Accommodations--It's always a good idea to make hotel reservations as soon as you know the dates of your travel. To make a reservation, you'll usually need to leave a deposit of 1 night's payment.

In the United States, major downtown hotels, which cater primarily to business travelers, commonly offer weekend discounts of as much as 50% to entice vacationers to fill the empty hotel rooms. Resorts and hotels near tourist attractions tend to have higher rates on weekends.

Automobile Organizations--Auto clubs can supply maps, suggested routes, guidebooks, accident and bail-bond insurance, and emergency road service. The major auto club in the United States, with 983 offices nationwide, is the American Automobile Association (AAA), 1000 AAA Dr., Heathrow, FL 32746-5063 (tel. 800/AAA-HELP). Membership costs $40 to $60, but some foreign auto clubs have reciprocal arrangements with AAA, and members enjoy its services at no charge. If you belong to an auto club in your home country, inquire about AAA reciprocity before you leave. AAA can provide you an International Driving Permit that validates your foreign license. In addition, some automobile rental agencies now provide these services, so you should inquire about their availability when you rent your car.

Automobile Rentals--To rent a car, 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 do 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, because 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 from 9am to 3pm (some are also open on Saturday from 9am to noon). You usually have 24-hour access to the automated-teller machines (ATMs) at most banks and other outlets. Offices: Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Stores: Monday to Saturday from 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.

Currency Exchange--You'll find currency-exchange services in major airports that have international service. Elsewhere, these services may be quite difficult to come by, although some major hotels will exchange currency if you're a registered guest.

Drinking Laws--You must be at least 21 to consume alcoholic beverages.

Electricity--The United States uses 110 to 120 volts A.C., 60 cycles, compared with 220 to 240 volts A.C., 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, D.C.; 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, D.C. (tel. 202/555-1212).

The embassy of Australia is at 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (tel. 202/797-3000). There are Australian consulates in Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.

The embassy of Canada is at 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001 (tel. 202/682-1740). There's a Canadian consulate in Atlanta at 1175 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30361 (tel. 404/532-2000); other Canadian consulates are in Buffalo (N.Y.), Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.

The embassy of the Republic of Ireland is at 2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/462-3939). There are Irish consulates in Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.

The embassy of New Zealand is at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/328-4800). The only New Zealand consulate in the United States is in Los Angeles.

The embassy of the United Kingdom is at 3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/588-6500). There's a British consulate in Atlanta at 245 Peachtree Center Ave., Marquis One Tower, Suite 2700, Atlanta, GA 30303 (tel. 404/524-5856); other British consulates are in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York.

The embassy for South Africa is at 3201 New Mexico Ave., NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20016 (tel. 202/966-1650).

Other countries that have consulates in Atlanta include France, at 285 Peachtree Center Ave., Suite 2800, Atlanta, GA 30303 (tel. 404/522-4226); Germany, at Marquis Two Tower, Suite 901, 285 Peachtree Center Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303-1221 (tel. 404/659-4760); and Japan, Suite 2000, 100 Colony Sq. at 1175 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30361 (tel. 404/892-2700). For complete information, contact the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, International Department, P.O. Box 1740, Atlanta, GA 30301 (tel. 404/586-8470).

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, a nationwide, not-for-profit social-service organization that is geared to helping travelers in distress. If you're in trouble, seek it out.

Gasoline (Petrol)--One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters, whereas 1.2 U.S. gallons equals 1 Imperial gallon. You'll notice that several variously named grades (and price levels) of gasoline are available at most gas stations. The unleaded fuels with the highest octane rating are the most expensive; most rental cars take the least expensive "regular" unleaded. Leaded gas is the least expensive, but only older cars can take it anymore, so check if you're not sure. Often, the price is lower if you pay in cash instead of by credit card. Many gas stations offer lower-priced self-service gas pumps; some gas stations, particularly at night, are all self-service.

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 4 (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.

Legal Aid--The foreign visitor will rarely become involved with the American legal system. 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. (You can also pay them directly into the hands of the clerk of the court.) If you're accused of a more serious offense, it's wise to 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. Call your embassy or consulate.

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).

Domestic postage rates are 20¢ for a postcard and 32¢ for a letter. For overseas mail, a first-class letter (up to half an ounce) is 60¢ (46¢ to Canada and Mexico); a first-class postcard costs 50¢ (40¢ to Canada and 35¢ to Mexico); and a preprinted postal aerogramme costs 50¢.

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 (Zone Improvement Plan) Code, after the two-letter abbreviation of the state (NC for North 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 1.609 kilometers. A pint equals .47 liter, and 1 quart (2 pints) .94 liter, 1 gallon (4 quarts) 3.79 liters. An ounce equals 28.35 grams, and 1 pound (16 ounces) equals .45 kilograms.

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

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 newsweeklies 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, such as The Economist, Le Monde, and Der Spiegel.

Radio & Television--Audiovisual media, with four coast-to-coast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox), plus the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and Cable News Network (CNN), play a major part in American life. In big cities, viewers have a choice of about a dozen channels (including the UHF channels), most of them transmitting 24 hours a day, not counting the pay-TV channels that show recent movies or sports events. All options are usually indicated on your hotel TV set.

You'll also find a wide choice of local radio stations, both AM and FM. Stations broadcast particular kinds of talk shows and/or music (classical, country, jazz, pop, or gospel, for example), punctuated by news broadcasts and frequent commercials. You'll usually find the affiliates of the National Public Radio system at the bottom of the radio dial, broadcasting in-depth news programs as well as talk shows and other eclectic programming. In smaller towns and communities, local radio and TV stations have a more limited broadcast range.

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 checks, 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 6% in North Carolina.

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 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, 0171 or 0181 for London and 0121 for Birmingham), and the telephone number of the person you want to call.

All calls to area codes 800 and 888 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). You can also telegraph money (using a major credit 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 less than 10 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 service 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' hotline, 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 includes 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).

North Carolina observes Eastern Standard Time. Daylight saving time is in effect from the first Sunday in April through the last Saturday in October (actually, the change is made at 2am on Sunday), except in Arizona, Hawaii, part of Indiana, 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--This is part of the American way of life, on the principle that you must expect to pay for any service that you get. (Many service personnel receive little direct salary and must depend on tips for their income.) Service charges are not included in restaurant checks or hotel bills. Here are some rules of thumb:

In hotels, tip bellhops $1 per piece, 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, and tip hairdressers and barbers 15% to 20%.

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