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TakeThisification , Nikolas Noonan Report

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country Don’t be bullheaded when it comes to the weather. If the locals are worried, you should be worried.

Final score:

339points

POST

The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)

Love the accompanying photo. America does have much more violent weather than Europe: the majority of all tornadoes in the world, plus huge numbers of hurricanes (which are completely unrelated things), hailstorms, and radical shifts of temperature like you can't believe: I remember reading about the difficulty in creating a memorial for the Alfred E Murrah bombing victims in Oklahoma, because several proposed media couldn't take the sudden drop of about more than forty degrees that can happen when ice falls from the sky in the middle of a 40-degree Celsius heat wave.

62points

Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago

Well the hurricane thing is because we only call large cyclonic storms in the Atlantic ocean hurricanes. If they happen in the Pacific they're Typhoons and Cyclones. East Asia gets hammered every year.

13points

Nadine Lynch 1 year ago

Hurricanes often spin off tornados after making landfall, so not entirely unrelated and even more fun (i.e.: tornados in Southern California after former Hurricane Hilary made landfall in California as a tropical storm).

4points

ƒιѕн 1 year ago

Alfred P Murrah.

3points

Colleen Schilinski 1 year ago

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Ft Myers last September. I'm 50 miles north, in Englewood, FL. Hurricane Ian turned into tornados when it reached us, and completely destroyed my home. I didn't say tornado to my friends up in Michigan and beyond, I said Hurricane Ian.

0points

Frank Russell 1 year ago

Tornadoes start on land. Hurricanes start over water. Other than that, yes, they're the same thing. High wind, possible precipitation, but the very same thing.

0points

Francis Maxwell 1 year ago

Actually, there are more tornados in Britain by area, but not normally as violent !!

-1point

michael Chock 1 year ago

If SOME of the locals are worried, you should be very worried. If ALL the locals are worried go to high ground/shelter immediately.

26points

DE Ray 1 year ago

If it's hot and you don't see a local outside, you need to get into a cool location immediately. My area sees so many tourists hospitalized or worse because they think the heat here is like the heat they get back home.

20points

Geoffrey Scott 1 year ago

If the sky turns the color of the sea...find shelter. Green sky bad.

19points

unfilteredCigarette73 1 year ago

D@mn right the green color is the baseball sized hail from a severe thunderstorm that's about to turn you into human cube steak if you don't get something solid between you and the sky

15points

Elio 1 year ago

If you go to the American Southwest, all those big open spaces make things look closer than they really are, so don't be misled! We always get domestic and foreign tourists who think those pretty mountains are closer than they are and don't bring enough water and sometimes people die. Even if it's cooler, this is the desert! Bring water and be safe!

13points

Mel The Axolotl 1 year ago

Yes. Every section of the US has it's "common natural disaster" that we're used to and won't freak out about. So if even we're really concerned? You should be too. Ppl in tornado alley will sit there and watch tornados, ppl along the Atlantic (esp. Floridians) will stay home through a hurricane. Big windstorm/rainstorm? PNW ppl aren't flinching. So if we freak out, it's serious.

11points

The Original Bruno 1 year ago

Not EVERY section. Can't think of any natural disaster West Virginians need to worry about. I mean, it's not like meth is a natural disaster.

4points

StPaul9 1 year ago

I remember glancing at one of those dream home shows set in the US, and they built a comfortable if small, basement-lacking wooden house. An American lady watching over my shoulder recognised the area and said 'That's tornado alley. Why would you build a wooden house without a basement there?'

10points

Spocks's Mom 1 year ago

Tornadoes. I live in fear of tornadoes. Tennessee f*****g tornadoes.

9points

Skywitness 1 year ago

I was driving on the Oklahoma Turnpike about two years ago and rain was coming down is sheets. The cars were crawling along and weather reports indicated baseball size hail and a dozen funnel clouds in the OKC area. There were two or three cars with OK plates parked under an overpass. I'm glad there was room for one more.

7points

Michael Fuhry 1 year ago

Do not ever park under an overpass. The reduced visibility could lead to you being plowed under by an 80000# semi-tractor. I've seen as many as a dozen cars underneath an overpass, and most didn't even have their lights on. Slow down, make sure lights are on (double check to make sure the icon on your dash is illuminated), flashers if you must, and pull over to the shoulder if you're not comfortable with driving through the downpour. Flashers ALWAYS on while on the shoulder. If there are strong indications that a tornado is headed in your direction, exit your vehicle and get to the berm on the side of the roadway, as low as possible. More info is probably available from the federal Weather Service. Or the Internet in general.

1point

Leo Domitrix 1 year ago

Actually, be slightly more worried than locals. We know how to cope with our weather. Be it our blizzards, our tornadoes, our hurricanes, or the flash floods, the temp changes from "heat wave" to "killer cold" in an hour or less, the rainstorms that can dump 15 cm of rain in an hour in locations that aren't tropical....

5points

Shane S 1 year ago

Eh. A lot of locals are kind of numb to weather threats. Base your fear level on any national weather service alerts. If there’s a tornado warning, seek shelter. Don’t follow the lead of the idiots going out to see and film it.

3points

Zephyr343 1 year ago

Very true. Especially with thunderstorms or tornadoes.

