To Foreigners That Have Visited or Live in the United States

[v2prwsmb45yhuq3wj23vpjk]

No. It's there to tell you that it's about to change. What you decide to do with that information is up to you. You can slow or speed up, either is legal. Pussies slow down, regular people speed up.

It's there specifically to provide you with time to slow down, not to speed up. I kinda feel like you're kidding around, but I wanted to post just in case.

[Eruionmel]

It's there specifically to provide you with time to slow down, not to speed up. I kinda feel like you're kidding around, but I wanted to post just in case.

I'm quite serious. It is intended to tell you that the light is about to change. You are stating your opinion of what to do with that information as fact. I choose to do it a different way, and I save time while you sit at red lights.

[Decagon]

Uh, not even. If you're a defensive, whiny driver you slow down. If you're an offensive, smart driver you speed up to get through it.

I was always under the impression that you stop at a yellow light if it's possible without stopping so quickly that the cars behind you have to worry about running into you, and you speed up to clear the intersection if you're not going to be able to stop. Best case scenario though, you slow down.

[Nazrark]

I go to Chicago fairly often, there is one thing that I was told by the Customs Agent in Canada. Avoid the south side of Chicago. My experiences have been very good there so far. I've been told I am too polite, asked where I am from because of my 'accent'.

I feel bad that the US is mostly judged by the idiots in the news.

[muto]

Talk talk talk talk talk.

We American's love learning about other countries and their residents.

If I find a foreigner, and they can speak decent English, I usually play 100 questions with them lol.

[Palmatum]

I was warned not to approach the front door of a residence incase I'm mistaken for a sea food and steak salesman... I don't want to get shot and then executed on the pavement.

[Deleted]

Everyone in the United States has a bubble of personal space a little over arms length around them. Don't invade that space unless invited or you have no choice like in a crowded public transit.

That subject is interesting and I think the size of that personal space is determined by how densely populated an area is. For instance, in my country Sweden the personal space zone is quite large as we are mostly a very sparsely populated country so we are used to having lots of personal space. If we do get forced to narrow that space, like in public transportation or in crowded cities we tend to be very uncomfortable with it.

On the other hand I have friends from continental Europe in countries like Holland for instance which is much more densely populated and they tend to stand closer to me when they speak. Maybe it’s the same thing in the US depending on how densely populated an area is since it’s such a large country? Just a theory of mine.

[Anakso]

I visited America once by accident (flight switch and the plane was overbooked, we got a free 5star hotel for 3 days though so that was good)

It was in L.A near an Airport, don't remember which one, and Venice beach. I didn't really enjoy the stay, but honestly I don't think there is a single thing that I could possibly have done that would make me seem out of place when compared to the other people we saw while even just causally walking down the street.....if a shirtless man can stand there yelling at a billboard how can I top that? (We did actually see that, among many other things)

[Cliffybyro]

As an Englishman or 'Brit' as you guys endearingly call us, I visited Florida and got a great impression of the people there. Very hospitable and welcoming, coming across very sincere like nothing is ever too much trouble. Our cultures are generally very similar in some aspects. This isn't meant as an insult it's more of an observation but in the US everything seems 'over the top', from the food portions, the dramatised tv shows, the wooping and the hollering see "Man vs Food", cheering him on like he's won an Olympic gold when in reality it's a fat guy eating a lethal amount of food

[Tiev]

Talk talk talk talk talk.

We American's love learning about other countries and their residents.

If I find a foreigner, and they can speak decent English, I usually play 100 questions with them lol.

As a foreigner, when I got to america, I find that pretty cool.

So long as they don't ask stuff like: Do you have to fight monkeys for your food? That kind of questions is somewhat offensive and trust me, some people ask stuff like that.

[GreatOak]

As an Englishman or 'Brit' as you guys endearingly call us, I visited Florida and got a great impression of the people there. Very hospitable and welcoming, coming across very sincere like nothing is ever too much trouble. Our cultures are generally very similar in some aspects. This isn't meant as an insult it's more of an observation but in the US everything seems 'over the top', from the food portions, the dramatised tv shows, the wooping and the hollering see "Man vs Food", cheering him on like he's won an Olympic gold when in reality it's a fat guy eating a lethal amount of food

Don't forget our films. Every action movie has to have at least 5 explosions

[Deleted]

Tipping i guess.

