Where should tourists avoid in America? | Ask Reddit

[@JustAnotherPerson4U]

I feel like Taco Bell is like the kebab shops of the UK. You only eat there if you're hammered and it's 2am.

[@peterpain6625]

True.

[@evan]

Accurate

[@QALibrary]

They have opened a few restaurants in the UK - where I live we got one

[@justbeingkar]

Lol i ate it today. I had like $10 cash, 2 hungry kids, and a 40 minute drive to get home. I have no regrets......yet 😂

[@Eric_Hunt194]

We have a Taco Bell here in Yorkshire near the Leeds IKEA, and it's pretty good. There's a Tim Horton's too if that's more your thing. Leeds also used to have a Wendy's in the city centre about 25 years ago. Again it was pretty good, a bit of a shame they didn't catch on over here.

[@daveayerstdavies]

I'm British but I lived in NJ for a while. My best and worst restaurant experiences were in non-chain 'family' places. Big name chains can be disappointing but going to a small privately run business is a bit of a lottery unless you go on recommendation, and even then it can still be terrible. One of my work colleagues recommended a small non-chain pizza place so I tried it out, "best in NJ" he said. The pizza was good, but everything else about the dining experience was terrible. I reported back to my friend the next day and he thought it was hysterical. "Oh my God", he said, "nobody visits the restaurant, we get it delivered".

[@M.M.Y.B]

I think this really highlights the difference in experiences. In Evan’s last video he recommended against going to American chains in Europe, but in this video argues for visiting chains in America. The clincher is the reason why they want to go to these places. The tourists coming to America want to experience essentially living in a movie set for a minute, and are not trying to have good “authentic” food. The Americans being conned by tourist traps are definitely trying to have authentic food or simply too cautious to go outside their comfort zone. However, with all mom-and-pop shops, one should be aware of the gamble. Still, Americans DO eat more than chain food all the time. In fact, many of the movies and TV shows probably show people going to chain rest ẩu tả because they’re subliminal ads to the viewers and not exactly indicative of the frequency of American eating habits.

[@heytalvi]

I’m British and I lived in Milwaukee, WI for almost nine years. More people should visit WI - it’s got so much going for it and I feel like it’s really underrated.

[@SillyRobot]

I live in WI. Great place. We have cheese fudge.

[@jijitters]

The hatred people have for the "midwest" is so forced and unfair. They really mean the Great Plains (N/S Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa) because sure it's true there's nothing there. But the Great Lakes states (MN/WI/MI/IL) have gorgeous wilderness spots and fun major cities. It's a shame these two groups of states are lumped together.

[@meteorplum]

The thing about going to the American South in the summer is that: it does get hot, it does get humid, and the lack of public transit means you might end up walking to places if you don't have a car or Uber/Lyft everywhere. However, unlike being in the UK or most of Europe when it is 35ºC out is that the American South mostly have air conditioning, which, in public places like malls or office buildings is turned up to something like 65ºF/19ºC. This is why office workers in the US South bring sweaters and hoodies to the office.

[@charlotteinnocent8752]

Agreed AC is everywhere indoors so it isn't as bad as it seems particularly if you rent or even buy a car with AC. However, the South is filled with Southerners. Not all of them, but a significant number are just so.;.... I can't deal with them. I just can't. The mid west is nearly as bad, and some mid western areas can be even worse since a few in the South try to buck the trend. And then there is country music. ALL THE YUCK.

[@eattherich9215]

I have a friend who lives in Florida and their complaint is the HUMIDITY. Summer in Florida saps the energy.

[@PenniDeadful]

​@@charlotteinnocent8752I was born and raised in the American south. I wanna hear what you didn't like about it. I'm curious to see if it's the same things I didnt like about the south.

[@TalesOfWar]

That sounds like the best way to get sick, going in and out of those vastly different temperatures. If you're not used to that I can imagine not having the best time on your journey.

[@robertgronewold3326]

One of my UK friends has been to America multiple times with his family, and I am actually helping them figure out a Midwestern trip, since that is basically the last region that they haven't been too. So far they are intending on going to Chicago, and then driving up into Wisconsin and Minnesota for lake country and the Dells. I'm looking forward to it, because the plan is to eventually meet up with him in the Amana Colonies in Iowa, which will mark the first time I've ever met my friend in person, so it should be fun.

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

I hope you have a fantastic time! Having met up with an online friend (from Iowa!) in the UK, it was awesome. I hope it's at least as much fun as we had (lots!)

