🇬🇧 BRIT Reacts To 10 CULTURE SHOCKS FOREIGNERS HAVE IN THE USA!

[@woltersworld]

I'm glad you liked the spray cheese :)

[@kabirconsiders]

No freaking way!! I never thought I’d get a comment from you, I LOVE your channel mate 😆

[@cierrahilton3006]

Hey another shock I get lol down south we still ride horses and sometimes a lawn mower lol I'm so serious... possibly guilty lol friend of mine didn't believe me until she seen it lol

[@pamike4873]

I love your videos, don't get me wrong, but knowing the metric system only because of soda? C'mon, man! Both metric and imperial are official measuring systems in the US. Now, for a little fun... I love to mention the following anytime someone starts bashing the US because we don't use metric...The UK invented the imperial system. That's right. Imperial: yards, feet, inches, gallons, etc. It was France that developed the metric system. The UK made the switch in the late 1950s to metric. I always end with- "The metric system is for people who haven't walked on the moon". Little do they know the US space program used and still uses metric units, lol.

[@pamike4873]

@@cierrahilton3006 I live in Pennsylvania (big surprise there, right?), and when you go to stores in some areas, say a Walmart, they have hitching posts in the parking lot. That way you don't need to find a light pole or tree to tie your horses up with. I'm 100% serious. Hitching posts at Walmart, Home Depot, grocery stores, pharmacies, etc. Pretty wild isn't it? I love America. So many different cultures, but all of them share similar traits that make America great.

[@cierrahilton3006]

@@pamike4873 I live on 94 acres I really want to get out and see more but I'm in the sticks and we don't have a Walmart lol we have one red light in the whole time ....we have two gas stations 1 grocery store but taxidermist all over lol

[@jilltengan]

Also in the USA, getting “doggie bags” or leftovers to go is totally normal and socially acceptable. It’s actually expected if you don’t eat everything. No big deal.

[@familybills2908]

Yep - tomorrow’s lunch!

[@davidhohn9106]

@@familybills2908 Yup. Waste not...

[@wrigley4247]

wait doggie bags? what part of the us are y’all from lmao, I’m in Chicago

[@markwood1159]

@@wrigley4247 "Doggie bag" is what we used to ask for before styrofoam boxes became common. A lot of older people still use the term. I don't think it's a regional thing, though I could be wrong. Maybe it's still used by younger people in some regions.

[@wrigley4247]

@@markwood1159 oh ok thanks

[@reconsoldier135]

A driver’s license is an acceptable ID but most American store clerks or bartenders won’t know what a real European license looks like so it’s harder to know if it’s real or not

[@melissarademacher2021]

This! When I managed Bars, I’d tell everyone to only accept a passport. To many Americans teens coming in with fake accents and a foreign license 😂

[@empoweredlips]

Yes! Definitely use your passport.

[@Kruellamackoy]

Passports are great, though. They’ll get you everywhere.

[@israelizzyyarrashamiaak766]

Nope. American law is for age restricted items only a state ID from the state of sale is acceptable. A drivers license from any American state or a passport . You can’t accept any ID cards from any country period. No other country’s driver license is a legal form of ID for age restricted sales inside the United States. They have to use their passport.

[@ItsMeAnn628]

I agree with the others. Best to stick to using your passport. Most adults have seen one but have no idea what a driver’s license from another country should look like. Hope you have fun here in the States!

[@delana6463]

Hi Kabir, keep in mind there are 48 lower states in the US (meaning all the states other than Hawaii, and Alaska) and a 3 hour drive wouldn't take you across most of them at even given point. Driving in January could be problematic due to weather. The best times to drive across the US would be Spring thru Fall. That time can vary by a few weeks depending on what part of the country you are in. Flying around is a great way to cover more general areas and locations, but driving across the US is amazing and experience worth taking time to do.

[@christinerichards1982]

So FYI, if you come to the US in January, whether you fly or drive, expect snow and travel delays. Also limited access to parks anywhere in the north. Pack lots of warm clothes. I’d actually suggest that you stick to the south in January unless you like snow related activities.

[@tybooskie]

And by south that's below NC and away from the mountains. NC; especially in the west, and VA are very cold and snowy in January. Evan GA can get pretty nippy.

[@violetgibson9]

Yes, if your plan is for January, you would do well to aim south. We get snowstorms here which would scare you comatose. You would not want your first driving experience in this country to end you up in a hospital. You can’t really imagine it. You could only understand from experience. You should definitely check out Texas. The stuff which surprised you because it looked so old, we do have various locations which honor the early days with businesses which are themed from the early settlement days, and various towns will have recreations of the revolutionary battles, or civil war battles. People will dress accordingly, picnics are frequently involved around battle re-enactments. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has tour guides who dress in the styles of the revolutionary era. You might start there, then head south to Florida, then west towards Texas. You would experience some snow that way, but it would not rob you of half your time here. If you look around yt, I am sure you can find some videos showing some of the events I described, and also look for winter storms in the northern USA.

[@RobertaS127]

@@tybooskie Yes, definitely the Deep South only. I live in VA and we gets lots of snow and ice in January.

[@Sobergirl_]

Winter months are not a good time to visit. You would have more fun coming any time from April-October.

[@Sobergirl_]

Shoot for mid May to Mid July. You will miss the snow and extreme heat and also the National Parks will be open. The elevation is a factor too. For example… Arizona could be getting 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but the Grand Canyon North Rim is 8800 foot elevation and it will be about 60 degrees Fahrenheit up there.

[@jasperredican4987]

One thing I’d recommend when going to the USA is to not just go fast food places. There are so many unique restaurants all over the place that make delicious food

[@kabirconsiders]

For sure, I’ll definitely try to eat at higher quality places

[@melissahergenroder3727]

Totally agree here. If you want a real feel for the people and the area don't eat at big chain restaurants. Seems you have a lot of people from America watch your videos you could always post what cities you're going to and ask for restaurant suggestions. Also I'm from the south and I thought it was cute/funny that red lobster was a good seafood restaurant. When you come back try a real seafood restaurant where they buy the fish local. Or at least close to a large body of water. We really know how to cook it. 😉

[@naydee]

Find out from locals where the good local restaurants are located.

[@luvleeana]

Little diners are the BEST!!!

[@strivingformindfulness2356]

@@melissahergenroder3727 The people with the lobster bib looked like they might've been in Maine; the person next to the one wearing the lobster bib was wearing a Maine shirt. I doubt they were at a Red Lobster in Maine. 😉

[@thershers4484]

If you are coming in January you may want to stay in southern parts of the USA. The northern states may be very cold and snowy. It makes driving a little harder for people who don’t drive in snow a lot.

[@katyareads221]

Washington DC is deserted in January....but no long lines to see the sites then

[@unnecessaryapostrophe4047]

Once you're out West, the cold and snow is much nicer. I would agree, though, that any non-Russian visitor to the USA might want to avoid places like Minneapolis or Buffalo in January.

[@webbtrekker534]

For January travel stay to the southern 1/2 of the US but you can see all the west coast. it stays mostly snow free except a few days to a week most winters. I live near Seattle and winter here is mostly above freezing all winter except those exceptions.

[@shyryTsr2k]

@@webbtrekker534 I got a friend from Washington as well and he says it can get pretty damn cold there but the snow doesn't stick for very long. Here in Cali though we got nothin but sun sun and more sun all year round! But we are also on fire most the time because of the droughts and all that.

[@FNJ720]

That’s right! You could get stuck in some northern areas. (Snowed in, icy roads, etc.)

[@jessir5873]

I rode with my parents as a child from California to South Carolina. It was a 5 day trip with the stops. We can and will drive across country.

[@Brashnir]

I'd strongly recommend against trying to see the whole US in one trip, even if you're here for 2 months. Best to make a regional trip, and see the best of a drivable area of the country, rather than wasting a week of your trip in airports. You can always come back again in the future and see another area. There will be a pretty good reason for a Brit to visit again in 2026.

[@colleenmonfross4283]

Definitely agree. I'm planning a trip to Europe and I am going to start with one or two places at a time so that I can spend time there and see them well instead of just the tourist places. Visiting the US is no different.

[@shaftshaft]

Strongly recommend a two week trip to drive the 101 from Cali to washington or vice versa if you can only do one trip to US. Or if you are more of a city person than maybe East Coast.

[@shaftshaft]

Just the way things have been lately with Climate Change gotta do it in June.

[@pc2555]

@@shaftshaft lol the heat wave on the west coast this summer has not happened since the 1930s. Its not climate change it will not happen next year most likely.

[@kazeryu17]

@@colleenmonfross4283 same. If I ever visit Europe, I would break it into smaller trips. I have a few relatives from the UK, and alot of interest in Spain, and france so I would probably visit both countries for one trip. Also, I would love to visit central Europe, particularly Germany, czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary, so I may make another trip out of that. Considering how large those countries are, I may have to split it all into 4 trips.

