When we're traveling abroad, we often get away with things locals simply wouldn't. "I'm just a tourist. I didn't know!" we say after we get caught for something we (knowingly) did wrong. But sometimes it's not enough.
So in an attempt to figure out when this seemingly ultimate excuse is worthless in the United States, Reddit user u/firebullmonkey made a post on the platform, asking: "People from the US, what's a no-go in American culture?" And their question was answered.
From dealing with authorities to tipping servers, here are some of the most popular answers!
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Do NOT get out of the car to greet the officer if you're pulled over by a cop!!! Stay in the car and let the officer come to you. If you need to reach for something like your license, tell the cop you are doing so before you do it.
Unless it is a clear and DIRE emergency, you ask someone if they need an ambulance before you call for one. It’s the most expensive taxi you will ever take and it can ruin most people financially for years.
The older I got the less I understood how americans survive in general..if your life is saved it is haunted by debt at the same time.
This is why we don't bogther with healthy lifestyles. If we're gonna die, as a patient said to me a coupel weeks ago, "I'm going with my fried chicken and my beer."
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Is it the price of having the strongest economy in the World? Then no, thanks. Here in Hungary we pay $0 for the ambulance. Everything is free of charge if you are in a life-threatening situation even if you don't have insurance.
I don't understand why can't a country as big as the US can't provide its citizen with affordable healthcare. In my country, most of ambulance and hospital fee are free.
There was JUST ONE time my parents had to pay for an ambulance here in Germany. This was when I was bullied in school everyday. I acted like I was ill, in many cases I was; psychological. I would go to the teacher and say: "I'm felling bad. Can I go home?" Then I left. After a few months, I had to go to the school paramedic for this purpose. I had to come up with worse illnesses every time. This goes for a few days, till they call an ambulance because I overdid it. In hospital, I explained the whole situation of me being beaten and bullied EVERY day. My mom came and we went home. Some days later a bill arrived. 400€ for an ambulance I clearly didn't need. (This was in the middle of school year, I went to an other school that autumn. There it was better. No bullys)
I did the same. I was a lot away from school because of made up sicknesses because I was bullied. I ended up twice in hospital for days as they were doing exams on what's wrong with me. I was about 10-13. Then we moved, changed schools and this stopped.
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DO NOT LET THIS DETER YOU FROM CALLING AN AMBULANCE! Important note: it is free to call an ambulance. It is free for the EMTs to check you over. Unless you are unconscious, they will tell you whether or not they think you should go to an emergency room or urgent care, or just call a doctor. They will ask you if you want to go in the ambulance (unless you are unconscious or seriously mentally out of it). Once you get in the ambulance the billing starts, but everything up to that point, even bandages, is free. Please upvote this so people see it, it could save lives.
Or... you could do what the rest of the civilised world does, and have a state-provided national ambulance service. Then you can ring the service, describe the emergency and they will decide how quickly to send you an ambulance based on your actual medical need instead of your willingness to pay for it.
My mother's final ambulance ride, to her final hospital stay, was $900 for a 9 friking mile drive. I am deeply grateful that her insurance covered most of it. I ended up paying only $90 after Medicare and her Medi-gap insurance. But shootfire, if she hadn't had it all wrapped up, I would have really been in a bind.
In Australia we have a choice to make an annual payment for ambulance cover of around $50 au for a single to about $100 au for a couple or family. I have had cover for years and fortunately I have never had to use it but if I do I know I will not go bankrupt for using this vital service.
And if you are on a low income healthcare card it is completely free.
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OMG - in Australia if you’re low income it’s Free, and you can pay under $50 per year for ambulance insurance.
And if you don't, an ambulance ride in Australia is $1,200.
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That is terrible, there should be a way it is covered like it is here in Australia. While there is a cost it is not so much that your in terrible debt.
I knew a girl in college who fell out of her bed and broke her foot. In their panicked state her and her roommates called an ambulance...to a hospital that was basically on campus. They charged her $800.
Rough call. Once I declined a ambulance at several thousand dollars for a taxi ride for 27, including tip.
ER is far worse. Ambulance ride and some tests in the ER can cost thousands which is enough to ruin most Americans.
Worst thing ever in trying to get home after being taken to the hospital when calling 911.