[@sebris4272]

Ayyy I have family near the Amana Colonies, love that little place. Tbh I feel like visiting the Midwest kind of completes a tour of America for people who have only been to the coasts / big cities, it’s still an experience! My partner who had never been was genuinely blown away by the sea of corn fields 😆Hope you guys have fun

[@MezzoForteAural]

If they have the time hoping the Empire Builder from Chicago to MN might be nice way to enjoy some scenery and experience Amtrak. It is a fun train trip, and experience starting in Union Station and ending up in Downtown Minneapolis. From there a lot of great options to get to WI

[@M.M.Y.B]

In Chicago, definitely go to the aquarium! I think it’s the best thing in the city and the best aquarium in the Midwest!

[@robertgronewold3326]

@@M.M.Y.B Oooh, I'll be sure to suggest that to them!

[@edwardmax9147]

When it comes to place like Hollywood boulevard and times square I think it is absolutely worth going once just to experience it and say that you've been there.

[@itsgonnabeanaurfromme]

Exactly. It's to say you've been there. If i didn't want to go somewhere shitty, I wouldn't go to the US at all.

[@GMAMEC]

I agree. Some of these “bad” places are fine. Some people are looking at these places from a different perspective.

[@shaneg9081]

As an American, one of these two is an easy opportunity for me (Hollywood Boulevard), and it is not worth it. The only way I can see someone looking forward to it is if it is literally some kind of once in a lifetime thing. If that's how you see it, just be prepared to be disappointed. In the parts you probably want to see, you can't walk 20 feet without someone in a costume putting their arm around you and flashing a camera, then insisting you owe them $20 for a picture you never even thought about, let alone wanted.

[@Trebor74]

​@@shaneg9081whereas,in the south bank in London you can see a bloke with his head in a box pretending to be a cat.

[@tedioustotoro4885]

Like, I’m a theatre kid and all the big theatres in New York are around Times Square, so I’m definitely going to Times Square if I go to New York, even if it’s just passing through.

[@Zatnicatel]

When I was 21, I went to the USA for the first time. I started in NY and travelled my way to San Diego (taking 6 weeks to do so) on Greyhound buses, seeing as many places across the country as I could. As this was on the cheap (£99 return on Laker airways) I spent a LOT of nights sleeping either in the bus or at a bus station. I LOVED the Greyhound. For context, I am now 68 years old... Maybe it's different now ;)

[@1kili2]

not necessarily, when i was 22 (in 2019) i did a similar thing in the US to visit friends and see places and also slept on the bus the majority of the time, the busses are generally fine the stations i wouldnt recommend though, lots of ppl outside begging for money to take a ride and the ppl inside the stations waiting also didnt look like the most sound ppl, so if possible for anyone going i would recommend to just find something else to do while waiting on your bus instead of waiting at the station

[@shaneg9081]

If you travel for the sake of a journey, Greyhound is probably fine. If you travel to get somewhere specific, it is awful. My worst experience with them was when I was going to San Diego from Arizona. We got a flat somewhere around Needles, Arizona (basically the border of California) and once it was fixed they decided to go straight to the scheduled final destination on that journey, Los Angeles. This is before cell phones were common, so I had no way to contact my sister who as waiting for me to arrive until we got to the LA busport. So there I was, a kid just out of highschool, alone, in the scariest bus station in America (the people there don't ask for money, they just take it), after midnight, paying long distance fees on a pay phone to let my sister know what had happened, since apparently they wouldn't tell her why my bus didn't show up or how it was being rerouted. When they finally got me on another bus, they took just about the least direct path possible to get there, and along the way I got to see some of the absolute worst parts of California. TLDR If you take Greyhound, be prepared for it to possibly become a harrowing adventure through the parts of America you don't want to be in.

[@crimsonrose4648]

I'm very surprised it wasn't mentioned at all, but as an American the places I'd most recommend avoiding at all costs are towns called "Sundown towns", especially especially if anyone in the group is anything but the whitest of neon white. Basically Sundown Towns are a type of town where discrimination is legal and actually encouraged. You can tell you're entering one because many have billboards talking about stopping "white g*nocide". They're called Sundown towns because they were the same places the kkk were at and they would do horrific things during the night, but you definitely could get harassed during the day too. And of course several stops for greyhound busses go right through several of those towns because why not make infinitely worse for the poorest people stuck using that nightmare bus line. There are lists of these places freely listed online so always make sure to search it up online before planning your trip. It's actually insane these places even exist, but they do so here's a warning so you'll know to avoid them. Could probably do a whole video about these places really

[@shaneg9081]

These places are pretty rare in the modern era compared to the past, and the discrimination isn't legal, but all of the cops are white supremacists, so when it happens, they look the other way. These towns are all located in former confederate states, and they aren't places you would want to go to anyway. If you're going to travel to the south as a non-white, you're best off staying in the big cities or making sure you get through rural downs during daylight. But, again, there aren't nearly as many of these places as there once were, and they're not as dangerous as they used to be 75+ years ago.

[@JuliesTales]

That was very educational, thanks!