3points

Parker Plumer 1 year ago (edited)

I live in Tornado Alley, but thankfully on the outskirts, so we're not hit as hard as the states smack dab in the middle. Flooding is a more common problem. I would always warn visitors coming to this area (Indiana) to believe that the flood waters are deeper and faster than they look on the surface, especially in rural areas. If there is a road flooded over, do not attempt to go through it! Yes, other people will be doing so, but don't follow their lead. Arguably, not even us locals should try and drive through flooded areas, but it happens. As mentioned, locals are familiar with these areas and can navigate those waters better. For those of you in tornado alley, I wrote a silly haiku. I hope you like.

2points

Parker Plumer 1 year ago

Dragon tail of cloud -:- Sirens move us to safety -:- Dad stands on the porch

2points

A Happy Doggo 1 year ago

Unless it’s the south and it’s snowing. If you know how to drive in the snow do whatever but most people in the south don’t know how

2points

Disgruntled Pelican 1 year ago

Yeah, people in the South don’t drive in snowy/icy conditions unless we absolutely have to. We don’t have much experience with it. We don’t get enough snow to make it worth getting snow tires, or snow plows. We aren’t going to spend the money on trucks to salt the streets when we almost never need them. My city gets a day or two of icy streets about once a year. It’s easier and safer to just keep everyone at home 🤷🏻‍♀️

2points

DetongLhamo 1 year ago

Here in Australia, we were aware of Hurricane Katrina’s strength days before it made landfall, but we saw so many people on the news behaving stupidly and being caught out, not evacuating, going out and filming it etc. It was frustrating to see.

1point

Brent Hollett 1 year ago

Whereas in Australia, if the locals aren't worried, still worry. If the locals are worried, run.

1point

UselessKnowledgeFont 1 year ago

They forgot to mention Derechos (tornado speed straight line winds). These took out Cedar Rapids, Iowa a couple years ago. World Central Kitchen showing up was very much necessary and appreciated

1point

AngelWingsYT 1 year ago

1. Siren outside=get inside 2. Alert on phone=get a shelter area ready 3. Tv turns blue=get to shelter NOW

1point

Id row 1 year ago

This applies to anywhere really.

1point

Queen Jackson. 1 year ago

We recently had a storm that was worse than the accompanying storm to a recent hurricane in FL.

1point

cerinamroth 1 year ago

This makes me think of being in Tokyo during the powerful aftershocks of the Tōhoku earthquake in 2011. I had been in earthquakes before by my husband hadn't (that he remembered, that is - he probably had growing up in the Philippines when he was a kid) so I knew what to do. There was an old guy, maybe in his 70s or 80s, up a long ladder hoovering out the air conditioning grates in the hotel lobby, swaying around quite a bit at the top of his ladder but looking completely unconcerned. That made us both feel a bit better (although looking back it may be that he felt he had nothing to lose!)...

1point

Annie Persson 1 year ago

This is a good general advice! Listen to the local people, folks! I don't know how many tourists in Norway tries to climb the mountains in sandals or high heels, in shorts&t-shirts, against all our warnings! And then they have to be rescued by a helicopter (eyeroll emoji). If the local people tells you something is dangerous, it usually is

0points

Jane W. 1 year ago

Just travel mid-America in the fall, and the South in the early spring. You should be OK.

0points

lakitha tolbert 1 year ago

Because we have some highly interesting weather here....

0points

Gimme that Cash 1 year ago

PANIK IF THEY PANIK

0points

Ima Manimal 1 year ago

Very true.

0points

Deleila Charlie 1 year ago

Pretty sure I'll be worried long before they are because they're used to it while I'm not.

0points

Ruth 1 year ago

Was The Wizard of Oz shown in other countries?

-2points

Sue User 1 year ago

No, so dont use the phrase " lions and tigers and bears, oh my" or " i dont think we sre in kansas anymore".

0points

BlindAres 1 year ago

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Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country You should avoid any sweeping generalizations about the USA. The US is effectively 50 separate countries. It’s an absolutely massive landmass with pretty much every type of terrain, climate and a huge variety of cultures. Anyone that tells you otherwise probably barely travels.

_lippykid , NASA Report

Final score:

319points

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Gina Babe 1 year ago

Honestly true. I live in the northeast where I can drive an hour to a beach, to a major city, to ski, to hike... etc. And we have few major natural disasters, have four seasons, and though it varies slightly, it is pretty evenly divided in the year. It really is a great place to live and I take for granted how much we actually have here.

82points

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country If it says no trespassing don't trespass.

Dragonbourn00 , Adam Lowly Report

Final score:

287points

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Mel The Axolotl 1 year ago

So true. If you have hesitation, remember that statistic about how many guns there are compared to people here...

130points

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country If you are visiting a more rural area, like Montana where I live, don't underestimate the rural-ness. You might not be able to get a hotel in a small town and there are plenty ty of places where there aren't any hotels or accommodations. You can take highway and run out of gas because there aren't any gas stations for 70 miles. Also, if it is a dirt road, and there are a lot of them in the rural U.S., don't ever assume that you will have cell/GPS reception or that the dirt road goes anywhere besides 50 miles into the mountains where you can get stuck or break down. It's hard to conceptualize for people who live in more populated areas. Your best bet is to plan ahead and read reviews. It is absolutely worth it to visit areas where there is wilderness. That is why I live here. That being said, it's dangerous in a different way than visiting a city.

Violet624 , Matthew Lancaster Report

Final score:

276points

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Zephyr343 1 year ago

I am sure the Australian outback is much the same

123points

If you get pulled over DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. Do not take your seatbelt off, keep your hands visible, move slowly, be polite. Especially if you're darker skinned in any way.