What? I've never paid anything for an ambulance! But, of course, I live in Sweden.
I'll never understand how you can be charged for something you didn't even ask for.
Our healthcare coverage is some of the worst on the planet. Granted, we have excellent care, but at astronomical costs. If we want to keep the same insurance when my husband retires, it will be about $1300 per month. His social security income will be just slightly more. Needless to say, he'll be working until he's 70.
I've never paid for an ambulance ride. When the company attempts to collect, I ask who contacted them, then explain that's who they should demand payment from. I didn't call!
My relative has $24, 000 in ambulance charges on their credit from when they were uninsured and very ill.
if i have a heart attack, don't call me the 6000 dollar wee woo wagon, call me an effin uber
Same in Australia. $1200 for Ride in an ambulance. In New Zealand, $60.
You can refuse care anyways. If someone calls they dont "have" to take you. Unless you are in cardiac arrest, in which you would need the ambulance, you can sign AMA and get an uber.
That used to be the case, but I called an ambulance last year and, with insurance, only paid $100. There are lots of private companies that are bringing down prices. Thank goodness.
You pay taxes. Your government should look after your health.
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Think ahead before you spend one thousand dollars on a 10 minute ride. Call a f*****g Uber.
American here. Saying financial ruin for YEARS is a bit much. True, ambulance rides aren't cheap, but they aren't tens of thousands of dollars either. My experience paying for an ambulance without insurance was $1400. Which is less than my monthly rent. Took me a couple months to pay back. But certainly not years.
Last summer a doctor called an ambulance for me: I thought I was having a heart attack, turned out I was hyperventilating... Cost me 61 euros (+/- 70 usd).
Load More Replies... I wouldn’t say ruin people financially for years….the fee usually runs $300-$400 unless you are in a life flight helicopter
I don't know where you are that it's that low. 2300 for my wife, and she didn't even make it. Then getting the hospital or billing or whomever you pay to run the insurance is another hassle.
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Seriously? I haven't ever heard of free ambulances in the U.S., and EVERY municipality seems to be cash strapped.
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Be careful not to trespass on private property, in a lot countries just walking through is fine but that can get you shot in the US.
When passing a funeral procession on the road you pull over and wait for them to pass out respect.
We don't have funeral processions on the streets (Hungary). Maybe in little villages. They usually begin at the gate of the cemetery then they go to the grave. I drive for almos 30 years but don't remember if I ever saw a funeral procession on the streets.
Don't ask black people about their hair. I saw a german kid asking a black girl if he could pet her hair. Just don't.
Conversations about religion, politics, or other personal beliefs. It will most likely devolve into one person trying to convince another that their viewpoint is correct and that the listener is wrong.
In the South, being called 'hun' or 'honey' is a great compliment. Conversely, if they yell your name across the house you f**ked up bad.
Never cut in line. I saw that a lot in Europe. Here, you might get shizzled.
A hug or a one of the cheek touch greetings are a big no no. Physical touch is VERY personal to us Americans. If you introduce yourself like that, especially to a man, you might get laid out. Shake hands or nod an acknowledgment and say hello.
This is true!! Americans take personal space very seriously. Don't touch people without their permission
Picking up after yourself. Cleaning your table off at a fast food restaurant is the one that comes to mind. My personal stance on it is if they brought the food to your table then they clear it, if you brought the food to your own table you clear it and yet people still leave mountains of trash when they leave. This also applies to litter and not cleaning up after dog poop and such. Just clean up your own messes or you’ll get a lot of dirty looks.
Americans may be friendly in passing, but that doesn't mean we want to take you home and be best friends. We tend to be called fake a lot, we make an effort to be nice (especially while working at customer service jobs)....but many don't have time, or money, to devote to friendships.
So if you press too much you might get blanked/ghosted over time.
Don’t ever dress up as a clown at 2am and try to scare people in a parking lot, sidewalk, neighborhood etc…. You will get shot or worse! And just Don’t dress up as a clown anywhere, ever! Not funny!
