Unspoken Social Rules In The US That Are Good To Know For Foreigners

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Mayarey
Jan 14, 2022 3:00 PM EST

Every country has its own set of social norms that may seem little, but can be a dead giveaway that you are not a local. The goal is never to completely change yourself when entering a new culture, but if you can avoid offending people that's always a plus. In the US it's normal to take leftovers home, but in certain European countries, like Italy, it's considered a major insult to the chef.

It's hard to recognize your own societal norms, but perhaps this list can jog your memory.

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  • 01
    Font - r/AskAnAmerican u/Ilianxxkirby • 16h Join 1 1 What are some of unspoken social rules or etiquettes in the United States that may not be commonly known to the average foreigner? It would be great to know.
    via u/AskAnAmerican
  • 02
    Rectangle - MrJ91 • 15h MA, now in RI Never try to bribe the police. I know there are some countries where that is common, but here you'll be arrested.
    via u/MrJ91
  • 03
    Font - ogreblood · 14h Don't complain about taxes not being included on price tags to the sales clerk. We know it's annoying, and the clerk has nothing to do with how taxes are applied and doesn't care. My suggestion is get used to it.
    via u/ogreblood
  • 04
    Rectangle - old_gold_mountain • 16h I say "hella" 3 1 Award The biggest one is probably the expectation to tip at restaurants 6 Reply 1 1.7k 3 ...
    via u/old_gold_mountain
  • 05
    Font - davidm2232· 15h 2 Awards If you are going to a family/friend's place to hang out, always ask if they need anything. Pretty common, especially in rural areas for people to pick up small amounts of groceries at a gas station on the way. Beer, milk, chips, etc. 90% of the time, they say they don't need anything, but sometimes they forgot to get mustard for the hot dogs they are grilling or something similar. G Reply 762 ...
    via u/davidm2232
  • 06
    Product - ocean-blue- • 16h New Jersey 3 Awards Personal space is one I see come up often when this question is asked. Don't get too close to us, like if you're standing on line, we expect some distance. We'd be annoyed or weirded out if you were too close to us. G Reply 871 ...
    via u/ocean-blue-
  • 07
    Font - VeronicaMarsupial · 15h OWashington Don't comment on people's weight or size. In some countries, "gordito" or similar, for example, might be considered an affectionate nickname. It's unlikely to be taken as anything other than rudeness here. Best not to say anything even if you think what you're saying is a compliment. We know many foreigners think we're all fat. We know a lot of us are fat. You still shouldn't say anything. And don't point it out if you think someone is really skinny, ei
    via u/VeronicaMarsupial
  • 08
    Font - Rubberduckies2212 · 13h I always say this when this question its asked, but never ever touch other people's children. G Reply 100 ...
    via u/Rubberduckies2212
  • 09
    Rectangle - webbess1 · 15h New York If you get pulled over by the police DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR, STAY IN YOUR CAR AND WAIT FOR THE POLICE OFFICER TO COME TO YOUR WINDOW. G Reply 4 1k 3 ...
    via u/webbess1
  • 10
    Font - Quantum-Connection • 16h Something I thought of, specifically if some Germans are reading this. Don't stare at us, we don't like it. Even if you aren't staring at us specifically, more just looking in our specific direction. We typically make an effort to not spend a lot of time looking specifically at people, to the degree that we actively try to not even seem like we might be staring at someone. This does not seem to be a global thing.
    via u/Quantum-Connection
  • 11
    Rectangle - digitalhelix84 · 16h Some households you take off your shoes when entering, some you don't, best to look for clues in the entry way before you do or do not remove your shoes.
    via u/digitalhelix84
  • 12
    Rectangle - KrAbFuT • 14h The biggest one l've seen isn't actually tipping, it's waiting in line. Don't try to skip to the front, apparently we're touchy about that G Reply 4 253
    via u/KrAbFuT
  • 13
    Rectangle - lamREBELoe • 16h 1 Award How are you doing? Is answered with "good", "great", or "fine" followed by "and you?". Nobody expects the real answer or an explanation of how to really are, its a courtesy. If you try to give a real answer, people won't know how to react. G Reply 4 422 3 ...
    via u/lamREBELoe

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customs united states history social norm pop culture america love insult traveling foreigners
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