Smoking in Chicago: Don't but if you have to smoke

Generally speaking smoking is not allowed in most buildings in Chicago and you typically have to be 15 feet away from the entrance of the building.  In private homes it is best to ask the owner if he or she allows smoking inside the house.  If the owner of the house does not smoke inside or does not smoke at all go outside, away from the entrance preferably to the edge of the street and smoke there. That way you can get the smell of the smoke away from your clothes before you return inside. Nonsmokers don't like the smell of smoke in their furniture so be courteous and try to get the smell of smoke out of your clothes.  In hotels rooms are generally smoke free, do not try to smoke in your room.  The hotel may not let you continue your stay.

For more information visit the city of Chicago's website on smoking in the city: Link

Looking for an Apartment?

Domu.com helps you find Apartments

If your looking for an apartment in Chicago, one of the easier places to look is at Domu.com.  Go to Domu.com, click on find a place.  Enter as much information as you can (the more information you enter the better the results).  You can enter the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, how much rent you want to pay and if you click "more filters" you have a search box (for example write furnished and you will get a list of apartments that might come already with furniture).  You have other choices like "shared" if you want to live with a roommate.

Cultural Customs in the U.S.

It is always difficult to generalize what an entire group of people is like, especially a place composed of immigrants or descendents of immigrants. 

Adjusting to American Culture

One of the best opportunities you will have during your time in the United States is to learn about American culture. The American way of life may be very different from your own, and that difference is part of your cultural exchange experience. Your time in the U.S. is designed to be a great learning opportunity, so take advantage of it!

You will discover new things about Americans every day, and as a result you may decide to change some of your behaviors in order to adapt. Adaptation is not always easy, but it’s also important to remember that you are temporarily in the United States for a new learning experience; you will be returning to your familiar lifestyle afterward, so it’s important to be flexible about making changes to how you do things. The key to a successful visit is to stay positive and explore what the city has to offer.

Some American customs may seem strange to people from other countries, but knowing about them may help you better adapt during your stay in the U.S.

• Being on time is important.
• Americans like privacy and personal space. Do not stand too close to a stranger.  

• Americans can be very direct and honest, even though it may seem rude to people from another culture.
• Americans ask about how your day is going without expecting an answer.
• Americans wait their turn in lines. Chicagoans can get upset if you do not get in, at the end of the line. If you're in a hurry, ask permission to go ahead of them. 
• Americans value independent thinking.
• Americans like to joke, smile and talk. Chicagoans will smile and sometimes say hello to a stranger when walking down the street. Smile and say hello;
• Americans are very concerned with personal hygiene and cleanliness. It is not unusual for them to bathe one or even two times a day.
• Americans eat with their mouths closed.  

Curfew in Chicago

Curfew in Chicago

• Weekday curfew for minors 12 through 16 years of age is 10:00 p.m.;
• Weekday curfew for minors under 12 is 8:30 p.m.;
• Weekend curfew for minors 12 through 16 years of age is 11:00 p.m.;
• Weekend curfew for minors under 12 is 9:00 p.m.

Violators are subject to a fine of up to $500 or community service, according to the mayor’s office. Three offenses in a twelve-month period shall be subject to up to $1,500 in addition to community service.

Tipping in the United States

While tipping is not mandatory in most of the United States, it is customary in many circumstances for service, especially at almost all sit-down restaurants which offer table service. 

Tipping practices can vary depending upon the location in the U.S., and even published guidance can vary greatly depending upon the source.  For example, some Americans don't tip at a buffet restaurant, but it's generally good form to tip $1-2/person for wait staff just clearing several rounds of plates, to as much as 10 percent if the wait staff is refilling drinks and providing other services.  The general rule is to tip in proportion to the service, and the quality of service being delivered.  

Tip jars at carry-out restaurants are a recent innovation, and one resisted by many Americans.  While one guide below advises to tip 10 percent at carry-out restaurants, many Americans do not tip for carry-out, even when a tip jar is present, and tipping at most chain restaurants, such as McDonald's, is not common.  Some who do contribute to tip jars, put in change or only $1, depending upon the size of the order. 

Keep in mind that those who provide service are often dependent on tip income and generally are grateful for any tips received, especially when prompt and exceptional service has been provided.  Also tips are divided at the end of the day with the other support staff like the dishwashers who often get paid even less than the wait staff. Tipping is the means by which to acknowledge good service.  If the service was poor do not feel compelled to leave a tip.  Poor service should not be encouraged (assuming you were polite).  Chicagoans expect attentive service from wait staff, bringing water early and keeping the glass filled, taking the order accurately, patience with indecisive customers, generally being pleasant to the customer.  Cold impersonal behavior is not common in Chicago restaurants. That treatment will get the store closed down fast because people go elsewhere.

What is expected of you:

Please be pleasant with any wait staff.  Say thank you and please whenever speaking to the staff.  In Chicago everyone is treated as an equal, with respect, no matter what position they hold.  Tell the wait staff if there is a problem with the food.  Wait staff will almost always gladly return it ad fix the problem.  

About Marco Polo Chicago

Marco Polo Chicago is a Blog organized by James Isaacs to provide our guests to Chicago a convenient place to find information about Chicago.  We will provide regular updates on things to do, where to eat, shop, the history of Chicago.   Please let us know if one of the links no longer works and please leave comments in any of the articles.  Future guests can benefit from your own comments about a place you visited.

How the blog is organized:

You can scroll through the entire blog or use the tabs at the top of the page.

• Get Around: Basic navigation information;
• Where to Go: Cultural destinations, fun things to do, entertainment;
• Where to Eat: restaurants, coffee shops and other places you can do where eating is part of the activity;
• History: Interesting information about Chicago and the surrounding area;
• Shopping: Places to go to shop for clothes, food, electronics and other things;
• FYI: Inside information about Chicago, like strange habits of Chicagoans, common cultural information, laws (you can't for example smoke anywhere indoors). 

Warning:

Cultural information is always not perfect because it requires to generalize about people, and Chicago like the rest of the country, is composed of all kinds of people.