The United States attracts many visitors. For example, in 2019, over 79 million international tourists came to the country, making it the number-three most popular choice, behind only France and Spain.
But whether we're talking about natural parks or busy cities, there are some "unwritten rules" that everyone should know. And that includes travelers, not just locals. So it pays to do your homework.
For our first assignment, let's go through the comments under a post on the subreddit r/AskAnAmerican, where a now-deleted user asked people to share these customs.
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Do not cut in line. We are not British, we won't just shake our heads and mutter under our breath. Americans will absolutely start a fight over line cutting. It will become a whole big thing, people will film it on their phones, and boom! There you are all over [internet], getting beat up because you couldn't just wait your turn in line for a few minutes
Internet? The original says "Reddit". At least acknowledge when taking content from other sites. Edit: For those confused, I am talking about this specific image where they replaced the word "Reddit" with the word "Internet".
Don't wear the red hats.
Actually we prefer they wear them. It helps us identify who the easily duped morons are.
The word c*nt is lot more offensive in the US (and Canada) than in other English-speaking nations. Don’t use it casually
Also calling someone a pedo. I see that a lot in British tv and movies and of course it’s an insult, but here it has serious implications. If you call someone that, you truly mean it and it can get someone beat up or attract the attention of law enforcement. It’s never said as an offhand comment here.
That whole trespassers will be shot thing is not a joke
Since someone commented: What, nobody ignores fences? LOL. Yeah, no. They do. They also ignore no-jaywalking signs in other places.
The price marked on the shelf does not include taxes. What you see is not what you pay.
Except in Oregon! I just moved here a few months ago and was pleasantly surprised to find that there is NO sales tax on anything! The price on the shelf/sticker/menu etc. is what you actually pay. It's pretty sweet
21 is the Legal Drinking Age. Don't try to reason convince the bartender that it's 18 back "home". It's not that they're being difficult just to be difficult. Their jobs and possibly the liquor license of the establishment (which is super extremely incredibly crazily difficult to get in some places) could be revoked over something as small as this.
I visited the US at the age of 18 and saw a girl my age take a sip of beer from her older friend at a concert. She was led outside. I turned to my bf and said, "This feels crazy to me. Back home I would be legally allowed to buy alcohol and drink myself to coma at the age of 16 and here I couldn't even take a sip if I wanted to." Not that I think it's a great idea to sell alcohol to 16-year-old. It just felt crazy.
Don't dine at a sit down/table service restaurant and not tip just to make a point.
Not the way things are done in your country? Great! Part of the fun of travel is experiencing other cultures. You should embrace the opportunity to experience our primitive way of life first hand.
The fact is that it's not just the 'culture' but it's also (mostly?) the fact that servers and waitstaff SURVIVE on those tips because of screwed up laws allowing food service businesses to pay them super-low wages (like $2.00/hour).
Back in my MMO days a scottish friend of mine went to Atlanta once and called a black guy 'boy'. I guess you just call people boy in Scotland?
Yeah but do not call black people boy. Its perceived as racist / talking down to them and its a good way to get in a fight. Especially in the South
Yeah, as a black American, I can tell you that calling a black man "boy", however innocent it may seem, can cause some problems. Best to avoid it.
Don't take selfies at memorials honoring the dead.
I just about threw up from all the selfie sticks at the world trade center memorial in NY.
NEVER pass an unloading school bus. When those stop signs flap out, you've got to wait until those little crotch goblins get off the bus until you even think of moving again. Whether it's hitting a pedestrian child, getting a nasty ticket, or just the absolute looks of disgust you'll warrant, it won't be worth it.
Yes! Many tourists may not realize this, but it's very important. Traffic on both sides of the street must stop when a school bus flashes its lights and the stop sign on the side of the bus pops out. This is to ensure children's safety.
Don't complain that taxes aren't included in the price. I know it's annoying, but the poor souls who have to work retail didn't set U.S. tax policy.
If you're driving and get pulled over, DO NOT get out of the car. Roll down your window and wait for the police officer to walk up to your car. Keep your hands visible (resting on the steering wheel).
Absolutely. They will think you are coming after them with a weapon or something (which of course does happen). I made the mistake of getting out once and got his gun drawn on me pretty quickly.
Don’t f**king use racial slurs. Good lord, I work in the service industry with lots of people from China and they’ll just say the N-word with the hard R (or just s**tty racist stuff in general) and will be confused as to why people get pissed off.
While America’s race relations are strained at best, it’s completely unacceptable to voice your racist opinions in public. If you choose to do it anyway, you will be completely ostracized - and any people who are accepting of it are probably s**tty racists themselves. Yikes.
The Chinese guys may have been using the Chinese word “那个” instead of the N word It sounds similar but there’s absolutely no connection
Treat wildlife with respect, you will see it everywhere and it is generally dangerous or can kill you.
Dont try a selfie with a Bear or Buffalo
There's 330 million of us. Saying something like "I heard Americans like/dislike," is almost always going to be met with a grain of salt/resentment
Don't talk down to people in service industries. They work for the company and not for you. They are not servants, and they deserve respect and decency
Don't go to dangerous neighborhoods because you saw them on TV.
Not a foreign visitor, but a naive friend from Colorado came to visit in California and wanted to see the gangs on Crenshaw in South Central L.A. because he'd seen it on some cop show.