[@jordanmarshall6628]

I would recommend bringing your passport if you're going to be ID'd. I had a friend from Canada try to use her drivers license and the store clerk didn't recognize it and didn't accept it. Fake ID's are very common here so bouncers and cashiers are usually trained on what different state ID's look like so they can spot a fake, if they don't recognize it they may assume it's fake, whereas a passport is a more credible ID.

[@teresastabler]

Fake id's are common but yet still the most accepted form of id.

[@victoriac5721]

I’ve driven from New York to California twice and while it is a hell of a drive and takes days it’s super cool, to see how much the terrain changes and all the cities along the way, and some national parks are crazy amazing. Literally one day I drove from the arches which is in Utah and was about 104 degrees up through the Rockies that were 60 still with snow. Hope you have fun!

[@sheherazahde5611]

Just diving from upstate New York to Philadelphia is interesting! Going through the Lehigh Tunnel through the Blue Mountain is crazy! You can see that ridge coming for miles and on the other side it has a different climate!

[@ChristCharity1]

You're right about the bathroom stall gaps being partly for safety and escaping. It's also to help keep the line moving-- so people can see that you're in there. Also, it's easier for mopping and sharing toilet paper through the stalls if your neighbor is out.

[@MrsWheezer]

Newer mass public restrooms (think Buc-ee’s) have the doors that give you privacy. They also show occupied or not based on if the lock is engaged.

[@rondawohl3562]

Kabir - you as so sweet and fun to watch! I'm born and bred in the USA and it is so fun watching your reactions to things that we consider as "normal" and assume everyone else does too! It's really an education for us Americans as well as yourself!

[@kabirconsiders]

Thanks so much Rhonda :)

[@lever0811]

well said Ronda Wohl. Wouldn't showing Kabir around be a hoot?

[@cathipalmer8217]

In most stores, if a salesperson approaches you, it's more than fine to smile and say, "I'm good," or "Oh, I'm just looking," and they should leave you alone.

[@filianablanxart8305]

I'm just looking , or I'm just browsing for now .

[@SA-zy1zq]

Unless... they are on commission, then they are a bit more pushy

[@filianablanxart8305]

@@SA-zy1zq Two edged sword . If they are on commission , they are much more likely to be actually knowledgeable on their products . If a particular establishment's products or services are simple enough to be sold by basic generic minimum wage , usually indifferent warm bodies , that's who will get hired .

[@teresajaskowiak2165]

I worked retail. It's a weird psychological thing to let customers know we are watching so don't steal.

[@greasey8695]

@@teresajaskowiak2165 True, but that isn’t to say that workers aren’t also trying to help.

[@SaintEcliptus]

Driving across the US is actually one of the best parts about living here. Nothing will replace an unsuspecting sunset driving across the west. Totally worth it.

[@melissahergenroder3727]

Totally agree. Driving is so much better than flying. When you drive you get to see some cute small towns , beautiful landscape, cute little shops or markets along the way. We drove from Mobile AL (an hour and a half from Florida) to LA and loved it. You went from lush greenery to rolling hills, flat plains, desert, Grand Cayon, and mountains (Although the Smoky Mountains Are must-see 💚). We actually did it in a few days. Although I would have love to had more time. Spend a day or two in every state. Oh and got to drive down Route 66. She needs a little work but still fun. If you want a shorter trip you could always start around my area. You have beautiful beaches to enjoy. You also have New Orleans that is two and a half hours away (day trip). You made a comment about the beautiful oak trees. Mobile and New Orleans have plenty of those. Then you could go north Alabama and see some beautiful green covered hills and mountains. Which can be four to sixs hours from the beaches. Keep going north you'll hit Tennessee which has a ton of nice things to visit depending on what kind of trip your looking for. You have plenty of hiking and if you want to see a big city you could always hit Nashville. I personally like Gatlinburg it's smaller and kinda touristy but it is in the middle of the smokies 💜. Also good chance of you seeing wild life. Including black bears. They had one walk through town about 2 weeks ago. So if you don't want to drive to much that's a nice short trip with a few different landscapes. Also a lot of nice areas to camp. Love Fall Creek Falls TN state park. Which ever you choose I just would not do it durring holiday season (November until the beging of January). Everything gets busier at that time of year. Have fun.

[@andrewwebb3248]

Hitting a sunset or sunrise in the southwest is literally movie worthy.

[@rychei5393]

Ya, train trips can be pretty fun too.

[@filianablanxart8305]

@@melissahergenroder3727 To visualize Gatlinburg , think of a beach resort that just happens to have mountains instead of ocean next to it . Yes , Smokey Mtn NP is spectacular . It's also the single most visited National Park . If you're just driving and not hiking/ backpacking it can be crowded . But there are lots of spectacular mountains in that region . To combine mountain scenery and going places , travel the Blue Ridge Parkway/ Skyline Drive . Few facilities directly on it , but lots of towns , attractions . history a few minutes drive either side . Either a short stretch , or the whole 574 mile combined length from Northern Virginia to southern North Carolina .

[@kelleyjogirl]

Yesssss! Nothing like a road trip! Best kind of vacation.

[@Cory_Springer]

It's been almost 2 decades since I've visited anywhere outside of the USA. I understand there is a stereotype about American's not touring abroad, and while this stereotype does seem quite true for the most part, a lot can be said about how the size of USA means you can spend a lifetime traveling the States and never seeing it all.

[@eaglelove00]

Don’t believe everything you hear. Many people around the world don’t hate us as much as the few vocal people say they do. Every place I’ve visited were very friendly and interested to exchange knowledge of each other’s countries, cultures, and traditions.

[@perryshaffer8358]

@@eaglelove00 When I lived in Germany, the closest to hostility any German got to Americans was when the Green Party protested the Army cutting down trees for a new NCO club. They weren't angry with us as individuals and were careful to say so, they were angry with the governments involved.

[@eaglelove00]

@@perryshaffer8358 I can understand them, definitely. My dad served in Germany and he had nothing but good things to say about it. That was back in the 50’s.

[@twigletz7384]

The US is a huge country with incredible scenery and I have loved every minute I have spent there soaking up the different vibes from the various states I've visited. However, the culture of the US is.... American. There's no getting away from it. If you visit Europe you will experience a massive range of history/cultures/languages/lifestyles etc etc. Europe is a similar size to the US, but IMO, Europe offers so more.

[@perryshaffer8358]

@@twigletz7384 Meh. They're just closer together. There's definitely different vibes in New York, LA, Chicago, Vegas, Miami, Boston, and New Orleans. Saying we don't have the history Europe does is BS too. This continent did not suddenly come into being when Columbus discovered it. It was here all along. There's history and culture here. the fact that a lot of it isn't European is immaterial. The US has distinct food, music, and cultural norms varying by place and ethnicity.We are NOT all the same and we differ from Europe.

[@diskonnekt1313]

The rule for hotels in the US: avoid the seedy places and the greedy places.

[@baskervillebee6097]

Once stayed a a 17th century coaching inn in England that was a Best Western Hotel. 😳😳😂 ( Best Western rating is considered reliably safe/clean.)

[@hedonista7593]

A lesser known favorite American pastime: ROAD TRIP!!! I don't even think twice about a 12 hour drive to Los Angeles, lol. Driving shows you more of "real" America than flying. But, yes. You have to have the time and the desire to do it. I love road trips, personally, but they're not for everyone. 😁

[@PsychoSpiral]

I've read this on Reddit a few years ago of this European guy (forgot what country) who posted that he''s going on a road trip in U.S. He's asking advice on how to prepare for the trip. The Americans: "How long is the trip according to your plans?" Euro guy said: "About two hours." Americans: LOL (then comments of how that's like a grocery trip, commute, and etc. to them)

[@awphooey2u519]

Oh same. A 12 hour trip from new Orleans to Kissimmee. No question, I'd go.

[@laeliawatt8593]

@@PsychoSpiral Aaahhahahaa! I actually laughed out loud at reading "2 hours". Was not expecting that. Where was he going? Across town? 🤣

[@Hearth123]

Road trips are the best. My sister and I drove from MN to CA then down the Pacific coast highway and then over through AZ and TX. It was awesome to see so much of the country and stop in all kinds of cute little towns along the way

[@benjalucian1515]

I enjoyed Kabir's "long trip" of 3 hours. That's a trip to another town to have lunch and then drive back the same day. And depending how big your city is, you start counting the hours AFTER you leave the city limits. For some, it's an hour just getting out of town. 😊

[@cooperhilinsky6361]

The “fish & chips” you saw are crab cakes! They usually come w remoulade sauce (kinda like a spicy Cajun) and lemon. They are yummy and if you’re on the east coast (specifically Baltimore or Boston) they’re a must!

