If you’ve never been to America before, you might not quite know what to expect when you get there. While the U.S. and its citizens might have a certain reputation depending on where in the world you’re coming from, this country has some amazing sights that you’re not going to want to miss. In fact, many people love it so much that they end up wanting to live there permanently. So to help ensure that your travels to The States is enjoyable, here are three things you should know before you visit the U.S.
It’s Larger Than You Might Think
Like was mentioned above, America has a lot of great things to see and places to visit. And while you might have a list of things you want to do or experience before you return home, it’s worth mentioning that The States are larger than you likely realize. It’s not necessarily easy to travel all around the U.S., especially on a short trip. Because of this, Melanie Renzulli, a contributor to TripSavvy.com, it’s going to be more beneficial to you to just focus on one area at a time for your trips. Try to stick to one of the coasts or another region when you’re planning your trip. This will help you from getting too tired from trying to see too much in a short period of time.
Prices Are Generally Fixed
While haggling and negotiations are a normal part of society in some countries, this generally isn’t something that’s done in America. Unless you’re buying something like a house or a car, all the prices are generally fixed and aren’t up for negotiating. According to John Harris, a contributor to ThoughtCatalog.com, you should also note that most posted prices don’t include sales tax, which is often added on once your items get totaled by the cashier. Keep this in mind if you think you have just enough money to buy something, as a tax of about 5 percent can be added for some items when you actually go to buy them.
Don’t Cut In Line
In countries like France, it’s perfectly fine to skip over someone in a line if they aren’t paying attention or are taking too much time. However, in America, it’s important that you take your turn and wait in the line where you originally came in. According to Therese Oneill, a contributor to Mental Floss, this can be a much more relaxing way to spend your time in line. But on the other hand, it can also be frustrating if you’re needing to get something or somewhere but you’re having to wait for everyone in front of you.
If you’ll soon be visiting America, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you better understand their culture and way of life.
Originally posted on July 19, 2018 @ 5:50 am