Yeah, no, we're not driving through the 'hood so you can take pictures of the thugs and poor people. He's a Latino guy, too, so the last thing I needed was someone thinking he was cruising and looking for a fight.
Smell bad. It sounds like a joke, but Americans are really unaccepting of any type of BO. We (probably) won’t actually say anything to you, but we will automatically dislike you.
I spent a bit of time abroad with people foreign to the US
Pointing is VERY rude! My one friend (from Thailand) would always point to people when speaking about them. It was just very uncomfortable and I didn’t realize it was part of the social structure here until she was doing it everywhere lol. Don’t point at complete strangers and talk about them, you may end up starting a fight
The American South, while known probably to some for being racist, is VERY VERY big into politeness and manners.
Generally do things like hold the door open for others, a cashier may ask you “hi how are you” just answer “good, how are you?” Or “I’m okay, how are you” but whatever you answer remember to return the ask. Always say please and thank you. If you make eye contact with a stranger give a smile and a nod. Unless they say hi, then say hi back. I also tend to end conversations with people by saying “have a good one” if meeting somebody (more of a professional thing) when shaking hands, let the person who initiated the handshake introduce themselves first.
Also Americans tend to be very friendly and will strike up conversations with people, don’t be afraid to chat, just don’t bring up politics
I am so damn tired of ya'll bashing the American south about racism. We can be talking about fried chicken and you all can still somehow manage to bring up racism. We are talking about manners and the first thing yall bring up is racism. We are not all racist and we are tired of being labeled as such. We do have some racist people down here, but so does every place on the planet.
Don't sit around for hours in a restaurant after eating. The wait staff get fussy
One reason why I hate dining out in the US. The staff will bring the bill the minute they see you chew the last bite. It is so rushed und uncomfortable. Plus it‘s expensive and tax and service are not even included yet.
That's what happens when you get paid through tips.
Load More Replies...Most restaurants don't care about this unless they're very busy (like the lunch or dinner rushes). If the place isn't crowded, it's not a big deal, but if you see people piling in, be courteous and get through your meal so others can be seated.
Hostess here. I work at a super busy restaurant. It's not that we "get fussy," it's the fact that most of the time, our wait list is super backed up and we have several parties who have been waiting for a table, and YOU'RE holding up the entire restaurant by sitting around after having cashed out hours ago. It's just common courtesy to leave after paying. Take your conversations to the car or outside.
Yeah, in America, restaurants are businesses trying to make money. Wait staff is underpaid and relies on tips. So eat, pay, get up, leave. Then another person can come in and eat and pay and leave.
As an American, I will sit and chat as long as I please. I will be ordering drinks though and I will always tip you at LEAST 20% regardless of service.
And they still expect a tip? Wowser. I wish you guys just got paid for doing your job instead of expecting the customer to pay.
Honestly, don't do that in any country, (well, not for hours, maybe 10 to 15 minutes or so whilst you digest your food is ok, don't feel rushed) whilst some countries will be more polite about it, generally it's not good manners to sit around for absolutely ages, that restaurant/cafe is trying to earn money, and if they can't get more people in whilst you're sat around just talking and not ordering anything else, they lose money xP
Actually it is perfectly fine and common for people to sit for longer than that in many places. They are there to socialise as much as to eat. That is, unless the table is booked for another party after you.
Load More Replies...In Italy, usually (unless it is a particularly crowded or trendy restaurant, or a place where you can have a quick lunch), it is perfectly normal to stay at the table chatting with the diners after having finished eating or while drinking a liqueur or coffee. On the contrary, the waiter who rushes customers is considered very rude and this way of doing things can make customers decide not to go to that restaurant anymore.
My Dutch sister-in-law hates eating in American restaurants. She thinks a meal should be a celebration, a joy, something to be relished. She has a point.
Wow... here [eta: The Netherlands) eating out is a treat, it's not something you do in a hurry. You take your time, it is an evening event (or large part of it) and we most people don't do it often, at least not multple times a week. I worked in a restaurant, and there we let people order a drink first, and only after they toasted/took their first sips we brought the menu. We didn't rush them out. But it is polite to order something regularly, and not sit there on a single tea for hours.
I understand why it's so rushed, but it sounds inconvenient. It's like someone waits for you to eat your food, then slam bill on the table and tell you: "Pay for your food and get out."
Yep, eating out in america isn't half the fun it is in any other country. Herded in and out as quickly as possible, screw enjoyment, scarf your slop, pay and GTFO.
This is absolutely awful. I served at a restaurant that had outside dining, the customer would be don eating, drinking, just everything and just sitting and bullshiting, and we would be on a full on wait, that costs me money, I eventually just took everything from the table, even the water glasses. They finally left. Like don't you ladies have a patio and home you can sit and talk at?
Be conscious of whether there are other people waiting. Be conscious of whether your waiter is getting skipped in the seating rotation because you're taking much longer than average. And if you sit for double the time, make it up to the waiter in the form of a tip large enough that they don't mind missing another seating.
Especially when it gets near closing time - every employee in that restaurant has been on their feet for hours, busting a$$ to serve you. They still have to do all the clean-up before they can go home. If the place is slow, no worries. But if it's busy, or time to close, please leave.
Of course you would leave when it's closing time, you usually get told ahead of time (about 15mins). There is no way you are allowed to just keep sitting then.