[@RandomUser2388]

The blue crab in maryland is a must, as well as dungeness crab on the oregon and Washington coast, absolutely delicious. I grew up on the oregon coast so i favor dungies more, but blue crab is good as well. Honestly if you see king or snow crab on the menu just avoid it. Its tourist crab, basically its profitable and easy to get so they market it to tourist, and somehow people think its good😂, beyond me. Word of strong advice tho, get seafood that is local to the area, for example dont get a salmon dinner in Virginia, because well there are no salmon in Virginia, so that fish has traveled from the north west or alaska to get to your plate in Virginia, probably not the freshest or tastiest thing you can eat. Also if there is something weird on the menu and your unsure, try it first and then ask what it is😂, for example scrapple in the south. See if you like it before you know exactly what it is, because if they tell you then ya wont wanna try it😂. If i could tell you anything to avoid it would be chicago illinois and the state of California, both for crime and price. Its obnoxious how expensive things are there

[@JonnyQuest64]

@@RandomUser2388 being a native to Chicagos little brother in crime and cost Rockford Illinois I couldn't agree more. Best thing to do in Illinois is to get the hell out before you get stuck forever 😆

[@socheoteyza6211]

Memphis in Orange County has the best crab cakes

[@RandomUser2388]

@@socheoteyza6211 yes but that requires you to go to cali🤷‍♂️😂, imo not worth it

[@juneoconnor4503]

I had crab cakes in New Orleans when I visited a friend in Mississippi. Food of the gods! I never have much of an appetite but I could inhale those things all day. We don’t get that in England,not like those anyway

[@skinsfan442]

I know you said you love red lobster but when you visit DONT EAT THERE! Go local! ESPECIALLY if you’re on the East or west coast, a lot of local places do fresh caught and make amazing dishes. Also with cars here if you get a manual rental it’s practically theft proof too (which can be an issue in major cities especially if you’re visiting from another country) cause a lot of people don’t know how to drive manual. Also speed limits here are weirdly a “suggestion” to an extent. On highways if you’re going 9 over the limit most of the time the police will leave you alone. 5 over is usually not a problem. But I would say never go more than 10 over in any given place. On local roads, I would definitely stay within no more than 5 over in areas of 35 or lower cause the police will pull you over. They monitor those ares a lot more closely and are more strict

[@markedwards3647]

Yeah, unless I am really short on time, I set the cruise control on the speed limit, or if I am rushed, 4 over the limit. It actually does burn much less gasoline, except on roads with speed limits that are not timed by lights. That way, I only have to look out for aggressive drivers, and those who fall asleep in left turn lanes with green arrows.

[@lever0811]

my little town the speed limit is 30 mph not 31 and not 29. its been named the best speed trap in the state. cops have nothing else to do.

[@amytempleton6650]

I’m from Texas and when we went to Ireland, our guide was amazed that we’ll drive 200-300 miles just for a day trip. LOL You’ll definitely need to fly within the States!

[@ossiningsue]

I drove from NYC to Key West to visit my grandparents. No big deal

[@UnbreakableLexii]

I’m from Houston so this is true! 😂

[@paultiki9968]

Drive from west Texas to east Texas takes a whole day

[@bibles1234]

Planes are the way to go, just driving from Dallas to New Mexico is 10 hours! That's just crossing 1 State. Dallas to Alabama, also 10 hours. Flying is the way to go and there are quick regional area airlines like Southwest airlines or Jet Blue.

[@my3sweetsg288]

Same in Colorado. Will easily drive three hours, which is about 150 to 200 miles to go white water rafting for the day. Then grab dinner at a restaurant and drive home for another three hours. The drive gets long when you’ve seen it a few times, but the first or second time it’s still fun to see all the beautiful scenery.

[@mindweavers]

It's now 21 for cigarettes in most places. Also, sodas are not as cheap now, and a lot of Walmarts are closing overnight. Covid has changed things here.

[@kollynschippers2012]

Covid has changed small things but no the leaders of this country currently are the ones changing everything

[@mindweavers]

@@kollynschippers2012 Trying to be non-political especially since he's not from here. But I agree with you.

[@hah3456]

In the South not much has changed at all….probably a good time for him to visit the Southeastern US

[@mindweavers]

@@hah3456 Arkansas, things have changed here.

[@hah3456]

@@mindweavers I’m sorry to hear that, I have friends there and they haven’t cee pressed a problem with inflation but it could be the city

[@TNBuckeye1617]

When it comes to the “Speed Limit” in the US, it’s very important to remember that many states have laws against “impeding the normal flow of traffic” or laws to “keep right, except to pass”, etc. I regularly drive on a highway where the speed limit is 55 mph and the people will drive 70-75 mph in the far left lane; also, the more local the police, the less they seem to care. Seriously, put State Troopers on this highway and watch the speeds collapse down to 55-60. In the same county, we have a small city that seems to fund itself on speeding tickets because the smart people don’t speed or keep it to less than 5 mph over the limit. My advice to you is, get out of the locals’ way, avoid rush hour (especially in cities), and relax in the slow lane most of the time; if you approach driving in the US with the right attitude, it’s much less stressful.

[@LambentLark]

The funniest culture shock I ever heard was when my 6' 6.5" dad went to Japan. He was there for a month. He said he hit his head every single day. Lmao. I asked him why he didn't learn from his mistake, a question he often asked me. He said he gave up when he almost knocked himself out on a sign while avoiding an awning. Then there was the bed. They had to bring in a second bed because his feet were hanging over the end of the mattress. The local kids kept calling him Kyojin. When he found out it ment giant. He said, thats Mr. Kyojin. Lol my Dad had a good soul and sense of humor. He just rolled with whatever life handed him. Glad he passed that down to me.

[@robertwilber1909]

lol... I am 5'10" and knocked myself out in Ibiza

[@aggiebaka4081]

🤣🤣...had the same experience.

[@jim6161]

Yea I hit by head a fair amount in Japan. Even when I was young and In high school I had to duck coming into the classroom.

[@BadgerBJJ]

I’m 6”2 and muscular 235 lbs. In southern Italy I was like a giant. I wanted to buy shoes, size 12.5 American and they looked at me like I was crazy.

[@sue7971]

January? Unless you plan on spending most of your time in Florida, Texas or Southern California! Spring (May) or Fall (September) I think are best! Not too hot or too Cold. Also: You think you’re only going to gain 5 pounds? You might want to incorporate a fitness plan in your trip. The food is amazing! Go for the local cuisine!

[@jamesmommy13]

LOL, or incorporate stretch pants into your wardrobe.

[@deehines5750]

When you asked if that was an old timey restaurant, it could've been but we also have Amish/Pennsylvania Dutch people here that still live that way for the most part and don't accept most modern things. They make excellent woodcraft items or homemade baked goods and jams to sell to tourists though.

[@jacquelynejohnson9127]

Ohio and Pennsylvania for the Amish and Mennonite food , beautiful country , watch out for the horse drawn carriages

[@nathan5295]

You're right, but that footage seems to be from Williamsburg, Virginia where they re-create a colonial-era town for tourists.

[@jgw5491]

@@nathan5295 I'd bet it is. I need to get there someday.

[@samcharlie7724]

A bus trip to Amish country is a annual event the "church ladies" do here in Ohio. THE FOOD IS SO GOOD😍😇

[@SA-zy1zq]

I live in Illinois, we have several Amish towns and my mom was raised in Indiana in Amish communities. They are all over the Midwest. But they are probably in higher concentration in the East, never been there so I don't know how common they are there. Here, I see them daily almost and we're a good 45 minute drive from the nearest town.

[@jebus571]

That's so crazy to hear your longest drives were like 4 hours haha. I live in Texas and regularly visit family in San Antonio from El Paso, that's an 8 hour drive just within Texas. I've made that drive more times than I can remember.

[@treetopjones737]

For people that drive it, it's like 8 hours from L.A. to San Francisco.

[@tsvandyke]

16 hour drive to meet bother in LA ... I live in San Francisco . $400 plane ticket .. or ... $150 driving a car.

[@filianablanxart8305]

Change your mindset from such a tiny country like England . Distance and travel time isn't a bad thing to be avoided or regretted . make it an opportunity . The journey can be at least as enjoyable and enlightening as the destination . Many ( most ? ) Americans enjoy driving and road trips . You get to see the country up close at ground level . If you see interesting scenery , lakes , whatever , pull over and enjoy .Visit local history sites. Drive the non freeway roads . Eat at local diners , shop at local stores , visit non famous State Parks , have a beer or snack at the local bar , and talk with the residents . As we say , " Get to know the Real America " . Takes you longer to " get there " ? So what . If you're having a month or two here , you've got time . Not so much in winter , but in the warmer months stop a small town festival , or a county fair . If you see signs for local civic group/ fraternal club/ veteran's post / Boy Scout Troop having a Bull Roast / oyster scald/ corn boil / bar b que / etc , enjoy the local food specialty and socialize . You don't have to do 12 hour marathon drives . Be leisurely , and take a day or two to get to wherever .