CreativeAd190 Report

Final score:

275points

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StrangeOne 1 year ago

Apparently there's a highway going from Ontario to Florida. Along a stretch in North Carolina there are US police pulling over Canadians and giving them excessively high tickets for bogus reasons and make the driver go to court to dispute but end up paying in the end. There's a theory that the police are scamming foreign travellers to get more money.

107points

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country If you go to the national parks, don’t attempt to take selfies with the wildlife. A full grown bison will throw you through the air like a crumpled piece of paper.

abby-rose:

I want to really emphasize this. There are US Park Rangers who are full-time employees of the National Park Service. Their job is to protect the park, the wildlife, and visitors. Take the posted signs seriously and listen and do what rangers advise.

Yearly, a dozen or so people die in the Grand Canyon National Park, often tourists who go hiking without enough water or food and are not aware of how treacherous the terrain and weather can be. Same for Big Bend NP in Texas.

Juergen2993 , Lukas Kloeppel Report

Final score:

260points

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Gustav Gallifrey 1 year ago

Warning appreciated, but not necessary. I'm from Australia. We have birds that can kick you to death.

150points

ElectionProper8172 , Joana Godinho Report

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country Don't go to the big chain type places. Go to the mom and pop little restaurants and coffee shops and specialty shops. You will usually find new cool things you enjoy.

OpeusPopeus:

To add to this: FOOD TRUCKS!!!

Final score:

246points

POST

Ruth 1 year ago

Visiting Waffle House late a night is definitely an American experience! :)

93points

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country Avoid a hospital visit. Whatever you think it costs, it’s more.

N0t_N1k3L:

Medical travel insurance that goes into the 7 digits. Someone from my country had the misfortune of having a stroke in the USA. 150k+ in expenses. When I went there it was my number 1 concern: getting insurance.

pug_fugly_moe , Thirdman Report

Final score:

229points

POST

Sunshine Lady 1 year ago

I was in USA on work trip when I found out I was pregnant. Didn't even think about going to hospital there, just waited 2 more weeks to go back home.

99points

#10

Anyone wearing a MAGA hat.

yourpaljax Report

Final score:

229points

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Alex Martin 1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

151points

#11

dont go walking around late at night by yourself ESPECIALLY if youre a woman. I have friends from korea which is a country where its safe to go walk around at 1 am. When they visit here i always have to tell them that its not like that here and a big risk to be out alone especially in cities like LA.

SojinxGSD Report

Final score:

200points

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Gina Babe 1 year ago

This is very very true. Even in safe neighborhoods.

70points

#12

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country Always ask the locals where they like to eat. They know better than any travel blog.

mikemac412 , Alex Haney Report

Final score:

198points

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Barong 1 year ago

Pretty much standard advice when traveling anywhere.

119points

#13

I feel like this answer changes depending on where you are coming from. Certain parts of the country REALLY dislike certain nationalities. There's no way coming here as a german/swede or European is the same experience as middle eastern/African/Asian.

Hbimajorv Report

Final score:

193points

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Gina Babe 1 year ago

Yeah this is a weird one but true.

63points

#14

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country When visiting the U.S., it's best to avoid discussing sensitive topics like politics and religion with strangers, even if they bring it up. Also, be mindful of local customs and etiquette, as they can vary widely. And of course, don't forget to tip in restaurants—it's a common practice here. Enjoy your time in the States!

Vexina1997 , Jessica Da Rosa Report

Final score:

183points

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Zaach 1 year ago

Not just common practice - the only way your server can survive

136points

#15

I was in a bar in Russia once and the bartender told me he wanted to visit the US and to go to Alabama because of the song sweet home Alabama.

Literally the only time anyone has said they want to go to Alabama to me, don't go to Alabama foreigner.

DaveinOakland Report

Final score:

175points

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Gina Babe 1 year ago

This is adorable.

53points

#16

It’s not uncommon for perfect strangers to greet you, unlike most of the world where people tend to keep to themselves. If someone says “How are you doing?” it’s not really a question, just a greeting.

kindest_asshole Report

Final score:

174points

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Headless Horseman 1 year ago (edited)

And the generic response is usually expected to be "good, you?" Then the stranger who asked in the first place says "Good" and then that's it. You never see each other again 🤭

137points

#17

Taking weed across state lines. It’s not legal everywhere.

Gromit801 Report

Final score:

172points

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Gustav Gallifrey 1 year ago

Here's one for US tourists: don't try to take a gun to Canada. Second Amendment stops at the border.

145points

#18

Honestly, most of the bad areas will be intuitively bad to any human being with basic decency and common sense. That said, I would avoid Texas.

Yak-Fucker-5000 Report

Final score:

169points

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Michael P (Perthaussieguy) 1 year ago

*Adds Texas to the growing list of places to avoid*

98points

#19

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country America is HUGE and things are a lot further apart than Europeans realize.

UnspecificGravity:

The flight from London to New York is only about an hour longer than the flight from New York to Seattle.

MrRGG , Mackenzie Cruz Report

Final score:

164points

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Ambyr Miller 1 year ago

As a Canadian I find this one cute.

105points

#20

Don't smoke in public buildings, this is illegal.

Don't smoke in someone's house, apartment, or condo without asking for permission. This isn't illegal, but it's still extremely rude.

Max10imus Report

Final score:

155points

POST

Gina Babe 1 year ago

Do people just light up in houses all w***y nilly elsewhere?

