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The United States attracts many visitors. For example, in 2019, over 79 million international tourists came to the country, making it the number-three most popular choice, behind only France and Spain.
But whether we're talking about natural parks or busy cities, there are some "unwritten rules" that everyone should know. And that includes travelers, not just locals. So it pays to do your homework.
For our first assignment, let's go through the comments under a post on the subreddit r/AskAnAmerican, where a now-deleted user asked people to share these customs.
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#2
Do not cut in line. We are not British, we won't just shake our heads and mutter under our breath. Americans will absolutely start a fight over line cutting. It will become a whole big thing, people will film it on their phones, and boom! There you are all over [internet], getting beat up because you couldn't just wait your turn in line for a few minutes
Jayne Kyra 2 years ago (edited)
Internet? The original says "Reddit". At least acknowledge when taking content from other sites. Edit: For those confused, I am talking about this specific image where they replaced the word "Reddit" with the word "Internet".
#3
Don't wear the red hats.
Thorfin Wolfsbane 2 years ago
Actually we prefer they wear them. It helps us identify who the easily duped morons are.
#4
The word c*nt is lot more offensive in the US (and Canada) than in other English-speaking nations. Don’t use it casually
Shane S 2 years ago (edited)
Also calling someone a pedo. I see that a lot in British tv and movies and of course it’s an insult, but here it has serious implications. If you call someone that, you truly mean it and it can get someone beat up or attract the attention of law enforcement. It’s never said as an offhand comment here.
#5
That whole trespassers will be shot thing is not a joke
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Since someone commented: What, nobody ignores fences? LOL. Yeah, no. They do. They also ignore no-jaywalking signs in other places.
#6
The price marked on the shelf does not include taxes. What you see is not what you pay.
Saico Hipe 2 years ago
Except in Oregon! I just moved here a few months ago and was pleasantly surprised to find that there is NO sales tax on anything! The price on the shelf/sticker/menu etc. is what you actually pay. It's pretty sweet
#7
21 is the Legal Drinking Age. Don't try to reason convince the bartender that it's 18 back "home". It's not that they're being difficult just to be difficult. Their jobs and possibly the liquor license of the establishment (which is super extremely incredibly crazily difficult to get in some places) could be revoked over something as small as this.
JJ 2 years ago
I visited the US at the age of 18 and saw a girl my age take a sip of beer from her older friend at a concert. She was led outside. I turned to my bf and said, "This feels crazy to me. Back home I would be legally allowed to buy alcohol and drink myself to coma at the age of 16 and here I couldn't even take a sip if I wanted to." Not that I think it's a great idea to sell alcohol to 16-year-old. It just felt crazy.
#8
Don't dine at a sit down/table service restaurant and not tip just to make a point.
Not the way things are done in your country? Great! Part of the fun of travel is experiencing other cultures. You should embrace the opportunity to experience our primitive way of life first hand.
Rachel Peterson 2 years ago
The fact is that it's not just the 'culture' but it's also (mostly?) the fact that servers and waitstaff SURVIVE on those tips because of screwed up laws allowing food service businesses to pay them super-low wages (like $2.00/hour).
#9
Back in my MMO days a scottish friend of mine went to Atlanta once and called a black guy 'boy'. I guess you just call people boy in Scotland?
Yeah but do not call black people boy. Its perceived as racist / talking down to them and its a good way to get in a fight. Especially in the South
Wang Zhuang 2 years ago
Yeah, as a black American, I can tell you that calling a black man "boy", however innocent it may seem, can cause some problems. Best to avoid it.
#10
Don't take selfies at memorials honoring the dead.
I just about threw up from all the selfie sticks at the world trade center memorial in NY.
#11
NEVER pass an unloading school bus. When those stop signs flap out, you've got to wait until those little crotch goblins get off the bus until you even think of moving again. Whether it's hitting a pedestrian child, getting a nasty ticket, or just the absolute looks of disgust you'll warrant, it won't be worth it.
Wang Zhuang 2 years ago (edited)
Yes! Many tourists may not realize this, but it's very important. Traffic on both sides of the street must stop when a school bus flashes its lights and the stop sign on the side of the bus pops out. This is to ensure children's safety.
#12
Don't complain that taxes aren't included in the price. I know it's annoying, but the poor souls who have to work retail didn't set U.S. tax policy.