[@sairhug]

I went for a fortnight's visit to the US in 2005 to team up with a lecturer friend in NC who wanted to visit her Aunt in Rhode Island (we shared petrol costs and the driving) ... otherwise I would never have entertained the idea of going to America. Airport Customs was as grim as everyone says, the milk has a way bigger legal percentage of pus in it (look it up), no one seems to know what the indicator on a car is for and the roads were pitted with really bad potholes (my 4 abiding memories). Now 50% of the country is no better than many in Germany in the 1930s. AND they have guns :/ . No way would I ever go again- I'd be as likely to take a holiday in Afghanistan. I'd be interested to know if tourist visits to the US have dropped in recent years.

[@rog2224]

@@sairhug I briefly visited Tampa for business in 2000. The area the hotel (which was really nice) was in reminded me of the set of something between Omega Man and a Resident Evil movie.

[@sairhug]

@@rog2224 Wow!

[@katrinabryce]

On the distance thing: I think people will look at the map of the US, and think that for example Los Angeles to San Francisco is like going from London to Oxford, which is about an hour on the train, whereas in terms of distance it is more like London to Glasgow, and because public transport in the US is so 💩, that will take you about 10 hours vs 4h30m on the West Coast Mainline.

[@ncbentle9154]

People from smaller states make this same mistake when visiting a larger state like California. I grew up in San Jose and remember my mom talking about having to explain to salespeople visiting from back east that no, Disneyland was not a day trip.

[@nicolad8822]

You have to be pretty stupid to think that tbh.

[@barrywood7322]

I’m a Brit who’s just got back off an escorted coach trip from New York to Los Angles, 19 states and 5000miles later loved it even if it was expensive it’s a once in a lifetime trip.

[@rog2224]

"Escorted" being the key word there.

[@berrykit]

Honestly having just come back from a UK trip and making room for a second dinner so that we could squeeze in a cheeky nandos, i relate to the Wendy’s situation. Also we may have nearly missed a bus to get sausage rolls at Gregg’s. I generally try to stick to small businesses but 100% catch me at a chain if it seems like a Thing at that country/city.

[@dealbreakerc]

Something a lot of Europeans that come to North America don't necessarily stop to think about is just how vast Canada or the US are. As someone who relatively recently drove about 4900km (3045 miles) from Edmonton AB to Nova Scotia, I can say its possible and it can even be fun. But that trip took me 4 and a half days of driving in which my shortest full day just over 1000km and over 12 hours in the car (lost some time because of the weather conditions since I did the drive around the start of winter). Unless you are going to North America for a road trip experience and have time (or the several hours and added expense to fly these ridiculous distances), DO NOT TRY TO SEE NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA ON THE SAME VISIT! For a more European reference, that kind of distance would see you leave London and end up near the eastern border of Turkey/western border of Iran. Driving or taking the train from London to Edinburgh is reasonable in a vacation, going across the bulk of NA is not.

[@backtoklondike]

I saw elses youtube video about the US s comparing it by saying "Yeah during my one week trip to Europe, I'm just going to London first, take detour down to Barcelona and maybe do a quick visit to Vienna and then go down to Athens." And that's still a shorter travel then going from New York to LA.

[@ffotograffydd]

I think most Europeans understand how big North America is. 😉

[@ffotograffydd]

@@nanabutner Why would you think that Europeans don’t know that? 😂

[@thatcherdonovan7305]

Just from Montréal, Québec to Salluit, Québec, within the same fucking province, is significantly longer than Barcelona to Istanbul.

[@ffotograffydd]

@@nanabutner Why are you talking to Europeans as though we are stupid? Most of us understand geography and can measure distances. We also have excellent train services throughout mainland Europe, so long distances are usually done by train rather than car. As for your UK example, I’ve never met anyone from the UK or the rest of Europe who would see it as a viable option to tour the whole of the UK in one visit, plenty of Americans (and some Canadians) do attempt that though, many then post it on KZbin! It’s entertaining to see their increased exhaustion as the days go by. Some even try to combine that with a trip to France or Germany, so your example backfired. It’s mostly Americans and a few Canadians who try to do far more than is feasible.

[@yorgunsamuray]

For the non-US people, the American road trip is one thing that symbolizes the US. So is the mom-and-pop diner when you sit on the red seats waiting for the waitress to bring your coffee and pancakes. Or the seedy motel that you enter your room from outside. In fact many movies have the combination of all three. You go on a long road trip, stay at cheap roadside motels and eat at the roadside diners with those red seats and all. Funny that in those movies the characters mostly have it bad...be it the Easy Rider or National Lampoon's Vacation. But it's such an American phoenomenon in us non-US people's psyche, that many-including myself want to be in a road trip. And it would be on Greyhound since I cannot drive! Well, I survived the infamous bus company Metro, the Turkish equivalent of Greyhound, I would manage a Greyhound I believe. About the altitude thing, this might depend on the person too. As I climbed Mount Fuji, which is a bit higher than Cusco, I had no shortness of breathing or discomfort at all, but many people were buying oxygen cans and I saw some people using them. Still I agree that it's better be safe than sorry.