67points

Amazing_Excuse_3860 , Geraud pfeiffer Report

#21

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country Ordering a large at a restaurant, or *especially* a movie theater. I don't care how hungry you think you are, you will not eat/drink it all in one sitting.

Final score:

154points

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Mel The Axolotl 1 year ago

So true. Our portions here are huge

58points

#22

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country Heavily depends on where you are going....but don't assume the price you see is the price you pay. Sales tax isn't included on most price listings and Tip is expected for food service.

bluejams , Kenny Eliason Report

Final score:

153points

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Zephyr343 1 year ago

Yup. So Dane county, WI where I live is 5.5% sales tax. Cook County in IL (where Chicago is) has a 12.5% tax

51points

#23

DO NOT TRY TO BRIBE COPS. As f****d up as American cops are bribery does not fly. Unless you're wealthy or powerful.

gaghan Report

Final score:

153points

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michael Chock 1 year ago (edited)

Do not bribe them with money. Flash them some skin, a smile, religion, beg for pity, stroke the ego, all of it will get you further than cash. Think power tripping ego manics that if they want cash they will just take it. There few good cops will understand.

39points

#24

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country I find a lot of foreigners have about 2 1/2 inches of a personal space bubble, while us Americans value our space. Keep at least a 2-3 feet distance when conversing with strangers. I've had an Italian guy come so close I thought he was going to kiss me. Very uncomfortable for someone who isn't used to a lack of personal space.

MasterPip , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:

149points

POST

Torben Møller-Nielsen 1 year ago

Obviusly you don't meet a lot of scandinavian tourists :-)

112points

No_Finish_2144 , Ekaterina Belinskaya Report

#25

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country Driving from New York to LA.

MedicinalTequila:

We had an exchange student from France staying with us (NY). one day, we saw her with a map of the US, said she was going to take a bus to California because she had heard so much about it on television.

We had to sit down and explain it was going to take a week, each way.

MarbleousMel:

"Lol I have some German friends who flew into Texas and wanted to make a day trip to Los Angeles during the week they were in the US. After that first trip, they planned much better and now visit the country by regions and give themselves more time."

Final score:

143points

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Sexual Harassment Panda 1 year ago

It actually takes about 2 days to drive through Texas.

75points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

See Also on Bored Panda

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#26

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country Don't interact with police unless you absolutely need to.

Snackdoc189 , Jacky Lam Report

Final score:

141points

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Sarah Lopez 1 year ago

Most cops aren't racist. Stop.

54points

#27

If there is garbage on the street or on the floor of the establishment, there are other regulations being ignored. If the floor isn’t clean, the rest of the place isn’t clean either. I know that sounds very snobbish and privileged, but coming from absolute poverty and climbing my way out, it’s absolutely correct.

PilkShots Report

Final score:

139points

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michael Chock 1 year ago (edited)

Also if a restaurant smells off, walk away. The health department only makes sure you won't die eating there, they do not make sure it is clean. (Can vary by state) This includes expensive restaurants. Strip mall places are usually safest.

42points

#28

If you're visiting a well-known and large city (New York, Boston, Seattle, Las Vegas, Houston, etc.) Avoid contact with people passing out CDs or offering to give you free things because they will try to charge you for it once they reel you in.

noellemackenna Report

Final score:

134points

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Zephyr343 1 year ago

However, if they are passing out laserdiscs, you talk to that person because they got stories to tell

46points

#29

If you’re visiting Alaska, DO NOT visit rural or remote areas alone, especially if you’re inexperienced.

Alaska has the highest missing persons rate (about 168 missing people per 100k of the population, and we have 730,916 residents as of 2023), and the VAST majority of the state is unpopulated, unexplored and untamed wilderness. There’s even the Alaskan Triangle, a huge expanse of land between Anchorage, Juneau, and Utqiagvik (formerly known as Barrow) where more people go missing, along with disappearing aircraft, alleged paranormal and extraterrestrial sightings, and much more.

My advice, if you’re a first-timer to Alaska, is to stick to Southcentral Alaska. You’ve got Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley, where there’s plenty of tourist attractions. If you’re feeling more adventurous, there’s whale-watching and glacier tours in places like Seward and Homer. If you want somewhere further in the interior, there’s a two-hour drive to Talkeetna, or a another 6 hours to Fairbanks!

totallynotalaskan Report

Final score:

131points

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Zaach 1 year ago

Just because you can see Denali on the horizon, you can't get there from here (unless it fills the horizon)

33points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

See Also on Bored Panda

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#30

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country Avoid looking lost and unorganized in areas of big cities with high crime rates. Dress functionally, always keep the illusion of knowing where you are and where you're going, pay attention to your surroundings. Bad people will target folks who look lost and unorganized more often than people who appear oriented.

xtrasmolpp , Szymon Shields Report

Final score:

124points

POST

Ash 1 year ago

Also (and I know this isn't just a US thing), don't carry your purse the way the person in this photo is carrying their bag! It could get snatched very easily. Put the strap over your shoulder, tuck the bag under your elbow.

66points

MothraWillSaveUs , Refine 網頁設計 Report

#31

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country Don't expect the US to be pedestrian-friendly. Some of our larger cities are, but even they pale in comparison to EU cities. You need to drive here. NYC is basically our only major city that's not true of, but even there, public transport is not as good as that found in a lot of European and east Asian nations. You should expect to have to rent a car as part of your vacation expenditure if you don't have other accommodations.