[@Edna2u]

I live in Tx in the Ft worth area and its a 9 hr drive to El Paso

[@meli-belli]

Same with Florida! I would consistently drive from FL to LA and 7 hours of the drive would be simply leaving Florida 🙃

[@MrTypeSETit]

Cameras on the roads to catch speeders in my State (Missouri) has been ruled unconstitutional because to be convicted of a crime (in this case, speeding) a defendant needs to be able to question his/her accuser. You can't call a camera to the witness stand.

[@BiologyBabe]

Same in Colorado

[@mage1439]

I mean, that's kind of stupid. A camera isn't an accuser; it's proof. If you get caught robbing a jewelry store, I'm sure their camera are good enough to get you convicted.

[@hackerx7329]

@@mage1439 Yes but there are some serious issues with speed cameras in particular. Was the radar calibrated correctly. Was it aligned correctly with the camera. Was there another vehicle at the same time that the radar read and the camera caught and ticketed the wrong vehicle. How do you prove you have ticketed the correct driver without an officer checking their ID?

[@eaglelove00]

In CA, it’s the officer viewing the camera footage/pictures who is the accuser. If you challenge a ticket, you can go to court and face the person reviewing the proof that you broke the law 🤣 Hey, you break the law, be ready to take responsibility for it… it’s called integrity 😃

[@karenpusateri2089]

That food is crab cakes. Very tasty, extremely popular in the Mid-Atlantic region- Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C. and Delaware. A word of caution on cheaper hotels...if you see stars of 2 or below, they are not nice hotels. The rooms are usually not very clean, amenities are basic, etc... look at 3 or higher. Look at user reviews. Complimentary services usually are described on website, so you can plan. The 5 star hotels are based on ambiance, location, and quality. The extras are wonderful, but at a premium.

[@evanmcgillicutty3808]

Crab cakes are very popular down here in Charleston Sc as well where fresh crab isn’t hard to come by

[@maryb1923]

@@evanmcgillicutty3808 blue crabs are plentiful In south Louisiana too!!

[@5PctJuice]

Also, fun thing about where I live (Arizona), it's actually illegal for businesses that serve drinks to charge for water by itself. We live in a desert, hydration is a serious issue here. So if your business is able to offer any drink, even if it's a gas station, you can't charge for just water, and most places here have a separate set of small plastic cups used for water alone. It's honestly one of the best things about this place, even if I hate how hot it gets.

[@dgpatter]

That “oldie worldie” place you were asking about was Colonial Williamsburg. It’s a living history museum; you have those in the UK as well.

[@Adiscretefirm]

I know a woman from Liverpool that went to college in the US. When her father flew to Chicago to help her move to Florida for her Master's degree and finally got to Tallahassee he figured out it was equivalent to driving from Liverpool to Italy.

[@bracejuice7955]

I was about to recommend you come up to New England during your trip to the US..then you said you were thinking of coming in January, in which case NEVERMIND! But if you come in the autumn it’s absolutely gorgeous, and I’d be happy to provide a free tour guide!

[@McSnacks930]

Maybe he wants to experience a good New England winter haha

[@spaceshiplewis]

Yeah New England winter is a beautiful Norman Rockwell painting for ONLY the the first snow and ONLY for a day, then it's an icy mud track lined with black snow 'til spring thaw.

[@kemeee5407]

What's also cool though, is the US'S huge diversity of terrain & animal life. In Florida, they have black panther's, all variety of snakes & spiders, as well as gecko's. In the NE here, we have black bears (no grizzly's on East Coast; but on West Coast there is), we do have diamondback rattlesnakes, the occasional moose, copperhead snakes, tons and tons of deer, and we're extremely dense with tree's. All of the East Coast has really gorgeous beaches & little islands that you can boat too, or kayak too. We have huge deserts, we have the middle America plains, Grand Canyon, Rocky mountains....I could go on! When I won a trip from CT to Montana, I won a trip to a dude ranch! It was amazing, to be able to go dog sledding in the Rocky Mountains. Although walking around at night at the ranch was scary as they have lot's of mountain lions in that area of the NW. But skiing down the Rocky's was amazing!! Quite a bit different than going skiing over here in the NE where we don't have such huge mountains. Oh and they have mountain goats in Montana/NW area too. Super cool to see. I also went to Yellowstone & saw the hotsprings. So we have such a huge variety of differents types of land & animals. Pretty neat.

[@Cricket2731]

No black panthers is the US--except in a zoo!

[@kristaphipps6932]

As an American, we sometimes forget that not everyone understands our abbreviations. CT is the abbreviation for Connecticut.

[@filianablanxart8305]

@@Cricket2731 Well .... One may or may not occasionally sneak across the border from the Sierra Madre to stick his paw on US soil just to say he did . ( Wildlife humor ) But we do have an increasing population of " regular " Cougar aka Mountain Lion, aka Puma

[@karylkline6442]

Florida does have panthers, just not black panthers

[@ZackHamlin1]

I see a lot of other people saying this too, but local restaurants will be so much cooler and the food will be much better than fast food anywhere you happen to be in the US. Seeing all the different fast food would probably be interesting for you, but local food will be much, much better

[@kelly_kpb]

My brothers roommate in the army had a theory: the restaurant that has their Christmas lights up year round has the best food in town. We have tested this theory all over the world, and never been disappointed. If you think about it, it’s usually the small local places that are doing this, and the best experience.

[@heresyoursign9273]

Kabir - I've heard In and Out isn't worth the hype BUT if you ever come to America find a CULVERS and PORTILLOS. Their Cheese Burgers,Sandwiches, and desserts is not even a comparison to most fast food. I will say that both of those places are somewhere between a real resteraunt and fast food. I live by Chicago but I do know they have started to franchise all around America.

[@filianablanxart8305]

I get it about foreign tourists having seen all the American fast food chains due to product placement in all the movies and tv shows , and they're curious . But they're mostly necessary evils if you're on the go and 5 minutes to grab mediocre food and go is controlling parameter . But for eating on purpose , local places , or at most small regional mini chain is best .

[@annefox926]

Ask when you check in at the hotel about a good local restaurant, they give you good advice.

[@delana6463]

The hotel experience cheaper vs more expensive isn't comparing orange to orange. While the cheaper chain hotels are safe, clean, and provide a limited amount of services, like a pool, exercise room, cable, that sorta thing. The breakfast isn't an order what you'd like, it's packaged foods, self serve, sometimes even prepare like a waffle, or put out in catering containers for you to grab what you want. The more expensive hotels tend to have room service and you order off a menu and it's prepared by the hotel chef. The linens, beds, pillows, and other furnishings are nicer, most offer spa, and shopping, etc. It's just a different type of experience. Nothing wrong with the cheaper especially if you are just wanting a place to shower, and sleep while traveling and seeing the sights.

[@gggooding]

Historical thingy: back in the early 20th, there were amazing public transit systems in major American cities. So much so that no one in urban areas bought cars when cars became a thing. The corporations that profited from these new fangled cars (Ford, US Steel, etc) bought all the public transit trolleys and rails in major cities...and dismantled them forcing people to buy cars. Everything in the store is for sale.

[@ellenlehrman9299]

Yep. Our public transportation went down the drain due to the power of the automobile industry.

[@warlaker]

That was exactly what happened in L.A. We had a good light rail system, but it got blown out and only now do we have something like that again

[@AliciaMully]

Greedy selfish capitalists! Lol maybe the magnetic trains like Japan will save us.

[@Kwaspo]

Not exactly true, yes people like to blame the big bad capitalists but in reality the issue comes down to size and space. There is a ton of space between our cities and even within a lot of cities things are spread out. The size these transport networks would need to span would remove the convenience and cost efficiency. It's the main reason we do not have high speed rail across the country, it would just cost way too much. The ticket prices would probably be above prices for flights. Add in the fact that states are basically their own countries, and the logistics for large scale public transport get murky. Many large, dense cities have great public transport between busses, metros and bike lanes, but it just doesn't make any sense for sparse or rural areas.

[@badgodsit]

Oooh, that’s EXACTLY what I was thinking when I saw that part! I’m glad you brought it up, cause I couldn’t remember all the particulars. I watched a documentary about cars and transportation in America once, and the kind of trolley cars they still have in San Francisco, apparently they used to be EVERYWHERE. I think they said something like it used to be possible to get from one end of the country to the other using those trolley cars…which is totally mind blowing considering how big US is. 🤯 But yeah, the people with vested interest in cars and fuel bought them and I think even burned them all? I seem to remember an image of some of them piled up and burning. I’ll have to look for that one again. It was super interesting.

[@cathyvickers9063]

Colonial Williamsburg is a living museum. The city played an important role in Colonial America & after we won our independence. Actors help bring it to life, giving tours to tourists. They do reenactments. A historic restaurant serves period inspired food, served by staff in period costume. Craftsmen like blacksmiths, glassblowers, and so on give demonstrations and answer questions.

[@whispyrr3802]

I live about 4 hours from Williamsburg and it always a great and educational time. I try to go once a year.

