The United States is full of diverse cultures, histories, and landscapes, creating a rich and complex national tapestry that takes time to truly understand.
So when foreigners come to this unique place of the world, they want to take in as much as possible. However, in their quest for authentic experiences, travelers may end up in awkward and uncomfortable situations.
Interested in how they can protect themselves from this, Reddit user AlainasBoyfriend posted a question on the platform, asking the locals, “What should a foreigner avoid while visiting the United States?” Here are the most popular answers they have received.
#1
Leave all your stereotypes about America home, it’s a hugely diverse country and your experience in one part of the US will be very different to your experience in another. Keep an open mind and have fun.
Final score: 342points 
Zedrapazia Zedrapazia Community Member • points posts comments upvotes 2 weeks ago
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81 81points reply View More Replies… #2
Don’t be bullheaded when it comes to the weather. If the locals are worried, you should be worried.
TakeThisification , Nikolas Noonan Report
Final score: 339points The Original Bruno The Original Bruno Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago (edited) Report
Love the accompanying photo. America does have much more violent weather than Europe: the majority of all tornadoes in the world, plus huge numbers of hurricanes (which are completely unrelated things), hailstorms, and radical shifts of temperature like you can’t believe: I remember reading about the difficulty in creating a memorial for the Alfred E Murrah bombing victims in Oklahoma, because several proposed media couldn’t take the sudden drop of about more than forty degrees that can happen when ice falls from the sky in the middle of a 40-degree Celsius heat wave.
62 62points reply View More Replies… #3
You should avoid any sweeping generalizations about the USA. The US is effectively 50 separate countries. It’s an absolutely massive landmass with pretty much every type of terrain, climate and a huge variety of cultures. Anyone that tells you otherwise probably barely travels.
Final score: 319points 
Gina Babe Gina Babe Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Honestly true. I live in the northeast where I can drive an hour to a beach, to a major city, to ski, to hike… etc. And we have few major natural disasters, have four seasons, and though it varies slightly, it is pretty evenly divided in the year. It really is a great place to live and I take for granted how much we actually have here.
81 81points reply View More Replies… #4
If it says no trespassing don’t trespass.
Dragonbourn00 , Adam Lowly Report
Final score: 287points 
Mel The Axolotl Mel The Axolotl Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
So true. If you have hesitation, remember that statistic about how many guns there are compared to people here…
126 126points reply View More Replies… #5
If you are visiting a more rural area, like Montana where I live, don’t underestimate the rural-ness. You might not be able to get a hotel in a small town and there are plenty ty of places where there aren’t any hotels or accommodations. You can take highway and run out of gas because there aren’t any gas stations for 70 miles. Also, if it is a dirt road, and there are a lot of them in the rural U.S., don’t ever assume that you will have cell/GPS reception or that the dirt road goes anywhere besides 50 miles into the mountains where you can get stuck or break down. It’s hard to conceptualize for people who live in more populated areas. Your best bet is to plan ahead and read reviews. It is absolutely worth it to visit areas where there is wilderness. That is why I live here. That being said, it’s dangerous in a different way than visiting a city.
Violet624 , Matthew Lancaster Report
Final score: 276points 
Zephyr343 Zephyr343 Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
I am sure the Australian outback is much the same
122 122points reply View More Replies… #6
If you get pulled over DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. Do not take your seatbelt off, keep your hands visible, move slowly, be polite. Especially if you’re darker skinned in any way.
Final score: 275points 
StrangeOne StrangeOne Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Apparently there’s a highway going from Ontario to Florida. Along a stretch in North Carolina there are US police pulling over Canadians and giving them excessively high tickets for bogus reasons and make the driver go to court to dispute but end up paying in the end. There’s a theory that the police are scamming foreign travellers to get more money.
108 108points reply View More Replies… #7
If you go to the national parks, don’t attempt to take selfies with the wildlife. A full grown bison will throw you through the air like a crumpled piece of paper.
abby-rose:
I want to really emphasize this. There are US Park Rangers who are full-time employees of the National Park Service. Their job is to protect the park, the wildlife, and visitors. Take the posted signs seriously and listen and do what rangers advise.
