What should I absolutely not do when visiting the USA?

I have never been to the US, what should I absolutely not do when visiting the USA?

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@WaweruM wrote:

I have never been to the US, what should I absolutely not do when visiting the USA?


Hi @WaweruM i think the list could be very long. I will try to answer with my knowledge, starting from Custom Borders Control

  • do not bring with you any biological/horganic food or good, including plants, seeds and specialties from your country
  • never, ever, drive after drinking anything containing alcohol, including beer
  • remember that each state has got different laws (some are very funny)
  • as a drone pilot, I’ve learned that you cannot fly drones in National Parks, unless you got special permit; it’s a federal law since 2014
  • NEVER enter a private property; this is a serious issue in USA, also when you see a field without any border or sign, owner could use fire arms against you, it’s a Constitutional right
  • while in crowd, move it in the flow, try not to seem suspect; this is meant especially in large cities
  • never use words that can let other people think about terrorism; ban words like bomb, bombing, etc.
  • remember the tips; in many states it’s not an habit, it’s law
  • USA is huge; so don’t forget it when you try to drive across states

I hope many could add more

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@LucioV Thank you for the detailed information, looks like if you are a visitor you should be very careful.


@LucioV wrote:


@WaweruM wrote:

I have never been to the US, what should I absolutely not do when visiting the USA?


Hi @WaweruM i think the list could be very long. I will try to answer with my knowledge, starting from Custom Borders Control

  • do not bring with you any biological/horganic food or good, including plants, seeds and specialties from your country
  • never, ever, drive after drinking anything containing alcohol, including beer
  • remember that each stat has got different laws (some are very funny)
  • as a drone pilot, I’ve learned that you cannot fly drones in National Parks, unless you got special permit; it’s a federal law since 2014
  • NEVER enter a private property; this is a serious issue in USA, also when you see a field without any border or sign, owner could use fire arms against you, it’s a Constitutional right
  • while in crow, move it in the flow, try not to seem suspect; this is meant especially in large cities
  • never use words that can let other people think about terrorism; ban words like bomb, bombing, etc.
  • remember the tips; in many states it’s not an habit, it’s law
  • USA is huge; so don’t forget it when you try to drive across states

I hope many could add more


You are welcome @WaweruM ! I’ve been in USA just 4 times, and these are the lessons learned :wink:

But depends on the city and the state :wink:

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@LucioV It should be much complicated especially if you are coming from Africa because we do not have very strict laws

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Happy new year. Do not stare at the police at the airport and do not find an ashtray for a gift you will not find!!!


@WaweruM wrote:

I have never been to the US, what should I absolutely not do when visiting the USA?


1 Like

@Zafeireis haha there are no ashtrays in the US


@popae wrote:

Happy new year. Do not stare at the police at the airport and do not find an ashtray for a gift you will not find!!!


@WaweruM wrote:

I have never been to the US, what should I absolutely not do when visiting the USA?



3 Likes

@WaweruM Its really a big question But @LucioV make it small.

Everybody should take a look here before starting journey to USA. Thanks LuVi for this appreciate reply.

Happy Guiding !!!

2 Likes

Hi @WaweruM , please, visit this official site for international visitors:

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors

On the left, there are further useful links like this one:

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/know-before-you-go

and all the prohibited or restricted items here:

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/prohibited-and-restricted-items

Happy browsing (and enjoy your travel)!

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Hi @WaweruM :

@LucioV 's suggestions are fantastic. Don’t forget that cbp’s guidelines refer to

the admission process only (what’s allowed in, etc.) You wanted to know what you

absolutely shouldn’t do. OK here are my suggestions in addition to @LucioV 's:

  1. Always remember where you left your car. It’s not that easy as you might have thought.

(In other words you shouldn’t forget where you parked your car.)

  1. Always carry a phone with all the important #s in it including your hotel’s #.

(In other words don’t leave your hotel without a phone.)

  1. You shouldn’t attempt to work or try to raise/make money in any way unless you have

the proper visa/paperwork. No exceptions. Very serious.