#13
If you're driving and get pulled over, DO NOT get out of the car. Roll down your window and wait for the police officer to walk up to your car. Keep your hands visible (resting on the steering wheel).
AlanandLeila Hoyt 2 years ago
Absolutely. They will think you are coming after them with a weapon or something (which of course does happen). I made the mistake of getting out once and got his gun drawn on me pretty quickly.
#14
Don’t f**king use racial slurs. Good lord, I work in the service industry with lots of people from China and they’ll just say the N-word with the hard R (or just s**tty racist stuff in general) and will be confused as to why people get pissed off.
While America’s race relations are strained at best, it’s completely unacceptable to voice your racist opinions in public. If you choose to do it anyway, you will be completely ostracized - and any people who are accepting of it are probably s**tty racists themselves. Yikes.
Potato Panda 2 years ago
The Chinese guys may have been using the Chinese word “那个” instead of the N word It sounds similar but there’s absolutely no connection
#15
Treat wildlife with respect, you will see it everywhere and it is generally dangerous or can kill you.
Dont try a selfie with a Bear or Buffalo
#16
There's 330 million of us. Saying something like "I heard Americans like/dislike," is almost always going to be met with a grain of salt/resentment
#17
Don't talk down to people in service industries. They work for the company and not for you. They are not servants, and they deserve respect and decency
#18
Don't go to dangerous neighborhoods because you saw them on TV.
Not a foreign visitor, but a naive friend from Colorado came to visit in California and wanted to see the gangs on Crenshaw in South Central L.A. because he'd seen it on some cop show.
Yeah, no, we're not driving through the 'hood so you can take pictures of the thugs and poor people. He's a Latino guy, too, so the last thing I needed was someone thinking he was cruising and looking for a fight.
#19
Smell bad. It sounds like a joke, but Americans are really unaccepting of any type of BO. We (probably) won’t actually say anything to you, but we will automatically dislike you.
#20
I spent a bit of time abroad with people foreign to the US
Pointing is VERY rude! My one friend (from Thailand) would always point to people when speaking about them. It was just very uncomfortable and I didn’t realize it was part of the social structure here until she was doing it everywhere lol. Don’t point at complete strangers and talk about them, you may end up starting a fight
The American South, while known probably to some for being racist, is VERY VERY big into politeness and manners.
Generally do things like hold the door open for others, a cashier may ask you “hi how are you” just answer “good, how are you?” Or “I’m okay, how are you” but whatever you answer remember to return the ask. Always say please and thank you. If you make eye contact with a stranger give a smile and a nod. Unless they say hi, then say hi back. I also tend to end conversations with people by saying “have a good one” if meeting somebody (more of a professional thing) when shaking hands, let the person who initiated the handshake introduce themselves first.
Also Americans tend to be very friendly and will strike up conversations with people, don’t be afraid to chat, just don’t bring up politics
Britton Raymond 2 years ago
I am so damn tired of ya'll bashing the American south about racism. We can be talking about fried chicken and you all can still somehow manage to bring up racism. We are talking about manners and the first thing yall bring up is racism. We are not all racist and we are tired of being labeled as such. We do have some racist people down here, but so does every place on the planet.
#21
Don't sit around for hours in a restaurant after eating. The wait staff get fussy
#23
Americans are about personal bubbles. If you're a stranger, keep an arms distance when conversing with an American. If you are familiar with them, keep an elbows distance. And lastly, unless you are extremely familiar with them, do not touch except for a handshake. We're like the Swedish, but louder.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
Goes double for braids/dreadlocks/spikes. DO NOT EVER feel someone's hair. Don't even ask. It's crazy rude here.
#24
Don’t try to make it cross country in a day. Especially during extreme weather
King Kashue 2 years ago (edited)
"Especially during extreme weather"? As if it's some remote possibility otherwise but the weather makes it a 0%? It's more 2700 miles. Even driving for literally every single second, "cross country in a day" would require an *average* speed of around 115 miles per hour - that number goes up with stops for gas, food, toilet breaks, etc. The Cannonball run record - i.e., the stupidly illegal trip undertaken by people pouring significant resources into it (at least in the modern attempts) is 25 hours 39 minutes. Literally no one has ever done that in a 'single day.'
