ADVERTISEMENT

When we're traveling abroad, we often get away with things locals simply wouldn't. "I'm just a tourist. I didn't know!" we say after we get caught for something we (knowingly) did wrong. But sometimes it's not enough.

So in an attempt to figure out when this seemingly ultimate excuse is worthless in the United States, Reddit user u/firebullmonkey made a post on the platform, asking: "People from the US, what's a no-go in American culture?" And their question was answered.

From dealing with authorities to tipping servers, here are some of the most popular answers!

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Hating Keanu Reeves. Just don’t.

ronnimarie3 , Anna Hanks Report

Final score:
179points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Do NOT get out of the car to greet the officer if you're pulled over by a cop!!! Stay in the car and let the officer come to you. If you need to reach for something like your license, tell the cop you are doing so before you do it.

Aceandmace , Michael Report

Final score:
158points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Unless it is a clear and DIRE emergency, you ask someone if they need an ambulance before you call for one. It’s the most expensive taxi you will ever take and it can ruin most people financially for years.

Scuzzball666 , Lalithmalhaar Gudi Report

Final score:
146points
Add photo comments
POST
lisa-daeumler avatar
Lys Chen
Lys Chen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The older I got the less I understood how americans survive in general..if your life is saved it is haunted by debt at the same time.

Vote comment up
164
164points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Be careful not to trespass on private property, in a lot countries just walking through is fine but that can get you shot in the US.

CarelessResearcher56 , Parihav Report

Final score:
122points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#5

When passing a funeral procession on the road you pull over and wait for them to pass out respect.

slick_shoes83 Report

Final score:
110points
Add photo comments
POST
pterrzsahegyi_1 avatar
Péter Rózsahegyi
Péter Rózsahegyi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We don't have funeral processions on the streets (Hungary). Maybe in little villages. They usually begin at the gate of the cemetery then they go to the grave. I drive for almos 30 years but don't remember if I ever saw a funeral procession on the streets.

Vote comment up
35
35points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Do NOT hitchhike. It is not safe here.

Aceandmace , Kamaji Ogino Report

Final score:
96points
Add photo comments
POST
haliaimike avatar
Mike Ray
Mike Ray
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best hitchhiking joke: “Thanks for picking me up, but how do you know I’m not a serial killer?” reply... “What are the odds of two serial killers being in the same car?"

Vote comment up
143
143points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Don't ask black people about their hair. I saw a german kid asking a black girl if he could pet her hair. Just don't.

AnneHathawaysPanties , Following NYC Report

Final score:
93points
Add photo comments
POST
carolyngerbrands avatar
Caro Caro
Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Off topic, the woman on the photo has a beautifully shaped mouth.

Vote comment up
72
72points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Conversations about religion, politics, or other personal beliefs. It will most likely devolve into one person trying to convince another that their viewpoint is correct and that the listener is wrong.

milbfan , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

Final score:
85points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There In the South, being called 'hun' or 'honey' is a great compliment. Conversely, if they yell your name across the house you f**ked up bad.

Aelirynn , Andrea Piacquadio Report

Final score:
80points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Never cut in line. I saw that a lot in Europe. Here, you might get shizzled.

Livid-Spring-5454 , Adrien Delforge Report

Final score:
78points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There A hug or a one of the cheek touch greetings are a big no no. Physical touch is VERY personal to us Americans. If you introduce yourself like that, especially to a man, you might get laid out. Shake hands or nod an acknowledgment and say hello.

FunkyFresh33465 , Municipalidad de Miraflores Report

Final score:
78points
Add photo comments
POST
lovemysuffolk avatar
lovemy suffolk
lovemy suffolk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is true!! Americans take personal space very seriously. Don't touch people without their permission

Vote comment up
43
43points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Picking up after yourself. Cleaning your table off at a fast food restaurant is the one that comes to mind. My personal stance on it is if they brought the food to your table then they clear it, if you brought the food to your own table you clear it and yet people still leave mountains of trash when they leave. This also applies to litter and not cleaning up after dog poop and such. Just clean up your own messes or you’ll get a lot of dirty looks.

Lurking_Goose , Spotted: Colchester Report

Final score:
71points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#13

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Americans may be friendly in passing, but that doesn't mean we want to take you home and be best friends. We tend to be called fake a lot, we make an effort to be nice (especially while working at customer service jobs)....but many don't have time, or money, to devote to friendships.

So if you press too much you might get blanked/ghosted over time.

ChineseChaiTea , Alexander Suhorucov Report

Final score:
70points
Add photo comments
POST
carolyngerbrands avatar
Caro Caro
Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do people visiting the USA "press" too much? Maybe we want to kiss and hug you guys ;)

Vote comment up
33
33points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Don’t ever dress up as a clown at 2am and try to scare people in a parking lot, sidewalk, neighborhood etc…. You will get shot or worse! And just Don’t dress up as a clown anywhere, ever! Not funny!

Subject-Craft5870 Report

Final score:
70points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There When someone asks you how you are the answer is "good", "great" or any variation thereof. It doesn't matter if your husband just left you, your dog died and you have been diagnosed with cancer, nobody wants to actually know how you are. If you expect to die in the next couple of days you can say something like "hanging in there". If you slip up and say something like "not too great" quickly catch yourself and add "but it's getting better" so that the questioner can reply with something positive like "glad to hear that" and move on. The whole exchange is just an elaborate way of saying "Hi". In other countries people ask this to find out how someone is doing and the person answering is giving an assessment of how they are. If they don't want to know they don't ask. It's often meant as the opening to a longer conversation. Not so in America.

heidschibumbeidschi , Zen Chung Report

Final score:
69points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#16

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Don't use any bad words, because some that are used casually in other countries are unforgivable insults here - fighting words that will make you an enemy for life.

