Immigrating to the United States, understanding the country, and integrating into its social circles are key for immigrants in the U.S. There are significant cultural differences between China and the U.S., and there are naturally many things to be aware of when traveling abroad. To avoid unnecessary trouble during your journey, take a look at the ten life taboos in the U.S. that we have compiled for you!
1.Do not hitchhike casually:
When traveling in the United States, you must not hitchhike casually; this is due to the social security situation in the U.S. Cases of being robbed of money and property after hitchhiking are common in the U.S. Furthermore, some criminals, upon seeing women walking on the side of the road, will proactively stop their cars and eagerly offer a ride. If you mistakenly believe they are acting out of kindness, it is no different from a lamb walking into a tiger's den. In such situations, it is best to offer a cold refusal.
Not only that, do not easily agree to pick up hitchhikers, as some criminals, including young women, specifically wait to hitchhike, only to use threats or other means to extort money after getting into the car.
2.People of the same sex should not dance together:
People of the same sex should not dance together; this is one of the recognized social etiquettes in the United States. If people of the same sex dance together, others will inevitably cast disapproving glances or assume they are homosexual. Therefore, even if you cannot find a partner of the opposite sex, you should never dance with someone of the same sex.
3.Do not smile casually:
A smile can bring friendship. However, in certain situations, a smile often represents a promise to something. Especially for women, it is best not to smile without reason. Because an ambiguous smile is sometimes mistaken for "mockery," and sometimes mistaken for "consent," which can result in major misunderstandings.
4.Do not pay for others:
It is a Chinese habit for friends to rush to pay for tickets, admission, etc., when going out together. However, if you do this to Americans, you will not receive their gratitude. This practice makes Americans feel like they owe a favor, which makes them uncomfortable. When Americans go out together, they always pay their own expenses, including fares, meals, and tips.
5.Do not give gifts indiscriminately:
Gift-giving must be meaningful; for example, you can give a gift for a friend's birthday or a colleague's wedding to express your sentiments. But you should not give gifts casually; otherwise, the other party will not only fail to be grateful but may also suspect you have ulterior motives. When you are unsure what gift is appropriate, you can give flowers. When visiting or attending a banquet, flowers are always appropriate. Perfume and whiskey are also generally welcomed.
6.Cannot check into a hotel at any time:
Hotel check-in time is generally 14:00, and check-out time is before 12:00 noon; overtime will incur additional charges. Hotels generally do not provide personal items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, slippers, or razors, so please bring these items yourself. If you truly forget, you can inquire at the hotel front desk; some hotels may provide them for a fee. Tap water in the United States is safe to drink directly, but the hot water from the tap is not drinkable. There is no hot water supply in hotels throughout the United States; if you like to drink hot tea, you can bring your own thermos.
7.Do not take the subway at night:
The New York subway is extremely dirty and chaotic, and at night it becomes a gathering place for lawless individuals. Drug addicts, hooligans, and drug dealers gather here, and the atmosphere is chilling. If you don't care about this, then after an incident occurs, New York police officers will not only not sympathize with you, but may even blame you: "Taking the subway at night is no different from swimming in water infested with crocodiles. If something goes wrong, the responsibility lies with you."
8.Do not take off your shoes in front of others:
In the United States, taking off your shoes or being barefoot in front of others is considered the behavior of a barbarian who does not know etiquette. Only in the bedroom, or between lovers, can you take off your shoes. If a woman takes off her shoes in front of a man, it means "do whatever you want"; if a man takes off his shoes, he will be despised like a barefoot savage in the jungle. It is impolite for both men and women to pull off their socks or pull at their sock garters in front of others. If your shoelaces are loose, you should go to a place where no one is around to tie them.
9.Do not say "I am sorry" casually:
"I am sorry" and "Excuse me" both mean "apology" or "sorry," but "I am sorry" has a heavier tone, indicating an admission of fault or error. If you say it easily just to be polite, the other party will often seize upon it and hold you accountable for something that is not actually your responsibility. By then, you will have to "swallow the bitter pill," because by saying "sorry," you have already admitted you were wrong, so how can you change your statement?
10.Women should not drink alone:
Women should not drink alone; if a woman drinks alone or a few women gather to drink, it is seen as "a woman waiting for a man." Women who are unaware of this may be subjected to "unsolicited" harassment from men.