When someone asks you how you are the answer is "good", "great" or any variation thereof. It doesn't matter if your husband just left you, your dog died and you have been diagnosed with cancer, nobody wants to actually know how you are. If you expect to die in the next couple of days you can say something like "hanging in there". If you slip up and say something like "not too great" quickly catch yourself and add "but it's getting better" so that the questioner can reply with something positive like "glad to hear that" and move on. The whole exchange is just an elaborate way of saying "Hi". In other countries people ask this to find out how someone is doing and the person answering is giving an assessment of how they are. If they don't want to know they don't ask. It's often meant as the opening to a longer conversation. Not so in America.
Don't use any bad words, because some that are used casually in other countries are unforgivable insults here - fighting words that will make you an enemy for life.
I've learned from reading BP that the c**t word in Australia is not a big deal. In the US, that word is way worse than saying F**k or calling someone a B***h.
Talking about your salary. Talking about someone’s weight. Driving too slow in the left hand lane. Not tipping. In Chicago, putting ketchup on a hot dog.
I talk about my salary because it finally became clear to me that ít is a way for corporations to underpay employees since most don't know how much their colleagues actually makes.
Reusing the same plate when you go up for a second round at the buffet. You've got to get a new one.
Don’t call someone’s house “Homely” in America. Out here it’s an insult.
Homely means drab and unattractive: homey means cosy and comfortable: homie is a friend, usually from where you grew up.
Well when you live in the stix, you wave at people while driving on the back road (usually one or two finger wave) or they think you’re from the city/up to no good
Unless your both driving a Jeep then it is expected to wave.. it's a Jeep thing.
Americans like personal space. Leave room between you and the person you're speaking to or lining up behind.
Only true, when compared to Southern Europe, for example. When compared to Northern Europe, yeah right 😂 😂 😂 You guys like the personal space of Middle Europe...
Sleeping during your lunch break. Alcohol at your desk or during lunch (besides work parties). Being touchy (as in hugging people, touching their arms, etc).
Ironically, I've done all of these, but my point is don't do them unless you know your company's culture and the people around you, else you may get a warning from management or HR.
Alcohol at your desk seems like it would be a bad idea everywhere though?
Putting cash or cards on the counter, instead of handing them to the staff, is often considered rude in America but polite in other places. Especially throwing them down on the counter - super rude.
Many Americans aren't afraid of confrontation. A lot of them will be nice as a formality, just to get to know you and be a good neighbor but they won't shy away from talking s**t if it comes down to it.
Might be a NYC thing MIND YOUR BUSINESS AND WHAT EVER YOU DO DONT STARE. Unless you want the " waddaya lookin at? mind ya f**king business!"
This is true. Don't stare! Very rude. No matter what the person is wearing or looks like.
Walking on the left side of a hallway or passage instead of the right side.
You mean like traffic? Is everywhere else one big mosh pit the second you get out of your car?
In the elevator with multiple people, everyone faces the door and doesn't talk to anyone. It's an awkward silence, especially if you're a big guy around smaller women. the worst thing you could do is ask your elevator-mates how their day is
Learning accurate history about our nation and others, apparently.
I'm sure about all americans will do so prior to visit countries in Europe ...
In Alaska, you’re better off to assume that every local has no sense of humor. They’re still friendly but none of us ever smile or laugh.
Note: this post originally had 36 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Many of these are applicable everywhere because they are common sense, common etiquette. Many others are oddly specific or too absurd to believe. I think the only one I read without knotting my brows is the Keanu Reeves, spot on.
Well, this was uhm ... lemme think ... very very uninspired and uninteresting.
About half of these were made up and wrong. The other half are common sense. If you want to bash America, BP, try harder.
The hard thing about this post is that the US is very large, with very different cultures depending on location. Not everything in this applies everywhere, though a lot of it applies somewhere.
The overwhelming majority of these are not universally true. Don't hate on Keanu, though.
And when visiting the American South, do not EVER, EVER EVER EVER, mention the Civil War. Some people are still mad and very sensitive about that. It is also wildly inappropriate in restaurants to ask where the segregated section is. And don't say s**t about the rebel flag if you see one. Just keep going and find you some boiled peanuts. Seriously though, there's still a lot of feelings about certain things and stereotypes down there, and with reason. I'll be the first to tell you though, that our southern Folks are among the best, and most hospitable people that you'll ever meet. I worked down south a lot over the years, and it was great.