#25
You can buy alcohol in any store in town but you will get the long d*ck of the law if you open that puppy up in public
#26
If you are driving, don't forget that you can make a right turn on a red light, and if you get pulled over by a cop, being friendly/respectful can go a looooooong way
D K 2 years ago (edited)
When pulled over by a cop, roll the window down and keep your hands on the wheel where they can see them. Be polite. I would go as far as saying “my license/registration/insurance” or whatever they are asking for are “in my wallet/glove compartment” etc, “may I reach out and get those?”
#27
Restaurants and stores will take your cards. I know, it is weird. You lose sight of it. If you do not want that to happen have cash prepared.
#28
We Americans love foreign visitors and we will pepper you with questions, ask about your language, culture, almost really intrusive questions. Some might even try to relate to you on some level because we Americans are taught that the United States is a melting pot and we all have distant relatives in other countries. For the Irish, English, Scottish, and German; do not be shocked or offended if an American says "Oh! I'm insert heritage too!"
Dodo 2 years ago (edited)
If you said 'I have Irish heritage too!' there wouldn't be an issue. The fact that you mostly say it as 'Hey, I'm Irish too!' is the offensive part. You're not Irish. You're American. Your great-great-granddaddy was Irish. (Edit: Changed 'English heritage' to 'Irish heritage' as people really seem to be misunderstanding what I'm saying and this is the only thing I can think might be tripping them up)
#29
For the love of god please just go the speed limit, and NEVER stop in the middle of the road no matter where you are
Thorfin Wolfsbane 2 years ago
In America is best to think of the speed limit as the slowest you can go without being a nuisance.
Guy Incognito 2 years ago
Most important rule. If your are going slow stay out of the left lane. Especially if your going under the speed limit.
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digitalin 2 years ago
Correction: Drive AT LEAST the speed limit. Driving under it (at least on the major highways, etc) will get you dirty looks, and worse, be a safety hazard.
Data1001 2 years ago
I've actually been pulled over for driving 10-15 miles per hour under the posted speed limit on a highway. And it wasn't one of those highways with a lower limit posted (which we do have). I was driving a car that was overheating and couldn't go above a certain speed or it'd completely overheat. The cop understood but still wouldn't let me go without ticketing me until I told him I'd do the rest of the trip on side roads and stay off the highway.
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Sarabura 2 years ago
These are two completely different things. Americans speed all the time, but yeah, don't stop in the road.
Robyn Bowns 2 years ago (edited)
I assumed they meant at least the limit. Where I come from traffic flows about 5mph over, minimum.
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Tim Bouchee 2 years ago
One winter it was well below zero out, and on my way to work the night shift, I learned something: when it is that cold out and you've just taken a shower (a HOT shower) your car windsheild will frost up within seconds to the point of no visibility. I put my flashers on and stopped in the middle of the road while I desparated tried to scrap the fast-forming frost off. So that's a possible reason.
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Darcy Marie 2 years ago
If you're ever lost or confused or the weather makes you feel unsafe whatever just pull over and out of the way. You're more of a danger when you're slowing up traffic than most people realize.
Lady of the Mountains 2 years ago
why the crap would you stop in the middle of the road. why is that ok in other countries. people have places to be.
LivingTheDream 2 years ago
no, no, no... The speed limit should actually be renamed "Speed Minimum" You can go up to 5 over almost anywhere in the US without worrying about a ticket. IN CA, you can be cited for going under the speed limit and holding up traffic(rarely enforced). You are actually required to pull over/out of the way to let traffic pass.
Jay Son 2 years ago
We have both a minimum and maximum posted in my state.
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Andrea Steht 2 years ago
For the love of all things holy go at least 5 over the posted limit or move over!
Makoto Fletcher 2 years ago
Oh my gosh. Yes, I have seen foreign couple stop -- STOP -- and argue about whether they are heading in the correct direction. Have seen a "newly" licensed driver stop for a red light and drive through the intersection, if there were no oncoming traffic. Ugh, is it not bad enough to use no turn signal, change lanes at a red light (never mind that you block the turn lane AND through lane. I do not know how they obtain their license, but it certainly is not under the strict process I went through when I was first examined ... oh, 50+ years ago.
Salty Wild Hair 2 years ago
We also have requirements for children to be in car seats. I once pulled over a couple from Japan, driving way too fast, and when he came to a stop, the child flew from the back seat into the console. I couldnt work out if they misunderstood the rules or if they didnt know what to do and just sat the 1 year old in the back seat. She could have died.
