Welcome to America. A few beginner rules...
No Money
Bribing Season 3 GIF by NETFLIXGiphy"Do not under any circumstances try to bribe a cop depending on where you come from that might seem odd but trust me you will get in trouble if you try."
DanHN2002
Stay Seated
"Don't get out of your car if you're pulled over by the police unless directed to do so. Police here take their own safety very seriously so they may see someone quickly getting out of the car as a sign of aggression. Coupled with the fact they carry guns and generally don’t have a track record of deescalation, it’s possible you might get shot."
bboe
Cold as...
"Drinks come with ice by default."
RoofedSpade
"And refills! Soda is cheap as hell. No one's coming to pour it into a glass for you, it's made on the spot and you can have as much as you want."
sckurvee
"And everybody wants to put lemon in them but they never wash the lemons you have to ask specifically for no lemon in your water."
WolfThick
Extra
"If the price says for example $5, you need to be aware that is $5 plus taxes."
Mariuxpunk007
"Plus extra recycling taxes on plastic water bottles in certain states (like California) So that pack of water bottles listed for $3 will cost over $5 after taxes."
BobbiestofDs
"That’s literally false advertising. If a product is advertised (say on television) at a certain price, that’s how much you pay."
Arkady2009
Music Video Mv GIF by Lady GagaTip. Tip. Tip. And tip properly. 20%.
Eat Up
diner dancing GIF by Justin TimberlakeGiphy"24 hour Diners. According to stuff I read in Reddit, our diners are legendary. ETA: I’m American and I eat at them a lot. I was just surprised how much visitors from other countries love our diners so much."
Revolutionary-Tree18
Road Issues
"I think it’s really funny that the CA DMV official drivers manual says, 'do NOT make eye contact with another driver, this will make them MORE angry.'"
oof-floof
"If you screw up while driving put your hand up as a way to say sorry/my bad to the other driver. It diffuses situations because it shows them you didn’t mean to do that. Many times drivers think something was intentional when really it’s just human error."
pantsRrad
"I live in SoCal, and the Los Angeles area has the most brutally aggressive drivers I know. Sure, other countries like Vietnam etc. are a free for all, but Los Angeles drivers literally want you dead."
User Deleted
Don't Listen
"The CD is not free, never accept something from someone on a street."
Portland-to-Vt
"People will follow you around and thrust the CD (usually their mixtape) in your hand and then as you’re walking away with a CD you didn’t even ask for they start telling you you need to pay for it and then they refuse to accept the CD back so they make you pay for it or they keep harassing you. Happened to me in Venice beach."
rosiegirl8903
Nature Hunt
"GO TO NATIONAL PARKS!"
AmIADelusionalArtist
"But be respectful! Our parks are beautiful, but often dangerous! Stick to set paths, look up local wildlife, and get an idea of common dangers. A park in the northeast will have drastically different dangers than Utah. And always have plenty of water with you. States often have very gorgeous state parks, too."
whichwitch9
break the chain
Applebees GIFGiphy"Do not eat exclusively at chain restaurants then go home and talk about how American food sucks."
Mastr_Blastr
So much to do and see. What would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below.
America the great.
Fifty states plus Puerto Rico.
There is definitely a lot to see.
You have to wonder what visitor's lists look like.
What are the most popular places to see?
I know in NYC it's the shopping sales tax.
But let's do a little traveling.
RedditorCole-On-Cancerwanted to hear what American sites are on the agenda when visiting. So they asked:
"Non-Americans of Reddit, what state would you want to visit the most?"
I don't have a long list of places to see stateside. So entice me...
The Best Of...
Saturday Night Live Finger Guns GIF by HULUGiphy"Alaska."
Odd_Cucumber_3149
"Particularly during the spring/fall, when the days are fairly 'normal' as far as the amount of daylight hours, but summer & winter in Alaska are definitely also an experience."
LaceyOkurrrt
Majestic
"I always wanted to see the Grand Canyon, so I guess Arizona."
Revolutionary_Oil897
"Grand Canyon is simply amazing. Keep in mind the north rim is closed in the winter."
