Fast Facts

American Express -- The main American Express Travel Agency in North Carolina is at 4735 Sharon Rd., Charlotte (tel. 800/508-0274).

Automobile Rentals -- To rent a car in the Carolinas and Georgia, you need a major credit or charge card and a valid driver's license. Sometimes a passport or an international driver's license is also required if your driver's license is in a language other than English. You usually need to be at least 25 years of age, although some companies rent to younger people (they may add a daily surcharge). Be sure to return your car with the same amount of gasoline that you started out with; rental companies charge excessive prices for gas. Keep in mind that a separate motorcycle driver's license is required in most states.

Business Hours -- The following are general open hours; specific establishments may vary. Banks: Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm (some are also open Sat 9am-noon). Most banks and other outlets offer 24-hour access to automated teller machines (ATMs). Offices: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Stores: Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm, and some also on Sunday from noon to 5pm. Malls usually stay open until 9pm Monday to Saturday, and department stores are usually open until 9pm at least 1 day a week.

Drugstores -- The most popular drugstore chains are Eckerd, CVS/Pharmacy, and Rite Aid. Although none of these chains offers 24-hour service, Eckerd does have stores in the larger cities that remain open until midnight.

Electricity -- The United States uses 110 to 120 volts AC (60 cycles), compared with 220 to 240 volts AC (50 cycles) in most of Europe. In addition to a 110-volt transformer, small appliances of non-American manufacture, such as hair dryers and shavers, require a plug adapter with two flat parallel pins.

Embassies & Consulates -- All embassies are located in Washington, DC; some consulates are located in major U.S. cities; and most nations have a mission to the United Nations in New York City.

Listed here are the embassies and some consulates of the major English-speaking countries. Travelers from other countries can obtain telephone numbers for their embassies and consulates by calling the "information" number for Washington, DC (tel. 202/555-1212).

The embassy of Australia is at 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (tel. 202/797-3000; www.austemb.org). An Australian consulate is located in Atlanta at the Atlanta Financial Center, Suite 1140, 3353 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 (tel. 404/760-3400).

The embassy of Canada is at 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001 (tel. 202/682-1740; www.canadianembassy.org). There is a Canadian consulate in Atlanta at 1175 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30361 (tel. 404/532-2000); a second in Raleigh, N.C., at 3737 Glenwood Ave., Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27612 (tel. 919/573-1808).

The embassy of the United Kingdom is at 3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/588-7800; www.britainusa.com). There's a British consulate in Atlanta at 245 Peachtree Center Ave., Marquis One Tower, Suite 2700, Atlanta, GA 30303 (tel. 404/954-7706).

Other countries that have consulates in Atlanta include France at 3475 Piedmont Rd. NE, Suite 1840, Atlanta, GA 30305 (tel. 404/495-1660); Germany at 285 Peachtree Center Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 (tel. 404/659-4760); and Japan, 3500 Lennox Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 (tel. 404/240-4300). For details, contact the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, International Department, 235 Andrew Young International Blvd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30301 (tel. 404/880-9000).

The embassy of Ireland is at 2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/462-3939; www.irelandemb.org).

The embassy of New Zealand is at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/328-4800; www.nzemb.org).

The embassy for South Africa is at 3051 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/232-4400; www.saembassy.org).

Emergencies -- Dial tel. 911 to report a fire, call the police, or get an ambulance. This is a nationwide toll-free call (no coins are required at a public telephone).

If theft or an accident has left you stranded, check the local telephone directory to find an office of the Traveler's Aid Society (www.travelersaid.org), a nationwide, not-for-profit social service organization that is geared to helping travelers in distress. If you're in trouble, seek it out.

In Georgia, the Council for International Visitors, 34 Peachtree St., Suite 1200, Atlanta, GA 30303 (tel. 404/832-5560); in North Carolina, 322 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204 (tel. 704/342-2248); in South Carolina, 81 Mary St., Charleston, SC 29402 (tel. 843/805-3026), can provide a wide variety of help to international visitors in more than 42 languages.

