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Americans Recommend Foreign Visitors Avoid These 45 Things When They’re Traveling The Country
The United States is full of diverse cultures, histories, and landscapes, creating a rich and complex national tapestry that takes time to truly understand.
So when foreigners come to this unique place of the world, they want to take in as much as possible. However, in their quest for authentic experiences, travelers may end up in awkward and uncomfortable situations.
Interested in how they can protect themselves from this, Reddit user AlainasBoyfriend posted a question on the platform, asking the locals, "What should a foreigner avoid while visiting the United States?" Here are the most popular answers they have received.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Leave all your stereotypes about America home, it's a hugely diverse country and your experience in one part of the US will be very different to your experience in another. Keep an open mind and have fun.
RELATED:
#2
Don’t be bullheaded when it comes to the weather. If the locals are worried, you should be worried.
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.
#3
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.
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.
#4
If it says no trespassing don't trespass.
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...
#5
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.
#6
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.
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.
#7
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.
Gustav Gallifrey 1 year ago
Warning appreciated, but not necessary. I'm from Australia. We have birds that can kick you to death.
David A Paterson 1 year ago
Do take selfies with wildlife in Australia. All wildlife from bin chickens to quokkas. Some Australian wildlife will get miffed if you don't take a selfie with it. Not the same as America. American wildlife really will turn on you and attack you. Warning really is necessary.
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Lost Penny 1 year ago
I thought not messing with any wildlife was common sense, but then again...
StrangeOne 1 year ago
Parks are not petting zoos. They are not safaris. They are just protected nature grounds so wildlife can live and prosper without risk of losing their homes and lives to man. The wildlife have more of a right and freedom to live there than we do to visit. We are the guests in their homes. Get it? Got it? Good!
Lew k 1 year ago
Arizona here, it’s a desert. Don’t go hiking in the beautiful mountains here in the summer. You will die.
Marie Dahme 1 year ago
And to add, just please please believe us that there's no gold in the Superstition Mountains. Honestly !
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Sierra Tide 1 year ago
I genuinely believed that tourist walking up to wildlife at Yellowstone was far and few between and only something you read about online.... Until I watched a woman walking up to a bison. Yep it really happens. Even though there are signs everywhere saying don't do this.
Javelina Poppers 1 year ago
In the Tetons I watched a busload of Asian tourists unload and they all ran up to a moose cow with twin calves. Luckily no one was hurt and I can laugh about it now because the chaos was glorious to behold.
Id row 1 year ago
It doesn't even have to be a national park, just anywhere where there's dangerous wildlife. I live in bear country in NJ and had a hiker come up by us who thought it would be a good idea to take a selfie with one. Last pic he ever took was of the bear charging him. Respect wildlife no matter where you are.
CanadianDimes 1 year ago
This also applies to Canada. Assume the wildlife is all dangerous. Bears, moose, elk, bison - all of them can kill you. Even deer are dangerous if it’s a mother with fawns. And for the love of everything, do not stop open the middle of the highway in the mountain parks. Those roads are windy with limited visibility. Someone will hit you.
Brainmas 1 year ago
Also stop trying to feed the wildlife. Saw a lady actually throw water in the face of a baby elk in Yellowstone that wouldn't drink out of her hands. The poor baby was surrounded by tourists who were very lucky mama didn't decide to intervene.
Greenmantle 1 year ago
Oh that would infuriate me. Hope someone told her off
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Luna (all pronouns) 1 year ago (edited)
Yellowstone basically has one person dying every week (52 per year). [I was misinformed when I wrote this- see MichelleDonut’s reply for accurate information]
MichelleDonut 1 year ago
Yellowstone had 52 deaths in the 10 years 2010-2019, so that averages about 5 per year. https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelgoldstein/2021/02/02/americas-most-dangerous-national-parks/?sh=2c26c95a1a23
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Michele Garrard 1 year ago
Don't come within 25 feet of the wildlife. They weren't asked if they wanted to become tourist attractions
Michael Largey 1 year ago
If a bison wants to have its picture taken with you, it will say so.
gerard julien 1 year ago (edited)
" There are large numbers and wide ranges of brown bears in: Finland Romania Sweden Estonia Bulgaria Other countries you might be surprised to learn have bears in Europe are: Spain Italy France Polar bears in Norway"
Kim Kermes 1 year ago
And Joshua Tree Natl Park. We don't like finding dessicated, partially mummified bodies. Unless the coyotes beat us to it.
Melissa Dowling 1 year ago (edited)
We see tourists have to be rescued all the time hiking or driving through flooded washes in Phoenix/Arizona. It's gotten so bad that now we have stupid people laws (one is literally named the "stupid motorist law"). If you have to be rescued for doing some dumb $hit, you pay the cost of the EMTs' time, the cost of the ambulance or helicopter that rescued you, + your hospital bill. And in America, that'll bankrupt anyone.
Mary Kelly 1 year ago
don't go off the trail or boardwalk in yellowstone either...1 or more people die each year doing this when the ground collapses and they are scalded to death in a fumerole or geyser
Coyote Osborne 1 year ago
Also, a park ranger is not a park hotel concierge. They can act with police powers. So if they tell you to do something, and you are difficult, they can conceivably arrest you or have you arrested by local law enforcement.
SkyBlueandBlack 1 year ago
Almost every year, we lose a few tourists in Death Valley NP. They're usually European tourists. Guys, summer is not the time to visit the Mojave Desert. It's not just that it gets super hot there, it's that it IS super hot there. Every day. For the entire summer.