Final score:

121points

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michael Chock 1 year ago

Be careful what cities you bike in. Many people die trying to bike in new cities, assuming drivers are polite everywhere.

45points

#32

Gary Indiana!! Do not, under any circumstances, go to Gary, Indiana. Ever

stublycurious Report

Final score:

116points

POST

La Voca 1 year ago

What did Harold Hill do now?

44points

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

See Also on Bored Panda

French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#33

The heat. If you're going to hike in the desert, bring plenty of water.

tacobelmont Report

Final score:

113points

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Rinoboyrich 1 year ago

Tell friends and family where you are going, and when you expect to be back!

4points

#34

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country Generally, you should tip at sit-down restaurants with full service (ie waiter comes and takes your order, brings food, refills drinks and clears your dishes). At these places, traditionally the minimum is 15%, but most people I know tip closer to 20% standard.

Heliawe , Gül Işık Report

Final score:

98points

POST

Zephyr343 1 year ago

Yes. I know it's stupid but servers rely on that. And before anyone says "pay them a living wage". Yes. But that is not the reality right now. So if you are coming, this is the expectation

75points

#35

Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They're Traveling The Country Hollywood Boulevard.

Ok_Response_3484:

My cousins came from Oklahoma with preteens/teens and I tried to warn them that it wasn't really a good place and especially not for kids. They didn't listen. When I saw them that night, their mom said "I should have listened to you. It was horrible"

Wishing4Signal , Aman Report

Final score:

97points

POST

Miki 1 year ago

Ok.. But why?

20points

5hrs4hrs3hrs2hrs1mor Report

#36

Don’t do the kiss on the cheek greeting. Well, as someone already mentioned, the US is 50 separate places with different customs, but the peck on the cheek, if that’s common where you’re visiting from, isn’t so popular here. It was something I had a hard time getting used to when visiting friends in Colombia.

Final score:

88points

POST

FakeOptimist 1 year ago

Yep, different countries, different cultures. Reminds me of friends of my mother who emigrated to Australia, and got weird vibes from their neighbours. Turned out, they are Dutch and are used to greet visitirs with coffee. In Australia serving coffee to guests is a politie way of asking someone to leave 😂

28points

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

See Also on Bored Panda

Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

#37

Don't lock anything valuable in your car. This includes the trunk.

Affectionate_Ask_769 Report

Final score:

81points

POST

Zephyr343 1 year ago

In general keeping it in your trunk is the best place if you have to bring something. I always keep my bag and laptop in my trunk when I park in Chicago.

36points

#38

Look up the crime rates of any city before you go there so you know which areas to avoid.

anon Report

Final score:

78points

POST

Jojo_hobkin 1 year ago

It's mandatory whether it's the US or not.

28points

#39

The typical touristy places. This is a massive country with so much more to offer than Disney, Las Vegas, Hollywood, etc.

9_of_Swords Report

Final score:

77points

POST

Gina Babe 1 year ago

These places are still fun to visit though but like, once.

32points

#40

For the most part, the US is reasonably safe as long as you're not looking for the dangerous parts. For example, don't visit the ghetto – the worst parts of the US are arguably more dangerous than the poorer parts of some other developed countries.

Hollywood is a tourist trap. Honestly, the entirety of LA is just a difficult place to visit and it's not set up well for tourism.

New York can be a bit dirty as a city, mostly due to high density. It's a great city to visit with a lot to do, but it can be overwhelming if you're alone since it's so big.

Chicago is actually a pretty nice city to visit, the reputation is mostly due to the bad areas, but if you're visiting, you're probably going to be in the city where it's reasonably safe.

Moaning-Squirtle Report

Final score:

71points

POST

Zephyr343 1 year ago

I will comment on the Chicago one. If you stay up north in the gold coast area, grant Park, south loop you will be fine. The farther south and west you get, usually the worse

35points

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

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“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

#41

In Washington DC, avoid taking pictures in front of DC District court thinking it is the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is 6 blocks away Also, the White House is MUCH smaller than you think it is.

SafetyMan35 Report

Final score:

70points

POST

Ash 1 year ago

If I could put in a good word for visiting the Smithsonian Museums... lol

138points

#42

I say this as a Mississippian, Jackson, Mississippi.

Fragraham Report

Final score:

66points

POST

nm 1 year ago

Just curiosity. What's wrong with Jackson?

12points

#43

The one thing you should probably avoid above all else is being a bad guest. If you have someone buy you a treat, eat it and thank them for it. If they suggest X attraction, at least consider it. A lot of them will love being hosts or at least guides and if you spurn that they'll be hurt.

Snowtwo Report

Final score:

65points

POST

Verena 1 year ago

99% of this applies to all countries one visits as a foreigner, even if you are an American tourist visiting Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. It is called "travel preparation" and "common sense". If that American girl wailing on tikkitokki the other day, about her chaotic and disappointing European holiday, had done half of it, nothing strange would have had happened.

56points

#44

Be careful where you stay in bigger cities. I've seen people Airbnb places in bad neighborhoods in NYC and suffer for it.

akaloxy1 Report

Final score:

52points

POST

PattyK 1 year ago

Avoid AirBnB altogether. After all the extra fees are added on to AirBnB, hotels or motels are usually cheaper.

105points

"I Didn't Start The Dryer": Karen Gets Taught A Lesson After Throwing Out Neighbor's Wet Clothes

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#45

North Philly. Maybe just avoid Philly all together.