Yearly, a dozen or so people die in the Grand Canyon National Park, often tourists who go hiking without enough water or food and are not aware of how treacherous the terrain and weather can be. Same for Big Bend NP in Texas.
Juergen2993 , Lukas Kloeppel Report
Final score: 260points 
Gustav Gallifrey Gustav Gallifrey Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Warning appreciated, but not necessary. I’m from Australia. We have birds that can kick you to death.
146 146points reply View More Replies… #8
Don’t go to the big chain type places. Go to the mom and pop little restaurants and coffee shops and specialty shops. You will usually find new cool things you enjoy.
OpeusPopeus:
To add to this: FOOD TRUCKS!!!
ElectionProper8172 , Joana Godinho Report
Final score: 246points Ruth Ruth Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Visiting Waffle House late a night is definitely an American experience! đ
92 92points reply View More Replies… #9
Avoid a hospital visit. Whatever you think it costs, it’s more.
N0t_N1k3L:
Medical travel insurance that goes into the 7 digits. Someone from my country had the misfortune of having a stroke in the USA. 150k+ in expenses. When I went there it was my number 1 concern: getting insurance.
pug_fugly_moe , Thirdman Report
Final score: 229points 
Sunshine Lady Sunshine Lady Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
I was in USA on work trip when I found out I was pregnant. Didn’t even think about going to hospital there, just waited 2 more weeks to go back home.
98 98points reply View More Replies… #10
Anyone wearing a MAGA hat.
Final score: 229points 
Alex Martin Alex Martin Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago
This comment has been deleted.
150 150points reply View More Replies… #11
dont go walking around late at night by yourself ESPECIALLY if youre a woman. I have friends from korea which is a country where its safe to go walk around at 1 am. When they visit here i always have to tell them that its not like that here and a big risk to be out alone especially in cities like LA.
Final score: 200points Gina Babe Gina Babe Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
This is very very true. Even in safe neighborhoods.
70 70points reply View More Replies… #12
Always ask the locals where they like to eat. They know better than any travel blog.
mikemac412 , Alex Haney Report
Final score: 198points Barong Barong Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Pretty much standard advice when traveling anywhere.
117 117points reply View More Replies… #13
I feel like this answer changes depending on where you are coming from. Certain parts of the country REALLY dislike certain nationalities. There’s no way coming here as a german/swede or European is the same experience as middle eastern/African/Asian.
Final score: 193points Gina Babe Gina Babe Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Yeah this is a weird one but true.
62 62points reply View More Replies… #14
When visiting the U.S., it’s best to avoid discussing sensitive topics like politics and religion with strangers, even if they bring it up. Also, be mindful of local customs and etiquette, as they can vary widely. And of course, don’t forget to tip in restaurantsâit’s a common practice here. Enjoy your time in the States!
Vexina1997 , Jessica Da Rosa Report
Final score: 183points Zaach Zaach Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Not just common practice – the only way your server can survive
134 134points reply View More Replies… #15
I was in a bar in Russia once and the bartender told me he wanted to visit the US and to go to Alabama because of the song sweet home Alabama.
Literally the only time anyone has said they want to go to Alabama to me, don’t go to Alabama foreigner.
Final score: 175points Gina Babe Gina Babe Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
This is adorable.
51 51points reply #16
It’s not uncommon for perfect strangers to greet you, unlike most of the world where people tend to keep to themselves. If someone says “How are you doing?” it’s not really a question, just a greeting.
Final score: 174points 
Headless Horseman Headless Horseman Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago (edited) Report
And the generic response is usually expected to be “good, you?” Then the stranger who asked in the first place says “Good” and then that’s it. You never see each other again 🤭
134 134points reply View More Replies… #17
Taking weed across state lines. It’s not legal everywhere.
Final score: 172points Gustav Gallifrey Gustav Gallifrey Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Here’s one for US tourists: don’t try to take a gun to Canada. Second Amendment stops at the border.