AvonMustang
"I chose Arizona because I wanna see the saguaro's (kind of a cactus nerd here haha) but yeah the Grand Canyon might be worth checking out too lol."
Chromattix
The Beauty of it all...
"Wyoming - I would love to see the beauty of Yellowstone!"
Wtrpl14
"Wyoming is gorgeous, and Yellowstone is probably one of the most amazing and unique places on earth. I highly recommend everyone visit Yellowstone if they ever have the opportunity. The Grand Tetons right outside of Yellowstone are also breathtakingly beautiful. Wyoming is just all around a beautiful state. If you want to experience the American West, Wyoming is probably the best place to go."
Fred_Foreskin
Know the Difference...
"Washington. For the nature. Washington DC, for the museums."
Tropical_Geek1
"I was so excited to see my home state as the first comment! Washington is often forgotten about, which is a shame, because it really is beautiful. And it especially grinds our gears when people assume Washington is referring to DC, so thank you for knowing the difference!"
AnnofAvonlea
On the grill...
happy bbq GIFGiphy"The BBQ states of America. The ones that have their own variation on the cuisine."
Galloping_Scallop
"So, anywhere in Texas, Kansas City, Nashville, the Carolinas, and some random black dude in Mississippi."
Training-Seat-8991
I love me some BBQ. So much to eat. Like a several state buffet.
Superior
Reel It In Jay Buhner GIF by Northwest MotorsportGiphy"The boundary waters in Northern Minnesota is one of the most beautiful remote places I've ever been. World class fishing, trout are delicious and plentiful. Plus a chance to see moose. Really enormous wilderness area. Lake Superior is also it's own treat, really feels like an ocean, great sunsets."
seeeeya
Does It really exist?
"Nebraska, to see if it actually exists."
GangstaOctopus
"To really gain perspective on this question, drive the width of Nebraska along highway 80. You will be in Nebraska for hours, driving along the main interstate highway that runs through the state, and aside from Lincoln and Omaha you will not see anything else but flat plains covered in corn. Does Nebraska really exist? I don’t know if I can accurately call that existing. It’s a sort of limbo state or purgatory."
ToBePacific
Eye Popping
"I'm from Texas and my first trip to Lake Michigan was eye popping. It wasn't that it was so beautiful and... just perfect. It was that it was perfect and no one seems to know about it. White sand beaches. Nice waves. Highs in 80s mid summer. No salt or seaweed. No crowds. Cheap rentals. Dune rides. And no one knows."
wiinkme
The Natural Look
"Oregon seems like it has some really beautiful natural areas, and then maybe California because nice hot weather and beaches. Though honestly if i ever go to America i would love to just do a huge road trip tour with some friends. Apparently California is not that good for hot weather and beaches lmao."
whalezark
G'Day
Jimmy Fallon Flirting GIFGiphy"Australian here - When I was in my teens I really wanted to live in a Redneck trailer Park in the deep South just to see if it really was like the movies portrayed. So whichever is the best state for that."
"Otherwise California to see a friend and Seattle, WA cos music. The Missus wants to go to Hawaii for our 10th anniversary and isn't sold on my response of 'its just Port Douglas with volcanoes. Just want to say, all of your replies have made my day! Cheers!"
theycallmeasloth
So many places to see and visit. Get to packing...
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Curious to hear about the impression of strangers, Redditor PSpen88 asked:
"What famous landmark have you been to that was completely underwhelming?"
Four Corners
"The Four Corners in the US. It's just a concrete circle in the desert. Like, I don't know what else I expected, but I was disappointed."
– Grimfey
Plymouth Rock
"Plymouth Rock stinks. Just go to the Lobster Pot and get the fried plate and that will make your day a whole lot better."
– GodonX1r
Walk Of Fame
"Hollywood walk of fame. Such a dirty place full of homeless people, weirdos and rappers trying to sell you their CD. Really doesn't live up to the hype."
Vegas
"The Las Vegas welcome sign. I thought it would be a lot taller."
"Not saying you shouldn't go and make up your own mind, but Las Vegas is very trashy; an entire city devoted to gambling and strip clubs was never pretending to be anything else."
