GET 3%CASH BACK ON ANY AMAZON PRODUCE (CLICK)American Conversation !
Towards a more American Conversation
U don't open conversation (on telephone) with a “Hello” but with a “Hi”
The telephone is never “engaged”, it's always “busy”.
U don't “disconnect” a phone, U simply “hang-up”.
U never “mess-up” things, U only “screw them up”.
U never have a “residence” tel. no., U have a “home” no.
U don't stop at the “signals”, but halt at the “lights”.
U don't “accelerate”, U “step on the gas”.
Your tire never “punctures”, U may have a “flat”.
The trains have “coaches” or “bogies” no more but “carriages” or “boxes”.
There R no “petrol bunks or pumps”, but “gas stations”.
“I don't know nothing”, 2 negatives don't make a positive here.
U no longer meet a “wonderful” person, U meet a “cool” guy
U don't pull the “switch down ” to light a bulb, rather “flick it up”.
U don't “turn on the heat”, U “turn on the juice”.
There's no “Business Area” only “business districts”, and no “districts” but “counties”.
No one stays “a stone's throw away”, might “a few blocks away”.
There's no “Town Side”, it's “Down Town”.
In hotel U no longer ask for “bill” and pay by “cheque”, rather ask for “check” and pay with (Dollar) “bills”.
There R no “soft drinks”, only “sodas”.
Life's no longer “miserable” it “stinks”.
U don't have a “great” time, U have a “ball”.
U don't “sweat it out”, U “work U'r butt off”.
Never “post” a letter, always “mail” it and “glue” the stamps, don't “stick” them.
U no longer live in “flats” or “blocks”, find an “apartment”.
U don't stand in a “queue”, you are in a “line”.
U no longer “like” something, U “appreciate” it.
“#” is not “hash”, it's “pound”.
U R not “deaf”, U have “impaired hearing”.
U R not “lunatic”, U are just “mentally challenged”.
U R not “disgusting” U R “sick”.
U can't get “surprised” U get “zapped”.
U don't “schedule” a meeting, U “skejule” it.
U never “joke”, U just “kid”.
U never “increase” the pressure, U always “crank” it up.
U never ask for a pencil “rubber” U ask for an “eraser”. A “rubber” is a “condom”
U don't try to find a “lift”, U find an “elevator”.
U no more ask for a “route” but for a “RAUT”
U don't ask somebody “How r u ?”, U say “What's up dude?”
U never go to see a “game or a match”, U go to watch a “game”.
U never go to a “theatre” (theatre is a place for dramatic presentations), U go to the “movies”.
If U see “World” champions (or Series), read “USA” champions (or Series).
There's no “zero” but “o”, no “Z” but “zee”.
There's no “FULL STOP” after a statement, there's a “PERIOD”.
If someone gets “angry” at U, U get “flamed”.
You don't say “How do you do”, you say “How you doin”
U don't call UR boss “sir”, U call him by his “first name”.
In short, U don't speak “English”, U speak “American”.
Well u don’t say life is boring u say “LIFE SUCKS!!!"
The Arrival !!!
Enjoy your flight. Try to learn more about other nations from the co-passengers There can be international stops on your way to the U.S.
3.1 International Stops :
: Generally passengers are required to get down at an International top, which might be for Security checkup or cleaning of the airplane. You will be given a 'transit card` or say 'transit visa`. Normally the halt is for a couple of hours. Listen to the announcement which is always made before the international halt. You will hear information about departure time, gate number etc. After getting down at Intl. Airport, you can move around in the airport. But be at the gate within 45 minutes of your flight's departure for the onward journey, 'cause they may require to check your tickets etc. Once you get in, you are all set to take off for the final destination.
3.2 Immigration : The first thing you need to go through at the port-of-entry U.S. airport (international airport where you first land in the U.S.), after landing is the immigration and customs clearance. After which you may board a domestic flight to reach your final destination. Before getting down at your port-of-entry final international halt, inside the plane, you will be given a form to fill up called I-94. SPECIFY DCI`s CONTACT NUMBER, ADDRESS AND OTHER OFFICIAL INFORMATION AS YOUR CONTACT NUMBER, ADDRESS WHERE YOU ILL STAY etc.
On alighting from the plane you may ask people or signs will guide you to the immigration. Keep your passport, H1-paper ( Blue form ) and the form you filled inside the plane, handy. At the counter you might be asked some questions. TALK ABSOLUTELY TO THE POINT. DON`T TRY TO LIE. MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER YOU SAY IS WRITTEN ON THE PAPER. You will be given the counter
foil of I-94 form. Keep that very carefully. And say to yourself "WELCOME TO USA".
3.3 Baggage Claim
Try to acquire some 25 cent coins (called "quarters"), which you may need for getting a trolley cart for your baggage and also for making telephone calls etc. Thereafter move toward the baggage claim carousel assigned to your flight, simply follow the signs directing you to the place. Collect your luggage and look for signs directing you to customs clearance. At the customs clearance they may ask you to open your bags for a security check/verification.
3.4 Domestic Flight :Since the Port-of-entry may not be your final destination in the U.S. and you have to proceed onwards, locate the counter for the domestic airline you will be taking to your final destination. Above all don't hesitate or feel shy to ask for help from airport support staff (at information desks) or police officers, if you need anything.