[@emssasukeisunderrated7946]

Since you can't drive, I would recommend the Amtrak too. I've taken both (prefer driving) which I've had interesting experiences on both to say the least hahaha. Road trips are a thing that many Americans do actually mainly for visiting other family, short destination vacations or of course moving. It's a good way to see the country and would recommend. Staying at a motel though... Nah

[@yorgunsamuray]

@@emssasukeisunderrated7946 as a train person that is an excellent suggestion. Thanks.

[@cheyennedogsoldiers]

Yeah I am one of those Brits that loves road tripping in the Sates. But, I'm also a car guy so like to buy and old truck rather than renting. But you have to get away from the tourist areas and stay off the major highways. Over the years I've met some great folks on my trvaels, and seen some fantastic sights.

[@TheBaldr]

I went to Hokkaido in the winter for the snow festival. I had a blast, it a totally different vibe in the summer.

[@tinnagigja3723]

Honestly, if through some wild accident I found myself in the US, I'd be just like those Irish lads, chasing brand names I've only seen on TV. Probably buying souvenirs at a Walmart like "Holy shit, it's those pink cakes Homer didn't want Bart to eat in the John Waters episode! OMG it's those cookies Phoebe thought were her granny's secret recipes! Biscuits in a can! OMG, can we go to Hooters and Waffle House and Wendy's and that one where they have rollerskaters serve you in your car and are drive-in movies still a thing?" It reminds me of the Quentin Crisp quote: "Everyone who goes from England to America and comes back says one thing first; It's more like the movies than you'd ever dream. And it is."

[@JennaGetsCreative]

Drive-in movie theatres are few and far between but some still exist. Sadly the drive-in I grew up with (in Canada! Not just a US thing) is closing at the end of this year. Property tax got too high.

[@Tarry_Plaguer]

Don't think you will still find the roller-skaters bringing you your A&W Root beer float to the car window anymore. It was a thing back in the early 60's, in fact my Mom used to be one of those girls. We still do have A&W's around, but they are pretty much the same ole drive up window experience you will get anywhere else. I also think that the drive-in has pretty much died. There are a few in some of the more rural towns, but in any major city you will probably not find one anymore. They died out in the early 2000's. I am speaking from my experience in Oregon, it may be different in other states. Sort of sad really, I enjoyed taking my date to the drive-in back in the 80's. As for all the junk food options and Walmart etc., yeah that is pretty much the way it is. As for places like Hooters, that varies by state, but is more prominent in the Southern states and in rural areas. Waffle houses and the IHOP are pretty much everywhere, although Waffle is more Eastern and IHOP more Western in general. As for Wendy's... Well my sister is named Wendy, so we have gone to Wendy's a few times. 😼 In all seriousness though. Wendy's isn't bad, but I personally prefer Carl's Jr. McD's and Burger King are just so hyped at this point. You will usually get a much better burger from a place like Red Robin. Edit: Actually some A&W's still do have Carhops. I don't know if they rollerskate, but they do bring it out and hang the tray on your car window. There are three in Oregon, and the nearest to me is over 30 miles away.

[@tinnagigja3723]

@@Tarry_Plaguer Sonic has carhops (unless they stopped during that thing that screwed everything up) which I only know because I've seen videos of their skating competitions.

[@Tarry_Plaguer]

@@tinnagigja3723 I have never been to a Sonic, but after your comment I looked it up. There is one in Springfield just a few minutes drive from here. I may have to try it out. Hmmm... Right next door to the Abby's Pizza

[@jeremyeagan4442]

Gibson City, Illinois still has a drive in movie theater.

[@zilchica]

I recommend going to New Orleans for Jazz Fest instead of Mardi Gras: better weather, less crowds (only saw any at the Fair Grounds where the festival took place, but v. organised), incredible music (both at the fest and at the clubs) and you still get to see Mardi Gras Indians and maybe even get some beads (I got mine at the local high school parade).

[@weetyskemian44]

My parents went hiking off the trail in yellowstone in the 60s. The ranger who found their camp said they were lucky not to be eaten by bears. But they were fine so. I have a fear of bears even though I'm never going to meet one over here. I watched too many "when bears attack!" type documentaries.

[@Dave.Thatcher1]

Were they the ones currently in Advert being shown for a Twix? bar?

[@jonathanbowers8964]

To defend Wisconsin for a second, Kenosha is pretty nice as are the Wisconsin Dells (a collection of Water Parks). Not enough to build a vacation around but I guess of you made Chicago your main travel destination and have a few extra days (and rent a car) Wisconsin might be worth the trouble. Also while Gary Indiana isnt worth it, the nearby Indiana Sand Dunes are also worth visiting if you are in the Chicago area.

