No problem, I really like it here so it's cool to big it up. Either works as far as I see. If you have a tab open you'd just tip when you settle up, makes it easier. Don't know when you are coming over, but I can highly recommend going to a baseball/basketball/whatever sport interests you game. Minor league, super chill, really great atmosphere and you might even end up there on $2 beer night. Somebody will be happy to tell you the rules as you get smashed. And baseball is a fucking amazing game, so much history and I think it will tick the boxes of authentic US experience.

Honestly it depends on the beer you're into, and where you drink it. The craft brewing scene is fantastic here, with a lot of Belgian style strong heavy beers (7%+ kinda deal). Consequently a pint is usually a small glass of beer which would be like 8-12oz or so. If you drink standard lager, a pint will still be smaller than a UK pint, usually 16oz I think? 470ml or so... Anyway, short story long, I'd budget $7 a beer, plus the 20% tip so $8.50 or so.

As an English person who lives in Connecticut, I can vouch for the fact that it is a beautiful state, with some really cool history/places/food. Also, If you've never been to the US before, it's really nice how chatty and informal people are (A lot of folks will tell you how reserved people are here, but they've obviously never spent any amount of time in London). As a down side however, not driving will become a serious pain unless you plan on staying in the same place for a while. With the strength of the dollar expect everything to be pretty pricy too. Still, at least you're not paying for electricity when you're here though.

Americas office in D.C., but there is an office at the U.N. too.

This is exactly what I had to do just over a year ago, even down to using the same company for the 8 hour course. I know you mentioned that you had done tests in the US, but for OP’s information, ‘The Next Street’ have some great short videos on YouTube, covering how to correctly do any maneuvers you might be asked to do. Very handy to have a look if you don’t plan on taking any lessons.

You’ll have to take the 8-hour drug and alcohol awareness course too.