What
foreigners need to know before visiting the US –
Before visiting a country it's critical to learn about what
is considered socially acceptable, to avoid raising eyebrows or offending
anyone. Many of the traditions and cultural norms that Americans find to be
completely normal leave the rest of the world utterly confused. Here is a list
of 30 things for travelers to keep in mind before heading to the US.
"Horse-laughing" - In
Japan, people (women in particular) are expected to cover their mouths when they
laugh. In the USA, it is considered normal and in some cases more genuine to
laugh loudly with your mouth wide open.
Strangers
smile at you for no apparent reason - Americans are often seen as
overly friendly, to the point of it being strange for people who aren't used to
it. In the US it is seen as polite to smile at people you pass by on the
street.
College
sports obsession - Sports are nothing short of an obsession in the
United States, and college football games are often just as, if not more
popular, than the big leagues.
Valet is a
forced privilege - It is common for businesses in metropolitan cities
to have strictly valet parking, so you have to pay a fee and wait at least 15
minutes for something you could have easily done yourself.
Prescription
drug commercials - Despite the taboos and harsh criminal punishment
around "illicit" drugs, prescription drugs are far more accepted.
They are often advertised on television alongside ads for breakfast cereals and
children's toys.
Terms of
endearment - "Sweetie" and "honey" are nicknames
used freely among lovers, friends, and strangers alike. These terms don't hold
the same weight as they do in other cultures, and the word love is often thrown
around as well.
Road rage
is a reality - In the US people can become explosively angry at the wheel
for an array of reasons from driving too slow to cutting someone off. Though
people are generally polite in conversation, it's not uncommon for people to
yell or even use obscene gestures when frustrated in traffic.
You don't
know prices upfront - Sales tax is rarely included on price tags, so you
will typically not know how much something actually costs until you reach the
check-out counter.
Personal
space is HUGE - Even though Americans can be very touchy with friends, the
rules for strangers are very different. It is seen as odd or rude to stand too
close to someone, or sit next to a stranger on a bus or in a cafeteria when
other seats are available.
Tipping is
mandatory - Gratuity is not only expected, but there is an entire
system behind how much you should tip based on the performance of your server
and the number of members in your party. The general rule is 20%.
Lawsuits
are a way of life - Speaking of commercials again, lawyers are also
advertised frequently on television. Anything from slipping on a front step to
finding something in your food can lead to a court case in the US.
Putting
feet up on everything - In many cultures, it is seen as highly
disrespectful to show others the bottom of your feet, but not in the US. People
often put their feet up on coffee tables or on car dashboards without a second
thought.
Exaggeration - The
words "awesome," "amazing," and "hilarious" are
thrown around regularly about everyday things. By contrast, minor
inconveniences are often talked about in dramatic ways.
Everything
is so inspiring - As a French blogger put it, "The books are
inspiring, everyday people are inspiring (such as all the people with children
and a job at the same time, teachers, etc...). I confess that I have a little
trouble with this cult of everyday heroes."
Politeness
is expected—but it doesn't mean friendship - According to German blogger
Otto Buchenegger, while there are of course genuine friendships in the US,
someone being friendly to you is often a courtesy, and does not automatically
mean they want to be your friend.
Kissing on
the cheek is not a thing - Unlike many European countries, kissing on the
cheek as seen as an intimate gesture in the US and not typically done with
strangers. Instead, people tend to shake hands when meeting someone or in a
professional setting, and hug when greeting a friend.
Table
etiquette - It is considered in poor taste to use your phone or slurp.
However, unlike many other countries, Americans only use their dominant hand to
eat, trading their fork from one side to the other if they need to cut
something. It is also seen as very strange to sit next to a table that others
are already sitting at in a restaurant even if the seats are open.
Most food
is anything but American - While fast food burger joints are in no way hard to
find, restaurants in the US tend to be much more international. From Vietnamese
to Peruvian to Greek, Americans love to dabble in different types of food from
all over the world.
Timeliness
is expected - One thing that most people agree on is that being on time
is a serious sign of respect in the US. It is considered incredibly rude to be
late and make others wait for you.
Gay/lesbian
tourists are advised to stay in cities - According to Lonely Planet,
"In the rural heartland, however, life can look more like the
Fifties—homosexuals are still oppressed and commonly reviled. Gay travelers
need to watch their step to avoid hassles and possible aggression."
Eating with
hands and utensils - Most cultures either use their hands or utensils to
eat, but in the US they use both, and when you should use each is far from
obvious. For example, you would use a fork to eat baked chicken but fried
chicken you would eat with your hands.
Bringing a
gift when invited to dinner - While no extravagant gifts are expected, it is
customary to bring a small offering such as flowers or a bottle of wine when
you are invited into someone's home.
Talk about
politics/religion at your own risk - While Americans can be open to
talking about controversial topics, politics have become increasingly divisive
over the years. Let's put it this way, leaving religion and politics out of
dinner conversation is an unspoken rule for a reason.
Turning
right on red instead of roundabouts - While they do exist, roundabouts
are not nearly as common in the US as they are in other developed nations. To
counteract this there is a loophole that you can turn right on a red light
unless a road sign says otherwise.
You don't
have to finish your plate - There is a reason that America is one of the global
leaders when it comes to food waste. Portion sizes are often too large, so it
is not usually considered rude to throw out the rest of your food if you can't
finish it.
Strict laws
on alcohol - Unlike the rest of the world, the legal drinking age in
the United States is 21. As the site USA for you put it, "If you go into a
club, the man at the entrance will ask you for a document proving your age;
same thing in a bar when you order a beer or even just in a supermarket!"
Gun culture
is alive and well - Guns are deeply entrenched in American culture and
the issue of gun laws is a highly controversial topic. It is seen as completely
normal to own multiple guns and go to shooting ranges recreationally.
Needing a
zip code to pump gas - Using a credit card from outside of the US can be a
problem because the machines ask for a zip code. Similarly, your zip code is
asked for buying subway tickets in New York, but in that case, you can just
press 99999 with an international card.
Public
transportation is typically limited - Except for some of the larger
metropolitan areas like San Francisco and New York City, many areas of the US
have limited and indirect public transportation systems compared to the rest of
the developed world.
Hostels
aren't that common - While they do exist, hostel culture isn't nearly as
abundant in the US as it is in Europe. It is much more common to stay at motels
or hotels on vacation. For the record, motels can actually be decent—despite
what you see in movies.