[@emssasukeisunderrated7946]

As someone who is from Chicago land area, southern Wisconsin is awesome. Wouldn't say the same for Gary but the Dunes are call as well as the Dells which is near Madison (another great Wisconsin city). Also, Milwaukee is fun and Lake Geneva is great as well. And if you're in Chicago, go visit different places in the suburbs too

[@khwezik3894]

I actually seem to breathe easier the higher the altitude. Yes i know i'm weird. Found this out going on a hike in Shimla India. All the fit folks were struggling and there's me getting better and better the higher we went 😅. Then we came down and normality ensued. So interesting about greyhound being the worst coach in the states as in south africa it's the best(expensive) luxury liner.

[@starparodier91]

4:33 YES! I’m a Colorado native and when friends and family visit from Europe they don’t understand just how much altitude can mess you up, especially if you’re older or have certain health conditions. Also, yeah maybe don’t go to Pueblo.

[@shaneg9081]

Last time I wet to Colorado I didn't even try to go hiking. I was in a small, sleepy town at a high enough elevation that I got sick at the hotel and had to run to the bathroom to throw up while I was being shown my room by the woman who checked me in. It would have been very embarrassing, except that the way she responded to the situation told me that I was far from the first visitor to have done so. Being well past 7000ft/2km above sea level when you're not used to it is quite difficult.

[@blarfroer8066]

Europe has higher mountains than Colorado. We do have issues with naive tourists, but not because of heights. Are your mountains that easy to hike or what's going on?

[@nataliet1260]

​@blarfroer8066 I think this advice is definitely for people who live at or near sea level, but... Yes. Some of the mountains ARE just that easy to hike/climb. Especially since the flat bit of CO is already around a mile (1.6km) above sea level, it's very easy to hike up to 10,000ft (~3km) on an easy hike. You can even take a train to the top of Pike's Peak.

[@matthewschoen9669]

​@blarfroer8066 Higher peaks, sure, towns at 9,000/10,000ft? Not necessarily. Without the opportunity to descend, people can get very sick, very fast (especially after a long day out in tge wilderness). For context Switzerland highest village sits at 6975ft. Where Colorado has more than 100 municipalities higher than this.

[@bryn494]

Be careful of mountain railways too, pay attention to any warnings. I took the train up Pike's Peak in my early 40's, I would have hiked it in my 20's so was pretty fit. I stepped off the train and managed to reach the viewing bleachers but went straight back to the train. Those black-dot visuals got awfully large and the rubbery legs didn't help :D

[@andybaker2456]

I've been to the US many times, from San Diego to New Hampshire, from Chicago to Houston, from Seattle to Orlando, from San Francisco to North Carolina, plus many stops in between. I've even been to Hawaii. But there are only two places I've been that I would never go back to: Las Vegas and Orlando. Eugh. 😝

[@CampLJNC]

Man, I've been lost driving both in Trenton, NJ, and in Camden! It's pretty scary. But not as bad as Kensington to be honest. Glad to have GPS these days!

[@vanessa8642]

I have an UK equivalent of being exited for Wendy's. Thanks to all the youtube guy's from like 2014 i was super excited to go to Nandos. 😅 i had that quite high up on my bucket list when i went to london.

[@wilmascholte7607]

I imagine Times Square is like a lot of touristy things. You go like "yep, that's it" and move on. Like when I've been visiting a ton of churches, castles, palaces, museums and whatnot, at some point, the next one is just going to be "eh", even if it happens to be a famous one.

[@LeadTrumpet1]

That’s Time Square in a nutshell. Especially when NYC has so much more to offer that aren’t filled with tourists and influencers.

[@coltonmartin5057]

I related to the Irish going to Wendy's. When I was in Toronto, I was at Tim Hortons every day! I was so excited each time walking in! 🤗

[@joepiekl]

I find that drug addict tent stuff really depressing. I thought it was a really isolated thing, but it looks like loads of US cities have something like that nowadays. Most cities in the world will have the odd individual like that, but I've never seen anywhere else where there are whole communities of these people living on the same street.

[@timothybird4264]

Saw a utterly depressing video on Philadelphia on this

[@thescrewfly]

@@nanabutner So can you recommend some major US cities under Republican rule, where they presumably don't have this problem?

