“Not Worth The Rabies Shots”: 50 Life-Saving Tips On What Not To Do When Visiting The US

Don't slurp when you eat (common in Asia) and don't ask how much money we make (common in China). Both are very rude here.

Language is a big thing. I know words like "c**t" are tossed around pretty loosely in the UK and I believe Australia. It's a pretty big word here. Also, be careful about things that have different meanings in the US - Thongs are underwear to us, not shoes. And lord... don't use "f*g", even if you are just talking about a cigarette.
A lot of Americans are willing to give you a pass of understanding, since you most likely have an accent, but there are definitely people who aren't as understanding.

If someone offers you raccoon meat, decline.

Leave their kid outside a bar in a stroller while they run inside for a quick drink.

(No, this is not a joke response. I am completely serious.)

Don't stare at people, don't lecture people about your country and how things work there.

It can be okay to discuss politics if you’re maintaining an open mind or genuinely curious as to how something works, but please don’t do the cliche condescending “lol you guys are gun nuts” “your healthcare is insane, does a band-aid cost $5,000 lol”. Not only are many of these issues sometimes very contentious, but you probably wouldn’t like it if Americans came to your country and s**t on it either. You may disagree with many of our current laws or cultural norms (as with many Americans), but making snide remarks or the “well in MyCountry™️ we do it better” is likely going to be perceived as rude and in poor taste.

Also, it is a big no-no to disrespect service members here. Most Americans, in my experience, generally accept that not all of our wars/conflicts have been justified or worthwhile, so some criticism on that may be fine - but it is usually considered very offensive to speak poorly of individual members of the armed forces or to mock their service.

Whatever you do, do not cut in line. We see it, and you will get called out for it, perhaps even attacked for it.

Don't treat every person you meet like the complaints department of the country. Where do you expect this conversation to go? A random person you're talking to isn't going to be able to change anything, so you're just complaining without any solution.

Idk if they have this outside the US and Canada but in the mens, you always leave an empty urinal in between you and another person using the other one, eyes straight forward. It’s not homophobic it’s just how things are. Idk how it started. We also take the 10 items or less rule very seriously in our grocery stores.

We don’t negotiate as a whole. Small businesses are typically ran on lean margins and couldn’t negotiate if they wanted to

So don’t get mad when we say no, no and NO.

Had a Jamaican yesterday negotiate with my employe for 20 minutes.. by the end of it; the price was $20 more expensive lol 😂

Don’t be a d**k and assume you know everything and that the Americans need your guidance on American issues.

I will add one. When you are asked where you are from, do not be vague. Do not answer "Europe" or "Asia" or MyCountry™ Be specific. If you come from a large country, identify the region. If you feel your country might not be familiar to Americans, you can sort of give an idea like "I am from Slovenia, it is a small country to the east of Italy". Give people some means of figuring out where it is from.

Be aware of your surroundings and speak in a low voice don’t be obnoxiously loud in public and on your phone speaking extra loud. Say excuse me and thank you. Someone in customer service can still tell you to f**k off if your rude. They’re not beneath you just because they may not work a office type job

Spend every conversation comparing Europe to the US, or stiff waiters/bartenders on a tip.

If you are going on private property for some reason. You are trespassing and the owner has the right to shoot you in certain situations. Stay with your group. This country is massive and diverse.

Don’t bring outside food into a restaurant, especially a nice one, just because others in your family wanted other food. No one wants to smell your child’s McDonald’s nuggets.

Depending on what area you're in, there's a slight chance you'll see somebody open carrying a pistol. Don't worry, there's a near zero chance that person will even pull that pistol out of their holster.

Avoid asking extremely personal questions such as how old are you, how much money do you make, how much go you weigh, why aren’t you married, how much did your car or clothes cost, is your jewelry real, etc.

Realize that the price for most items or restaurant food doesn’t include the price of tax. Also for a fancier sit down restaurant it will include neither tax nor tip.

Don't hit on someone just because they smiled at you

On the very off chance religion is brought up, be respectful. Our freedom of religion laws lead to a lot of different churches in the same area, and people tend to get incredibly defensive of their religious views when challenged. And if someone doesn’t want to talk about it, be respectful of that, too.