EnigmaWithAlien , Pavel Danilyuk Report

Final score:
69points
Add photo comments
POST
lovemysuffolk avatar
lovemy suffolk
lovemy suffolk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've learned from reading BP that the c**t word in Australia is not a big deal. In the US, that word is way worse than saying F**k or calling someone a B***h.

Vote comment up
68
68points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Talking about your salary. Talking about someone’s weight. Driving too slow in the left hand lane. Not tipping. In Chicago, putting ketchup on a hot dog.

n00bcak3 , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

Final score:
63points
Add photo comments
POST
elliotfowler avatar
Elliot Fowler
Elliot Fowler
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I talk about my salary because it finally became clear to me that ít is a way for corporations to underpay employees since most don't know how much their colleagues actually makes.

Vote comment up
90
90points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Reusing the same plate when you go up for a second round at the buffet. You've got to get a new one.

whoa_nelleus , Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Report

Final score:
60points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Don’t call someone’s house “Homely” in America. Out here it’s an insult.

Satires_ , Tatiana Report

Final score:
59points
Add photo comments
POST
lance-dboyle avatar
Lance d'Boyle
Lance d'Boyle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Homely means drab and unattractive: homey means cosy and comfortable: homie is a friend, usually from where you grew up.

Vote comment up
79
79points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

Well when you live in the stix, you wave at people while driving on the back road (usually one or two finger wave) or they think you’re from the city/up to no good

Firefly_Cait Report

Final score:
57points
Add photo comments
POST
shadowfalltheexplorer avatar
Shadowfall The Explorer
Shadowfall The Explorer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unless your both driving a Jeep then it is expected to wave.. it's a Jeep thing.

Vote comment up
25
25points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#21

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Americans like personal space. Leave room between you and the person you're speaking to or lining up behind.

Catinthemirror , Barry Dale Gilfry Report

Final score:
56points
Add photo comments
POST
yvonnedauwalderbalsiger avatar
Yvonne Dauwalder Balsiger
Yvonne Dauwalder Balsiger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only true, when compared to Southern Europe, for example. When compared to Northern Europe, yeah right 😂 😂 😂 You guys like the personal space of Middle Europe...

Vote comment up
5
5points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Politics...... don't ever EVER bring up Politics

lokis_dad , Michael Candelori Report

Final score:
54points
Add photo comments
POST
zora24_1 avatar
Trillian
Trillian
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sooo I shouldn't put stickers on my bumper or signs on my lawn or wear politician-themed merch? Hmmm ok. No one here does that anyway.

Vote comment up
51
51points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Sleeping during your lunch break. Alcohol at your desk or during lunch (besides work parties). Being touchy (as in hugging people, touching their arms, etc).

Ironically, I've done all of these, but my point is don't do them unless you know your company's culture and the people around you, else you may get a warning from management or HR.

huokun9 , Marcus Aurelius Report

Final score:
54points
Add photo comments
POST
laurencaswell4 avatar
Lauren Caswell
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alcohol at your desk seems like it would be a bad idea everywhere though?

Vote comment up
66
66points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Putting cash or cards on the counter, instead of handing them to the staff, is often considered rude in America but polite in other places. Especially throwing them down on the counter - super rude.

DrWolfCastle , The African Union Mission in Somalia Report

Final score:
51points
Add photo comments
POST
lovemysuffolk avatar
lovemy suffolk
lovemy suffolk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Throwing anything at anyone is super rude. Wherever you are, IMO

Vote comment up
51
51points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#25

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Many Americans aren't afraid of confrontation. A lot of them will be nice as a formality, just to get to know you and be a good neighbor but they won't shy away from talking s**t if it comes down to it.

hisnameis_ERENYEAGER , Keira Burton Report

Final score:
45points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Might be a NYC thing MIND YOUR BUSINESS AND WHAT EVER YOU DO DONT STARE. Unless you want the " waddaya lookin at? mind ya f**king business!"

superway123 , Mikail Duran Report

Final score:
45points
Add photo comments
POST
lovemysuffolk avatar
lovemy suffolk
lovemy suffolk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is true. Don't stare! Very rude. No matter what the person is wearing or looks like.

Vote comment up
20
20points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There Walking on the left side of a hallway or passage instead of the right side.

badonkaz , Armin Rimoldi Report

Final score:
44points
Add photo comments
POST
typeyourtexthere avatar
Twodogsandapicnictable
Twodogsandapicnictable
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You mean like traffic? Is everywhere else one big mosh pit the second you get out of your car?

Vote comment up
19
19points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

30 No-Gos In American Culture According To The People Who Live There In the elevator with multiple people, everyone faces the door and doesn't talk to anyone. It's an awkward silence, especially if you're a big guy around smaller women. the worst thing you could do is ask your elevator-mates how their day is

anonymous , WNYC New York Public Radio Report

Final score:
40points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#29

Learning accurate history about our nation and others, apparently.

Elvirth Report

Final score:
33points
Add photo comments
POST
thiamatthiamat avatar
Thiamat Thiamat
Thiamat Thiamat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sure about all americans will do so prior to visit countries in Europe ...

Vote comment up
54
54points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

In Alaska, you’re better off to assume that every local has no sense of humor. They’re still friendly but none of us ever smile or laugh.

DiscountCthulhu Report

Final score:
31points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 36 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!