Bob Stuart 2 years ago
There are small towns that live off a speed trap for strangers, so I drove exactly at the limit and really slowed down traffic, but didn't get shot.
Rannveig Ess 2 years ago
and stay the hell off your cell phone. Hang up and DRIVE. It's not all about you
greenbean 2 years ago
Wait, should we not stop while driving in traffic (which sounds reasonable) or just nowhere (because ie. someone will come and attack/kidnap/shoot us)??
Blackstone 2 years ago
This is talking about not blocking the flow of traffic. Obviously stop where directed to do so (stop sign, traffic light, railroad track), but don't stop on the open road unless you absolutely have to (car broken down and cannot move it, cow in the middle of the road, etc.). It's a good way to get rear-ended at a high speed and likely injured or killed.
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Stephanie Ventura-Montalvo 2 years ago
I am envious. I have to fight to pass people, who aren't driving in proper lanes. If a person can't grasp what a passing lane is, they shouldn't be driving.
Load More Replies... advice5cents 2 years ago
My friend killed a girl sitting in the backseat of her mother's stopped car on the highway and it wrecked a lot of lives. Why would this only be an American concern?
Data1001 2 years ago
I had a cop tell me that once you go 5 miles per hour over the limit, he pretty much has to pull you over. Anything less than that, he said, was his personal decision of whether or not to hit you with the flashing lights. I tend to go 3 to 4 miles per hour over the limit, in general. You'll get passed by a number of folks but the majority of traffic will be going about that speed, I've found.
WilvanderHeijden 2 years ago (edited)
Who would stop a car in the middle of the road? If you're that stupid you shouldn't even be outside of a mental hospital.
#30
A few from personal accounts of people I know.
Do not think it's acceptable to bribe someone in authority. It's not even a joking matter in the U.S. I grew up in a country where it was an unwritten rule that these things could be "negotiated" and there were tell-tale signs to know whether said authority was open to it.
Coworker of mine knows a guy (comes from a European country where this is common place) that was in the U.S and had to be escorted out of a shopping mall because he cat-called a group of girls... who also happened to be underage. Yeah, that's a no go here. Maybe it will be tolerated at a night club, but in public? You'll likely face repercussions. It's just not culturally acceptable. (Note: that's not to say it doesn't happen in the U.S - as I know it's a problem in a lot of major cities).
What do you think ?
Scarlett 2 years ago
So, to summarize this entire thing: be a nice person, don’t get hurt/sick, and always be polite to cops. That’s really all you need to know bout Murica. (We’re not all horrible people; there’s just a lot of idiots)
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Basically, and given what I've seen when I travel outside the US, that sums up humanity. Not all horrible, but a lot of idiots!
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Tracy Wallick 2 years ago
Gotta love how BP loves to s**t on America for being ignorant/backwards/selfish/whatever, yet complain about our customs and will insist on using their own even if it's rude.
Aliquid 2 years ago
Only overly sensitive people think that BP loves to s**t on America. BP does have a habit of repeatedly posting articles about hos America is "different"... but that isn't s**ting on.
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Psycho Cat 2 years ago
Don't abuse animals, be kind to other people, don't vandalize monuments, don't fight the cops? Do Americans think other people have a habit of doing those things in other countries? This article is pure b******t.
Julie C Rose 2 years ago
It’s a Reddit thing. There are certain comments people always post because they know they’ll get upvotes. It’s irritating and part of the reason I don’t go on Reddit anymore.
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Nikki Sevven 2 years ago
As an American, I have to point out that none of the things mentioned here are universally true in every part of the country. The US is bloody huge, and we tend to identify with the part we live in: New England, Mid-Atlantic, the South, the Midwest, and so on. In New England, we tend to move and speak quickly. In the South, they're exactly the opposite; they stroll and drawl. Different areas have different values as well, and different cultural norms. Think of the US more like the EU, that is to say, a group of somewhat disparate, but somewhat similar countries and cultures.
Daria Z 2 years ago
To be honest, I don't want to visit the US that much. A wild country with too many civilian firearms for my taste.
