Language
George Bernard Shaw once said that England and America were two countries separated by a common language. The language is English but delivered in Chicago-style. Although not as cosmopolitan as New York, there’s a sizeable Hispanic population here too.
Currency And Tipping
The American dollar ($) or greenback, made up of 100 cents. And just in case you need to know, a nickel is 5 cents, a dime is 10 and a quarter 25. Tips are a very important part of some workers’ salaries. In hotels, tip bellhops at least $1 a bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of luggage) and give the chamber staff $3 a day (more if you’ve left a disaster area for him/her to clear up or if you’re travelling with kids/pets). Tip the doorman or concierge only if he or she has provided you with a specific service (for example, calling a cab or obtaining difficult-to-get theatre tickets). Tip the valet parking attendant $1 every time you get your car. In restaurants, bars and nightclubs, tip service staff 15-20% of the check, bartenders 10-15% and coat-check attendants $1 a garment. Cab drivers expect 15% and hairdressers/barbers 15-20%.
Safety
For the most part, violent crime in Chicago is concentrated in a few areas, notably pockets of the South Side and West Side. Tourists, however, have no real business venturing into these areas and therefore shouldn’t expect to encounter problems beyond what they’d expect in any major American city. The usual precautions and common sense should keep you safe. Stick to well-lit streets at night. Don’t have expensive jewellery on view and don’t carry nice cameras, bags or any other items that might draw attention to you. Men should keep wallets in the front pocket, women should wear purses across the shoulder. When riding the subway at night (not advisable after midnight), have your wits about you and don’t fall asleep.
Travel
The public transport system in Chicago is extensive and efficient. Most sights can be reached on the city’s El (elevated) train system, while buses, though slower, fill in the gaps. The CTA’s El runs on seven colour-coded lines that cover most downtown areas and neighbourhoods. Each line radiates from The Loop, the area that forms the compact heart of Chicago. Fares are $1.75 a ride, but there are lots of options for visitor passes, details on www.transitchicago.com/maps/fares. The CTA also runs Chicago’s buses. There’s not much reason to rent a car in Chicago – congestion and a lack of parking spaces, especially in the Loop, can make for a harrowing experience. Chicago is, however, a bike-friendly city with miles of bike lanes, plenty of bike racks and some twenty El stations where riders can store their bikes indoors and hop on the train.
Weather
“I miss everything about Chicago except January and February,” said American actor, Gary Cole. The city’s climate ranges from the unbearably hot and humid in midsummer to well below freezing from December through February. The best times to visit are in the early summer (May-July) and early fall (September and October) when the weather is at its most pleasant. Whatever time of year you come, be sure to dress in layers: buildings tend to be overheated during winter and air-conditioned to the extreme in summer. Also bring sturdy, comfortable shoes – you’re going to be doing a lot of walking.
Security
Since 9/11 and, more recently, as a result of a failed plot in Britain to sabotage Transatlantic flights, security has obviously been stepped up to a high level. The Chicago Airport website, www.ohare.com/ohare/home has the latest about what can and can’t be taken into the cabin of the aircraft. It’s important to become acquainted with the restrictions, particularly if you’re travelling with young children because there are instructions about baby milks and medications. It’s now possible for many travellers, including British citizens, to enter the US without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. Full details are on the London UK Embassy web-site, www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp or on the site of your city’s embassy or consulate.