Over-hyped Bakeries
"Essentially every famous bakery or restaurant I've been to in the US/Canada with a massive line out the door. The longer the line, the sh!ttier it is."
Copenhagen Mermaid
"The statue of The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen. Seriously, I had bigger action figures as a kid."
Alamo
"I live in San Antonio and everytime I walk or drive by the Alamo its pretty wack."
– oftene
"Man! I thought the Alamo was going to be a beastly bastard. It's like the size of a middle class house."
Mona Lisa Smile GIF by Witloof CollectiveGiphyWhat landmark makes you "meh" list?
Patriotism is important for a healthy community and society. It allows for people to care for their fellow countryman, and to care about the welfare and quality of the environment around them. While it is easy to complain about where you live, it's nice to take a step back and consider what you are grateful for. After all, no place can be 100% bad.
Redditor u/schaapdejoopheffer asked people, "What is something about your country you're actually really proud of?" and answers poured in from all around the world.
It's not perfect, but...
Giphy"USA- our music. Jazz, Blues, Rock and Roll, Hip-Hop, R&B, Country. All started here. Even the concept of MIDI originated in California.
Yes USA is in shambles politically, economically, socially, etc- but thanks to my country, I also have some of the things that get me through it!"
Great sense of direction
"That in the UK you can direct people mostly using pubs as signposts. 'Yep, turn left at the Black Swan, go a mile past the Coach & Horses and then is 100m past The Eight Bells. I miss pubs. Damn this lockdown."
Scary beautiful weather
"I live in the USA, and I love the weather. There are amazing lightning shows here and stunning supercells and tornadoes, sometimes these things are destructive, but when they aren't, they really are beautiful, and amazing."
Cash that's way ahead of its time
"I know I'm late to this feed but I'm Aussie and really proud of Australian cash. When I went to America, It really drew my attention towards how good Australian cash is because I collected SO MANY AMERICAN COINS. Also, all the notes are waterproof and the new design as braille on it."
You can experience the best of nature
"Siberia for sure, it should be the defenition of seasons, in winter it can get to -50 C°, in the summer it can get to 30 C°, in spring and autum there are a lot of berries and fruits that grow everywere, I think it is everything right about a place, you get to experiance everything."
Perfect place for vegetarians
"Indian here and it's gotta be the food. We have the most varieties of delicious vegetarian food. And the lowest consumer of meat in the world, pretty good for a country of 1.3 billion"
Incredibly well made dams
"I'm from the netherlands, and i would say our dams. Most of our land is below sea level and the dams do great work, including at the tv-tas islands. (Not the carribean islands)
It can take the biggest storms. But sadly once in 10 000 years there is a superstorm that can break them."
A bunch of quirky states
"I like having a bunch of small states in America so it's easier to distinguish where somebody is and every state kinda has their own quirk. Most countries have their own variation of this but I think America does it the best."
Protecting small businesses
"As an Aussie I'm proud that when Burger King tried to expand out from America into Australia, we made them change their name to Hungry Jacks for all their stores in Australia because of 1 really small fish and chip shop that already had the name Burger King"
A lovely gesture during a crisis
"Kenya, when the Maasai tribe donated 14 cows to US in sympathy after the 9/11 attacks"
The food is really, truly good
Giphy"As a Mexican, I have to admit that our government has gone to ****. But, we do have an amazing food culture."
Perfect place for skiing
"Austria. Don't need to drive/fly far away for some of the best skiing resorts in the world."
It's all about the landscape
Giphy"I'm from Iceland and I have to say that I'm super proud of its nature. I mean it's definitely special and so unique!"
Internationally known
"Lego"
"At one point LEGO was almost 1% of denmark's global exports."
The best dams
"Our ability to control water. The work the Dutch put in to make this land livable with the dam-systems earns my respect."
You can find all of the habitats
"As an Aussie, our diverse land of deserts, rainforests and bushland. The Australian outdoors is incredible."
Who hasn't had to read Russian literature in school?
"Яussian literature probably. It serves as a great example of our natural ability to turn our suffering into art and base our national culture on it."