Summer Mason 2 years ago
The thing about the South... South means Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Mississippi. We do love people. But there are still parts segregated. My best advice is ask a local where not to go. They will tell you. We want you to get back home safe. I can tell you now.. too keep your car gased up. Don't travel alone if you can help it in big cities. Stay away from cherry st area in knoxville tn. Not all are bad there but it's not friendly unless you know someone who lives there personally. Don't f*****g touch wild life or try to capture a picture of a bear. Admire it from an distance. In Codes Cave loop in the smokies....keep driving. Don't stop. It's 11 miles of a loop rd. If you want to take pictures park in the designated areas and go walk. Please for the love of God pull over and allow faster traffic to pass you when you can if on a two way highway. Don't litter. No matter where you are in the world don't litter. Th
Who Panda 420 2 years ago
I lived in Florida a general rule is if you see it Confederate flag maybe not the place to be. One thing they didn't mention about the south is a lot of people prefer to be called Sir or ma'am it's just considered polite. When I moved up North with this habit people thought it was rude they said I'm not that old.
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Demi Zwaan 2 years ago
Tbh, I'm surprised bribing police isn't a huge thing in the US. Everything is about money, politicians accept huge bribes (but call them donations or lobbying), but police won't accept it. It's quite amazing.
madbakes 2 years ago
Ordinary people (including police) aren't that shady. It's the people in power who love bribes.
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Jagerzamo 2 years ago
So, as far as I understand, US people are.... people, but I don't really understand why they think in other parts of the world we don't use common sense like chewing with the mouth shut, don't bribe, respect flora and fauna and everything else apart from including taxes to the final price.
Monica Pryts 2 years ago
You're triggered by things like "don't litter." Sit tf down.
Load More Replies... Grumpy old lady 2 years ago
I'd like to edit #74. Do NOT try to crush a woman's had if you happen to shake hands with her. I've dealt with that macho BS all my life and now that I'm old AND have arthritis in my fingers, I'll let out a rebel yell and possibly deck you if you squeeze my hand too hard. Just sayin'...
Laura1985 2 years ago
These fall into two categories: 1) Be a decent f*****g human being (animals, racism etc.). 2) Be prepared to be confronted with our moronic laws re: healthcare, firearms etc. I have yet to feel any inclination to visit the US at all.
Tracy Wallick 2 years ago
Then don't. Shockingly, foreign countries are different; if you want things to be exactly as they are where you live, why leave? :/
Load More Replies... Wintermute 2 years ago
Funny how much I learned from this. I've lived in the inland west of the US for my whole life. I've traveled a lot, but never been east of Wyoming. As far as I'm concerned, the Eastern or Southern US is just as foreign as Timbuktu. Those people are weird.
Who Panda 420 2 years ago
Yes a lot of these people tend to generalize America as one big place but someone from the south can get culture shock going to the north same East versus West.
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S 2 years ago
This list should have been cut in half lol most of them are repeated and the others are common sense.
Marco Richter 2 years ago
no. 1: glad my health ensurance has warrancies that cover for me if I get sick abroad
Monica Pryts 2 years ago
"Don't litter." Great idea, but we can't even get our fellow Americans to stop littering.
Leti Stamer 2 years ago
Do you guys know that America is a whole continet, don't you? From what I read you are probably talking about the US and Canada that are only one part of America.
Becky Boat 2 years ago
Maybe it's my imagination but lately most of the topics or articles come straight from Reddit.
John Baker 2 years ago
I agree - but please, people, can we just stop this "y'all" sh!t?
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Ace Girl 2 years ago
Here is a DO: You can pretty much ask any stranger for help and they will be glad to help you. Need directions? Can't find something in a store? Want to know how much to tip? Need the nearest public bathroom? Literally ask anyone above the age of 12 and not only will you get a straight answer, but they'll be delighted that you asked.
Cold Contagious 2 years ago
They could have cut out the nearly identical/ repetitive posts on several topics and shortened the entire post. The redundant posts were ridiculous. It's sad that there wasn't better options given for the posts. Like maybe, don't wash your feet in public toilets here, they're far too disgusting and don't be afraid to ask some people to take pictures of you and your family or friends, you can usually tell who may be polite enough to do this. Common sense plays the biggest role as it does anywhere you go.
Tee Witt 2 years ago
I have always wanted to visit America in the future when money is available but the more I read on BP I do not think I will, no, never.
