Tickets must be paid for in advance and will be kept at the theatre box office for collection on the night of the performance. Gambling is only allowed in licensed casinos and the legal age for gamblers is 21 years of age or over. Variety, late opening hours, competitive prices and an abundance of modern goods typify American shopping. Many small stores, specialist food shops and hypermarkets are open 24 hours a day. Clothes and electronic goods can be bought direct from factories.
Retail outlets range from flea markets and bargain stores to large chain department stores.
Malls are a popular way of shopping in the USA and consist of a cluster of different kinds of shops in one building, often a few storeys high, connected by an indoor plaza. A guide to the customs and laws of American shopping is available from PO Box 95-M, Oradell, NJ 07649. There may be late-night shopping one or two evenings a week. Some States permit Sunday trading. The holidays which are closest to the people's hearts are Thanksgiving and Christmas .