Load More Replies...Even so in the U.S. I do see a lot of people just camping out at tables after eating. I've always felt that would be rude to do, myself, but don't feel that most other Americans really feel that way.
Unless you're in the South. I'll give them credit, southern hospitality is pretty nice.
Let me add here, it has a lot to do with tipping. If you have a table in your section that finishes and just sits, that limits your ability to serve more people. It means less tips. Wait staff in many restaurants are given specific tables to serve. Sitting and chatting cuts into their wage.
When my friend and I get together, we usually end up apologizing to the staff because we generally act like we are European, we take FOREVER to finish our meal. Then we just sit there drinking our beverages ad infinitum while chatting.
It depends on the type of restaurant. If it counts on repeat tablrs, don't hang around. However,in the more expensive and exclusive the restaurant, you are their guest, not just a punter paying for food. Either is food, it's the restaurant's responsibility to manage the customers' eperiences.
Can confirm. My brother is currently working as a busser, and he says that when this happens, the staff tries to give subtitle hints to customers that the restaurant is near closing time, such as stacking chairs on unoccupied tables and cleaning. When he was a disher at that same restaurant, he couldn't leave until all customers are gone and all closing procedures are finished. He sometimes wouldn't return home until midnight because some customers did not get the hint.
We Californios were surprised on our first drive across Mexico that eatery wait staff didn't bring a bill immediately after we finished. We learned to wave for the check.
I've had them bring me my check while I was in the middle of eating and made it seem like I needed to hurry. There was barely anyone else there.
American here: If we stay & visit with each other much longer than an after dinner coffee, we always make sure we "pay rent", meaning we tip more than if we just ate & left. We know servers in our country rely on tips so we try to make up for the possible lost tip by us taking our time. The exception to this rule is if our server begins to act rude & aggravated. We refuse to be rushed, but also refuse to pay someone for being rude.
Wait staff in many restaurants are expected to have a certain turnover average. The last restaurant I worked at wanted an average 24min turnover and if we averaged more than that we got bitched at. If we averaged more than that too often, it could cost our jobs. Also, if we didn't bring the bill with your food, we heard about it. These companies do NOT care about customers or employees, it's all about the money.
Nah bro, I’ll stay as long as I want… if someone brings me the bill without asking… I’ll order more.
I see this on a lot of lists of what not to do and I do it all the time (usually late night) and never have problems. I always tip high and well and the wait staff always tell me and my friends to hang as long as we want. Of course we are always well aware of our surroundings and are polite and make sure we keep our language and conversation family friendly. We always keep an eye on the door to see if it gets busy and they need our table and set an alarm 20 minutes before close to make sure we don't stay after closing. Basically don't be a d*¢k and you'll be fine.
Even ignoring the issue of wait staff needing tips and the business trying to make money, there very well could be people waiting for a table while you have a conversation that you could easily have elsewhere. It is very rude to make other people wait for you if you are not ordering/eating, regardless of what country you are in.
As a former server I dont mind someone sitting at a table when they are done SO LONG AS you pay your bill when you are done eating (so I dont have to sit around and wait to leave just bc you havent paid if its end of my shift) AND tip extra. Significantly extra to make up for the tips I didnt make because I couldnt seat other diners at your table.
Basically, we don't stay seated any longer than necessary. Only once did we remain seated on purpose. Appetizer (salad), main course AND dessert (ice cream) were served within 5 minutes. When I complained, I was not taken seriously. We got the bill 15 minutes later. We took our time eating, and paid within an hour and a half, including a tip of around 15%.
YES! Your dining experience ends when you're done eating. The longer you sit there, the less the waitstaff makes. Don't be lingering for an hour after you're finished eating. A restaurant table is not your living room. Move to the bar if you want to just hang out with a drink.
Do most restaurants also have a seated bar? It is not something I am used to unless it is a pub.
Load More Replies...If you're paying crazy prices for a meal, the cost of your party staying a reasonable time after finishing, it's included in the bill.
Americans are about personal bubbles. If you're a stranger, keep an arms distance when conversing with an American. If you are familiar with them, keep an elbows distance. And lastly, unless you are extremely familiar with them, do not touch except for a handshake. We're like the Swedish, but louder.
Goes double for braids/dreadlocks/spikes. DO NOT EVER feel someone's hair. Don't even ask. It's crazy rude here.
Don’t try to make it cross country in a day. Especially during extreme weather
"Especially during extreme weather"? As if it's some remote possibility otherwise but the weather makes it a 0%? It's more 2700 miles. Even driving for literally every single second, "cross country in a day" would require an *average* speed of around 115 miles per hour - that number goes up with stops for gas, food, toilet breaks, etc. The Cannonball run record - i.e., the stupidly illegal trip undertaken by people pouring significant resources into it (at least in the modern attempts) is 25 hours 39 minutes. Literally no one has ever done that in a 'single day.'
You can buy alcohol in any store in town but you will get the long d*ck of the law if you open that puppy up in public
If you are driving, don't forget that you can make a right turn on a red light, and if you get pulled over by a cop, being friendly/respectful can go a looooooong way
When pulled over by a cop, roll the window down and keep your hands on the wheel where they can see them. Be polite. I would go as far as saying “my license/registration/insurance” or whatever they are asking for are “in my wallet/glove compartment” etc, “may I reach out and get those?”