  1. You shouldn’t rely on local mass transportation. There are exceptions but usually local

lines are either operate or not. Schedule posted on the net is either kept or not.

  1. You shouldn’t rely entirely on gps. If you want to use gps make sure you have the latest

map software installed and it’s updated properly. If you’re a visitor it’s always a good idea to

carry printed map. (People are usually very helpful if someone seems to be lost.)

  1. You shouldn’t think that if someone asks you: “How are you?” you are required to answer.

Just the opposite. The best thing: Say: fine, how’re you doing. That’s it.

  1. You shouldn’t think that in a restaurant you get what you see on their ads (especially in

fast food chains). Won’t even be close. You’re not supposed to mention that. And the price

will always be higher.

  1. Never ever (and I mean ever) try to make jokes on/with/about weapons. Don’t even try

to carry a water pistol, a wooden replica, or anything like that. No one, especially the Police,

will ever think that it’s a joke. BTW: Police is very helpful, courteous, and professional especially

with visitors and tourists as long as they respect local rules.

I could go on and on but I think this much is enough for today. Good luck. Enjoy your stay.

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@ipm001 Thank you for the Detailed information, am sure it will also help other members in this forum.

3 Likes

@ipm001 wrote:

  1. Never ever (and I mean ever) try to make jokes on/with/about weapons. Don’t even try

to carry a water pistol, a wooden replica, or anything like that. No one, especially the Police,

will ever think that it’s a joke. BTW: Police is very helpful, courteous, and professional especially

with visitors and tourists as long as they respect local rules.

This

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"8. Never ever (and I mean ever) try to make jokes on/with/about weapons. Don’t even try

to carry a water pistol, a wooden replica, or anything like that. No one, especially the Police"

I was under the impression that people can freely carry firearms in the United States…unless there is different?

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Hi @zacharywheeler :

No, that’s not the case … fortunately.

If you are a citizen or legal alien you could more or less freely own firearm. There are Federal

and local State rules to follow (and the law is strictly enforced) but you can have one if you

want to. (Hunting rules are sometimes different.) BUT — and this is the point ---- there’s a

huge difference between “own” and “carry”. If you legally own a firearm, that is you took courses,

proved you are responsible, completed and submitted paperwork, paid sometimes hefty fees,

then you have to follow very strict (I mean VERY strict) rules to carry one. Different states are more

or less strict (you could find local regulations on the net). Sometimes you can’t carry a gun at public

places that’s freely visible (concealed weapon law), most of the times you can’t carry one if it’s loaded,

etc. etc. I’m not a lawyer and/or law enforcement officer so I could only give you some insights

on the fact that people can’t carry firearms freely in the USA.

3 Likes

Hi,

I think it would be great to review both the national & local news outlets that you are prone to visit. You can

learn about all the many fears, prejudices, laws, customs, and anxieties that we have here, as well as, regional

differences. What goes on in NYC is very different than in Hawaii. Both are multi-ethnic, but both have different

prejudices & fears [like the latest fears of a NK nuke attack]. In Hawaii, if you look “White”, you are likely to be labeled a Haole

regardless if you are from Norway, South Africa, or NYC. In NY, you can say that you are from let say Germany

& you may get a more specific response. Even though it is a democracy, if you are not familiar with the various

sub-cultures, I would avoid any controversy.

Whatever you think about drugs…leave them at home, if you can. If you need to bring essential drugs that are

not addictive nor controlled in the USA, keep them in a bottle than you received from a Pharmacy. Do not pack

loose pills that are unlabelled. The DUI laws here are very strict and do include anything that IMPAIRS driving

including a moped. I have know at least one person get a DUI on Lithium for instance. If the drug has sedative

potential, such as an antihistamine or cold medication, it can impair your driving & you will be responsible.