I moved to Los Angeles from London a few months ago now, and i've really had to get used to tipping for everything.

In the UK it's not a real common thing. Sure you'd tip a waitress at the end of your meal, but it wasn't large amounts, usually about 10 pounds for a 100 pound plus meal.
In LA i find myself really expecting to tip at least 15%, usually 20%. If i understand correctly it's because salaries are lower in those jobs due to the expectence that you will be tipped?
I don't mind doing it anyway, just a bit of a change

[Dakia]

In LA i find myself really expecting to tip at least 15%, usually 20%. If i understand correctly it's because salaries are lower in those jobs due to the expectence that you will be tipped?

Yep. When I was waiting tables for a while the hourly rate was only something like $3.20 to account for tipping.

[oblivionx]

It's illegal except at certain designated beaches. You still see it happen once in a while though, especially if the beach doesn't have a strong police presence.

It depends entirely on what state you are in.

That's likely a cause of great confusion for many, of course.

[belfpala]

Yep. When I was waiting tables for a while the hourly rate was only something like $3.20 to account for tipping.

It depends on the state. Some allow waiters to be paid less than minimum wage. But in any case, they're probably making minimum wage or less before tips.

[poser765]

I'm quite serious. It is intended to tell you that the light is about to change. You are stating your opinion of what to do with that information as fact. I choose to do it a different way, and I save time while you sit at red lights.

Well I started looking at my own state. In our DMV's drivers manual it states that yellow indicates that the light is about to change. If it's safe, stop. Sure safe is kind of subjective, but the intent is to tell you to start slowing down. At no point does it say you have the choice to speed up. The text in the Washington manual is almost exactly the same. In fact the OK book even provides a warning that some drivers may "try to speed up in order to race the light!" At no point do EITHER manuals tell the driver they have the option of speeding up.

Basically your DMV does not share your opinion.

[morlem]

If you are a foreigner never ever ever ever ever ever go to Texas lest you want to be shot by a gun crazy bible thumper

[Tore]

I'm an immigrant to the United States from Cuba.

First thing that struck me was that everyone is just so busy. Gotta go here then gotta go there then gotta do this then gotta do that. Everyone rushing to do something, no one's content to just be. People my age go crazy if they're not out on a Friday and Saturday night, like they have to have to something to do. It's very odd.

Next thing was the competitive attitudes people have in regard to everything. Gotta have a better job than your friend. Gotta have a better phone than everyone else. Gotta have this, gotta have that. The first time I saw this was when i was in middle school and everyone was rushing to get an iPod when they were new. I was like, "what the hell, there's sanddisk mp3 players that cost 1/4th as much and hold the same amount of songs." Then I found out that it wasn't about the music, it was about the iPod. It made no sense to me at all. Now that I'm older it still exists, just with less material things. Need hotter girlfriends, need richer boyfriends. Hell, I had a neighbor that constantly competed with our landscaping when I was growing up.

Cars got me too. So many cars on the streets. So many trucks. The fuck do people need these big-ass SUVs in the city for? You're not going off-roading, you're picking up your kids from an elementary school. Drive a more sensible vehicle, stupid.

Something that's fucking with me right now is why people like me are a big deal in politics. Leave me the fuck alone and stop asking me what I think about immigration laws.

[Jackmoves]

So people in Europe typically walk around naked most of the time? I dont get why it has to be one extreme or the other. Whats so bad about reasonable modesty codes?

Not at all, there is just a difference.
I don't like seeing middle aged german men with a beer gut naked either rofl.

But there is still a difference, which is what the OP asked for. If a female mate of mine planed on going to a city in the US with nice beaches I would advice her to not take her top off.

Americans are more prude(goes for tv/movies as well), when it comes to movies, one obvious example that comes to mind is the girl with the dragon tattoe movies, compare the swedish version with the hollywood one.

[Deleted]

I could make a game with nudity and send it with 12+ there and that would break the customs. Though in other countries it is 12+ or 16+.

I could drive a car at 20, or drink alcohool at 20 since I'm an adult in my country. That would break the law too, not only customs.

I could start talking about how socialism is good. That would most likely get me killed.

I could start dancing at Lincon's monument. Apparently it's forbidden to dance at your monuments.

There's a lot of customs and laws different even from Europe, so yea.