Holidays -- On the following legal national holidays, banks, government offices, post offices, and many stores, restaurants, and museums are closed: January 1 (New Year's Day), the third Monday in January (Martin Luther King, Jr., Day), the third Monday in February (Presidents' Day), the last Monday in May (Memorial Day), July 4th (Independence Day), the first Monday after the first Sunday in September (Labor Day), the second Monday in October (Columbus Day), November 11 (Veterans Day), the fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day), and December 25 (Christmas). The Tuesday following the first Monday in November is Election Day and is a legal holiday in presidential-election years.

Hospitals & Medical Centers -- No matter where you go, you will rarely be far from a hospital or medical center, or emergency clinic. The major hospital facilities in the Carolinas and Georgia include the following: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 1600 Tullie Circle NE, Atlanta, GA (www.choa.org); Duke University Medical Center, Erwin Road, Durham, NC (www.mc.duke.edu); Mission Hospitals, 509 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, NC (www.missionhospitals.org); Medical University of South Carolina, 169 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC (www.musc.edu); Pitt County Memorial Hospital, 2100 Stantonsburg Rd., Greenville, NC (www.uhseast.com); St. Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta, 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA (www.stjosephsatlanta.org); University of North Carolina Hospitals, 101 Manning Dr., Chapel Hill, NC (www.unchealthcare.org); and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC (www.wfubmc.edu).

Legal Aid -- If you are stopped for a minor infraction (such as speeding on the highway), never attempt to pay the fine directly to the police officer; you may wind up being accused of the much more serious charge of attempted bribery. Pay fines by mail or directly into the hands of the clerk of the court. If you're accused of a more serious offense, say and do nothing before consulting a lawyer. Under U.S. law, an arrested person is allowed one telephone call to a party of his or her choice. International visitors should call their embassy or consulate.

Liquor Laws -- You must be 21 to order any alcoholic beverage. Beer and wine are sold in grocery stores, but all liquor is sold through local government-controlled package stores, which are commonly called ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission) stores. The availability of mixed drinks in bars is determined by each county.

Mail -- If you want to receive mail during your vacation, and you aren't sure what your address will be, your mail can be sent in your name, c/o General Delivery (Poste Restante), to the main post office of the city or region where you expect to be. The addressee must pick up mail in person and produce proof of identity (driver's license, credit or charge card, passport, and so on).

At press time, domestic postage rates were 26¢ for a postcard and 41¢ for a letter. For international mail, a first-class letter of up to 1 ounce costs 90¢ (69¢ to Canada and Mexico); a first-class postcard costs 90¢ (69¢ to Canada and Mexico). For more information go to www.usps.com and click on "Calculate Postage."

Generally located at busy intersections, mailboxes are blue with a blue eagle logo and the designation U.S. POSTAL SERVICE. If your mail is addressed to a U.S. destination, don't forget to add the five- (or nine-) digit postal code, or zip code, after the two-letter abbreviation of the state (GA for Georgia, NC for North Carolina, SC for South Carolina, and so on).

Measures -- The traditional American system of measures is still used in the United States, although many products now carry both U.S. and metric measures. In general, 1 foot equals about 30.48 centimeters; 1 mile about 1.609km. A pint equals .47 liters; 1 quart (2 pt) .94 liter; 1 gallon (4 qt.) 3.79 liters. An ounce equals 28.35 grams, and 1 pound (16 oz.) equals .45 kilograms.

Temperature is measured in degrees Fahrenheit: 0°C equals 32°F.

Medical Emergencies -- To call an ambulance, dial tel. 911 from any phone. No coins are needed.

Newspapers & Magazines -- National newspapers include the New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. National news weeklies include Newsweek, Time, and U.S. News & World Report. In large cities, most newsstands offer a small selection of the most popular foreign periodicals and newspapers.

North Carolina's major dailies are the News & Observer (Raleigh) and the Charlotte Observer (Charlotte). There are also local papers in Asheville, Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem. The North Carolina Folklore Journal is available by subscription. (Contact the North Carolina Folklore Society, Department of English, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, for publication schedule and subscription rates.)

Passports -- For Residents of Australia: You can pick up an application from your local post office or any branch of Passports Australia, but you must schedule an interview at the passport office to present your application materials. Call the Australian Passport Information Service at tel. 131-232, or visit the government website at www.passports.gov.au.