The laws/ customs here on what may be considered harassment, assault, and battery can be confusing. Let’s

say to get someone’s attention to ask a question, you happen to tap them on the shoulder. In legal &

practical terms that could be looked at as battery, and is against the law. In terms of touching people, even

medical professionals who save a life performing critical CPR when off-duty have been sued for damages.

It is a country in which the laws are confusing at best, even for those here.

Try to avoid densely packed crowded or places where others are intoxicated…such as dance clubs.

Any litigation may result in all kinds of problems, even if you are the “victim”.

In truth, in this day and age, it is often scary enough for a American to avoid getting in a hassle.

I have a doctor friend who was hit by a car, and then those people who hit him, got out & then

punched him…they are now suing the victim…my friend.

While in the vast majority of cases, you will not have a problem here, but you should be even

more cautious than we are.

In any case, please enjoy your trip.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Paul

4 Likes

Hi,

No your impression is NOT correct & is a myth in many cases. People are NOT free to carry firearms unrestricted anywhere they want. That relatively

unrestricted “right” only pertains to those who are certain types of Peace Officers, in accordance with their duties.

It is true that in limited cases, people may buy & own firearms to keep at home…and even then, they must have locks on them & are

regulated. Some may be used for limited hunting in certain situations and subject to all kinds of rules/laws.

For the rare person, who can justify it for obvious safety issues, there is a difficult path to getting what is called a concealed carry

permit [open carry is yet another situation]. This is heavily regulated, especially in California, and the rules vary widely by county/city

and not state. You must be approved by the local Sheriff’s office, have an FBI check, pay fees, follow all sorts of rules, take a 1-2

day course, and have letters of support.

Where the law is confusing is in the states where it is in theory allowed to carry a rifle in full view in limited situations. The abuse of

this open carry law was unfortunately seen around the world at some protests. These abuses do result in even more laws being

past to address the obvious.

Either way, as others have stated, do not talk about nor handle firearms without really knowing what you are doing. Even if you

have a friend who takes you to a legal firing range to practice…you should at first take a basic firearm safety course.

In general, I would avoid bothering with guns, sex, or drugs when you are in a foreign country.

Remember that ignorance of the law is no excuse, anywhere.

Thanks,

Paul :slight_smile:

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Hi @Malarik :

Although I think your posts in this thread are really great you’d scare visitors off … :slight_smile: :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

I also think you summarized the most important facts in one of your sentences: avoid drugs,

sex, guns, and common sense trouble. Visit nice places and enjoy your trip. Just like you’d normally

do at home and/or anywhere else. (Except visitors are not supposed to make money in the US.)

Thanks.

3 Likes

@zacharywheeler I had the same impression too, looks like i was wrong


@zacharywheeler wrote:

"8. Never ever (and I mean ever) try to make jokes on/with/about weapons. Don’t even try

to carry a water pistol, a wooden replica, or anything like that. No one, especially the Police"

I was under the impression that people can freely carry firearms in the United States…unless there is different?


1 Like

@ipm001 Meaning how you handle a firearm depends on the state you are in


@ipm001 wrote:

Hi @zacharywheeler :

No, that’s not the case … fortunately.

If you are a citizen or legal alien you could more or less freely own firearm. There are Federal

and local State rules to follow (and the law is strictly enforced) but you can have one if you

want to. (Hunting rules are sometimes different.) BUT — and this is the point ---- there’s a

huge difference between “own” and “carry”. If you legally own a firearm, that is you took courses,

proved you are responsible, completed and submitted paperwork, paid sometimes hefty fees,

then you have to follow very strict (I mean VERY strict) rules to carry one. Different states are more

or less strict (you could find local regulations on the net). Sometimes you can’t carry a gun at public

places that’s freely visible (concealed weapon law), most of the times you can’t carry one if it’s loaded,

etc. etc. I’m not a lawyer and/or law enforcement officer so I could only give you some insights

on the fact that people can’t carry firearms freely in the USA.


1 Like

I think, listening to Voice of America from our own country by our national language as VOA broadcast in many different languages in the world, will be very beneficial, as we can listen it now using our smartphone.

3 Likes