Restaurants and stores will take your cards. I know, it is weird. You lose sight of it. If you do not want that to happen have cash prepared.
We Americans love foreign visitors and we will pepper you with questions, ask about your language, culture, almost really intrusive questions. Some might even try to relate to you on some level because we Americans are taught that the United States is a melting pot and we all have distant relatives in other countries. For the Irish, English, Scottish, and German; do not be shocked or offended if an American says "Oh! I'm insert heritage too!"
If you said 'I have Irish heritage too!' there wouldn't be an issue. The fact that you mostly say it as 'Hey, I'm Irish too!' is the offensive part. You're not Irish. You're American. Your great-great-granddaddy was Irish. (Edit: Changed 'English heritage' to 'Irish heritage' as people really seem to be misunderstanding what I'm saying and this is the only thing I can think might be tripping them up)
For the love of god please just go the speed limit, and NEVER stop in the middle of the road no matter where you are
In America is best to think of the speed limit as the slowest you can go without being a nuisance.
A few from personal accounts of people I know.
Do not think it's acceptable to bribe someone in authority. It's not even a joking matter in the U.S. I grew up in a country where it was an unwritten rule that these things could be "negotiated" and there were tell-tale signs to know whether said authority was open to it.
Coworker of mine knows a guy (comes from a European country where this is common place) that was in the U.S and had to be escorted out of a shopping mall because he cat-called a group of girls... who also happened to be underage. Yeah, that's a no go here. Maybe it will be tolerated at a night club, but in public? You'll likely face repercussions. It's just not culturally acceptable. (Note: that's not to say it doesn't happen in the U.S - as I know it's a problem in a lot of major cities).
Don't get in the water unless it's explicitly marked that you can:
if it's a large body of water like a bay or waterway, it's likely polluted and boats might not see you.
if it's a small body of water in a park, swimming is likely not allowed for conservation purposes or just by cultural norm
if it's a reflecting pool at a memorial, it's disrespectful to those who the memorial is honoring. (People break this one all the time in DC; please don't be one of those people.)
Tourists coming to DC always want to be dipping their feet in the reflecting pool, not realizing it's really a gigantic goose toilet. Just don't.
As awesome as we can be, we are the opposite of a homogeneous culture, this means we have people of different races, religions, and ideologies. I know that our own politics can and will dominate the news headlines around the world, but I suggest you tread lightly when discussing politics and religion. This is because tribalism of religious and ideological beliefs run deep and Americans can and will get offended quickly.
Do not drink alcohol in a car, even as a passenger, it's against the law to have an open container of alcohol in a car. Period.
If you have been drinking and you're sitting in your car with the key in the ignition, that is called actual physical control and it is one step below DUI.
Disobey park rules regarding nature and wildlife.
If you’re in a national/state/any park, follow the rules: stay on the trail don’t litter Don’t touch any wild/plant life Camp/cook/dump/use the toilet in designated spaces Etc.
The reason for the park is for preservation, and for you to walk, relax, and breathe in it. It is not to be used to take a giant cooler full of cheap beer, drink half of it, leave it and then take pictures of you knocking over a large rock that’s over a million years old.
Also, if you’re one of the 10 people wading in the World War II monument in DC, the other 90 people are reading the signs that say “No Swimming”, and watching with severe disappointment.
Do not haggle for prices except at pawn shops (second hand shops), car dealerships, flea markets, and internet/phone/cable providers. You will be mocked if you do that anywhere else as it is considered rude.
Wait, what? You haggle with internet/phone/cable providers? That's really weird.
Be nice to the animals. We tend to place a really high value on animal life here. If you get to know someone who treats their pet like a human child, don't mind it. And certainly don't purposely try to hurt it. If you get caught abusing an animal--even just a stray dog/cat on the street--you'll certainly face repercussions, whether it be a fine or jail time. You'll also see a lot of roadkill, but don't try to hit an animal on the road on purpose. There's lots of roadkill because we have a lot of opossums and armadillos and they're fairly stupid, so they get on the road and get run over a lot. Most of the time it's an accident.
Don’t carry a large amount of cash on you or carry only big bills. This is so common in japan, a cash based society. A student of mine here in japan told me her husband had his wallet stolen in Boston when he was carrying mostly cash. Major cities and large stores/restaurants are very card friendly. It’s safer and easier.
That "robbing" in the US includes the police, see Civil forfeiture. A cop might deem it being suspicious that you carry lots of cash with you and seize it.
Don't critisize our culture or politics (to our faces) , even if we agree with you, it will annoy many of us
Heads up, conservatives in our country turned out to be giant snowflakes.
Bomb jokes in airport. Thats actually a top tip for every airport.
If someone asks "how are you?" , just say "good" or something similar, we don't actually give a s**t how you're doing, we ask because it's polite
Don't expect to get into bars or clubs under 21. In many countries people can still go to these places underage and not drink, but in the U.S. the vast majority of places other than restaurants that serve alcohol will not allow anyone in under 21.
Don't get too far away from any major highway, don't let your tank of gas go under half. Most people traveling here haven't been to a country this big and this empty before. Easy to assume there will be roadside services and get stuck.
Don't smoke around children.
Definitely do not pester, feed or endanger a wild animal, and don't harm someone's animal. Kicking or mistreating a dog/cat around here is grounds for fighting.
