Bored Panda
30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
CuriositiesFEB 9, 2023

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US

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It may seem like an amazing idea to go to Times Square for New Year's Eve or do something very simple, like cutting in line at a supermarket. But oh boy, if you’re new to the American way of living and have little know-how of how things work over there, you may get into serious trouble.
What should you never do in the United States?” someone wondered on the Ask Reddit community, and the thread quickly turned into a potentially problem-preventing guide for pinpointing what not to do in the US.
Below we wrapped up some of the most informative and illuminating responses, so if you are planning a trip to America, you may want to read this extra carefully with notes by your side.

#1

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
At least in Tennessee you should never say anything unkind about Dolly Parton
122points

Bored Panda reached out to a Tennessee resident and Redditor nicknamed Abe_Fromans_Day_Off who, as a response to this thread, wrote “At least in Tennessee, you should never say anything unkind about Dolly Parton.” His reply went viral, with many people noting that it’s not only in Tennessee where this is the case.

The Redditor said that he mistakenly thought Dolly was admired that way in Tennessee because she's from there. “What I discovered from that thread is that she's revered in other regions of the US, and even in other countries, to the same extent that she is in Tennessee.”

“I think to someone unfamiliar with her,” the Redditor continued, “it's important to know that she's known for her philanthropy, including funding local schools, funding the Moderna COVID vaccine, and the Imagination Library. She is also known as someone who celebrates our heritage in rural Tennessee while valuing and appreciating other cultures and belief systems. So she's just a generous, wholesome, respectful person and everyone loves her.”

#2

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Walk on to someone's property without permission, or knowing the owner. It's cool in many places around the world to be able to go wandering through the countryside. It is not cool in the U.S. You might end up getting arrested, held at gunpoint, or shot at if you're really unlucky.
86points

#3

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Dont underestimate the size of the us. Apparently some people think it can take only a couple hours to go to locations states away.
78points

#4

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Get out of the vehicle during a traffic stop. I did not know this, here in Australia we are perfectly OK to get out of the vehicle unless the cop says otherwise.
75points

The Redditor also pointed out that Dolly was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, and “she didn't seem to think she should be there because she's a country singer and doesn't perform rock music. So now in an effort to ‘do something to earn it,’ as she put it, she's working on a full-fledged rock album where she'll sing songs by Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin,” he explained.

When asked if there are any cultural taboos to point out in the state of Tennessee, the Redditor said that it’s hard to do since “we're such a diverse state.” “Nashville in particular is home to people from all over the world. From the bigger cities to the college towns, small cities and rural unincorporated areas in the counties, what is seen as culturally sensitive will vary considerably,” he told us.

#5

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Get injured/ sick without insurance. You’re honestly better off just dying.
75points

#6

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
If a cop pulls you over don't get out of the car, place your hands on the wheel and wait they will come to you.
69points

#7

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Engage with someone acting like a crazy person on the road. They might shoot you.
69points

#8

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Go to Times Square on new years. The experience is so not worth it. Its romanticized for some reason.
68points

#9

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Cut in line. I've been in countries (example: Spain) where lines/queues are more of a vague suggestion of who goes first, this is not true if you cut in line in the US. Cutting in line in the US can literally lead to violence.
66points

#10

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Don’t ever get a payday loan
65points

#11

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Tell the people that despite being called "the land of the free" they have less freedoms overall than several countries
63points

#12

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Don’t take pictures or record videos of strangers’ children. I’ve had to warn many people coming over from Asia about this. Some have ignored me and it has led to screaming and threats.
62points

#13

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Don't illegally use a disabled person parking spot or pass a school bus with its stop sign out.
55points

#14

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Try and bribe a police officer
51points

#15

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Never leave your sleeping infant / child in a vehicle. This is fairly common in some places across the pond, but it is definitely NOT legal in the US.
50points

#16

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Get unintentionally pregnant in a red state.
49points

#17

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Do not run or move fast and unpredictably when stopped by cops.
41points

#18

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Not tip at sit down restaurant
41points

#19

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Drive in the left lane on freeway unless you’re passing
40points

#20

30 Americans Warn Foreigners About What Things To Never Do In The US
Talk about being atheist at work in The Bible Belt.
38points
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