141 141points reply View More Replies… #18
Honestly, most of the bad areas will be intuitively bad to any human being with basic decency and common sense. That said, I would avoid Texas.
Final score: 169points 
Michael P (Perthaussieguy) Michael P (Perthaussieguy) Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
*Adds Texas to the growing list of places to avoid*
98 98points reply View More Replies… #19
America is HUGE and things are a lot further apart than Europeans realize.
UnspecificGravity:
The flight from London to New York is only about an hour longer than the flight from New York to Seattle.
Final score: 164points 
Ambyr Miller Ambyr Miller Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
As a Canadian I find this one cute.
103 103points reply View More Replies… #20
Don’t smoke in public buildings, this is illegal.
Don’t smoke in someone’s house, apartment, or condo without asking for permission. This isn’t illegal, but it’s still extremely rude.
Final score: 155points Gina Babe Gina Babe Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Do people just light up in houses all w***y nilly elsewhere?
66 66points reply View More Replies… #21
Ordering a large at a restaurant, or *especially* a movie theater. I don’t care how hungry you think you are, you will not eat/drink it all in one sitting.
Amazing_Excuse_3860 , Geraud pfeiffer Report
Final score: 154points Mel The Axolotl Mel The Axolotl Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
So true. Our portions here are huge
56 56points reply View More Replies… #22
Heavily depends on where you are going….but don’t assume the price you see is the price you pay. Sales tax isn’t included on most price listings and Tip is expected for food service.
bluejams , Kenny Eliason Report
Final score: 153points Zephyr343 Zephyr343 Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Yup. So Dane county, WI where I live is 5.5% sales tax. Cook County in IL (where Chicago is) has a 12.5% tax
50 50points reply View More Replies… #23
DO NOT TRY TO BRIBE COPS. As f****d up as American cops are bribery does not fly. Unless you’re wealthy or powerful.
Final score: 153points 
michael Chock michael Chock Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago (edited) Report
Do not bribe them with money. Flash them some skin, a smile, religion, beg for pity, stroke the ego, all of it will get you further than cash. Think power tripping ego manics that if they want cash they will just take it. There few good cops will understand.
35 35points reply View More Replies… #24
I find a lot of foreigners have about 2 1/2 inches of a personal space bubble, while us Americans value our space. Keep at least a 2-3 feet distance when conversing with strangers. I’ve had an Italian guy come so close I thought he was going to kiss me. Very uncomfortable for someone who isn’t used to a lack of personal space.
MasterPip , cottonbro studio Report
Final score: 149points 
Torben Møller-Nielsen Torben Møller-Nielsen Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Obviusly you don’t meet a lot of scandinavian tourists đ
108 108points reply View More Replies… #25
Driving from New York to LA.
MedicinalTequila:
We had an exchange student from France staying with us (NY). one day, we saw her with a map of the US, said she was going to take a bus to California because she had heard so much about it on television.
We had to sit down and explain it was going to take a week, each way.
MarbleousMel:
“Lol I have some German friends who flew into Texas and wanted to make a day trip to Los Angeles during the week they were in the US. After that first trip, they planned much better and now visit the country by regions and give themselves more time.”
No_Finish_2144 , Ekaterina Belinskaya Report
Final score: 143points 
Sexual Harassment Panda Sexual Harassment Panda Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
It actually takes about 2 days to drive through Texas.
75 75points reply View More Replies… #26
Don’t interact with police unless you absolutely need to.
Snackdoc189 , Jacky Lam Report
Final score: 141points 
Sarah Lopez Sarah Lopez Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Most cops aren’t racist. Stop.
49 49points reply View More Replies… #27
If there is garbage on the street or on the floor of the establishment, there are other regulations being ignored. If the floor isn’t clean, the rest of the place isn’t clean either. I know that sounds very snobbish and privileged, but coming from absolute poverty and climbing my way out, it’s absolutely correct.