[@shaneg9081]

@@thescrewfly There are no Republican cities in America. Even the "most Republican" city in America, Jackson Mississippi, has Democratic leadership. Also, it was a total hellhole before they elected a Democrat as mayor. The city has long been plagued by high murder rates, frequent hate crimes, and poverty. The problem with American cities is, funny enough, the fact that Republicans think it's totally okay for companies to continue to pay people 1970s wages in the 2020s. Now more than ever I see people on a daily basis that could have a home if they could find a job that paid them enough, but they can't. It used to be the occasional person who either needed to be on meds or get off of drugs, but more and more it's sober and capable people who simply can't earn enough to afford any kind of housing. I was recently looking at the wages teachers get in each state compared to the minimum standard of living for those states and most of them pay less than the minimum standard of living. That's for teachers, people with a college education. Something i highly doubt nanabutner has.

[@rog2224]

@@thescrewfly You're taking advice from someone who uses capital letters like that? Really?

[@thescrewfly]

@@rog2224 He's not giving me any advice, though, which kind of demonstrates the point of my 'naive' question... whoosh!

[@meowtherainbowx4163]

I've been to Gatlinburg twice and am just about to go for a third time. It is a tourist trap but a delightful one, located conveniently in the stunning Appalachians and near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Along the Parkway, you can take ski lifts straight into the mountains, do random shit like escape rooms or checking out the Ripley's museum, and eat at Guy Fieri's fried chicken restaurant as well as a Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop. That's just what I remember most readily from last time. It punches above its weight in sheer number of attractions, and plenty of them are good. Gatlinburg is tacky but charming at its core, feeling weirdly integrated into its landscape. Also, I haven't even mentioned Dollywood. Go to Dollywood.

[@patty4349]

There is a bus that leaves Richmond Va and goes to Chinatown in NY. My son took it and called for a loan to use Amtrak to get back home. They drove like maniacs! We can recommend Amtrak, though!

[@apolloniahoag7292]

Mixed thoughts about Tenderloin in SF. I never lived there but I used to work there. That's the theatre district and some of my favorite restaurants are/were there; haven't been in a couple of years. I will say, maybe don't travel alone there unless you are confident you can handle it. I'm a short person who is quite defenseless and I never felt overly threatened after my first week and the first week was mainly because all the rumors. On the other hand, my partner is big and full of muscle and they can't handle it. It really, really depends on your personality. Other than the amazing Arts there, you can find other hidden gems. Like everywhere else, do research and stay alert.

[@FoxyRhino]

When I went to SF, I was staying in a hotel between Union Square and Tenderloin. They do have a museum there which does walking tours of the area so at least I was with someone who knew where to go.

[@ZeldaWolf2000]

Excuse me! Northern New-Jerseian here! You can go through the Appalachian trail up there! Also, we have some really really nice county fairs. Also, we have some really nice scenery, because you're finally out of all the damn highways. Northern New Jersey is nice, especially for hikers, you just need to go north enough.

[@LeadTrumpet1]

I live right across the border in New York from Northern New Jersey. I prefer that part of Jersey without all the highways.

[@doloresreichhardt1485]

So are the North Woods in northern Wisconsin.

[@tinnagigja3723]

"To øl" prononunciation guide written by someone who hasn't been to Denmark in a decade: To: remove the 'rn' from 'torn' øl: say 'bleu' in an exaggerated French accent, add an L at the end, then remove the 'bl' from the front.

[@1kili2]

in 2019 i had half a day in new york so i wanted to visit central park but i didnt want to spent extra for the subway cause the subway system in america is really confusing and also seems to still operate 100 year old tin subways that get really hot so i ended up walking instead, on my walk i had some new york pizza, visited a fun miniature museum and ended up on times square, honestly as a tourist with half a day just visiting the disney store and looking around is pretty fun and took more time than expected, now ive seen it though so next time i visit the US i will make an effort to spent some more time in new york and actually visit central park.

[@AbiGail-ok7fc]

What is so confusing about the New York subway? Sure, it doesn't have "one platform, one destination" like some subway systems do, but that's not the case for almost any interchange station on a national train system either.

[@R.a.t.t.y]

If you walking in Death Valley in the summer, take a car door with you. Then, if it gets too hot, you can always wind down the window.

[@eattherich9215]

😂😂😂

[@MervynPartin]

I think New Orleans, outside of Mardi Gras is still a wonderful place to visit. The atmosphere in the French Quarter is great, with good food and some great street entertainers. I've been there on a ship many years ago, and more recently with my wife. We loved the steam boat cruise on the Mississippi and all the other things to do in the area, but don't waste money on a wild-life boat trip- absolutely pathetic. Also in the South is Florida- home of WDW and Universal both of which used to be fantastic, but no longer feel welcoming, even if you can afford to get in the places. Epcot was our favourite park, but the view of the evening illuminations was ruined by all the extra buildings erected around the lake. There is so much more to see in Florida besides the theme parks. Rocket launches from Cape Canaveral (try Jetty Park in Port Canaveral, not KSC for the best view), airboat rides (where you will see lots of wildlife), State Parks, The Keys, Daytona Speedway and many more places to visit. Next year, we shall go again to the Saturday Night Cruise at Old Town, Kissimmee- If you like classic American cars, as we do, then you will love this.