Please show respect and courtesy around monuments, parks, and historical sites, be they local, state or federal. Our history might be young, but it's still our history.
Every gun is loaded. Bubba will not be happy if you blow your hand off, so just don't touch any unless supervised
Hit your child in public.
I'm not condoning physical punishment against kids, I just know from experience that in some cultures that's a norm. But if you do it here, chances are you will be confronted by an irate bystander
Oh yeah. If a foreigner hits a kid - it's a cultural thing! If a foreign man hits his wife - it's a cultural thing! Maybe we can drop the pretense and acknowledge that hitting anybody, especially little children, is barbarian no matter what culture you belong to?..
Don't try to walk along really busy roads. Not all roads have sidewalks. Not all roads are walkable. People will think you're in distress and the police may stop you to check if you're okay.
Respect personal space. I’ve had foreign friends visit and when they talk to you they tend to stand extremely close and it makes me cringe every time. Same goes for standing in lines - make sure to leave a couple feet in between you and the person in front of you.
I think the entire world's gotten used to this practice over the past two years.
Yes we have food from your country. 9 times out of 10 it is not the same and is Americanized. Sometimes it is better. Sometimes it is not. Some random places have an accurate recreation of that dish. Don't b**ch about how the bangers and mash, pizza, poutine, or something isn't the same. Try some American dishes. You can, maybe, find ingredients from your homeland in a grocery store and can use those if you are renting a house or one of those apartment hotels.
You might want to just stay at home if all you want is your own country's brands of food etc. I've heard fellow Brits return from Benidorm gleefully informing anyone who will listen about how they found an 'English Pub' with HP sauce and a full English breakfast, on the first day. And how they went there everyday after for sausage, egg and chips and a warm pint of Carling. What's the point in visiting a foreign country if you aren't prepared to try some of the local delicacies? I shake my head. I am literally shaking my head right now as I type. My head has been shaken.
If you're male, don't talk to strangers kids, especially daughters.
Don't use politics as a conversation starter. That's something we only really discuss with family in person. I was surprised how often US and World politics came up as an opening conversation while traveling in Europe last year.
because europeans are watching y'all like people watch a car crash when they drive past. It's basically this fascinating shitshow across the pond. So europeans (and others TBH) want to know (a) why is it such a shitshow and (b) how are you not suicidal and (c) would you like to apply for citizenship here? We have free healthcare...
Do not try to go across the country in one day like you would in a small country. I hear some people say they want to go from new york and road trip to Miami then San Francisco in one day. That would take a week or two. we are a big country with lots of places.
Don't stare at people. We just glance. People will think you are on drugs or mentally ill.
At the same time in many parts of the country people openly stare at other people without any of that baggage. It's a big country with a lot of different types of people.
Don't go without tipping, especially at restaurants. Though it's higher in some states, the national minimum wage of tipped workers is $2.13. It's not considered an extra on top of their pay, but the source of the majority of their pay.
Don't urinate in public areas, even if you think you are doing so discreetly
Don't be late to everything. 10-15 minutes is the polite amount of late for social engagements, but other things, like school, doctors appointments, reservations (bookings) etc, just be ontime ffs
Most appointments will get cancelled after 15 min unless you call ahead
Do not worry about getting shot. That is, unless you are dealing drugs or breaking into someone's house
Or going to school, church, the movies, a concert, a marathon etc.
Don't depend on public transit it's s**tty in a majority of places
In NYC it's almost obligatory to use public transport. But it's an outlier in that and many other respects.
Don’t call all of us yanks... southerners will depending on the person be bemused or enraged.
Don’t call football hand egg.
Don't casually touch (slap on the back, tap on the shoulder, hug, etc) someone unless you know them very well. We're very protective of our personal space, and we dont touch each other in a friendly manner like most European cultures unless they're very good friends or loved ones.
Don't: make eye contact with any homeless people panhandling for cash. They will hound you.
Um, you can just talk to them and treat them like human beings. Just say "no" when they ask you for money if you don't want to give them anything. A lot of times, they'll continue to talk to you, so it's not all about money. Sometimes they just appreciate the conversation
Don't forget to tip your bartender
People wouldn't have to rely on tips if they were paid appropriately in the first place
Some of my foreign coworkers didn't understand how dangerous it is driving on snow. Depending on the climate where you're from and how common driving is, you may have never experienced it... you have to drive slower if there's any snow, and depending on the consistency you may have to drive quite a bit slower. Tip one is to watch how other people are driving in it and mimic the more conservative drivers you see. Also, if you're ever driving somewhere that you aren't sure of the conditions, pick a safe spot to try stopping as fast as you can and see how quickly your vehicle actually slows down (don't do this if someone is following you closely because you could cause a wreck).
Otherwise, and idk if this is the case in other countries as much as here, so you may know this already: people are generally more aggressive and less deferential in more urban areas. Even just living in a more rural part of the country most of my younger life, it was a culture shock moving to a large city. People even drive more aggressively, but it tends to be the overall mindset too. People have mentioned cutting in line being a major no-no, but that sort of depends where you're at actually. You might get away with it with no more than a silently pissed midwestern lady behind you if you do it in less urbanized areas... or if you try that s**t in Jersey or NYC, you'll get your a** handed to you. Basically, just don't make the mistake of going to a medium to large city and being overly polite or deferential. People will take advantage... you need to be a hard target, and don't feel bad about it because the nicer people that live places like that understand the need to be guarded and a bit defensive in those areas.