Final score: 139points michael Chock michael Chock Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago (edited) Report
Also if a restaurant smells off, walk away. The health department only makes sure you won’t die eating there, they do not make sure it is clean. (Can vary by state) This includes expensive restaurants. Strip mall places are usually safest.
41 41points reply #28
If you’re visiting a well-known and large city (New York, Boston, Seattle, Las Vegas, Houston, etc.) Avoid contact with people passing out CDs or offering to give you free things because they will try to charge you for it once they reel you in.
Final score: 134points Zephyr343 Zephyr343 Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
However, if they are passing out laserdiscs, you talk to that person because they got stories to tell
44 44points reply View More Replies… #29
If you’re visiting Alaska, DO NOT visit rural or remote areas alone, especially if you’re inexperienced.
Alaska has the highest missing persons rate (about 168 missing people per 100k of the population, and we have 730,916 residents as of 2023), and the VAST majority of the state is unpopulated, unexplored and untamed wilderness. There’s even the Alaskan Triangle, a huge expanse of land between Anchorage, Juneau, and Utqiagvik (formerly known as Barrow) where more people go missing, along with disappearing aircraft, alleged paranormal and extraterrestrial sightings, and much more.
My advice, if you’re a first-timer to Alaska, is to stick to Southcentral Alaska. You’ve got Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley, where there’s plenty of tourist attractions. If you’re feeling more adventurous, there’s whale-watching and glacier tours in places like Seward and Homer. If you want somewhere further in the interior, there’s a two-hour drive to Talkeetna, or a another 6 hours to Fairbanks!
Final score: 131points Zaach Zaach Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Just because you can see Denali on the horizon, you can’t get there from here (unless it fills the horizon)
33 33points reply View More Replies… #30
Avoid looking lost and unorganized in areas of big cities with high crime rates. Dress functionally, always keep the illusion of knowing where you are and where you’re going, pay attention to your surroundings. Bad people will target folks who look lost and unorganized more often than people who appear oriented.
xtrasmolpp , Szymon Shields Report
Final score: 124points Ash Ash Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Also (and I know this isn’t just a US thing), don’t carry your purse the way the person in this photo is carrying their bag! It could get snatched very easily. Put the strap over your shoulder, tuck the bag under your elbow.
65 65points reply View More Replies… #31
Don’t expect the US to be pedestrian-friendly. Some of our larger cities are, but even they pale in comparison to EU cities. You need to drive here. NYC is basically our only major city that’s not true of, but even there, public transport is not as good as that found in a lot of European and east Asian nations. You should expect to have to rent a car as part of your vacation expenditure if you don’t have other accommodations.
MothraWillSaveUs , Refine 眲é č¨č¨ Report
Final score: 121points michael Chock michael Chock Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Be careful what cities you bike in. Many people die trying to bike in new cities, assuming drivers are polite everywhere.
45 45points reply View More Replies… #32
Gary Indiana!! Do not, under any circumstances, go to Gary, Indiana. Ever
Final score: 116points La Voca La Voca Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
What did Harold Hill do now?
42 42points reply View More Replies… #33
The heat. If you’re going to hike in the desert, bring plenty of water.
Final score: 113points Peter H Peter H Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
And FFS don’t go to Death Valley when it’s 50°C unless you’re 100% certain that your car’s engine can handle steep grades with the AC on. If you have a rental car, there’s no way you can be sure of that.
5 5points reply View More Replies… #34
Generally, you should tip at sit-down restaurants with full service (ie waiter comes and takes your order, brings food, refills drinks and clears your dishes). At these places, traditionally the minimum is 15%, but most people I know tip closer to 20% standard.
Final score: 98points Zephyr343 Zephyr343 Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Yes. I know it’s stupid but servers rely on that. And before anyone says “pay them a living wage”. Yes. But that is not the reality right now. So if you are coming, this is the expectation
74 74points reply View More Replies… #35
Hollywood Boulevard.
Ok_Response_3484:
My cousins came from Oklahoma with preteens/teens and I tried to warn them that it wasn’t really a good place and especially not for kids. They didn’t listen. When I saw them that night, their mom said “I should have listened to you. It was horrible”
Final score: 97points Miki Miki Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Ok.. But why?