[@jessedimiro3361]

it’s so ironic hearing someone from Britain telling Americans to be proud of where they came from lmao

[@thefixerer]

Make America Great Britain Again

[@jimpatterson3286]

As an American, one of the things that I love to do is visit the grocery store in different states and cities.

[@denisesalmon4496]

When I went to New York. We had to get on the subway and it was a little confusing. So I started asking people around me. They were wonderful! Also ask the locals where do they eat at where is the best food. I didn’t want to go to the tourist Restaurants.

[@joepike1972]

3:45 I did an Amtrack Train Ride around the US in ten days. From LAX to Miami Florida, to Boston Masachusets, to Chicago and then Emeriville California and back to LAX. In the train you get to see the country side you are traveling by (unlike a plane) and you also get to meet and talk with the people in the different places you are passing and you are not tired out by driving all the time.

[@tetrahedron4939]

For alcohol identification, always use your passport. As in some places (like Utah) non-US identification (excluding passports) cannot be used as ID for alcohol sales. Also be aware that alcohol laws are regional, where every state, county and city has the right to make any laws regarding the sale of alcohol as long as the governing body above it hasn’t already made a similar law. This means some places can have no alcohol on Sunday, or prices fixed above a certain threshold or just flat out banning the sale of alcohol in the jurisdiction.

[@matthew9677]

Interesting. Lots of times/places drivers liceNe is acceptable. I think the video mentioned passport because international travelers will at least all have that.

[@eg61400]

Drivers license are acceptable. My cousin from Mexico used her drivers license and it worked.

[@amandaw6872]

Interesting thing that I learned a few years ago (and I might be a little off with specifics, but the bottom line....) - apparently the county in Tennessee with the most whiskey distilleries is a dry county (no commercial sales of alcohol).

[@Miss_Camel]

@@amandaw6872 we only recently got to buy liquor on sundays, beer after midnight, and wine in grocery stores!! We still have a LOT of dry counties, tho, but I mean, the counties are pretty close together. Fireworks were illegal in my county for most of my life, but if you drove like 25 minutes, you could get them easily. Also, alcohol can’t be sold within so many feet of a church, etc. But I laughed so hard when he just said the longest drive he’s ever been on is 4 hours!! Lolol it’s a 15 hour drive to my dad’s house and I’ve always done it in one trip. 😂

[@amberwinter7134]

Some place can't accept a foreign driver's license due to law, restraunt management, or even personal preference. There are very severe legal consequences for serving/selling alcohol to someone under 21. If they aren't willing to accept a dl from another country they have a good reason.

[@sharonjames1255]

Yes Kabir, our driver's license, which has our picture on it, is actually used for our ID more than anything else is; and of course we have to have our drivers license with us if we are driving! People that are still in school, whatever kind (grade school, high school, collage), usually have a Student ID they can use as well.

[@aquatus1]

In regards to the large space between the floor and the toilet wall, as explained by Hollywood, you need that space to be able to escape foreign spies, slashers/serial killers, or school bullies.

[@tsvandyke]

space - between the floor & the wall ?

[@AliciaMully]

@@tsvandyke stall & floor they meant lol

[@tybooskie]

🤣

[@filianablanxart8305]

Or more seriously , to discourage public toilet stalls being used for drug use , sexual asignations , etc . Or if you collaspe with medical emergency . drug overdose , whatever , you can be spotted and rescued . Or discourage the homeless from permanently moving in .

[@ongoingstory2071]

The reason for the bathroom is 3 fold. Yes safety is one of those but it's also makes it so much easier to clean the floors. But more than any of that is that public bathrooms are designed and built by modular. You order premade components based on standard sizes then put them together. It makes it easier to construct and replace.

[@zannahmerrill3620]

stilllll terrible lol and a lot of the time still dirty!!!

[@shansins359]

@@zannahmerrill3620 so true. And it's shocking that the women's restrooms are usually more dirty than the mens!

[@f_ascari6086]

For reference on how MASSIVE the US is, if the UK was a state it would be ranked 11th in area and is about 1/6th the size of Alaska(biggest in the nation)

[@MrTommygunz420]

Iirc the landmass of the US is 24.4 of the entire UK (including territorial waters.)

[@alanpeterson4939]

And, if you dug up Ireland, and used it to fill in the Great Lakes, there would still be wet spots. And the Great Lakes are just a handful of lakes on the US/Canada border.

[@hengineer]

The USA is comparable to all of Europe, with individual countries equaling states.

[@MrTommygunz420]

@@hengineer which is why we have no VAT pricing, national ad campaigns use pre-tax prices for convenience and the rates can vary from city to city, between counties within a state, and the states themselves. Imagine making an ad that would run across Europe from the UK and Portugal clear to Russia (languages would be dubbed but otherwise the same visually,) and trying to put the same price on all; you have to go pre-tax.

[@Hearth123]

Shhhh the Texans will hear you, 😂 you know they get salty about Alaska being bigger

[@msp_isyourteacher6139]

Smiling, holding the door for strangers, and saying, “Ya’ll,” is more common than you think. Even my cousins in the North Midwest use it. I’m in Texas.

[@emaniburton9422]

The “fish and chips” was a crab cake- best had in Baltimore MD , just outside DC. The old world thing is Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. It’s a full time living history settlement where volunteers- even children live like the late 1700s 24 hours a day.

[@sonjadodson4091]

I live Baltimore for so many things I call it the city of characters ❤️also known for Blue Crabs 🦀

[@MarkoDash]

and unless I'm mistaken the archway of trees was Boone Hall plantation in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

[@nataliebohemian]

🙌 a bit of advice on crabcakes - they’re best when they’re shaped like a ball and broiled. And now I’m starving.

[@kenmancini6088]

Yes, everyone drives so traffic can be terrible. You'll hear the expression "Rush hour" which refers to the period of time in the morning and evening when most people are going to or coming home from work. The two rush hours are actually longer than 1 hour since different jobs can start anywhere from 7:30 am to 9:00 am and end 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

[@oliviawilliams6521]

Consider checking out one of the national parks while you're here depending on what time of year you visit. Yellowstone, Grand Canyon National Park, Yosemite in the west, and Smoky Mountains or Everglades on the East coast. Also, Chicago, San Francisco, and New York are great big cities to visit. If you're looking for a cool smaller city to visit, check out Asheville in North Carolina.

[@charlotteinnocent8752]

Americans are very genuine about their friendliness. And they are! Mostly. And do be careful about speeding or your driving in general because they really pull over more people there.

[@lisauptagrafft2010]

Yes we do drive manuals, they are not the majority of cars, though. I used to love driving manuals, but, now that I’m older, I drive automatics, it’s just easier. ✌🏼❤️

[@jacquelynejohnson9127]

Prefer manual to auto ,

[@wraithvendeta]

I prefer a manual to an automatic but it is definitely harder on the knees.

[@thisbeem2714]

My "new" manual has hill hold. It is the oddest thing. I mean it's a 2010 so it's not new... I really don't like driving an automatic. If one has paddles then at least you can switch into manual to get that burst of speed or accelerate quickly. But it is all on the steering wheel and it's awkward.

[@evilbob840]

I got a manual as a teenager because it was cheaper. But, I got used to it (and yeah, it's more fun); I'm over 50 now and have never owned an automatic.

[@Alphasnowbordergirl]

Williamsburg (with the colonial stuff) is a famous historic town that does reinactments, history, and the like. Huge tourist spot. Virginia was in the middle of the revolutionary war and civil war as well as part of the first colonies, so the slogan is "Virginia is for (history) lovers" and there are a lot of museums, historic sites, and reenactment activities.

[@lisahess6509]

I live in NC and have made the trip to Colonial Williamsburg several times. My favorite place to go. Well worth the trip for sure. You don't want to miss this. Especially if you like food and seeing the history come to life. Amazing experience. I couldn't agree more. 👍😊

[@webbtrekker534]

I would avoid the bus systems like Greyhound for travel. Not what they use to be. You can get a rail pass that will allow you to travel all around the US by train and get on and off where you like. You get to see the country you would miss by air. I've driven across the US quite a number of times. About 5 days travel coast to coast and is interesting if you don't have an agenda you can poke around small town USA and see lots of neat stuff.

[@MollyFC]

I concur, Greyhound is unreliable and just straight up unpleasant. I rode them a few times and the last time I tried to they gave away my seat to someone on standby even though I had purchased my ticket weeks prior and they tried to refuse a refund. Just a terrible company

[@oldfogey4679]

Webb i go traveling on amtrak as well! Its a great way to go!

[@jerryadams6799]

long distance buses are often unpleasant and can be unsafe. I once had to sit beside a vagrant that had been peeing his clothes for weeks seemingly and you hear of women being assaulted on buses like that. Amtrak does still have a few cross country lines. and that would probably be a cool way to do it you weren't carrying a bunch of stuff.

[@coxmosia1]

If you do take a railway system like Amtrak, try to get your own roomette as traveling with the general public in America can be a bit challenging, fun but a bit annoying.

