the shops in the U.S. are the equivalents 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 boughtor it doesn't fit you properly you may return it within a certain period allowed. You should inquire about the return policy when you buy returnable goods. Of course you 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 1/2 more than your size in India. For example, if you buy size 9 in India, you should buy size 9 1/2 in the US.(Or approximate it to the nearest round figure).

Following measurement chart will help you in converting between American system and metric system.
Metric Conversion Chart
Millimeters x 0.04 = inches (in) inches x 2.5 = centimeters

Centimeters x 0.4 = inches (in) feet x 30 = centimeters

Meters x 3.3 = feet yards x 0.9 = meters

Kilometers x 1.1 = yards miles x 1.6 = kilometers

Grams x 0.035 = ounces ounces x 28 = grams

Kilograms x 2.2 = pounds pounds x 0.45 = kilograms

Milliliters x 0.3 = fluid ounces fluid ounces x 30 = milliliters

Liters x 1.06 = quarts quarts x 0.95 = liters

Liters x 0.26 = gallons gallons x 3.8 = liters

14.Cards

Cards

- It is a fashion to collect cards of all types and store them in ones purse. The cards here refer to the plastic type e.g. credit cards.

- So there are cards such as:
Credit card,
Debit card,
Bank ATM card,
Shopping Store cards (e.g. Sears card; "SEARS" is the name of a chain of stores in the U.S.)
Medical benefit card, Telephone calling card, Public library membership cards.

- Most purses have transparent packets to keep these cards in order.

- Credit/Debit Cards: A credit card allows you to pay for your expenses without bothering about availability of money at the time of payment. The Credit Card Company pays for you and later sends you a statement every month elaborating the payments made. You can then, pay the credit card Company by check. There are certain limits imposed on Credit cards with regard to the amount of credit available to you, which vary.

VISA and MASTERCARD are the most widely accepted credit cards. The other being American Express card. (Called Am-Ex for short).

A Debit card is almost like a check, since it allows you to spend from your available resources only (no credit business). The banks where you have an account, after you apply for it generally issue this.

It is not so easy to get a credit card for the first timer in U.S. The application is scrutinized by the Credit Organization/Bank and the credit history checked up (They call up the banks where you have an account, to find out your balance and credit status etc.). Actually it seems the credit history is traced from your Social Security No. Usually the period of stay is also an important criteria e.g. at least 6-month stay is essential to be considered eligible for a Credit card.
To build up a good credit history, many people take loans from the bank. E.g. to buy a car and repay it in time. This increases the chances of getting a Credit Card sooner.
The most easiest to get is the American Express Card. They ask for a letter from the employer regarding salary status etc. once the initial application is verified.

- The Gold Card is the next thing to aim for, once you have at least a card. The Credit limit is higher on the Gold Card apart from other benefits.

- The most difficult to get is the DISCOVER credit card.

- Most Credit cards offer other benefits too, such as mileage accumulation for some airline enabling you to travel free on that airline anywhere in the U.S. once about 20,000 miles have been accumulated, at the rate of 1 mile per dollar. Some others offer Rental Car Insurance coverage and so on.

- Most organizations (health clubs etc.) issue membership cards with neat plastic lamination too.

13. Bank Accounts

Bank Accounts/Cheque Writing

They are basically of two types - Savings a/c (with interest)

Checking a/c (with NO interest)

Generally most people open a Checking a/c at first.

To open an account you need a social security number, however since it takes a week or more to get the social security number one can request the bank to verify the passport and open the a/c. Later do remember to inform the bank once you receive your SS number.

Then there are concepts like

Minimum balance - which is either NO or YES (It is better to open an a/c with NO MINIMUM BALANCE otherwise you have to maintain the specified minimum amount always in the account).

Overdraft facility - Again NO or YES (This allows you some amount of overdraft. This might be beneficial in some cases, such as when the monthly salary is not received on time and the house rent, phone bills etc. has to be paid.)

