Recently, Reddit user u/Aarunascut asked in r/AskReddit: "What should you never do in the United States?"
Here's the best advice Americans imparted on our dear friends abroad:
1. "NEVER 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."
2. "Don't ask for tea and not specify if you want hot or iced, and if you want iced, specify if you want sweet or unsweet."
3. "Never buy a Kinder egg. It isn't the real thing. You will be disappointed."
4. "Don't get out of a vehicle during a traffic stop. I didn't know this — here in Australia, we are perfectly okay to get out of the vehicle unless the cop says otherwise."
5. "C*** is considered a very vulgar word here that would be highly inappropriate to say casually."
6. "The average American does not usually enjoy talking politics in their frequented public spaces."
7. "Don’t take pictures or record videos of strangers’ children. I’ve had to warn many people coming over from Asia about this, and some have ignored me, and it has led to screaming and threats."
8. "Don't rent an Airbnb. The fees will eat you alive. Just get a hotel."
9. "Don't just look for foods you know. America is a huge, diverse country, and we have tons of food that aren't common in a lot of places. Biscuits and gravy, deep fried turkey, green chile in New Mexico, etc."
10. "You should never assume that public transport is timely."
11. "Don't walk onto someone's property without permission, or at least without knowing the owner. It's cool in many places around the world to be able to go wandering through the countryside, but it's not cool in the US. You might end up getting arrested or physically harmed."
12. "Public spitting isn't usually well-received."
13. "Don't pee in an empty alley on your way home from the bars. A surprisingly large percentage of my European acquaintances have had the great experience of spending a few early morning hours in the drunk tank in various American cities — because it's really not that big of a deal in most of Europe."
14. "You should never not tip at a sit-down restaurant."
15. "Don’t try to cheat the IRS. They will fuck your life into oblivion."
And finally:
16. "Don’t base your entire opinion and generalization of the country just from one part or particular region. Cultures, values, and people are so different all over the US."
Answers have been edited for length and/or clarity.