[@lloroshastar6347]

Personally I really want to visit New Orleans and I definitely don't want to go during Mardi Gras, it doesn't appeal whatsoever. But the place New Orleans absolutely does, all of its culture, its food, everything BUT Mardi Gras appeals to me.

[@eattherich9215]

If you are not a big fan of crowds, then visiting anywhere on celebration days is a nightmare. I would no more go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and I would the Notting Hill carnival.

[@lucie4185]

"I was fine" says 6ft tall white man. I do love you Evan but you must aknowledge you have an advantage when travelling alone.

[@coasttocoast2011]

Australian (QLD specifically) here - little tip if you want to experience our heat but still do stuff, come in July/August. One week it’s cold so you need a jacket, the next week you’re in short sleeves

[@CsHyper]

San Antonio TX, mainly the river walk, during the weekend of Fiesta

[@peterpain6625]

Times Square you visit exactly once. At least I did and I've been to NY a couple of times. Grand Canyon i could just sit on some bench and watch for hours on end without being bored. Photos don't do it justice at all.

[@ChristyH-B]

When the Wendy's opened here in Reading it was the first here in the uk and there were queues around the corner for days!!

[@jennievrchota2284]

Wall Drug in South Dakota is super overrated. It's literally just the downtown of a tiny town with super cheap souvenirs that you can get anywhere else in the Black Hills. The only good thing is the fudge, but you can still get that other places in the Hills. Just not worth the stop, unless you are in need of a bathroom break. Also, when traveling through South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana (maybe other states as well that I have no experience with) you can go a very long time between gas stations and rest areas so be sure to plan accordingly!

[@emssasukeisunderrated7946]

And be careful of the altitude and wind!

[@sianmorris5624]

okay i LOVE this background set-up, the lighting is immaculate

[@anisaromano5352]

Evan I live in San Francisco. You can stay in Fisherman's Wharf for relatively cheap, but also Outer Sunset area as well. Tenderloin was not the best place to stay.

[@PeterLiuIsBeast]

Gatlinburg, TN is the place you'd go if you were planning to visit the Great Smokey National Park (without camping) from the TN side. Cherokee is the town on the NC side. And as for Pigeon Forge (just north of Gatlinburg), it is a bigger city and is known for Dollywood.

[@livrose3567]

I’m British and I’ve been to Gatlinburg and it was very touristy but also so much fun. I’d say it’s not worth going for more than a few days (we did 2 days there on our way to Nashville) but it’s fun as a road trip stop for sure

[@kn5w]

I've been to the US a few times. Agree with both the Hollywood and San Francisco suggestions, but here are my additions: 1. Cleveland train station at the dead of night - we made this mistake and there were gangs in the nearby industrial estate headed towards the nearest McDonalds where we were meeting a friend for pickup. Get your friend to pick you up at the station instead if you can help it. 2. In fact, just avoid Ohio. Youngstown is, apparently, the murder capital of the entire US and is generally quite a deprived area. There's nothing there for tourists, though I would say the one real redeeming feature is a lovely muffin shop on the side of the road. 3. Jamaica Center - Parsons/Archer subway station in NYC. Easily the sketchiest subway station I went to. Didn't help there was an attempted murder on a cop not long before we arrived, meaning that our connecting bus to the UBS Arena was compromised somewhat. Second time I was there it stank of p*ss and weed. 4. Any Waffle House (the chain) - unless you like especially violent interactive theatre. 5. Any food places near Times Square in NYC. Everywhere else is cheaper and better, even the chain brands! 6. Las Vegas if you have kids with you - they'll be bored sh*tless because they can't gamble or drink, and you'll never hear the end of it.

[@starparodier91]

As someone who has family in Vegas that had to go every summer with parents that don’t gamble and avoided the strip, I learned something when I turned 21 there (it wasn’t my choice but once again for family). Casinos have amazing arcades. I did one Godzilla slot machine and left for the arcades. It was great!

[@gnomevoyeur]

To be a bit more positive, I went to Sleepy Hollow in upstate NY. It's fame is purely fictional but it was brilliant. Tarrytown was rammed with tourists and I could find a carpark but It was easy to park at the old North Church. The Headless Horseman Bridge was great and the banks of the river had this spooky exposed tree root vibe. I also tracked down Greymalkin Lane in Westchester County because X-Men via google maps. The actual road is unsignposted and unsealed. It's basically a long driveway to a farm. It felt like I was trespassing and could be shot at anytime but I'm glad I went.