[@oldfogey4679]

@@coxmosia1 I so want a room but unfortunately that usually costs an extra 100$!

[@philindabell6292]

Do your best to stay away from tourist traps in places like NY, Philadelphia, the larger cities. Think outside the box. And remember, each area of the states have different rules depending on the state so do your research! 💕

[@kinghershybar4294]

Drivers licenses count as ID. In fact most people use that as their ID

[@phobiaone306]

Yes, but his DL being from another country some places won't know what to do with it. I've seen it several times. Best thing to do is have both your Passport, and Driver's License.

[@Fetch26291]

@@phobiaone306 Yes. In Boston, I have seen signs in some stores saying that Out of State Licences not accepted as ID for alcohol purchase. Please have additional form of ID.

[@kinghershybar4294]

@@Fetch26291 what other form of ID could someone use then?

[@Fetch26291]

@@kinghershybar4294 For international travelers, Passport. For college students, their school i.d. I believe it was mostly the small stores not wanting to have to teach their employees how every legal licence in the world looked.

[@kinghershybar4294]

@@Fetch26291 it just surprised me that out of state driver’s licenses may not count as ID

[@Kethubim2323]

When I was in college in Tennessee, I would drive home to my parents in Florida for the holidays. Each way was 9.5 hours to travel nearly 700 miles.

[@barbarapohl887]

I was surprised when you said you were planning a trip here in January. If you’re thinking of Florida, Texas or the West coast only, then it would be OK. But EVERYBODY goes to those places. If you have any thoughts of traveling elsewhere, January is a bad choice. Freezing cold, snow, ice, “snain” (snow/rain mix; awful), etc. Besides the bad weather, January is really off season for anywhere outside the South and the West coast. Which means that a lot of things you might want to see will be closed. Best time for most of the US is Autumn. Weather is generally better, most things are still open, kids are back in school so it’s not too crowded, hotel prices are starting to drop. Since you want to stay for two months, you could start out at the end of September/early October somewhere in the North; when you get into November you could shift South or West. Just a thought.

[@bluescoobysnack9791]

Never heard it called Sain lol. It’s always been sleet for me

[@samfunfun646]

who tf calls it snain

[@barbarapohl887]

@@samfunfun646 Yeah, I know it’s sleet, but around here (South Dakota, Minnesota) sometimes people say snain. Same thing.

[@cayhle]

@@barbarapohl887 Been in SoDak for about 4 years now. Glad I've never heard anyone call it 'snain'. I might literally commit murder.

[@courtneybell9109]

Heard slush, sludge, and sleet but never snain. Stop trying to make fetch happen😂

[@jn1mrgn]

For a lot of Americans in the west, our great-grandparents crossed the continent in covered wagons, so we can't complain about driving long distances in a modern comfortable automobile.

[@chago4202000]

Everybody is going to tell you NOT to see the whole country in 2 months. I just have this counterpoint to offer. I was a long haul trucker for a couple years. The first few weeks were some of the most amazing of my life. I started in New Jersey, looking at the NYC skyline. Drove to Denver in the Rocky mountains. Then down to LA. Going across Utah was some of the most breathtaking scenery. From LA, it was on to Las Vegas and then Miami. Needless to say, I lingered in these last two places longer than the others lol. All along the way, I got to stop and meet people, talk to people and hear the funny accents. I tried food from little diners all across the country, and discovered some REALLY tasty things. I've traveled to other countries and been places. But driving the USA was one of the most memorable experiences of my life!!

[@justinethridge9157]

Wife and I drove like that for about a year. Nothing beats falling asleep and waking up somewhere beautiful like Utah or Montana. I would avoid the east coast, LA, Atlanta because it's a nightmare for traffic.

[@benjalucian1515]

@@justinethridge9157 Took a train from the south through the midwest. Woke up the next morning watching the Arch of St Louis going by.

[@justinethridge9157]

@@benjalucian1515 i live by Saint Louis so I'm partial to the arch.

[@benjalucian1515]

@@justinethridge9157 - it's quite stunning.

[@Catlily5]

@@benjalucian1515 The arch is nice. I went in it twice. When the wind blows hard it sways some. That was a little scary.

[@amyfionna]

East Tennessee is beautiful in October. The mountains are gorgeous when the leaves change colors. Gatlinburg, TN is a nice spot to visit. Lots for tourists to do and see. Just FYI.

[@LaurinGarcia]

A liter of coke might be cheap in most states but not all. It depends on the city. The biggest tourist cities are always the most expensive. For example, New York City where I live have a bottle of water for a dollar in most spots. But the moment you go to the tourist areas like Time Square, a bottle of water can cost you anywhere up to $7. My advice is if you're really gotta buy one, get one from the coolers at news stands. There you might find them being sold for a dollar at Time Square. And another advice would be if you really must buy souvenirs then buy them away from the tourist hotspots. For example, you can buy 10 post cards just two or three blocks away from Time Square for a dollar. But right at Time Square they can cost like $8 just for one single postcard. Don't fall into the trap. You can still save and not blow your wallet if you know where to go. 💲💰🛍️👍

[@filianablanxart8305]

Buying a single anything at an entertainment venue or tourist venue is expensive . Even at a convenience store/ gas station , a single bottle of water will cost about as much as a six pack from grocery store or Wal Mart . And at those places , a case is only about 1.5 x the cost of six pack .

[@shawnsodano2835]

Excellent advice

[@reirei5839]

The must have at Culver's is the fresh battered, deep fried cheese curds with marinara and/or ranch. They're AMAZING 👏😍.

[@grumblesa10]

..and the custard.

[@amberschroer3637]

I’ve done the driving thing all over the US and feel like driving thru it is one of the best ways to really see things and the people. Heads up though traveling the different states have very different laws - Ive been arrested in Kansas for medical marijuana because all drugs are illegal there, but they’ve been decriminalized and even legalized on the West Coast.

[@njd4291]

Kabir said "5 pounds." Oh that made my night.

[@Melissa-wx4lu]

There are a few reasons for the gaps in the bathrooms. Safety is one of them, remember the USA has lots of natural disasters and if debris blocks the stall door, you can still escape. If you have a heart attack or some other issue and pass out, people can see that you need help and can reach under to pull you out. you can see when the stall is occupied or not. It's not common to have those little dial locks that alert when someone is inside, because honestly, they will last a week before the public breaks them all. So no feet means go on in. Easier to clean. I work in a store and the public bathrooms are deep cleaned often (much more often now thanks to covid) and this means a pressure washer. it's easier to clean this way since there are not tight nooks in the doors. the water just flows out from every stall to the one single drain in the center of the bathroom. It's on purpose that there is a lack of privacy. to discourage people from doing illicit things in the stall, like doing drugs, having sex, and it used to be a thing (And still kinda is) to swipe a child, take them into the bathroom to change their clothes, cut/dye their hair. to make it easier for them to leave the store with the kidnapped child. it's harder to do that when other people in the bathroom can see/hear that something weird is going on. And of course, it is just that much cheaper to not have the stalls go all the way up or down. And this is all going to be different for basically each public bathroom you visit. Some will be very private, only 1 person allowed in the whole bathroom, some will be like a hallway of toilets with no door. The least private Privy I've been to was at the Renaissance fair where the doors were almost 3 feet off the ground. You could basically see the whole toilet even with the door closed. and there were no locks. Not that it really mattered since many of us were in costume and you basically needed a buddy or 2 to come help you hold all your skirts so you could pee. This is when girls really know who their friends are.

[@lindaellis7451]

I think most of this is just wishful thinking. Those reasons are not why, its just the cheapness.

[@TheRapnep]

@@lindaellis7451 No it's not. 🤨 Mostly for safety, but some of the other reasons mentioned I didn't even think of. 🇺🇸

[@TheRapnep]

@votejj How do you know? Do you research bathrooms in all other countries? Just because the US does it this way, doesn't make it wrong or right. It's just OUR way. 🇺🇸

[@TheRapnep]

@votejj Thank you for your kind response. Wish more people were as nice a person as you are.👍 Personally, I've never had an issue with privacy using American restrooms. I appreciate the extra space under the door in case I need help or need to be rescued for whatever reason. No one has ever tried entering by the bottom, either. If they did, my foot would be in their face, and hard. 🤪 Stay safe! PEACE & BLESSINGS!+

[@pegatheetoo1437]

Exactly! I had a faulty lock on the stall door and couldn't even budge it after several tries and ended up crawling under the door. This happened to me twice in my life. Thank God for the gaps!! Lol

[@AdamsCountyExtension]

I love how open minded you are and how excited you get about the food! The fish & chips looking dish is crab cakes 😊 Hope you have a wonderful time when you visit!!!

