12 Things Tourists Should Never Do When Visiting the US

Every year, the United States attracts millions of visitors worldwide with the promise of world-famous attractions, beautiful national parks, exciting cities, and pristine beaches. However, while America is generally a straightforward and friendly place to travel, tourists need to follow certain boundaries, rules, and guidelines during their visit.

Like any country, the United States has do’s and don’ts, and you must understand them to enjoy a successful trip. To learn more, this article details 12 things tourists should never do when visiting the US so you can avoid any uncomfortable scenarios, silly mistakes, and things that will ruin your trip.

Don’t Leave a Restaurant Without Tipping

Visiting the US Leave a Restaurant Without Tipping — © Spiroview Inc. / Adobe Stock

One of the biggest mistakes you can make in the United States is leaving a restaurant without tipping. While tipping might not be considered necessary in the area of the world you come from, America takes tipping culture very seriously. Exiting a restaurant without leaving a tip sends the message that you were dissatisfied with the service you received.

If that’s the message you’re trying to send, no problem, don’t leave a tip. However, you should always leave a tip if you are happy with your experience. Generally, a tip of 20% is the golden standard in the United States. However, people occasionally tip more or less depending on how satisfied they are with their meal.

Don’t Swim in a Standing Body of Water in Florida

Breathtaking US Spots for Your East Coast Road Trip Key West, Florida — © lucky-photo / Adobe Stock

If you find yourself in Florida, whatever you do, don’t swim in standing bodies of water unless you want to be an alligator’s dinner. According to Naples Daily News, more than one million alligators call the state of Florida home, and they can be found in almost any body of water.

While alligator attacks in the Sunshine State are uncommon, it’s hardly worth risking your life by taking a dip in a murky lagoon or pond. Furthermore, you should avoid walking too close to large bodies of water or letting pets off their lead because alligators can pounce quickly before being seen in the water and on land. They, indeed, are an apex predator.

Don’t Encroach on Personal Space

Unlike many cultures worldwide, Americans tend to value their personal space more. US citizens often find it uncomfortable if a stranger stands too close or maintains eye contact for too long. Many Americans deliberately avoid eye contact and stand two or three feet apart.

Don’t feel awkward or embarrassed if you make eye contact with someone in the street and they look away. You haven’t done anything wrong and don’t look bad; it’s just a personal space thing. It’s not always possible to avoid intruding on someone’s space, for example, on a busy subway platform or in Times Square, but if you try to imagine a Hula Hoop buffer between you and other people, you’ll be fine.

Don’t Assume You Can Smoke Anywhere

Unless you want to annoy the locals and potentially break the law, never assume you can smoke anywhere in the United States. Most of the United States believes everyone should have the right to breathe fresh air. As a result, many states, cities, and towns ban smoking in public places, such as bars, restaurants, and shopping centers.

Many workplaces and offices have also started following smoke-free guidelines. In some states, such as Florida and California, smoking and vaping in state parks and beaches are also prohibited. To avoid breaking any rules, it’s always a good idea to check if you can smoke somewhere before smoking.

Never Drink and Drive

U.S. Shock To Top Destinations USA — © Stefan / Adobe Stock

Arguably, one of, if not the worst, things you can do in the United States is drink and drive. This may sound pretty obvious, but how many people do it is shocking. While drinking and driving are generally banned all over the world, the US has very strict rules against it.

Across the states, the legal limit is 0.08% in every state, which is approximately the equivalent of drinking four to five drinks. If your alcohol level is over 0.08%, you risk hefty fines, jail time, or both. It’s also worth noting that the minimum legal drinking age in the United States is 21. This is usually considered a misdemeanor criminal offense, but a conviction could lead to fines, community service, and driver’s license revocation.

Don’t Over Travel

With so many fascinating places to discover, exploring as much of the US as possible during your trip can be tempting, but that would be a huge mistake. The continental United States is larger than Europe, so you can’t possibly do it all in one vacation. Trying to do so will leave you feeling rushed and burned out.

Instead, prioritize visiting a selection of places you’ve always wanted to see and take your time exploring. That way, you’ll create memories that last a lifetime, have more time to relax, and likely see more, as you won’t be rushing around all day. Popular places include New York, Washington, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park.

Avoid Comparing America With Other Countries

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If you want to avoid any conflict with Americans or steer clear of any political conversations, avoid comparing America with other countries. Most Americans believe that the United States is the best country on earth. If you combat that belief by bringing your country into the conversation, you might get it thrown back at you.

Admittedly, most Americans won’t be offended by what you have to say, but by simply avoiding the conversation altogether, you eliminate the risk. Instead, go with the flow and don’t intervene with anyone talking about how supreme the states are because you’ll likely struggle to get your point across.

Never Assume Sunshine Means Hot Weather in the Northeast or Midwest

This next do not is a warning for anyone who sees the sunshine and immediately puts on their best pair of shorts. The Northeast and Midwest are both extremely deceptive regarding the weather. The days are long and sunny throughout the year but aren’t always warm.

The average temperature in the Northeast in July is just 69°F (20°C), while the Midwest’s average temperature in the same month is 72°F (22°C). These temperatures are usually warm enough for t-shirts and shorts, but as the year progresses, they begin to drop. As a result, you might be tempted by the sun to wear fewer layers when the temperatures outside could be a chilly 53°F (12°C) and lower depending on the time of year.

Ignore Rules and Regulations at Tourist Attractions

Whether we like it or not, rules and regulations are in place to keep us safe. Without them, we could end up seriously hurting ourselves or others. Occasionally, rules are also in place to protect certain areas. With that in mind, never ignore rules and regulations at tourist attractions.

For example, if a sign instructs you to “stay on the path,” “please do not touch,” or “no trespassing,” do as it says. It doesn’t matter if you want to see something else or take a photograph from a certain point; those signs are there for a reason. If you ever need a good reason to listen to instructions, remember this story about a US citizen who fell into a geyser and was dissolved at Yellowstone National Park after ignoring signs.

Don’t Haggle

For those who don’t know, haggling is when two parties involved in a financial transaction, such as purchasing souvenirs at a market, negotiate the price until both parties mutually agree. Haggling is common in most cultures worldwide, but there’s a time and a place for it.

Generally, there isn’t a time and place for tourists to engage in haggling, as it’s typically only appropriate when negotiating the price of high-ticket items and specific services. Therefore, never try to haggle unless you’re sure it’s acceptable. For example, don’t try to negotiate a better price for a meal in a restaurant, goods in stores, or for public transport.

Never Venture Into the Great Outdoors Unprepared

Many tourists need to be more accurate in assessing how extreme the United States national parks can be. Compared to most American national parks, forests in countries like Scotland and Germany are a walk in the park, pardon the pun. Many American national parks have treacherous trails, rugged mountain hiking paths, and animals that will happily kill you without a second thought.

Therefore, it’s essential to prepare effectively. Carefully plan your hiking trails, wear appropriate clothing, carry crucial supplies, and notify people of your intentions. As we mentioned earlier, follow the rules, too. Oh, and in some national parks, you might also have to carry bear spray in case you have to fight off any bears.

Don’t Assume the Price on the Shelf Is What You Pay

Dream US Escape Set a Budget — © f11photo / Adobe Stock

A super easy mistake to make in the United States is falling into the trap of thinking the price you see on the shelf is how much you pay. While it might seem like you’re getting a bargain, in almost every state in the US, the prices on items in stores don’t include taxes.

As a result, when you pay for your items, you’ll be shocked to find your shopping costs are higher than you first thought. This might not seem like a big deal, but if it happens every time you go shopping, the costs soon add up, especially if you’re grocery shopping for an RV trip.