Follow signs directing you to your domestic flight because you will need a boarding pass. If it is far away, take the Airport shuttle (bus) service which is free. If you don't know where to get down, tell the driver in advance and he will drop you off at the proper place. At the counter (podium) check-in your baggage and get your boarding pass issued and ready. On arrival at the final destination, collect your baggage once again and look around for that someone who may be there to receive you. If you don't find anyone or you already have specific instructions, follow those, otherwise call up (telephone) the DCI area coordinator whose tel. number you should be carrying. Therefore remember to keep phone numbers handy. Get information from the DCI area-coordinator on the stay arrangements made for you. Finally, if no one comes to pick you up, try to locate the information counter from where you will get all the information regarding how to call for Also the Public Transport section of this guide will help you in understanding the travel facilities available in the U.S.
Using Telephones
The first thing you might do when you come to USA is call someone. So this is a good time to tell you about telephone usage. 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. Each local region is assigned an "area code". So the phone numbers are denoted as (area code)-123 4567. where 123-4567 is your actual phone number. If you are calling a number within your "area" then you should dial only the phone number. If the call is outside your area you need to dial 1-(area code)-123-4567, which is the long distance call. 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> To make an international call i.e. to India you need to dial 011-91-
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
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:
All major cities have some sort of public transportation not necessarily very good or frequent or well connected. Therefore most people prefer to travel by their own cars. It is better that you own a car in the U.S. so that you are independent. But till you get to buy a car you can use the public transportation system or depend on your friends/colleagues for a ride.
5.1 Trains and Buses : In most cities, you may purchase Daily Tickets from the conductor or the driver on the train and buses each day. For more information on routes, schedules and fares, see the publications and maps published by the city's local authority. You can locate them in your telephone book.
5.2 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 the 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
7/1/06
FOOD, I'm hungry:
Of course you must be hungry, when you arrive. God knows what you ate on the plane. You don't remember the neither 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).
Denny's : Vegetable omelette (with eggs)Vegetable lunch/dinner (salad, potato smash, garlic sauce) Broccoli soup
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
Americans and their Behavior:
Its helpful to know how Americans typically will be. Otherwise you will start feeling "These people are great dramatists... ". Here are some tips:-
- Americans are very friendly and helpful.
- They don't make you feel like a foreigner. (Though you feel!)
- It is very easy to adjust with them. But they don't like people getting very inquisitive or trying to get too personal in the initial phase of the aquaintance.
- They dress casually and nobody bothers which dress you wear etc.
- They love the outdoors and natural surroundings. They look forward to weekends and plan their weekend activities in advance. This usually consists of some outdoor activity.
- They are frank about their opinions.
- They respect individual views and allow everyone to voice their own ideas on a subject.
- They have a lot of patience. Especially when standing in queues or while driving, nobody will try to jump before you in the queue. Most of them are very disciplined drivers. However this differs from State to State.
- If they happen to come in your way or you happen to come in their way, you will promptly hear an "Excuse me" or "Excuse us".
- They need a lot of feedback while talking. You have to acknowledge/nod continuously. Otherwise they feel you are not interested in listening or are confused.
- They are "very" proud of their country. To them, the Universe is the United States. So never ever make fun of or speak lightly about them or tell them that they do not have any social/cultural background. You will make more American friends that way.
- Most Americans think of India as a poor country of beggars, snake charmers and swamis etc. This is due to the insufficient and and improper media coverage given to India. Their T.V. only shows the poor Indian villages and cows on the streets.
Hope you will be able to prove that India is a country of INTELLIGENT people like you and not just ELEPHANTS and SNAKE CHARMERS
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.
How To Send Money ?:
1. Personal Check (drawn on a US Bank). A lot of letters wrote tome that though there is a delay involved (from deposit to encashability), Indian Banks do NOT charge a service fee.
2. SBI Chicago has a provision wherein they charge you $5.00 as commission and you can get a draft made IN INDIAN RUPEES right here in the US and sent to India. Takes 5-6 days. Their number is 1-800-334-6342.
3. Cashier's Check, Certified Check, or Money Order from a Local Bank. May involve service charge and delay in encashability status (in Rupees).
4. Bank Draft. Usually, a $10 service fee (in a US Bank) is involved.
5. Cable Transfer. Speediest (3-5 working days). However, as I have noted from my local bank, $25 service charge is normally involved.
6. American Express Money Orders (I HAVE USED THIS METHOD). You can get these from many stores, including 7-11s, for a service charge of 50 to 99 cents (depending where you are in the US). Most banks in India will pay U Rupees in minutes. Also, if it gets lost, full money (-$5) is absolutely recoverable. Extremely safe, inexpensive, and fast method.
7. Citibank Rupee Drafts. Service charge is $5. 1-800-CITINRI. Immediately encashable in India.
8. Open an NRI a/c with Citibank (Bombay, Cal, etc.). Leave the checkbook with your relatives. Arrange so that your folks in India could write checks and withdraw money. Takes about a week. Also, if you send a personal ($) check to Citibank at NY city, they transfer the money to your Indian a/c by telex (no charge), wherein Rupees are credited (current rate).
9. Cable Transfer through SBI Chicago ($16 charge). Takes about 3 days.
10. NRI a/c with SBI NY, or BOI San Francisco. You can have a predesignated beneficiary in India who could draw in Indian Rupees in India while U pump $ here in the USA
11. Morgan's Trust/Hanover's Trust Cashiers Check/Demand Draft. You can get these in most US banks.
12. Chase Manhattan Drafts from Bank of Baroda. Fast. Service charge present.
13. SBI San Francisco Bank Draft. Service Charge $7. #(415) 956-6326.
14. Credit Card. Get a VISA card. Get an extra card for your relative in India. They can take cash advance and you can cover the charges from here in the USA.
PS: Personal Checks are a Debatable Issue. Some say Indian Banks charge a fee while they mention the opposite. However, DELAY is involved in all cases.
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manan shah