[@strivingformindfulness2356]

When I traveled for work, the Fairfield Inn chain had the most consistently nice continental breakfasts, with a variety of options. Clean rooms, overall nice accommodations. The EconoLodge was pretty varied in quality of breakfast; one EL, somewhere in western Kentucky, featured a slow-moving man who, AFTER being asked around 8:30 AM, about the breakfast for which there were signs posted that said, "Free breakfast from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM," grudgingly brought out of a room behind the counter: a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter, and a jar of jelly. He made a separate, slow-moving, 5 minute trip for each of those 3 things. He looked to be in his late 40s/early 50s. My coworkers and I just had to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation. I hope he's healthy and well, and has found work more suited for his slow pace; maybe he's retired now. Compare that to the EconoLodge in Elyria, OH, which was beautiful, and had a fantastic continental breakfast. Then, not far from that EconoLodge, was a Howard Johnson's, which had weeds (not the fun kind of weed, either) growing out of the vent in the bathroom, missing switchplates on the light switches, exposing the wires, and I don't remember what else my co-workers said. I hope that place has had a change in management for the better.

[@danacamino8894]

Biggest difference imo is that our beer is served cold. him: Thats a huge sandwich me: Wondering where the sides are Also not waking at 6am for their so called breakfast so i admit Holiday inn expresses do have a nice array of options

[@ViPro2023]

I drove from Redding California to Mobile Alabama, it took me about a week. It was pretty fun though. I camped at the Grand Canyon, saw Tombstone AZ, an Army buddy in Texas, had dinner on the beach in Gulfport Mississippi. All around a nice little road trip, but I was driving 8 or 9 hours a day.

[@susanfontaine5214]

I love this guy! Very honest , especially about lack of public transport. So very true.

[@XxMMXIIxX]

If you're planning on driving, contact your embassy to ask if they can get you an international license. Most law enforcement officers won't recognize a foreign license as valid. Another thing foreigners are often surprised about American toilets: our lack of bidets. They don't exist unless the property owner personally has one installed post-construction. The hotel industry is really weird. Air bnb is probably your best bet for value if you're staying somewhere multiple nights.

[@buddystewart2020]

Most of the time you can make a right turn on red, however, some intersections may be posted with a sign that says...No Right On Red. So pay attention for traffic signs.

[@Cubs-Fan.10]

Also, you can turn left on red if its from a one way to another one way.

[@Kim-427]

Isn't there something about turning on a yellow light? Ok,Its a left turn on a solid yellow arrow.

[@lighthouselaura4324]

No right on red in Louisiana

[@markwood1159]

TLDR; a red arrow, regardless of the direction, always means you can't legally turn. Be aware that even many Americans don't understand the law. I'm not sure if red turn arrows are common in the UK but we have them for left turns at many stoplights. Some intersections will have *right* turn arrows, too, and a lot of people don't know that a red right turn arrow means you can't turn right (as obvious as it might seem). They think you can still turn right, just like a "normal" red light, and will honk at you if they're behind you. Also probably worth mentioning, you are still required to come to a complete stop before turning right on a red light. Lastly, there are a few places (e.g. New York City) where right-on-red is not allowed at all.

[@Kim-427]

@@markwood1159 I believe someone from the UK said that they can’t turn on red..

[@amyclerget5758]

We just went to Colonial Williamsburg, VA this past spring. It was definitely interesting. It is the largest living history museum, size of a small town, in the US and set during the revolution time period. It’s a lot of British/American history and they have dozens of staff dressed up and act out various people and craftspeople. It is a very cool area.

[@angiect3791]

And you can do Jamestown the day before/after.

[@filianablanxart8305]

There are almost adjacent State and National historical parks . The National one has the actual ruins of the actual Jamestown . The State park has recreated town , plus an excellent large muesuem . On that direct theme . about 40 miles west is Henricus Historical Park . the Second town settled in Virginia . that was in a better location . and became the administrative center for the Colony . Recreated town with living history , more or less at original site , with modest muesuem . And nearby to Williamsburg and Jamestown , is Yorktown . Where George Washington and Lafayette defeated Cornwallis , effectively winning the Revolutionary War . and establishing America as an Independent Nation .

[@ChanceNP]

If you get a chance to go to Massachusetts, go to the Plymouth Plantation which is also a living museum. I am from Virginia and have been to Williamsburg & Jamestown many times and found the Plymouth Plantation to be superior!

[@bjcee1108]

You can't see "everything" with public toilets. And I've never seen anyone peeking through any gaps. If anyone is worried about it, hang your coat strategically.

[@ChristianMaulsby]

When you’re driving around the United States the best bathrooms in America are truly in McDonald’s. I’ve traveled the world internationally and McDonald’s is always the most consistent food on the planet.... the same can be said for their bathrooms.

[@angiepen]

Note that Thanksgiving weekend -- Thanksgiving is the 4th Thursday in November, and the "weekend" is pretty much from Tuesday or Wednesday through the following Monday -- is THE worst time to fly in the US, because everyone is flying to see family for the holiday, then flying back home. Plane tickets will be more expensive than usual, the airports will be more crowded, the roads/freeways will be more jammed up, and the TSA goons at the airports will be even crankier. If you can avoid that period when you visit, I'd highly recommend it. Thanksgiving air travel is absolutely miserable. Note also that during the winter in general -- especially now with climate change pumping everything up -- you're more likely to have your flight delayed because of bad weather. And because of how the big airlines organize everything, routing any given plane's route through a few big hub airports, a delay in one place impacts all the downstream stops. You might be flying out of Miami and have your flight delayed for eight or ten or fifteen hours because of a blizzard in Chicago, which is preventing "your" plane from making it to Miami in the first place. I'd hate to think of you here for a month, getting on a plane every few days, and ending up spending most of your time in airports because of weather delays. :/

[@michelledillard6316]

Manual transmissions are pretty common in the US to buy, but you likely won't be able to rent one. Rental cars are almost always automatic since that's what a majority of folks would be used to

[@karencomeau544]

Manual cars are no longer easy to buy new. This spring we were looking to buy manual transmission car. Only two model have them, Subaru Cross trek and KIA Soul. Even corvettes are automatic.

[@alhuff8804]

They never officially say which Springfield the Simpsons come from. Matt Greoning did this on purpose because so many states have a Springfield, so people could relate to it. But the town itself is based on Springfield, Oregon, which is his home town. Now before the movie was released, a promo was done where people could vote for where they want the town to be and Virginia won. Since then, many references in the show hint that they live in Virgina, given the distances to places, football teams, weathern patterns, etc.

[@tanyanike]

I don’t know why we have big gaps around the bathroom stalls but most people ignore them. People don’t peak in at you usually.

[@rgood1591]

Exactly. We ignore them.

[@Amanda-pi2nr]

I've heard it's a safety requirement. Say someone is sick or passed out in the stall and blocking the door, then someone can still get in from the sides to help them. The peek gap can be used for something similar to check on the person if someone suspects something's wrong with the occupant.

[@sarahallegra6239]

Yeah, even if someone isn’t sure if the stall is occupied, they’ll ask, “Is someone in there?” or knock; it would be VERY rude to just peek in. The only time I’ve ever seen someone do that was a very young child who didn’t know better and whose mother must have been distracted, she definitely would have corrected that behavior. So don’t feel like people are going to be staring at you while you’re doing your business.

[@naydee]

I also recommend you drill down to enjoy a specific region. The airfare between cities can be expensive plus a canceled or delayed flights or other irritations can cost you time and frustration. A friendly hint - avoid Spirit Airlines and American Airlines can be dicey as well. Cheaper can cost you in delays, etc. Also, allow for weather delays in the winter if you come in January especially in the north or mid west. Above all, enjoy!!!! Be safe in the late evenings, don’t go walking about alone late at night. Be aware of your surroundings. Looking forward to you documenting your trip in the future 😊

[@skinsfan442]

Southwest here in the US is great to fly city to city and can give great prices if you do chose to fly!

[@citisoccer]

My most massive road trip was driving the entire length of I-10, which begins in Jacksonville, Florida, and ends in Santa Monica, California. With sightseeing stops, the trip was about 6 thousand kilometers.

[@scottbaron121]

A friend and I made that trip about 30 years ago, HOLY CRAP, that was a long drive. Anyone want to tell him how long it takes to ONLY drive across Texas? He'll crap his pants!

[@nikishazechiel6848]

It takes a little over 16hours to drive across Texas on I10. But, that's including potty breaks, gas stops and food stops. Oh! And don't forget the ever present CONSTRUCTION. This summer, though, my husband drove from Houston to El Paso in TEN HOURS. I was amazed!! Of course, it was mostly at night and with a super efficient vehicle that we didn't have back in the day....

[@michellecolombo9884]

We homeschooled our kids, so we would take yearly road trips to see all the contiguous US states. The last one we did took 5 weeks, and over 5,000 miles. Texas over to East coast and up to New England and Montreal, Canada, and then back home. And that was only one portion of the USA. We have visited 45 out of the lower 48 states, and it has taken 5 multi-week, thousands of miles trips.