Five2one521 Report

Final score:

50points

POST

The Queen 1 year ago

Don't avoid Philly. I love that city. Tons of historical things to visit. Cool museums. Reading Market is actually pretty cool.

51points

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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Kotryna is a Photo Editor at Bored Panda with a BA in Graphic Design. Before Bored Panda, she worked as a freelance graphic designer and illiustrator. When not editing, she enjoys working with clay, drawing, playing board games and drinking good tea.

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What do you think ?

POST

David A Paterson 1 year ago

Thanks everyone. More than half of these are the exact opposite of advice for Australia. Which makes the advice even more valuable. Advice for Australia: do trust the police, they are there to help you, do take selfies with wildlife, if stopped get out of the car unless on a tollway, there are no bad neighbourhoods in Australia (mostly), there's very little variety from place to place, don't worry about skin colour, no specific people to avoid, unlikely to run out of gas because the cars aren't gas guzzlers, food from chain restaurants is edible, if you get sick or have an accident then go to hospital emergency immediately, sit in the front seat in taxis and Ubers. Airbnb isn't bad. Don't tip. Exact opposite of much of the good advice here for America.

33points

Tuesday 1 year ago

The more I read this post, the more I realised how lucky I am to live in Australia

9points

Petra Schaap 1 year ago

i wonder why American wildlife doesnt like selfies and Australian does? :-D

2points

Christel Nellemann 1 year ago

My brother had the best year of his life travelling Australia , lived for a ehile at some tropical beach working divershop. Evenings of bonfires, roasting fresh fish, playing guitar with other young people etc, great people, amazing nature. came home looking like a greek golden God of sunshine ( also mentally🥰) Idreamed if living there .

0points

Jo Firth 1 year ago

Except - DON'T TAKE PHOTOS WITH WILD ANIMALS UNLESS THEY ARE A LONG WAY OFF. Kangaroos will gut you with one kick, koalas will scratch you very badly, snakes will ... well, 'snake' you, as will the blue ringed octopus (awwwww, so pretty), some lizards, all sorts of things. Take photos of them, not with them ... unless they are in a zoo of some sort.

0points

The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Norm Gilmore 1 year ago

I think there's a Troll active. Damn near every comment, regardless how innocuous is getting downvoted...

17points

Caro Caro 1 year ago

Yeah, I noticed this too. Upvoting like mad !!

5points

sofacushionfort 1 year ago

Avoid the big-name American lagers, and try the local microbrewery instead.

17points

Freya the Wanderer 1 year ago

Shout it from the mountaintop! Every US city has some great microbreweries. Look them up.

7points

Toujin C'Thlu 1 year ago

Who keeps downvoting everything?

11points

pebs 1 year ago

Some idiot.

1point

michael Chock 1 year ago (edited)

Remember 99% of America is owned by corporations. 2 or 3 groups own Vegas. 3 or 4 groups own everything in the grocery store. 2 or 3 groups own all the amusement parks. If you want something unique or good be prepared to go out of your way. (Farmers markets, roadside stands, food trucks, swap meets, little towns no one has heard of...). Also, if something good and unique becomes popular, it will be owned by a corporation in a year, so don't get attached to anything.

8points

Shane Hussel 1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

PaleInspection9242 1 year ago

Avoid BP articles on visiting the US. Come visit the US with an open mind, healthy curiosity, common sense, and a yen for something new and you will find an incredibly diverse country full of wonderful people, stunning national parks and natural sites, and amazing cuisine.

7points

Kiwi Panda 1 year ago

I was going to say-the downvote gnome is visiting

6points

Limey 1 year ago

Avoid measuring anything unless you have some bananas with you.

5points

Della 1 year ago

Wow this was an eye opener...I'm an American, and tend to think it's a great and beautiful country, with helpful and honest people. And I've traveled around the US as well as other countries....I think we do just fine. Bottom line is, don't be stupid no matter where you go!!

4points

Gina Babe 1 year ago

As an American, this was a fun read. America seems really hard to travel to.

4points

KM 1 year ago

As a foreigner who has traveled to US before : no, it's not really) The biggest issue for a tourist in my opinion is the lack of public transport, but even that is not completely true. There are usually at least some buses running between major cities and within them there's always uber or even a bus, sure, they might be infrequent, but they are there, you just need to plan accordingly. Or rent a car, and solve that issue completely. Other than that, US is great for traveling, food is varied and can be found cheap, due to the fact that you guys travel a lot domestically there are a lot of hotels for any budget, most attractions, I'd say, are quite reasonably priced and there's usually a lot of information available online so you can plan in advance. Also, Americans are generally very talkative, friendly and ready to help if you are having troubles)

13points

MezzoPiano 1 year ago

It's not. BP just loves to bash the US.

3points

Bored Retsuko 1 year ago

I feel terrible for saying this, but as a European, my takeaway is all the cliché advice one hears about travelling to Middle Eastern countries seems to apply 100% to the US. :-/ Like, not safe for homosexuals, not safe for a woman travelling alone, lots of scams and bribing, don't trust the police....

2points

Gypsy Mata 1 year ago

Avoid San Francisco.

2points

WonderWoman 1 year ago

Unless you are white, stay away from our southern states, while racism is everywhere, the southern states make it a way of life.

2points

Brian Michael 1 year ago

That's an interesting piece of advice but did you know the south is more diverse than the north?

0points

Jellyfish 1 year ago

Being asked to be a good guest by an AMERICAN must be a joke. No people are more like 'I've seen better' than americans who just walk around trying to get everything with money and being offensive towards any country's history.

