Living in Memphis
Banking and Money
Overseas money orders and bank drafts can sometimes take several days to clear. Make sure such a deposit has been credited to your account before you write a check for this money. To write checks in stores, you need a Tennessee ID card or driver′s license. You may obtain a Tennessee ID at any Driver’s License Office. For more information on the Tennessee ID Card see www.state.tn.us/safety/driverlicense/idonlyprint.htm. A checking account is necessary in order for you to be able to pay your bills; sending a check through the mail is the usual way to pay bills in the U.S.
A lease is what you sign when you rent an apartment or a house. It is a binding contract and is very hard to cancel. If you sign a 1-year lease, you are responsible for paying the rent for one year. Always be sure to read the entire contract before signing your name. If you are not comfortable with or don′t understand the wording of the contract, have someone else read the contract with you.
Tips (gratuities) are a fact of life in the U.S. Most restaurant pay their servers low wages because they are expected to make tips. 15-20% of the bill is a standard tip. You can tip more if the service was excellent or less if it was not. Tips are not expected in fast food and carry-out restaurants. Tips are either left on the table or added to the total on the credit card receipt by you. Be sure to calculate your tip from the amount listed as a subtotal or the amount before tax is added in. Also tip: delivery people (e.g. for items such as pizza [10-20%]), hair stylists (20%), cab drivers (10-20%), sky caps at airport ($1 a bag).
Sales tax in Tennessee is presently 9.25% of your purchase. Anything you buy will have sales tax added when you make the purchase. For instance, if you buy something priced $1.00, you actually pay $1.09 at the cash register.
"Dutch Treat" means that each person pays for him- or herself when going out to dinner, movies, clubs, etc. with friends. It is wise to be prepared to pay for your own meal whenever you go out.
Coupons can be used to get price reductions on certain goods. Coupons can be obtained in various places, including the local Sunday newspaper, the Commercial Appeal. Often grocery stores such as Schnucks and Kroger give double value on coupons up to $0.60.
Receipts can save you money. A receipt is the little slip of paper given to you whenever you pay for something. Whenever you buy clothes, books, or other expensive items or whenever you pay any fees or bills, always keep your receipt. If you want to return items for a refund, you must have the receipt.
Utilities
To have your apartment utilities (electricity, gas and water) turned on, you must call the Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW) Customer Service line at 544-6549. MLGW does require a Social Security number; however, you should be able to establish service initially by showing your passport, I-20 or DS-2019 or I-94 card and Rhodes I.D. card and then supplying your Social Security number to MLGW as soon as you receive it. Each month you will receive a bill from Memphis Light, Gas, and Water covering usage of electricity, water, gas, sewer, and garbage/recycling pick-up.
Public Transportation
Although Memphis is not known for its public transportation system, it is possible to go most places in the city and to most of the suburbs via a bus. If it is necessary to transfer buses (get off one bus and onto another to reach your final destination), tell the bus driver on the first bus that you will need to transfer. By doing this, you only have to pay a small transfer fee. Otherwise, you will have to pay another full fare for each leg of your trip. Transfers are not valid for return or round trips. Catch the bus at the green MATA signs. If you need any help or information call MATA (the Memphis Area Transit Authority) at 274-MATA (274-6282). If you ever find yourself without a ride then you can call Care Cab. These cabs will bring you back to the main gate of Rhodes and charge you on your Rhodes expenses bill later on. The number is 577-7777 and it can also be found on the back of your Lynx Card.
Bike Rules
When riding a bicycle, you must obey the same rules of the road as a car. For an explanation of Tennessee′s road rules, the Driver′s License Handbook can be obtained from one of the Tennessee Driver Testing Centers or online at www.tennessee.gov.
• A few points to remember while bicycling:
• You should always wear a helmet.
• Cars do not have to let you pass them on the right before they make a right turn.
• Riding on the sidewalk is illegal
• Always use hand signals:
• Always chain and lock your bike or it WILL get stolen.
General Tips
You should always carry some form of I.D. (your Lynx Card is best on campus) and either know or carry your Social Security number, phone number, and address. You will often be asked to present this information.
Things to Do in Memphis
The Memphis Flyer is a free community newspaper distributed every Wednesday which contains information on many events taking place in Memphis. These are available around Memphis. The Commercial Appeal, the main Memphis newspaper, prints a weekend entertainment guide every Friday called Playbook. Playbook has restaurant listings every 3 months and contains a restaurant review every Friday. The paper can be bought around Memphis. Subscriptions are also available. NOTE: The Commercial Appeal has a very helpful website geared toward newcomers to Memphis: City Guide (www.commercialappeal.com/mca/city_guide/). Copies of this publication can also be found in the Paul Barrett Jr. Library on Campus.
Reservations: If you are going to a nice restaurant on Friday or Saturday night, you will probably want to make a reservation at the restaurant for a specific time so that when you arrive you will not have to wait in line. If you don′t have a reservation, you may have to wait a long time for a table (call the restaurant to see if they suggest making a reservation). For a list of Memphis-area restaurants, check out the Memphis Dining website (www.memphisdining.com).
Take-out boxes ("doggie bags") are used, even at "nice" restaurants, when you want to take the rest of your food home with you. This is perfectly acceptable and normal in the U.S. You can′t use a "doggie bag" at a buffet. Buffet restaurants let you pay a set price and then you get to eat as much as you want. Don′t share meals when you go to a buffet.
Ask other Rhodes students for suggestions about places to eat. There are many restaurants nearby that are favorites of Rhodes students, such as Huey’s, Bosco’s, Memphis Pizza Café, and Fresh Slices.
Shopping
Department stores such as Sears, Wal-Mart, and Target carry lots of different merchandise from clothing to furniture to food at very reasonable prices. Also Bed, Bath, and Beyond carries a lot of merchandise that would be helpful in furnishing a dorm room or an apartment.
Movies
Memphis has lots of movie theaters which show new movies, but we want to especially mention Malco′s Studio on the Square in Overton Square, Midtown, which shows foreign and alternative movies. Also the theater at Peabody Place offers student discounts on movie tickets, if you show your student ID. Also you may get your parking pass for the Peabody Place Garage validated after the movie for a small discount on parking.
Cultural Activities
Memphis has many varied cultural activities to offer. Every week there are different events going on around town--check the Memphis Flyer or the Commercial Appeal Playbook for up-to-date information.
Museums
The National Civil Rights Museum
Brooks Museum of Art
Dixon Gallery & Gardens
Memphis Botanic Garden
Stax Museum
Sun Studios
Pink Palace Museum
Theatres
Opera Memphis
Ballet Memphis
Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Theatre Memphis
Playhouse on the Square
The Orpheum (Theater)
Sports
Redbirds AAA Baseball (AutoZone Park)
Riverkings Ice Hockey (Desoto Civic Center)
NBA: Memphis Grizzlies (FedEx Forum)
Other
Mud Island Park: Located in downtown Memphis on the river, the price of admission includes the Mississippi River Museum, a Roundtrip Monorail Ride, and a Guided River Walk Tour. With an additional charge one can rent canoes, kayaks, bikes, and pedal boats.
Graceland: Visit the former home of great Memphis Rock n’ Roll icon, Elvis Presley.
Beale Street: Located in the heart of downtown Memphis, this lively place offers authentic Memphis food and music.