20 20points reply View More Replies… #36
Don’t do the kiss on the cheek greeting. Well, as someone already mentioned, the US is 50 separate places with different customs, but the peck on the cheek, if that’s common where you’re visiting from, isn’t so popular here. It was something I had a hard time getting used to when visiting friends in Colombia.
Final score: 88points FakeOptimist FakeOptimist Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Yep, different countries, different cultures.Reminds me of friends of my mother who emigrated to Australia, and got weird vibes from their neighbours.Turned out, they are Dutch and are used to greet visitirs with coffee.In Australia serving coffee to guests is a politie way of asking someone to leave 😂
27 27points reply View More Replies… #37
Don’t lock anything valuable in your car. This includes the trunk.
Final score: 81points Zephyr343 Zephyr343 Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
In general keeping it in your trunk is the best place if you have to bring something. I always keep my bag and laptop in my trunk when I park in Chicago.
34 34points reply View More Replies… #38
Look up the crime rates of any city before you go there so you know which areas to avoid.
Final score: 78points 
Jojo_hobkin Jojo_hobkin Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
It’s mandatory whether it’s the US or not.
27 27points reply View More Replies… #39
The typical touristy places. This is a massive country with so much more to offer than Disney, Las Vegas, Hollywood, etc.
Final score: 77points Gina Babe Gina Babe Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
These places are still fun to visit though but like, once.
32 32points reply View More Replies… #40
For the most part, the US is reasonably safe as long as you’re not looking for the dangerous parts. For example, don’t visit the ghetto â the worst parts of the US are arguably more dangerous than the poorer parts of some other developed countries.
Hollywood is a tourist trap. Honestly, the entirety of LA is just a difficult place to visit and it’s not set up well for tourism.
New York can be a bit dirty as a city, mostly due to high density. It’s a great city to visit with a lot to do, but it can be overwhelming if you’re alone since it’s so big.
Chicago is actually a pretty nice city to visit, the reputation is mostly due to the bad areas, but if you’re visiting, you’re probably going to be in the city where it’s reasonably safe.
Final score: 71points Zephyr343 Zephyr343 Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
I will comment on the Chicago one. If you stay up north in the gold coast area, grant Park, south loop you will be fine. The farther south and west you get, usually the worse
34 34points reply View More Replies… #41
In Washington DC, avoid taking pictures in front of DC District court thinking it is the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is 6 blocks away Also, the White House is MUCH smaller than you think it is.
Final score: 70points Ash Ash Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
If I could put in a good word for visiting the Smithsonian Museums… lol
131 131points reply View More Replies… #42
I say this as a Mississippian, Jackson, Mississippi.
Final score: 66points nm nm Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Just curiosity. What’s wrong with Jackson?
12 12points reply View More Replies… #43
The one thing you should probably avoid above all else is being a bad guest. If you have someone buy you a treat, eat it and thank them for it. If they suggest X attraction, at least consider it. A lot of them will love being hosts or at least guides and if you spurn that they’ll be hurt.
Final score: 65points Verena Verena Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
99% of this applies to all countries one visits as a foreigner, even if you are an American tourist visiting Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. It is called “travel preparation” and “common sense”. If that American girl wailing on tikkitokki the other day, about her chaotic and disappointing European holiday, had done half of it, nothing strange would have had happened.
55 55points reply #44
Be careful where you stay in bigger cities. I’ve seen people Airbnb places in bad neighborhoods in NYC and suffer for it.
Final score: 52points 
PattyK PattyK Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Avoid AirBnB altogether. After all the extra fees are added on to AirBnB, hotels or motels are usually cheaper.
102 102points reply View More Replies… #45
North Philly. Maybe just avoid Philly all together.
Final score: 50points 
The Queen The Queen Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 2 weeks ago Report
Don’t avoid Philly. I love that city. Tons of historical things to visit. Cool museums. Reading Market is actually pretty cool.
49 49points reply View More Replies…