1point

El Dee 1 year ago

Sounds dystopian or, at least, like an underdeveloped country..

1point

Richard Henderson 1 year ago

Ok, you’ve convinced me. I won’t visit the USA.

1point

Greenmantle 1 year ago

I would love to explore the national parks and natural attractions... but avoid all the gun toting, political BS as much as possible.

1point

The mad duck 1 year ago

The comment section is a warzone 💀

1point

pebs 1 year ago

After all, since they were born the US has been at war with someone to support its hypertrophic robbery economy, so the fact that they are at war here too does not surprise me.

-1point

Craig Reynolds 1 year ago

The price you see is NOT the price you pay! Sales tax and possibly tourist taxes are added depending on where you stay. We hate it. I would love a "what you see, is what you pay" economy.

1point

pebs 1 year ago

The world is full of wonderful and interesting countries, I don't see why you would necessarily go to the USA.

1point

LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago

You do know that the US has some amazing national parks and varied landscape that I just can’t see in the UK? I cried the first time I visited Alaska and saw awe inspiring landscapes I just wouldn’t see in Scotland. I also got to marvel at the beauty of the Grand Canyon.

5points

pebs 1 year ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Ida Schmidt 1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

John Smith (he/him/xy/️) 1 year ago

Just avoid the US altogether. It is the only country where 6yo know what an active shooter is...

0points

Jonathan MacFarlane 1 year ago

It's nice to see BP offer genuine advice.

0points

TheAceofSpades 1 year ago (edited)

They really aren’t though…they are just copying and pasting content from Reddit. I’m sure they’ll have a listicle tomorrow bashing the US to another country.

2points

Tjoori Vids 1 year ago

Well, I still have a few states / places on my bucket list. Montana/Wyoming to see the Prairie and the Rockies. Yellowstone. Washington DC. Smithsonian. South/North Dakota. Alaska. Death Valley. NOT on my bucket list: Disney. LA. Las Vegas. Never will be on my list of places to visit. (I'd happily go to Red Rock Canyon NP / Sequoia NF tho.)

0points

Leo Domitrix 1 year ago

Yellowstone still on my bucket list, too and I'm a native of the US. Banff in Canada. *sigh*

0points

WalterWhiteSavannah 1 year ago

I remember going to a concert in Seattle with me then girlfriend and her little sister when I was 19. My gf handled the hotel and it was this ridiculously sketchy place that was probly beautiful 60 years earlier but was in the Seattle equivalent of Vancouver down town Eastside when we were there. Two giant dudes were openly selling crack right outside the hotel doors (pretty sure it had rooms available by the hour) and the crack dealers were eyeing my gf and her sister hard. My gf got mad cause I didn't say anything to them... like really? Sure if some scrawny creep is staring at you back home at the bar ill speak up... in some crack ravaged part of Seattle sorry but my 160lb a*s isn't saying a word to a couple 320lb crack dealers. Desl with the stares.

0points

Carlos Moreno 1 year ago

As a Floridian, there is way more things to do than Disney and Miami Beach. In fact, most floridians do not even go there. My top attractions in Florida are the following: 1) Bok Tower Garden (specially in winter) trust me, this place is Skyrim epic. 2) NASA/cape cannaveral, look up the rocket launch schedule and plan a visit, truly unique. 3) saint augustine, visit the castle on Sundays and they do reannactmen of colonial times and they fire the castle cannons, plus USAs oldest town. 4) clearwater beach/siesta key for the beach lovers. 5) miami underground food scene - go to restaurants like ghee and order the sample menu, go to any cuban bakery and order croqueta preparada instead of the cuban sandwich, and for late night snacks go to any venezuelan or colombian burger joint. ENJOY!

0points

Shane Hussel 1 year ago

Florida is best avoided. Its a giant ugly strip mall. The beaches are crowded and ugly. Got out as soon as I turned 18.

-1point

The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)

Eastern Humidity. Think shorts, water and sunscreen are going to make even cities like New York or Boston comfortable during the summer? Think again. We don't get the killer heat waves Europe gets: 38 degrees C is absolute max from Boston to Miami in the summer on the East Coast, but it reaches *almost* 38 degrees A LOT. And the humidity! When Americans say, "it ain't the heat; it's the humidity" believe them! At 70 percent humidity, 99 F (38 degrees C) feels like 138 F(63 degrees C)!

0points

The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)

I'm actually curious about this 99 degrees maximum. I've lived in several Eastern US cities up and down the coast, and wherever you go, hitting 100 is very rare, but you'll spend WEEKS in the high 90s. Where I live, I believe 60 days in the high 90s is typical, but after 25 years of living here, it's reached 100 once.

0points

Ace 1 year ago

Shame so many of these are about behaviour, danger, etc. Was hoping to get much more of actual things/places/destinations to be avoided.

0points

Scarlett 1 year ago

I mean, I can give you two relatively popular ones to avoid. I’d definitely avoid Disneyworld unless you’re into it. It’s incredibly overpriced, overcrowded, hot, and generally not worth the money unless you go off-season. Don’t go to SeaWorld, they’re known for abusing their animals, don’t give them your money.