Who in their SANE MIND would ask where the segregated section is?!?!?!! I can attest with absolute certainty that if this question came up ANYWHERE in our country, your ass better RUN!! You will 100% have major consequences from literally every person within earshot regardless of race or ethnicity.
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I used to have a roommate from Russia and our biggest miscommunication and reason we couldn't understand each other was personal space and inviting yourself into people's homes without invitation. She would bring her laundry to my grandparents house without asking first, expected me to open up personally to her, and was very invasive. I was young and offended easily. Looking back I should've realized the difference in our perspectives but there was such a culture shock between us that our relationship was doomed from the beginning.
1. Americans don't like discourtesy. So don't blast your music driving in small neighborhoods. Or make huge amounts of any noise that bothers people around you. 2. Wear deodorant. I don't care what your personal feelings, religious beliefs, or allergy says otherwise....WEAR DEODORANT. If you have an allergy, find an alternative. Being smelly is never going to be okay. I worked with a guy who refused to wear deodorant as a religious thing and it's like...okay but then you can't work in close environments with other people. That's your choice. 3, don't compare our country to yours in front of us. It's like hating your sibling; you may hate them and pick on them all the time, but if someone else does it you immediately go into protection mode. Other people aren't allowed to be rude to my family- that's my job.
I used to work high end private security. Not mallcops but state license and armed security with some powers. Ideltwith a lot of people from other countries at the hotels the company was contracted with. A lot pretty much refused to believe that security can tell you to keep it down or completely kick you off a property. Got into many "well in my country" arguments
Many of these are applicable everywhere because they are common sense, common etiquette. Many others are oddly specific or too absurd to believe. I think the only one I read without knotting my brows is the Keanu Reeves, spot on.
Well, this was uhm ... lemme think ... very very uninspired and uninteresting.
About half of these were made up and wrong. The other half are common sense. If you want to bash America, BP, try harder.
The hard thing about this post is that the US is very large, with very different cultures depending on location. Not everything in this applies everywhere, though a lot of it applies somewhere.
The overwhelming majority of these are not universally true. Don't hate on Keanu, though.
And when visiting the American South, do not EVER, EVER EVER EVER, mention the Civil War. Some people are still mad and very sensitive about that. It is also wildly inappropriate in restaurants to ask where the segregated section is. And don't say s**t about the rebel flag if you see one. Just keep going and find you some boiled peanuts. Seriously though, there's still a lot of feelings about certain things and stereotypes down there, and with reason. I'll be the first to tell you though, that our southern Folks are among the best, and most hospitable people that you'll ever meet. I worked down south a lot over the years, and it was great.
Who in their SANE MIND would ask where the segregated section is?!?!?!! I can attest with absolute certainty that if this question came up ANYWHERE in our country, your ass better RUN!! You will 100% have major consequences from literally every person within earshot regardless of race or ethnicity.
Load More Replies... I used to have a roommate from Russia and our biggest miscommunication and reason we couldn't understand each other was personal space and inviting yourself into people's homes without invitation. She would bring her laundry to my grandparents house without asking first, expected me to open up personally to her, and was very invasive. I was young and offended easily. Looking back I should've realized the difference in our perspectives but there was such a culture shock between us that our relationship was doomed from the beginning.
1. Americans don't like discourtesy. So don't blast your music driving in small neighborhoods. Or make huge amounts of any noise that bothers people around you. 2. Wear deodorant. I don't care what your personal feelings, religious beliefs, or allergy says otherwise....WEAR DEODORANT. If you have an allergy, find an alternative. Being smelly is never going to be okay. I worked with a guy who refused to wear deodorant as a religious thing and it's like...okay but then you can't work in close environments with other people. That's your choice. 3, don't compare our country to yours in front of us. It's like hating your sibling; you may hate them and pick on them all the time, but if someone else does it you immediately go into protection mode. Other people aren't allowed to be rude to my family- that's my job.
I used to work high end private security. Not mallcops but state license and armed security with some powers. Ideltwith a lot of people from other countries at the hotels the company was contracted with. A lot pretty much refused to believe that security can tell you to keep it down or completely kick you off a property. Got into many "well in my country" arguments