[@libbysa4822]

The long dresses, mob cap and guy playing the flute is in Williamsburg va. Dear friend of mine and her husband spent over a year researching all the blueprints and found the tavern. They duplicated that tavern as their home in Michigan. Very awesome home.

[@opalviking]

Your UK drivers license is not considered a “valid ID” in the US for alcohol purchases. US drivers licenses, state-issued ID cards, military ID, and all passports are accepted in US bars/restaurants.

[@alphabet8436]

However, it is a totally legal and valid driver's license

[@opalviking]

@@alphabet8436 indeed; although not considered “valid” for alcohol purchases.

[@dlcalbaugh]

People do buy and drive manual cars in the USA. They are just not as common. Don't go to a really cheap hotel, please.

[@pamike4873]

Yeah I don't know why the world thinks there are no manuals in the US. I'm 47, and my first automatic is what I drive now. Every other car or truck I've owned has been manual. My first car, which my father bought for me, was a manual. That's what I learned to drive with.

[@nikishazechiel6848]

I learned to drive on a manual and I still love the thrill of changing gears and the roar of the engine!! The only reason I do not own one now is because my husband has a disability that keeps him from safely driving a manual. Alas.

[@carolmilligan3259]

What is a manual car.

[@nikishazechiel6848]

@@carolmilligan3259 a car that has a stick shift and a clutch....where you change the gears instead of the car doing it automatically.

[@carolmilligan3259]

@@nikishazechiel6848 thank you. I thought it was but wasn't sure. I ĺive in England.

[@brendaframe9661]

When you said, “What is that”, it was Colonial Williamsburg. You can eat foods cooked from recipes in that time, see the first psychiatrist hospital, pet the animals, buy some handmade crystal and jewelry!!!

[@jamestaylor2920]

Williamsburg was an actual English colonial town circa 1750. It was the Governmental seat for the Virginia colony. The town is the home of William and Mary University established under charter by King William and Queen Mary in 1693. It is the second oldest educational institution in America and the 9th oldest English speaking in the world. Archeological digs located the town and plotted the exact locations of it's buildings and streets. Many of these buildings have been rebuilt on site using the original construction techniques. Research identified the owners, occupants, and function of the buildings. Actors reenact the historical people and provide scheduled tours for visitors. Many artisans use period techniques and equipment to produce items for sale ... Paper, candies, toys, and iron implements (blacksmith). Plan a visit if you want to experience life in the pre-revolutionary war Virginia Colony.

[@tfoxabides]

If an American says to you "How're you doing?" they don't really want to know. The proper response back is restating "How's it going?" or "What's up?" lol. The major cities I've been to have pretty darn good public transport. Also when asking for a good place to eat ask for "a hole in the wall" or "greasy spoon". They are older restaurants but have great food.

[@CollaredDom]

Yeah, if you ever just have a craving for getting looked at weirdly, just respond honestly to that. LOL

[@angelgr76]

Great advice! Diners or cafes are always better IMO.

[@traceymerrell3224]

You can also respond great! How are you doing?

[@rene14slhs]

Those trees that make a tunel look over a street/walk way are in the southeast part of the USA ( mainly in the gulf coast states like Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, etc.). These trees are oak trees that are normally covered in moss. My neighborhood has a ton of these trees in it and the street I live off of is named after them.

[@ZackHamlin1]

Basically all of South Georgia looks like this

[@erinkristoff3214]

Yeah I can't be sure but that almost looks like one of the entrances to the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. Great trip! Highly recommend Savannah!

[@trevorstone9879]

US is big. Plan your trip as if it's just your first and don't overdo it. Leave some free time cause you're gonna find things you didn't know you wanted to do.

[@wowoshell]

So I have watched several of your videos about the USA, and I feel quite invested in you having a successful trip to see our wonderful country! When I travel, even just within the states, I have found that weather plays a VERY significant part in the overall quality of the trip. When you shared that you plan to visit in January, my heart sunk. It may be the best time to travel from a financial perspective, but it is NOT the optimal time of year to come to the USA, in my opinion. : (. Unless you plan on spending most of your time in Southern California, Southern Florida,or New Mexico, you will be coming to America during a very cold time of year in many states.if you love the cold weather, then great! January may be the perfect time for you. I prefer the changes in the Seasons, so I live in Kentucky. I have the “best of it all” by living where I do. I am in Northern Kentucky, known as the Tri-State area. I am only a 10 minute drive to a nice size city: Cincinnati, Ohio. I am a 20 minute drive to Southern Indiana, and in my state of Kentucky, I am a little over an hour 20’minutes to Lexington, KY where we have the great University of Kentucky. College Basketball is a huge deal in Kentucky!! If you like basketbal,

[@kabirconsiders]

Thanks so much for the info Lori!

[@cassieb1860]

Please don’t come to the US and eat fast food! Ask people for a local mom and pop places to eat. Much better food, healthier (you wont gain 35 pounds on your trip) and you will most likely learn a ton of things! Believe me, if you have a foreign accent, you will be granted local tour information for free.

[@jlack1985]

Depends on where you go. Some fast food places are phenomenal and absolutely worth a visit. Like, don't come here and have McDonald's (because ew), but definitely give In-N-Out a go.

[@syncity29]

Tbh…There’s a lot of food options besides fast food

[@RogueJyn]

I'd recommend cheesecake factory if your looking for fat food at a sit down restaurant, talking of course about the dinners. Don't have the cheesecake afterwards, it's good but it's a huge calorie load.

[@gregengel1616]

@@jlack1985 I hope he ends up in the West. Unfortunately, I lived in Arkansas for 19 years without ever having an In-N-Out Burger or a Tommy Burger 😢

[@mage1439]

I live in a rural area and I've seen incredible local restaurants come and go. There's still a pizza place about a 20 minute drive away that I'd put against any pizza anywhere. Oh, it's so good.

[@tazepat001]

People do have manual cars here. You're given the option at the dealership. Automatic is dominant though and our speedometer does have KM on it. It's the smaller numbers on the scale. Newer cars even have options now to digitally switch from MPH to KMH

[@katyareads221]

I drive a Honda which has both mph and km/hr.

[@tazepat001]

@@katyareads221 My Kia does as well.

[@Ashley92090]

Hotels in US: go with a middle of the road price. You can get some pretty sleezy hotels for $60-$70 a night. Usually around $90-$120 a night is about what I pay for a decent hotel that includes everything. (Breakfast and pools etc) Holiday inn express or Hilton hotels are usually my choice. Definitely read reviews before booking.

[@thisbeem2714]

There are hotel taxes in many states, so you have to remember that when looking at prices.

[@gabyheon21]

I’m so proud to be 🇺🇸 I visited 🇬🇧 two months ago and I was so surprised as well.. You do have a beautiful country.❤️

[@kabirconsiders]

I'm glad you enjoyed your visit Gaby 🥰🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@chattymorris4264]

We call manual transmissions in cars “millennial anti-theft devices” because so many young people can’t drive anything but an automatic. Lol!

[@atex6175]

Imagine one of them looking at a 3 on the tree shifter. I can see the smoke coming out of their ears from my house

[@SherriLyle80s]

😆

[@elischultes6587]

@@atex6175 or a stacked 4x5 Basically two transmissions stacked on each other and you select gears in the lower one after you go one through five you then switch to the next higher gear in the upper one and then drop back down to one or two in the second one and then go all the way up through your gears again

[@atex6175]

@@elischultes6587 so basically dump truck transmission? I was so happy when Mack went to the splitter as apposed to the horrible two stick trans

[@gokurules22]

I take offense to this because I'm a millennial and i know how to drive manual.

[@rabbi4skin666]

The Springfield from The Simpsons is just an amalgamation of all of America but Matt Groheing is from Springfield Oregon. It's also 21 to buy cigarettes now.

[@oldfogey4679]

Jack i never got along with Matt! Wouldnt let my kids watch his show! Springfield ore unfortunately become a meth place! But they were disappointed when their community wasn't named as the home of the Simpsons!

[@oldfogey4679]

Jack matt wasn't from Springfield ore he was from Lake oswego!

[@sydneyyx31]

Its actually in springfield mass

[@juliacampbell5881]

True story. Years ago my husband was driving for a long haul trucking company and we got what is called a Rider so that I could go along with him for a few months. We got stuck in a really nice hotel while the truck was being serviced. First morning there I wake about 5am and go down to find out where the breakfast area was. No coffee so I dig around and find what I need and get the pot of coffee going. Then I noticed the juice bar was not stocked yet so filled that. Went to make the batter for the waffle machine so the hubby and I could have some for breakfast. About this time some girl walks in and thanks me and ask me when I started working there. I was there for over an hour and didn't even know I was doing her job.

[@jjschannel6532]

I know this is an older video but I just found your channel and I love it! I know we pronounce some words differently but I laughed so hard when you said 'tarter' sauce. like Tar-tar. Here we pronounce it tar-tur. Anyway, love you love your vids, keep them coming! I'm from Michigan USA

[@kabirconsiders]

Thanks so much JJ :)