2points

Two_rolling_black_eyes 1 year ago (edited)

Even people who live here forget what our nation's name (United States of America) means. We are a union of self governing states and each one makes up their own rules and has their own culture. If you check out the borders between states, it becomes glaringly obvious. I live in Colorado. The first highway exit from Wyoming has a marijuana dispensary because its legal in Colorado but not in Wyoming. The commerce clause of our constitution means Wyoming can make it illegal to own it inside of their state but they can't tell Colorado they can't sell it to Wyoming residents. Wyoming has an exit immediately across the border from Colorado that its only buildings are businesses selling explosives and offroad vehicles. There is one interstate between Oklahoma and Texas that has an exit on the actual border. On one side of the road is casinos and porn shops. On the other side of the same road is liquor stores and gun shops. Different states, different rules. Different ideas of what is normal and what is abhorrent. Abortion is becoming illegal again because we've decided its up to each state to decide what the rules are and whether its even a healthcare issue.

0points

Shane Hussel 1 year ago

Abortion IS heatlhcare.

7points

Shane Hussel 1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Craig Reynolds 1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

EVILtheCAT 1 year ago

That's complete and utter BS. We dislike everyone equally.

0points

Judy Steelman 1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Shane Hussel 1 year ago

The least educated US state is West Virginia. The bottom ten are all in the south. California is in the middle.

10points

POST

David A Paterson 1 year ago

33points

Tuesday 1 year ago

The more I read this post, the more I realised how lucky I am to live in Australia

9points

Petra Schaap 1 year ago

i wonder why American wildlife doesnt like selfies and Australian does? :-D

2points

Christel Nellemann 1 year ago

0points

Jo Firth 1 year ago

0points

The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Norm Gilmore 1 year ago

I think there's a Troll active. Damn near every comment, regardless how innocuous is getting downvoted...

17points

Caro Caro 1 year ago

Yeah, I noticed this too. Upvoting like mad !!

5points

sofacushionfort 1 year ago

Avoid the big-name American lagers, and try the local microbrewery instead.

17points

Freya the Wanderer 1 year ago

Shout it from the mountaintop! Every US city has some great microbreweries. Look them up.

7points

Toujin C'Thlu 1 year ago

Who keeps downvoting everything?

11points

pebs 1 year ago

Some idiot.

1point

michael Chock 1 year ago (edited)

8points

Shane Hussel 1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

PaleInspection9242 1 year ago

7points

Kiwi Panda 1 year ago

I was going to say-the downvote gnome is visiting

6points

Limey 1 year ago

Avoid measuring anything unless you have some bananas with you.

5points

Della 1 year ago

4points

Gina Babe 1 year ago

As an American, this was a fun read. America seems really hard to travel to.

4points

KM 1 year ago

13points

MezzoPiano 1 year ago

It's not. BP just loves to bash the US.

3points

Bored Retsuko 1 year ago

2points

Gypsy Mata 1 year ago

Avoid San Francisco.

2points

WonderWoman 1 year ago

Unless you are white, stay away from our southern states, while racism is everywhere, the southern states make it a way of life.

2points

Brian Michael 1 year ago

That's an interesting piece of advice but did you know the south is more diverse than the north?

0points

Jellyfish 1 year ago

1point

El Dee 1 year ago

Sounds dystopian or, at least, like an underdeveloped country..

1point

Richard Henderson 1 year ago

Ok, you’ve convinced me. I won’t visit the USA.

1point

Greenmantle 1 year ago

I would love to explore the national parks and natural attractions... but avoid all the gun toting, political BS as much as possible.

1point

The mad duck 1 year ago

The comment section is a warzone 💀

1point

pebs 1 year ago

After all, since they were born the US has been at war with someone to support its hypertrophic robbery economy, so the fact that they are at war here too does not surprise me.

-1point

Craig Reynolds 1 year ago

The price you see is NOT the price you pay! Sales tax and possibly tourist taxes are added depending on where you stay. We hate it. I would love a "what you see, is what you pay" economy.

1point

pebs 1 year ago

The world is full of wonderful and interesting countries, I don't see why you would necessarily go to the USA.

1point

LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago

5points

pebs 1 year ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Ida Schmidt 1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

John Smith (he/him/xy/️) 1 year ago

Just avoid the US altogether. It is the only country where 6yo know what an active shooter is...

0points

Jonathan MacFarlane 1 year ago

It's nice to see BP offer genuine advice.

0points

TheAceofSpades 1 year ago (edited)

They really aren’t though…they are just copying and pasting content from Reddit. I’m sure they’ll have a listicle tomorrow bashing the US to another country.

2points

Tjoori Vids 1 year ago

0points

Leo Domitrix 1 year ago

Yellowstone still on my bucket list, too and I'm a native of the US. Banff in Canada. *sigh*

0points

WalterWhiteSavannah 1 year ago

0points

Carlos Moreno 1 year ago

0points

Shane Hussel 1 year ago

Florida is best avoided. Its a giant ugly strip mall. The beaches are crowded and ugly. Got out as soon as I turned 18.

-1point

The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)

0points

The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)

0points

Ace 1 year ago

Shame so many of these are about behaviour, danger, etc. Was hoping to get much more of actual things/places/destinations to be avoided.

0points

Scarlett 1 year ago

2points

Two_rolling_black_eyes 1 year ago (edited)

0points

Shane Hussel 1 year ago

Abortion IS heatlhcare.

7points

Shane Hussel 1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Craig Reynolds 1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

EVILtheCAT 1 year ago

That's complete and utter BS. We dislike everyone equally.

0points

Judy Steelman 1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Shane Hussel 1 year ago

The least educated US state is West Virginia. The bottom ten are all in the south. California is in the middle.

10points