For Residents of Canada: Passport applications are available at travel agencies throughout Canada or from the central Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G3 (tel. 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca). Note: Canadian children who travel must have their own passport. However, if you hold a valid Canadian passport issued before December 11, 2001, that bears the name of your child, the passport remains valid for you and your child until it expires.

For Residents of Ireland: You can apply for a 10-year passport at the Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (tel. 01/671-1633; www.irlgov.ie/iveagh). Those under age 18 and over 65 must apply for a 3-year passport. You can also apply at 1A South Mall, Cork (tel. 021/272-525), or at most main post offices.

For Residents of New Zealand: You can pick up a passport application at any New Zealand Passports Office or download it from their website. Contact the Passports Office at tel. 0800/225-050 in New Zealand or 04/474-8100, or log on to www.passports.govt.nz.

For Residents of the United Kingdom: To pick up an application for a standard 10-year passport (5-yr. passport for children under 16), visit your nearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency or contact the United Kingdom Passport Service at tel. 0870/521-0410 or search its website at www.ukpa.gov.uk.

Pets -- Many hotels and motels accept pets for a small fee, and some provide kennel service. Pets can be taken into car-accessible campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but they are not allowed on the trails in the backcountry.

Police -- Call tel. 911 (no coin required).

Taxes -- The United States has no VAT (value-added tax) or other indirect tax at the national level. Every state, and each county and city in it, is allowed to levy its own local nonrefundable tax on purchases (including hotels, restaurant bills, airline tickets, and so on) and services. Taxes are already included in the price of certain services, such as public transportation, cab fares, telephone calls, and gasoline. The amount of sales tax varies from about 4% to 12%, depending on the state and city, so when you're making major purchases (such as photographic equipment, clothing, or stereo components), it can be a significant part of the cost.

The state sales tax is 7% in Georgia, 6.5% in North Carolina, and 6% in South Carolina. Many municipalities also tack on a sometimes hefty accommodation tax (room or occupancy tax) to your hotel bill.

Telephone, Telegraph, Telex & Fax -- The telephone system in the United States is run by private corporations, so rates, especially for long-distance service and operator-assisted calls, can vary widely -- even on calls made from public telephones. Local calls in the BellSouth area of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina cost 35¢.

Generally, hotel surcharges on long-distance and local calls are astronomical. You're usually better off calling collect, using a telephone charge card, or using public pay telephones, which you'll find clearly marked in most public buildings and private establishments as well as on the street. Outside metropolitan areas, public telephones are more difficult to find. Stores and gas stations are your best bet.

Most long-distance and international calls can be dialed directly from any phone. (Stock up on quarters and dimes if you're calling from a pay phone, or use a telephone charge card.) For calls to Canada and other parts of the United States, dial 1, followed by the area code and the seven-digit number. For international calls, dial 011, followed by the country code (such as 61 for Australia, 353 for the Republic of Ireland, 64 for New Zealand, and 44 for the United Kingdom), the city code (for example, 020 for London and 0121 for Birmingham), and the telephone number of the person you want to call.

All calls to area codes 800, 877, 888, and 866 are toll-free. Calls to numbers in area codes 700 and 900 (chat lines, bulletin boards, "dating" services, and so on) can be very expensive, however. These calls usually carry a charge of 95¢ to $3 or more per minute, and they sometimes have minimum charges that can run as high as $15 or more.

For reversed-charge (collect) calls and for person-to-person calls, dial 0 (zero, not the letter O), followed by the area code and number you want. An operator will then come on the line, and you should specify that you are calling collect, person-to-person, or both. If your operator-assisted call is international, ask for the overseas operator.

For local directory assistance ("information"), dial tel. 411; for long-distance information, dial 1, followed by the appropriate area code and 555-1212.

Like the telephone system, telegraph and telex services are provided by private corporations such as ITT, MCI, and, above all, Western Union. You can take your telegram to the nearest Western Union office (there are hundreds across the country) or dictate it over the phone (toll-free call: tel. 800/325-6000; www.westernunion.com). You can also telegraph money (using a major credit card or charge card) or have it telegraphed to you very quickly over the Western Union system. (This service can be very expensive, however. The service charge can run as high as 15% to 25% of the amount sent.) If you find yourself out of money, a wire service provided by American Express can help you tap willing friends and family for emergency funds. Through MONEYGRAM, 7501 W. Mansfield, Lakewood, CO 80235 (tel. 800/926-9400), money can be sent around the world in 12 to 24 minutes.