JayWantsACat 1 year ago
If you're doubting about the wildlife, like bison, don't be. They are not tame. They are not all friendly. If you don't believe it, look up tourist interactions with bison a watch morons get violently tossed in the air. Also, bear cubs are cute bit should never be interacted with. The mom is close by and she will kill you. Wild animals are no joke here.
John Harrison 1 year ago
Sweet Mother Mary, this is SO true. I've watched, with my own eyes, as tourists try to get friendly with the wildlife in Yellowstone, and paid a price.
Chickens are fluffy 1 year ago
The animals here ain't domesticated, if you see one do what is suggested by the Rangers, the animals ain't afraid to kill you in a brutal and horrible way, and the animal won't feel a single thing close to guilt doing so
John de la Cruz 1 year ago
I always have the impression that most all non-Americans know this, and that only Americans do it anyway.
gerard julien 1 year ago
" Yearly, a dozen or so people die in the Grand Canyon National Park, often tourists" American tourists that is !
LesB SoCal 1 year ago
That is one of many rules in national parks. Important to take them all seriously
Kayla Schuster 1 year ago (edited)
I live near a neation park. I have seen so many stories growing up of tourist getting attacked by bears after they provoked the bear. Like wtf LEAVE THE BEARS ALONE!!!
Tracy Wallick 1 year ago
If you go to any desert area, always wear sunscreen and bring more water than you think you will need! Even in winter!
Petra Schaap 1 year ago
ok so you cant take a selfie with it, but can you take just a picture of it without yourself in it?
A Happy Doggo 1 year ago
If you are close enough to take a good photo without zooming in, you’re probably already dead
Load More Replies... Frank Russell 1 year ago
Or you could do what so many have done: Do society a favor and get a Darwin Award, too!
#8
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!!!
#9
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.
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.
#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.
#12
Always ask the locals where they like to eat. They know better than any travel blog.
#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.
#14
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!
#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.
#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.
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 🤭
#17
Taking weed across state lines. It’s not legal everywhere.
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.
#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.
#19
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.
#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.
#21
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.
#22
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.
#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.
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.
#24
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.
#25
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."
#26
Don't interact with police unless you absolutely need to.
#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.
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.
#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.
#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!
#30
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.
#31
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.
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.
#32
Gary Indiana!! Do not, under any circumstances, go to Gary, Indiana. Ever
#33
The heat. If you're going to hike in the desert, bring plenty of water.
Rinoboyrich 1 year ago
Tell friends and family where you are going, and when you expect to be back!
#34
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.
#35
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"
#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.
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 😂
#37
Don't lock anything valuable in your car. This includes the trunk.
#38
Look up the crime rates of any city before you go there so you know which areas to avoid.
#39
The typical touristy places. This is a massive country with so much more to offer than Disney, Las Vegas, Hollywood, etc.
#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.
#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.
#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.
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.
#44
Be careful where you stay in bigger cities. I've seen people Airbnb places in bad neighborhoods in NYC and suffer for it.
What do you think ?
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.
Tuesday 1 year ago
The more I read this post, the more I realised how lucky I am to live in Australia
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Norm Gilmore 1 year ago
I think there's a Troll active. Damn near every comment, regardless how innocuous is getting downvoted...
sofacushionfort 1 year ago
Avoid the big-name American lagers, and try the local microbrewery instead.
Freya the Wanderer 1 year ago
Shout it from the mountaintop! Every US city has some great microbreweries. Look them up.
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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.
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.
Gina Babe 1 year ago
As an American, this was a fun read. America seems really hard to travel to.
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)
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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.
Brian Michael 1 year ago
That's an interesting piece of advice but did you know the south is more diverse than the north?
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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...
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.
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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.)
Leo Domitrix 1 year ago
Yellowstone still on my bucket list, too and I'm a native of the US. Banff in Canada. *sigh*
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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.
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!
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.
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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)!
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
EVILtheCAT 1 year ago
That's complete and utter BS. We dislike everyone equally.
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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.
Load More Replies... 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.
Tuesday 1 year ago
The more I read this post, the more I realised how lucky I am to live in Australia
Load More Replies... Norm Gilmore 1 year ago
I think there's a Troll active. Damn near every comment, regardless how innocuous is getting downvoted...
sofacushionfort 1 year ago
Avoid the big-name American lagers, and try the local microbrewery instead.
Freya the Wanderer 1 year ago
Shout it from the mountaintop! Every US city has some great microbreweries. Look them up.
Load More Replies... 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.
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.
Gina Babe 1 year ago
As an American, this was a fun read. America seems really hard to travel to.
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)
Load More Replies... 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.
Brian Michael 1 year ago
That's an interesting piece of advice but did you know the south is more diverse than the north?
Load More Replies... 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.
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.
Load More Replies... 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.
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.
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.
Load More Replies... 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...
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.
Load More Replies... 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.)
Leo Domitrix 1 year ago
Yellowstone still on my bucket list, too and I'm a native of the US. Banff in Canada. *sigh*
Load More Replies... 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.
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!
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.
Load More Replies... 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)!
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.
Load More Replies... 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.
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.
Load More Replies... 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.
EVILtheCAT 1 year ago
That's complete and utter BS. We dislike everyone equally.
Load More Replies... 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.
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