I'm from NYC. we are frank, we are blunt, and yes..there is a pace you need to keep up with when driving and/or walking. but this if you stop us and ask us how to get someplace, not only will we tell you the fastest way to get there, we'll tell you of 5 places that are better and cheaper. if you listen to the above advice, then yes...we will be assholes. prefer the nyc attitude to the fake bless your heart attitude of the south.
Chew with your mouth open.
We don't do that here and you shouldn't either unless you are literally a farm animal.
DO NOT try and bribe the police. I know in some countrys it is common, but here you will be arrested. They also wear bodycams most of the time, so there will be evidence if you do.
Get the app waze for driving here helps with traffic. And if you come to Texas drive aggressive haha.
If you make eye contact, nod or acknowledge the presence of the other person
Don’t diss a man’s car. Don’t bring up politics or religion. Tip. Don’t assume that people from the south are stupid. Assume that people have guns, don’t argue or look for fights.
hmm... so, don't assume people are stupid but assume they have guns? In my book, ANYONE who carries a gun is borderline mentally challenged. The stats show that you are 3x more likely to die by gun violence merely by having one in the house. Furthermore, carring a gun does not in fact guarantee time to respond. Most actual criminals will shoot first before letting you find it. Lastly, carrying one in public is overtly an attempt to intimidate everyone around you and what I think immediately are things like "Sheesh what a prick and sheesh what a wanker". I do NOT admire you at all. I think you are pathetic, in fact, and deeply insecure. But, hey, rightwingers DONT LIVE IN FEAR do they? I mean, what's a little virus?
Fireworks are illegal in most parts of California. There are “safe” fireworks that are sold in some areas during the week of Fourth of July, but do not take them to other parts of the state and assume they are ok to use, and do not bring fireworks from other states and use them here.
Try to smoke cigarettes where everyone else is. Lighting up within a building is a no-go
Just out of curiosity is there strict rules for smoking in public places in the US. I guess it would depend on the state though. In SA you aren't allowed to smoke in the car with anyone under the age of 16, bus/train/tram stops, in shops or workplaces, playgrounds, the front of medical facilities like hospitals, dentists, outdoor dining areas, sports clubs, certain distance from schools etc.
Bribing people, Like I realize in some parts of the world it's perfectly acceptable to grease the wheels a little bit to get thungs done. but it's a no-go here.
Don't wear a speedo at the beach. We don't need to see that.
But you like seeing women in bikinis? Isn't this a little bit of a double standard from the MOST INCLUSIVE WOKE country ever?
If you go to Texas or anywhere else in the south, you're expected to shake hands when introducing yourself. When I say shake hands, I mean no limp d*ck, clammy noodle. No one wants to feel that s**t. Wipe your hand on your pants, then try to break the other dude's hand before he can break yours
Attempt taxation without representation
If you're going shopping, don't wear polo shirts. People will automatically assume you're a store worker, and they can be very rude about it.
So, to summarize this entire thing: be a nice person, don’t get hurt/sick, and always be polite to cops. That’s really all you need to know bout Murica. (We’re not all horrible people; there’s just a lot of idiots)
Basically, and given what I've seen when I travel outside the US, that sums up humanity. Not all horrible, but a lot of idiots!
Load More Replies...Gotta love how BP loves to s**t on America for being ignorant/backwards/selfish/whatever, yet complain about our customs and will insist on using their own even if it's rude.
Only overly sensitive people think that BP loves to s**t on America. BP does have a habit of repeatedly posting articles about hos America is "different"... but that isn't s**ting on.
Load More Replies...Don't abuse animals, be kind to other people, don't vandalize monuments, don't fight the cops? Do Americans think other people have a habit of doing those things in other countries? This article is pure b******t.
It’s a Reddit thing. There are certain comments people always post because they know they’ll get upvotes. It’s irritating and part of the reason I don’t go on Reddit anymore.
Load More Replies...As an American, I have to point out that none of the things mentioned here are universally true in every part of the country. The US is bloody huge, and we tend to identify with the part we live in: New England, Mid-Atlantic, the South, the Midwest, and so on. In New England, we tend to move and speak quickly. In the South, they're exactly the opposite; they stroll and drawl. Different areas have different values as well, and different cultural norms. Think of the US more like the EU, that is to say, a group of somewhat disparate, but somewhat similar countries and cultures.
To be honest, I don't want to visit the US that much. A wild country with too many civilian firearms for my taste.
The thing about the South... South means Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Mississippi. We do love people. But there are still parts segregated. My best advice is ask a local where not to go. They will tell you. We want you to get back home safe. I can tell you now.. too keep your car gased up. Don't travel alone if you can help it in big cities. Stay away from cherry st area in knoxville tn. Not all are bad there but it's not friendly unless you know someone who lives there personally. Don't f*****g touch wild life or try to capture a picture of a bear. Admire it from an distance. In Codes Cave loop in the smokies....keep driving. Don't stop. It's 11 miles of a loop rd. If you want to take pictures park in the designated areas and go walk. Please for the love of God pull over and allow faster traffic to pass you when you can if on a two way highway. Don't litter. No matter where you are in the world don't litter. Th
I lived in Florida a general rule is if you see it Confederate flag maybe not the place to be. One thing they didn't mention about the south is a lot of people prefer to be called Sir or ma'am it's just considered polite. When I moved up North with this habit people thought it was rude they said I'm not that old.