There are various kinds of check/cheque books available that one can choose from, such as the kind of colored paper and printed background design on paper etc. Usually a set of 200 checks bound together in books of 20 each is sufficient for 6 months. But it depends on how many checks are issued by you and at what frequency. The first check book is given by the bank immediately on opening an account, the other 200 checks are mailed to you at the given address.

The next thing is to ask for an ATM card. This allows you to withdraw money 24 hrs. from any ATM machine of the bank or related ones.

Some banks charge money to issue an ATM card and the first set of check/cheque books. Something like $10.00 for the ATM card and another $10.00 for the first 200 checks (10 books of 20 pages each). But most banks do not charge anything.

The whole procedure of opening an account takes about 10-15 min.

A few shops/gas stations etc. ask for a valid photo-id when payment is made by check. This is just for verification. (A photo-id could be a U.S. driver's license or an actual ID-card, which is issued by the local Dept. of Motor Vehicles office.

Small payments such as $1.25 etc. too can be made by check and it is not absurd to do so. People carry very little or no cash on person. Most of them make their payment by Credit card or check. But it is advisable to carry about $20.00 in cash at all times to cover emergency needs. Of course you will have to always carry your checkbook around.

The following style is used to write the amount in words on the check. Say for e.g. the amount to be paid is $35.47 then you would write: Amount in words $: THIRTY-FIVE & 47/100

12.Driving License/Photo-ID

Getting Driver's License

Driver's license is one of the most important documents required in United States. Apart from driving needs it is required at almost all the places where you need to show your ID. Mainly because this is the only valid Identity card which is required and approved at all the places.

Here in US most of the money transactions are done via checks or Credit cards. Initially when you don't have credit card, check is the only practical and recommended way of payment. Nobody keeps cash. People generally issue checks even for a small amount of less than $5.00. Checks are as good as Cash and can be deposited at any ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) center. These checks are accepted only with a valid PHOTO-ID at most places. Actually a Photo-id could also be a simple identity card issued by the DMV (Dept. of motor vehicles), which is not a driver's license. At most places Driver's license is the only valid PHOTO-ID. So after getting Social Security number, Driver's license is another very important thing one should acquire as soon as possible.

Getting driver's license is not very difficult here. Before appearing for a driving test behind the wheels one has to clear a written test conducted by DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles - similar to RTO in India). Each state has their own laws for driving a vehicle. DMV issues a book on the rules, which are required to be followed very strictly. This book gives detailed information about all the laws and is written in a very nice manner. It is very easy to follow all the rules as they are nicely explained and if necessary, supported by good photographs.
After understanding the contents of this book you can appear for the written exam. You can appear for the test on any working day. You can call up DMV and take an appointment with them or you can even go directly.

They will check your Passport and will give you a question paper. Questions are objective type and you have to choose the best answer for each question. Time is no limit for the exam. After you are done with it, the person on the counter will immediately check your paper and will tell you your score. Upon passing this test you will get temporary driving license, which is valid for two months. DMV also issues an ID card. The state government issues this. You can use this ID card as a Photo-Id till you get your driver's license. At some places you are required to produce two Photo-Ids, that time it is very useful to have this photo-id you can even go for some driving lessons. For driving lessons you can go to driving school or to a private teacher. Private teachers are little cheaper as compared to driving school. Once you are ready for the test, again you will have to take an appointment with DMV for the driving test.

On the day of appointment you have to go there with your learning license. The car in which you will give your driving test should have proper Insurance papers. Also check all the controls, including signal lights and brake lights. If any of these is not in shape, you will not be allowed to appear for the test. This test will be of 100 marks. After your test, driving inspector will immediately tell you your result. Generally they explain to you your mistakes so that you can work on them and rectify. If you have passed you will get your license immediately in most places.

If you fail there is no minimum period required between the time you appear again. So you can practice again and appear as soon as you can.