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.
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.
What is left that Americans * are* allowed to talk about if politics, beliefs, religion, salary, family plans, pregnancy, health issues are all off the table? Is everyone so busy tipoy-toeing around each other that all there is to speak about is celebrity gossip and the weather?
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The tricky part is, EVERYTHING is a political stance to someone nowadays. Being vaccinated, recycling or reducing waste, the kind of car you drive, your favorite brand/artist/celebrity, having any appreciation of certain foreign countries, helping out someone in need, not loving Christmas enough, etc.
It's funny how many times on this site Americans turn things that weren't political into that. I rarely see a post where people don't spout some crud about how something is 'typical republican' or 'obvious democrat'.
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Honestly, the conversation I prefer to talk about is childhood cartoon and animation
So no debate ? It's national sports here in France : at work, bar, family meetings...I didn't say it always ends well, but we do!😁
The problem is not talking about politics itself, the problem is that a lot of people cannot talk about politics in a respectful and rational way. It would be important to talk about politics, because it affects us, and if people aren't talking about it it can mean that more people will make decisions based on misinformation. But while people still cannot talk about politics in a respectful way, yes, better not talk about it. Btw I saw that on the internet, people from the USA seem to talk more about politics than people of other nations (but maybe I am wrong).
You make a very good point. People need to be able to have a respectful discussion about important topics so that we can make things better. Unfortunately, we can't seem to agree on what "better" actually is, so I don't talk about politics, even with my closest friend. It's a shame.
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Ah, that might be but I like to do this a lot with my fellow foreign researchers. Assuming they're willing to talk it is a very good/nice way to get to know eachothers pov & customs. Just be sure that noone can overhear the talk & respect the others pov. Pressing to talk is ofc a big no no. I've never been frowned upon though noticed that some topics are a bit difficult to talk about [e.g chinese and domestic politics]. In common, cba about Americanbeing sensitive as mostly they are the first one to press a verbal trigger 😁
I think the fact that "don't talk religion or politics" is actually part of the problem. It might be too late to get away from it... but the fact that nobody talks about these things except to people that agree with them is helping CAUSE the polarization. If you never hear another point of view, it is easy to think that yours is the only one. -- I remember years ago I had a friend that had some seriously different political views that me... we ended up drifting apart as a result. But I remember having discussions with him on things when his kids were around... I thought to myself "This conversation is annoying, but I need to keep calm and express my opinion as politely as possible, because his kids are within ear shot, and I want them to know that everyone that disagrees with their Dad isn't a jerk"
UGH, THIS! I basically can't go to the bakery anymore because the lady at the register made some comment about vaccines. (Pretty sure she was a Trump supporter, too - but I won't even go there). I told her I thought it was completely ignorant & irresponsible for a parent NOT to vaccinate their children. Her 26 y/o has never been vaccinated. AWKWARD.
Unless you have the skill to bow out gracefully in a contentious conversation, this is good advice.
I'll be answering questions you have with facts, not gibberish. However I will not try to convince you of anything. If we're agreement, not much to say. if opposing than why would I even talk with you.
"It will most likely devolve into one person trying to convince another that their viewpoint is correct and that the listener is wrong." Oh no! Anything but that! My god... if I publicly stated what my beliefs were then I'd actually have to think about what they are! That's how they get you.
To be fair, we really don't discuss that s**t amongst ourselves, it's not just for visitors. Americans are just not mature enough to discuss these things rationally and without self-righteous anger building to a fevered crescendo of repressed negative emotions that explode into the room like self-splitting atoms with a burning desire to stumpfuck every peaceful and sane thing on earth to death. Figuratively. Yes, in an allegorical sense. As a lifetime member of America, I have the right and responsibility to say that. To warn prospective visitors that Norway is cold, but you can discuss things there.
My brain always automatically shuts off when this happens to save mental health.
Best conversations I have had have been about religion, politics, etc. I will change the subject when someone starts yelling or getting angry about their belief conflicting with yours.
Let me correct that. It's perfectly OK for the religious/political interlocutor to bring up politics or religion, it is not OK to answer back "No, I don't have a church and I don't agree with what you just said". People with the most objectionable beliefs are often the first in line to tell you all about it. Evangelicals in particular will tell you all about Jesus but will be shocked when you say you don't care. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.
Never talk religion with friends if you want them to stay your friends
In the USA, most cultural differences quickly devolve into calling names like racist, fascist, and nazi just as soon as it's apparent that it's just an opinion and no-one is budging. Americans have no idea what a logical fallacy is, so everything is a conspiracy.
Depends on the people you're with. I live in the Kansas City area, & like to stay at a hostel when I visit New Orleans so I can meet people from around the world (plus it's cheap & comfortable). I've spent many lovely evenings on the porch there, discussing all of these without contention, sharing differing viewpoints & customs - I've learned a lot from this & it's truly opened my mind & heart. The very few that escalated (usually by just 1 idiot) were always shut down immediately by the whole group. One guy visiting from New York City even got himself arrested for being such a jerk!
No one in other ountries ever argue about politics. Everything is perfect everywhere else. Just ask anyone in Europe or the Middle East or Eastern Asia or....
Ah yes, Europe, USA, Middle East, Eastern Asia. The entire world. We ONLY talk about politics here.
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Thanks Captain Obvious. That's called debate. It's unfortunate these days that one can no longer do so with those on the left. Thomas Paine said it best: "To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead." It is futile.
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
