What as a English man should I look out for on a trip to the USA.

  • bandwidthcrisis@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Don’t try to bring food. I’ve seen people stopped for smuggling meat. You’re probably okay with packaged sweets or chocolate, but you should declare it.

    Don’t be fooled into thinking you can get tea if you see it offered. It may be some strange flavour, or very weak, or iced, or all three. And it will be hard to explain that you want milk and sugar with it.

    Biscuits are good enough, but chocolate is rough.

    And, of course, a “biscuit” will mean a type of savory scone.

    If your shop, at most stores they will pack shopping bags for you and are a little shocked and overly grateful if you do it yourself.

    Be prepared to tip in many circumstances (but not, oddly enough, for having your groceries packed).

    Be prepared to be asked about football, the Beatles, the Queen, maybe even the King.

    Don’t be offended is someone attempts to do a British accent at you, it’s meant as a friendly greeting.

    If driving:

    Four-way stops are like roundabouts without the roundabout. But with stop signs.

    Pedestrians are not expected to look out for traffic, but are not allowed to just cross anywhere. So it balances out.

    Someone has stolen the clutch pedals from all the cars.

    • immutable@lemm.ee
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      2 days ago

      Quick note on this one

      Pedestrians are not expected to look out for traffic, but are not allowed to just cross anywhere. So it balances out.

      If you end up driving, pedestrians are not allowed to cross anywhere (although some places like New York have legalized crossing anywhere) but pedestrians always have the right of way. You can’t run people over because they crossed outside a crosswalk.

      So if on foot, use crosswalks or you could get a ticket for jaywalking. If in a vehicle, don’t hit pedestrians.