Load More Replies...Tbh, I'm surprised bribing police isn't a huge thing in the US. Everything is about money, politicians accept huge bribes (but call them donations or lobbying), but police won't accept it. It's quite amazing.
Ordinary people (including police) aren't that shady. It's the people in power who love bribes.
Load More Replies...So, as far as I understand, US people are.... people, but I don't really understand why they think in other parts of the world we don't use common sense like chewing with the mouth shut, don't bribe, respect flora and fauna and everything else apart from including taxes to the final price.
You're triggered by things like "don't litter." Sit tf down.
Load More Replies...I'd like to edit #74. Do NOT try to crush a woman's had if you happen to shake hands with her. I've dealt with that macho BS all my life and now that I'm old AND have arthritis in my fingers, I'll let out a rebel yell and possibly deck you if you squeeze my hand too hard. Just sayin'...
These fall into two categories: 1) Be a decent f*****g human being (animals, racism etc.). 2) Be prepared to be confronted with our moronic laws re: healthcare, firearms etc. I have yet to feel any inclination to visit the US at all.
Then don't. Shockingly, foreign countries are different; if you want things to be exactly as they are where you live, why leave? :/
Load More Replies...Funny how much I learned from this. I've lived in the inland west of the US for my whole life. I've traveled a lot, but never been east of Wyoming. As far as I'm concerned, the Eastern or Southern US is just as foreign as Timbuktu. Those people are weird.
Yes a lot of these people tend to generalize America as one big place but someone from the south can get culture shock going to the north same East versus West.
Load More Replies...This list should have been cut in half lol most of them are repeated and the others are common sense.
no. 1: glad my health ensurance has warrancies that cover for me if I get sick abroad
"Don't litter." Great idea, but we can't even get our fellow Americans to stop littering.
Do you guys know that America is a whole continet, don't you? From what I read you are probably talking about the US and Canada that are only one part of America.
Maybe it's my imagination but lately most of the topics or articles come straight from Reddit.
I agree - but please, people, can we just stop this "y'all" sh!t?
Load More Replies...Here is a DO: You can pretty much ask any stranger for help and they will be glad to help you. Need directions? Can't find something in a store? Want to know how much to tip? Need the nearest public bathroom? Literally ask anyone above the age of 12 and not only will you get a straight answer, but they'll be delighted that you asked.
They could have cut out the nearly identical/ repetitive posts on several topics and shortened the entire post. The redundant posts were ridiculous. It's sad that there wasn't better options given for the posts. Like maybe, don't wash your feet in public toilets here, they're far too disgusting and don't be afraid to ask some people to take pictures of you and your family or friends, you can usually tell who may be polite enough to do this. Common sense plays the biggest role as it does anywhere you go.
I have always wanted to visit America in the future when money is available but the more I read on BP I do not think I will, no, never.
There are also the non fiction programs on TV, but many on BP do not like facts or peoples personal feelings, they can not cope if they do not agree. Think I will start marking down everyone I do not agree with
Load More Replies...So, when I travel, I'm meant to, as an American, be seamlessly integrated into whatever nation, but nobody visiting the US should... be polite? Use common sense? Someone at BP make up their minds what the standard is, or just admit to the double standard.
You have some reading comprehension skills to work on. This article is specifically saying that people visiting America SHOULD change their behavior to properly fit in.
Load More Replies...yeah, the stopping behind a school bus that is unloading children... what a horrible country we live in!!!
in my country we do not have school buses. everyone lives in a walking distance of a school or else they use normal public transport. so there is no need to have specific rules for school buses. the whole traffic does not stop for one bus staying at a bus stop. We only have a rule that if you see a bus is giving a turn signal saying it is leaving the bus stop you should give a precedence so that it is not stuck there, but I feel like this is more a courtesy than a low, but I am not sure
Load More Replies...Why is your skin so thin? How do you see this as an attack? Do you spend your whole life being defensive? That must be tiring.
Load More Replies...So, to summarize this entire thing: be a nice person, don’t get hurt/sick, and always be polite to cops. That’s really all you need to know bout Murica. (We’re not all horrible people; there’s just a lot of idiots)
Basically, and given what I've seen when I travel outside the US, that sums up humanity. Not all horrible, but a lot of idiots!
Load More Replies...Gotta love how BP loves to s**t on America for being ignorant/backwards/selfish/whatever, yet complain about our customs and will insist on using their own even if it's rude.
Only overly sensitive people think that BP loves to s**t on America. BP does have a habit of repeatedly posting articles about hos America is "different"... but that isn't s**ting on.
Load More Replies...Don't abuse animals, be kind to other people, don't vandalize monuments, don't fight the cops? Do Americans think other people have a habit of doing those things in other countries? This article is pure b******t.
It’s a Reddit thing. There are certain comments people always post because they know they’ll get upvotes. It’s irritating and part of the reason I don’t go on Reddit anymore.