Tee Witt 2 years ago
There are also the non fiction programs on TV, but many on BP do not like facts or peoples personal feelings, they can not cope if they do not agree. Think I will start marking down everyone I do not agree with
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
So, when I travel, I'm meant to, as an American, be seamlessly integrated into whatever nation, but nobody visiting the US should... be polite? Use common sense? Someone at BP make up their minds what the standard is, or just admit to the double standard.
Aliquid 2 years ago
You have some reading comprehension skills to work on. This article is specifically saying that people visiting America SHOULD change their behavior to properly fit in.
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d bradley 2 years ago
yeah, the stopping behind a school bus that is unloading children... what a horrible country we live in!!!
Vladimíra Matejová 2 years ago
in my country we do not have school buses. everyone lives in a walking distance of a school or else they use normal public transport. so there is no need to have specific rules for school buses. the whole traffic does not stop for one bus staying at a bus stop. We only have a rule that if you see a bus is giving a turn signal saying it is leaving the bus stop you should give a precedence so that it is not stuck there, but I feel like this is more a courtesy than a low, but I am not sure
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Aliquid 2 years ago
Why is your skin so thin? How do you see this as an attack? Do you spend your whole life being defensive? That must be tiring.
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Scarlett 2 years ago
So, to summarize this entire thing: be a nice person, don’t get hurt/sick, and always be polite to cops. That’s really all you need to know bout Murica. (We’re not all horrible people; there’s just a lot of idiots)
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Basically, and given what I've seen when I travel outside the US, that sums up humanity. Not all horrible, but a lot of idiots!
Load More Replies... Tracy Wallick 2 years ago
Gotta love how BP loves to s**t on America for being ignorant/backwards/selfish/whatever, yet complain about our customs and will insist on using their own even if it's rude.
Aliquid 2 years ago
Only overly sensitive people think that BP loves to s**t on America. BP does have a habit of repeatedly posting articles about hos America is "different"... but that isn't s**ting on.
Load More Replies... Psycho Cat 2 years ago
Don't abuse animals, be kind to other people, don't vandalize monuments, don't fight the cops? Do Americans think other people have a habit of doing those things in other countries? This article is pure b******t.
Julie C Rose 2 years ago
It’s a Reddit thing. There are certain comments people always post because they know they’ll get upvotes. It’s irritating and part of the reason I don’t go on Reddit anymore.
Load More Replies... Nikki Sevven 2 years ago
As an American, I have to point out that none of the things mentioned here are universally true in every part of the country. The US is bloody huge, and we tend to identify with the part we live in: New England, Mid-Atlantic, the South, the Midwest, and so on. In New England, we tend to move and speak quickly. In the South, they're exactly the opposite; they stroll and drawl. Different areas have different values as well, and different cultural norms. Think of the US more like the EU, that is to say, a group of somewhat disparate, but somewhat similar countries and cultures.
Daria Z 2 years ago
To be honest, I don't want to visit the US that much. A wild country with too many civilian firearms for my taste.
Summer Mason 2 years ago
The thing about the South... South means Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Mississippi. We do love people. But there are still parts segregated. My best advice is ask a local where not to go. They will tell you. We want you to get back home safe. I can tell you now.. too keep your car gased up. Don't travel alone if you can help it in big cities. Stay away from cherry st area in knoxville tn. Not all are bad there but it's not friendly unless you know someone who lives there personally. Don't f*****g touch wild life or try to capture a picture of a bear. Admire it from an distance. In Codes Cave loop in the smokies....keep driving. Don't stop. It's 11 miles of a loop rd. If you want to take pictures park in the designated areas and go walk. Please for the love of God pull over and allow faster traffic to pass you when you can if on a two way highway. Don't litter. No matter where you are in the world don't litter. Th
Who Panda 420 2 years ago
I lived in Florida a general rule is if you see it Confederate flag maybe not the place to be. One thing they didn't mention about the south is a lot of people prefer to be called Sir or ma'am it's just considered polite. When I moved up North with this habit people thought it was rude they said I'm not that old.
Load More Replies... Demi Zwaan 2 years ago
Tbh, I'm surprised bribing police isn't a huge thing in the US. Everything is about money, politicians accept huge bribes (but call them donations or lobbying), but police won't accept it. It's quite amazing.
madbakes 2 years ago
Ordinary people (including police) aren't that shady. It's the people in power who love bribes.