Many hotels have fax machines available for guest use (be sure to ask about the charge to use it), and many hotel rooms are even wired for guests' fax machines. Almost all shops that make photocopies offer fax services as well.

Telephone Directory -- There are two kinds of telephone directories. The general directory is the so-called White Pages, in which private and business subscribers are listed in alphabetical order. The inside front cover lists the emergency numbers for police, fire, and ambulance, and other vital numbers (the Coast Guard, poison-control center, crime-victims' hot line, and so on). The first few pages are devoted to community-service numbers, as well as a guide to long-distance and international calling, complete with country codes and area codes.

The second directory, printed on yellow paper (hence its name, Yellow Pages), lists all local services, businesses, and industries by type of activity, with an index at the back. The listings include automobile repairs by make of car, drugstores (pharmacies) by geographical location, restaurants by type of cuisine and geographical location, bookstores by special subject and/or language, places of worship by religious denomination, and other information that the tourist might otherwise not readily find. The Yellow Pages often include city plans or detailed area maps, as well as zip codes and public-transportation routes.

Time -- The United States is divided into six time zones. From east to west, these zones are Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), Pacific Standard Time (PST), Alaska Standard Time (AST), and Hawaii Standard Time (HST). Always keep the changing time zones in mind if you are traveling (or even telephoning) over long distances in the United States. Noon in New York City (EST), for example, is 11am in Chicago (CST), 10am in Phoenix (MST), 9am in Los Angeles (PST), 8am in Anchorage (AST), and 7am in Honolulu (HST).

Georgia and the Carolinas observe Eastern Standard Time. Daylight saving time is in effect from the second Sunday in March through the first Sunday in November (actually, the change is made at 2am on Sun), except in Arizona, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Daylight saving time moves the clock 1 hour ahead of standard time. (Americans use the adage "spring ahead, fall back" to remember which way to change their clocks and watches.)

Tipping -- Many service personnel receive little direct salary and must depend on tips for their income. Service charges are generally not included in restaurant checks or hotel bills. Here are some rules of thumb:

In hotels, tip bellhops $1 per piece of luggage, and tip the chamber staff $1 per day. Tip the doorman or concierge only if he or she provides some specific service, such as calling a cab for you or obtaining difficult-to-get theater tickets.

In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip the service staff 15% of the check; tip bartenders 10% to 15%; tip checkroom attendants $1 per garment; and tip valet-parking attendants $1 per vehicle. Tip the doorman only if he provides some specific service, such as calling a cab for you. Tipping is not expected in cafeterias and fast-food restaurants.

Tip cab drivers 15% of the fare.

As for other service personnel, tip porters at airports or railroad stations $1 per piece of luggage, and tip hairdressers and barbers 15% to 20%.

You are not expected to tip gas-station attendants or ushers in cinemas or theaters.

Visas -- For information about U.S. Visas, go to http://travel.state.gov and click on "Visas." Or go to one of the following websites:

Australian citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information from the U.S. Embassy Canberra, Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 (tel. 02/6214-5600), or by checking the U.S. Diplomatic Mission's website at http://usembassy-australia.state.gov/consular.

British subjects can obtain up-to-date visa information by calling the U.S. Embassy Visa Information Line (tel. 0891/200-290) or by visiting the "Visas to the U.S." section of the American Embassy London's website at www.usembassy.org.uk.

Irish citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information through the Embassy of the USA Dublin, 42 Elgin Rd., Dublin 4, Ireland (tel. 353/1-668-8777), or by checking the "Consular Services" section of the website at http://dublin.usembassy.gov.

Citizens of New Zealand can obtain up-to-date visa information by contacting the U.S. Embassy New Zealand, 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington (tel. 644/472-2068), or get the information directly from the "For New Zealanders" section of the website at www.nzemb.org.