Load More Replies...As an American, I have to point out that none of the things mentioned here are universally true in every part of the country. The US is bloody huge, and we tend to identify with the part we live in: New England, Mid-Atlantic, the South, the Midwest, and so on. In New England, we tend to move and speak quickly. In the South, they're exactly the opposite; they stroll and drawl. Different areas have different values as well, and different cultural norms. Think of the US more like the EU, that is to say, a group of somewhat disparate, but somewhat similar countries and cultures.
To be honest, I don't want to visit the US that much. A wild country with too many civilian firearms for my taste.
The thing about the South... South means Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Mississippi. We do love people. But there are still parts segregated. My best advice is ask a local where not to go. They will tell you. We want you to get back home safe. I can tell you now.. too keep your car gased up. Don't travel alone if you can help it in big cities. Stay away from cherry st area in knoxville tn. Not all are bad there but it's not friendly unless you know someone who lives there personally. Don't f*****g touch wild life or try to capture a picture of a bear. Admire it from an distance. In Codes Cave loop in the smokies....keep driving. Don't stop. It's 11 miles of a loop rd. If you want to take pictures park in the designated areas and go walk. Please for the love of God pull over and allow faster traffic to pass you when you can if on a two way highway. Don't litter. No matter where you are in the world don't litter. Th
I lived in Florida a general rule is if you see it Confederate flag maybe not the place to be. One thing they didn't mention about the south is a lot of people prefer to be called Sir or ma'am it's just considered polite. When I moved up North with this habit people thought it was rude they said I'm not that old.
Load More Replies...Tbh, I'm surprised bribing police isn't a huge thing in the US. Everything is about money, politicians accept huge bribes (but call them donations or lobbying), but police won't accept it. It's quite amazing.
Ordinary people (including police) aren't that shady. It's the people in power who love bribes.
Load More Replies...So, as far as I understand, US people are.... people, but I don't really understand why they think in other parts of the world we don't use common sense like chewing with the mouth shut, don't bribe, respect flora and fauna and everything else apart from including taxes to the final price.
You're triggered by things like "don't litter." Sit tf down.
Load More Replies...I'd like to edit #74. Do NOT try to crush a woman's had if you happen to shake hands with her. I've dealt with that macho BS all my life and now that I'm old AND have arthritis in my fingers, I'll let out a rebel yell and possibly deck you if you squeeze my hand too hard. Just sayin'...
These fall into two categories: 1) Be a decent f*****g human being (animals, racism etc.). 2) Be prepared to be confronted with our moronic laws re: healthcare, firearms etc. I have yet to feel any inclination to visit the US at all.
Then don't. Shockingly, foreign countries are different; if you want things to be exactly as they are where you live, why leave? :/
Load More Replies...Funny how much I learned from this. I've lived in the inland west of the US for my whole life. I've traveled a lot, but never been east of Wyoming. As far as I'm concerned, the Eastern or Southern US is just as foreign as Timbuktu. Those people are weird.
Yes a lot of these people tend to generalize America as one big place but someone from the south can get culture shock going to the north same East versus West.
Load More Replies...This list should have been cut in half lol most of them are repeated and the others are common sense.
no. 1: glad my health ensurance has warrancies that cover for me if I get sick abroad
"Don't litter." Great idea, but we can't even get our fellow Americans to stop littering.
Do you guys know that America is a whole continet, don't you? From what I read you are probably talking about the US and Canada that are only one part of America.
Maybe it's my imagination but lately most of the topics or articles come straight from Reddit.
I agree - but please, people, can we just stop this "y'all" sh!t?
Load More Replies...Here is a DO: You can pretty much ask any stranger for help and they will be glad to help you. Need directions? Can't find something in a store? Want to know how much to tip? Need the nearest public bathroom? Literally ask anyone above the age of 12 and not only will you get a straight answer, but they'll be delighted that you asked.
They could have cut out the nearly identical/ repetitive posts on several topics and shortened the entire post. The redundant posts were ridiculous. It's sad that there wasn't better options given for the posts. Like maybe, don't wash your feet in public toilets here, they're far too disgusting and don't be afraid to ask some people to take pictures of you and your family or friends, you can usually tell who may be polite enough to do this. Common sense plays the biggest role as it does anywhere you go.
I have always wanted to visit America in the future when money is available but the more I read on BP I do not think I will, no, never.
There are also the non fiction programs on TV, but many on BP do not like facts or peoples personal feelings, they can not cope if they do not agree. Think I will start marking down everyone I do not agree with
Load More Replies...So, when I travel, I'm meant to, as an American, be seamlessly integrated into whatever nation, but nobody visiting the US should... be polite? Use common sense? Someone at BP make up their minds what the standard is, or just admit to the double standard.
You have some reading comprehension skills to work on. This article is specifically saying that people visiting America SHOULD change their behavior to properly fit in.
Load More Replies...yeah, the stopping behind a school bus that is unloading children... what a horrible country we live in!!!
in my country we do not have school buses. everyone lives in a walking distance of a school or else they use normal public transport. so there is no need to have specific rules for school buses. the whole traffic does not stop for one bus staying at a bus stop. We only have a rule that if you see a bus is giving a turn signal saying it is leaving the bus stop you should give a precedence so that it is not stuck there, but I feel like this is more a courtesy than a low, but I am not sure
Load More Replies...Why is your skin so thin? How do you see this as an attack? Do you spend your whole life being defensive? That must be tiring.
Load More Replies...