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“Not Worth The Rabies Shots”: 23 Life-Saving Tips On What Not To Do When Visiting The US
Article created by: Rugilė Žemaitytė
The beautiful thing about traveling is that it allows you to experience different cultures and learn about other ways of life. However, this wonderful opportunity comes with the responsibility to respect and appreciate the customs of the people who are hosting you.
So when a person who goes on the internet by the nickname FarmSuch5021 made a post on the subreddit 'Ask An American,' saying, "What should a foreigner absolutely not do when visiting the USA?" locals immediately started sending in their suggestions.
Considering that the United States is the third most-visited country in the world and that the travel industry directly employs 8 million Americans, it's safe to say that the discussion is relevant to both tourists and the economic well-being of the nation.
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#1
Don't act disrespectful around memorials. I sometimes see tourists treating memorials like tourist attractions, they're not. They aren't made to entertain tourists, they're made to memorialize those lost. Be quiet, don't mess around, certainly don't litter, and generally treat the space like it was to remember someone in your family.
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#2
Don't go to the upper Midwest during winter, unless you are Russian or Nordic, you are not prepared for that degree of cold.
Don't go to the Southwest in summer.
Definitely do not rent a minivan and try you luck cross country in death valley. I'm looking at you Germans.
#3
Don’t apologize for not having perfect English! I love hearing people people speak English when it’s not their first language, and you probably speak it better than a lot of native speakers. A lot of Americans are very friendly and love to help, so we wouldn’t have any problem trying to figure out what you’re talking about even if it’s not perfectly clear.
I speak some French and some Spanish and I guarantee that almost anyone who comes here speaking English as their second or third language is doing way better than I am at either of those languages, so be proud of your English!
Bacon Tentacles 7 months ago
I love accents of all shapes and sizes. And I love that they are trying to learn the language. That's just showing respect.
#4
Don't f$&k with cats. We love our cats. Even the stray ones.
Bacon Tentacles 7 months ago
I am not a violent man. But if I ever saw somebody hurting an animal, welp, guess I'd be in jail, then.
#5
Do not touch people just because you've never seen that race of people before. Do not rub their skin, don't touch their hair, don't poke them, all of this without permission that is. Definitely don't take pictures of people without their permission or stand next to them to get a picture without asking them. People of a different race aren't zoo animals and shouldn't be treated that way regardless of your lack of exposure to them.
Bacon Tentacles 7 months ago
I agree with this, and think it should also apply to Americans wanting to touch pregnant women's bellies as well. Just...no. Eww. Why?
#6
Something that I hear is common in Asia but is a huge no-no here; is commenting on another persons weight or appearance. In most circles this is highly frowned upon in the US.
Also, people in the US like having their own personal space. So when you’re standing in line for something don’t get right up on somebody. Keep enough distance while not too far that people will think you aren’t standing in line.
Bacon Tentacles 7 months ago (edited)
And I think we Americans could learn a thing or two about personal space from the Finnish. Social distancing during the pandemic? Yeah, that was perfect. And, yes, I am an introvert. How did you guess?
#7
Don’t try to bribe a cop or public official.
Bacon Tentacles 7 months ago
Although if you do, let us know beforehand so we can retreat to a safe distance and maybe buy some popcorn.
#8
Do not bring up politics. I know you guys hear about our politics a lot, but bringing up politics in social situations can be seen as impolite and/or socially awkward.
Bacon Tentacles 7 months ago
With this current administration, I think it could be absolutely incendiary.
#9
Don't smoke in public buildings; this is illegal. Don't smoke in someone's house, apartment, or condo without asking for permission; this isn't illegal, but it's still extremely rude.
#10
Do not try to barter / haggle with retail stores (or anywhere else for that matter). It comes off as rude unless you're at a garage sale or are buying a lot of items. Doing so at a small store might be ok but definitely don't do so at a place like Walmart and expect prices to be lowered.
#11
Don't try to see multiple geographically distant attractions in a short period of time. Look up travel times. You'd be surprised how many people visit New York City for a week thinking they can swing by Chicago and the Grand Canyon. Or even Boston and Philadelphia. Make sure you do your research. Anything further than 4ish hours by car is a day trip in and of itself.
Even if it is technically possible, I know I wouldn't want to spend an entire vacation bouncing from place to place with no time budgeted to actually *enjoy* those places. Don't make your vacation a "Things to See" checklist. Take time to enjoy the place you're visiting (that good travel advice in general, though).
Bacon Tentacles 7 months ago
And dress appropriately for the locale, FFS. Do NOT wear flip-flops if you are planning on hiking down into the Grand Canyon. Don't be stupid.
#12
Don’t throw your used toilet paper in the garbage can. Please throw it in the toilet.
I was a custodian at a theme park and the amount of tourists who threw their poopy toilet paper in the trash can in the stall was unreal.
#13
Never call a black American boy or girl the n-word. Usually does not end well.
#16
Whatever you do, do not cut in line. We see it, and you will get called out for it, perhaps even attacked for it.
#17
Don't treat every person you meet like the complaints department of the country. Where do you expect this conversation to go? A random person you're talking to isn't going to be able to change anything, so you're just complaining without any solution.
#18
Idk if they have this outside the US and Canada but in the mens, you always leave an empty urinal in between you and another person using the other one, eyes straight forward. It’s not homophobic it’s just how things are. Idk how it started. We also take the 10 items or less rule very seriously in our grocery stores.
#19
If you are going on private property for some reason. You are trespassing and the owner has the right to shoot you in certain situations. Stay with your group. This country is massive and diverse.
#20
Don't crowd up around people when in line or viewing something. We like our personal space.
#21
Don't go off trail when hiking or backpacking. Going off trail contributes to the degradation and erosion of natural spaces. We have a lot of wilderness in the states and we'd like to keep it wild and pristine
#22
Spend every conversation comparing Europe to the US, or stiff waiters/bartenders on a tip.
Bacon Tentacles 7 months ago
Yes, we think tipping culture sucks, too, and wish employers would just pay people a living wage. But they won't, because they are greedy AF, and we have accepted that, so please just tip your server and shaddap.
#24
Please try not to take it personally when someone says "How are you?" and actually give them your life story. For most Americans, that is just how they greet people. They are not actually curious about how you really are doing. Well, some of us are, but we're consider weirdos. And we are.
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