Load More Replies... Jagerzamo 2 years ago
So, as far as I understand, US people are.... people, but I don't really understand why they think in other parts of the world we don't use common sense like chewing with the mouth shut, don't bribe, respect flora and fauna and everything else apart from including taxes to the final price.
Monica Pryts 2 years ago
You're triggered by things like "don't litter." Sit tf down.
Load More Replies... Grumpy old lady 2 years ago
I'd like to edit #74. Do NOT try to crush a woman's had if you happen to shake hands with her. I've dealt with that macho BS all my life and now that I'm old AND have arthritis in my fingers, I'll let out a rebel yell and possibly deck you if you squeeze my hand too hard. Just sayin'...
Laura1985 2 years ago
These fall into two categories: 1) Be a decent f*****g human being (animals, racism etc.). 2) Be prepared to be confronted with our moronic laws re: healthcare, firearms etc. I have yet to feel any inclination to visit the US at all.
Tracy Wallick 2 years ago
Then don't. Shockingly, foreign countries are different; if you want things to be exactly as they are where you live, why leave? :/
Load More Replies... Wintermute 2 years ago
Funny how much I learned from this. I've lived in the inland west of the US for my whole life. I've traveled a lot, but never been east of Wyoming. As far as I'm concerned, the Eastern or Southern US is just as foreign as Timbuktu. Those people are weird.
Who Panda 420 2 years ago
Yes a lot of these people tend to generalize America as one big place but someone from the south can get culture shock going to the north same East versus West.
Load More Replies... S 2 years ago
This list should have been cut in half lol most of them are repeated and the others are common sense.
Marco Richter 2 years ago
no. 1: glad my health ensurance has warrancies that cover for me if I get sick abroad
Monica Pryts 2 years ago
"Don't litter." Great idea, but we can't even get our fellow Americans to stop littering.
Leti Stamer 2 years ago
Do you guys know that America is a whole continet, don't you? From what I read you are probably talking about the US and Canada that are only one part of America.
Becky Boat 2 years ago
Maybe it's my imagination but lately most of the topics or articles come straight from Reddit.
John Baker 2 years ago
I agree - but please, people, can we just stop this "y'all" sh!t?
Load More Replies... Ace Girl 2 years ago
Here is a DO: You can pretty much ask any stranger for help and they will be glad to help you. Need directions? Can't find something in a store? Want to know how much to tip? Need the nearest public bathroom? Literally ask anyone above the age of 12 and not only will you get a straight answer, but they'll be delighted that you asked.
Cold Contagious 2 years ago
They could have cut out the nearly identical/ repetitive posts on several topics and shortened the entire post. The redundant posts were ridiculous. It's sad that there wasn't better options given for the posts. Like maybe, don't wash your feet in public toilets here, they're far too disgusting and don't be afraid to ask some people to take pictures of you and your family or friends, you can usually tell who may be polite enough to do this. Common sense plays the biggest role as it does anywhere you go.
Tee Witt 2 years ago
I have always wanted to visit America in the future when money is available but the more I read on BP I do not think I will, no, never.
Tee Witt 2 years ago
There are also the non fiction programs on TV, but many on BP do not like facts or peoples personal feelings, they can not cope if they do not agree. Think I will start marking down everyone I do not agree with
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
So, when I travel, I'm meant to, as an American, be seamlessly integrated into whatever nation, but nobody visiting the US should... be polite? Use common sense? Someone at BP make up their minds what the standard is, or just admit to the double standard.
Aliquid 2 years ago
You have some reading comprehension skills to work on. This article is specifically saying that people visiting America SHOULD change their behavior to properly fit in.
Load More Replies... d bradley 2 years ago
yeah, the stopping behind a school bus that is unloading children... what a horrible country we live in!!!
Vladimíra Matejová 2 years ago
in my country we do not have school buses. everyone lives in a walking distance of a school or else they use normal public transport. so there is no need to have specific rules for school buses. the whole traffic does not stop for one bus staying at a bus stop. We only have a rule that if you see a bus is giving a turn signal saying it is leaving the bus stop you should give a precedence so that it is not stuck there, but I feel like this is more a courtesy than a low, but I am not sure
Load More Replies... Aliquid 2 years ago
Why is your skin so thin? How do you see this as an attack? Do you spend your whole life being defensive? That must be tiring.
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