Myth: Shoplifting is easy and nothing happens if you
get caught.
Truth: If you are staying
in the USA, you must obey all the laws and city ordinances.
Check them prior to your arrival to avoid any trouble.
If you commit any crime, you will be brought to court
and can spend few days or weeks in jail or doing community
service instead of your regular job. Local laws are strictly enforced
and penalties will be imposed upon those who do not obide by the laws.
Myth: I can solve the trouble with the police by giving
a bribe.
Truth: No, you cannot. If
you offer a bribe to the police officer, you will be
arrested.
Hint: You CAN trust the police.
The police officers WILL help you if you get in trouble or need ANY ASSISTANCE. They are
public servants of the towns, cities, counties, states and Federal Government, and their job is to maintain law and order and to assist citizens and
visitors in any difficulty they encounter. DO NOT HESITATE to ask them for assistance.
Myth: Smoking is not allowed in public
places in the USA.
Truth: Laws in the USA vary from state-to-state and
even city-to-city. Smoking is restricted in many office
buildings and restaurants, and prohibited on public
transportation. 18 is the legal age for buying tobacco.
If you want to smoke in a private place, a common courtesy
is to ask the others for permission. Many apartments are rented
with the provision that there is to be NO SMOKING inside the apartment.
Myth: Minimum age for purchasing alcohol
beverages in the USA is 21.
Truth: This is true. You
WILL HAVE to provide valid passport / visa to enter a bar or pub
(an establishment selling beer or alcohol) or to purchase any alcoholic beverages in the USA.
If
you are 21 it is illegal AND AGAINST THE LAW to serve or PROVIDE alcohol to someone
under 21 years of age. you would be considered guilty of violating the law
and could be arrested. Drinking any alcoholic beverage
in public is prohibited. Possessing an open container
of any alcoholic beverage in a public place is also illegal.
Myth: If I rent an apartment, everything I
do is only my business.
Truth: Be aware of NOISE
ORDINANCES (Laws) when having a party. Ocean City strongly
enforces its ordinance that no disruptive noises can
be made between 12:00 midnight and 7:00 a.m., in such
a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50
feet from the building, structure, or vehicle in which
it is located. In case of loud noise, you may be reported
to the police by your neighbors. If you are lucky, you
can get only a warning on first occurrance, but you may be arrested and
be required to pay the penalties for this type of noise violation.
Myth: The cheapest way of traveling is hitch-hiking.
Truth: Hitch-hiking is prohibited (agains the law)
anywhere in the USA.
Myth: I can use my home country driver’s license
for driving a car in the USA.
Truth: You can use an international
driver’s license for a period up to 1 year. If
you decide to obtain an US driver’s license, contact
the nearest MVA / Motor Vehicle office for additional information.
Helpful hint: Check the following
link http://mva.state.md.us/Resources/DL-197.pdf about
the requirements for obtaining a Maryland driver’s
license.
Myth: I need to carry my passport with me only when
I want to buy alcohol beverages.
Truth: You should possess a
valid photo ID at all times. Be careful about where
you keep your passport! You will be required to display your passport and visa
proving your age of 21 or more to purchase alcoholic beverages.
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