[@rachelgates509]

Gatlinburg is great. Go in either late April/ early May or in November. I say November, weather more predictable and fall is beautiful! More species of trees in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park than anywhere in the world! If you want to see the fall leaves still on the trees though, check the weather in October just in case:

[@mbncd]

Back in the 2000's I went to North America, starting in Ottawa (via a long flight from my home in Brisbane, Australia, with a super brief stop over somewhere in Asia, then a few short plane trips across the states) and then I Greyhounded down into the NE USA, across the northern states, up into Vancouver, over to Edmonton, and then back to Vancouver, all in a month before heading home on another long flight with a short stop over in Taiwan. Yes, I had a lot of late night or early morning bus rides, including a lot of very awkward and uncomfortable experiences with beggars that loved hanging out around the bus stations, and I was groped on one of the buses by a guy who thought "Excuse me but do you mind telling me the time?" while waiting for the bus meant "Come sit next to me on this almost empty bus and then go at it once night falls, please." Not a fun experience, especially while I was sick and alone in a foreign country and terrified to go to the doctor (even though I had travel insurance) because of all the horror stories I'd heard about healthcare in the USA... But the one good thing about Greyhound was that it went all over the place and I could get a month long ticket that would let me take as many rides as I wanted anywhere they went in the USA and Canada (possibly Mexico too, I didn't ask) for just a couple hundred Canadian dollars. I would actually have recommended it if you weren't a vulnerable girl travelling alone. I could often sleep on the buses so that was like having a crappy moving hotel that was essentially free, and they did have quite a wide network. No privacy of course, and no showers or anything, but you could do and see a lot in a month with all travel accounted for across both Canada and America. Just a shame that one guy had to be a so-and-so while I was just trying to sleep off the worst sore throat I've ever had in my life. I definitely recommend travelling with a friend, whether Greyhounding or not!

[@RRW359]

3:10 My family always visited Newport, OR when I was a kid and there was a Ripley's, Wax Museum, and roadside aquarium that had a pass for eachother so we went to all three often. It's interesting as a kid and eventually it just becomes nostalgic.

[@DaSuTro]

8:48 The only reason I live in Trenton is because I'm a homeowner. I spend a lot more time in Morrisville, PA which is adjacent to Trenton via the Lower Trenton Bridge ("Trenton Makes, The World Takes"). 13:56 YES!!!!! Times Square can get real busy at times, but my main place to go in NYC is in Greenwich Village for the nightlife.

[@eattherich9215]

Which tourist doesn't go to Times Square? I could have given it a miss, but would have been left to my own devices in the hotel room.

[@misterthegeoff9767]

Back in 2001 I did one of those senior citizens coach tours around Nevada like the one in Beavis and Butthead do America. Because everyone on this particular tour was from SE London as we had all found the deal in a local newspaper the tour guides quickly learned they needed to schedule some different stops for the Brits so we saw an authentic truckstop, drove past a trailer park, stopped off at one of those delis where the staff shout abuse if you are too slow with your order etc. To a lot of us Brits America doesn't seem real so we treat the whole place like it's some kind of theme park.

[@zeeamja1]

Thanks, I’m actually going to USA in October. Driving from LA to Arizona to Grand Canyon.

[@blo0dchild]

Born, raised, and still living in Trenton NJ after 35 years. It's really not as bad as Camden and I lived downtown in Trenton without a car for years. Either way, there are many awesome cultural sites and things to do in Trenton. And while you're here you could go to 6 Flags Great Adventure as it's less than 20 miles from Trenton! Had season passes on and off throughout my life.

[@yuaelt]

Re the food chains thing... most of us Euros don't really think of USA (stereotypically) when talking quality food. But it's not because we think you don't have any - in a country this big, and with so many culinary influences from all over the world, there must be a lot of genuinely amazing restaurants - it's only logical. BUT at the same time, being a melting pot of so many cultures kinda means you don't stand out for any in particular. Meanwhile, the type of food that every US movie, tv show or even music video have in common is hamburgers, hot dogs, tacos, non-descript "chinese" or american-style pizza - all with big, colorful logos. We've seen them SO MUCH! So... like it or not, to us this is what American cuisine/food culture is. And since we came to USA to experience those things, we check them out first and it's usually the most exciting. It's fun to go to a place you've only seen in the movies, it's a bit like going to historical site! Of course, after a few subpar meals the magic wears off (depending on how much one likes junk food of course) and then we start discovering what good food you also have on offer (...while crying that your mains don't include veggies, the portions are so big we're practically forced to eat the cold leftovers for every other meal, and OMG can't you just print the full price on the menu... But that's a different story :D)

[@barrywilliams259]

Well I am British and recently visited north west Wisconsin , spent two weeks there and had a great time with really nice hospitable people. I really recommend the place and don’t understand your dismissive attitude.

[@HollehMae]

I also went to New Orleans during Mardi Gras from Wales and oh my got was it packed but I absolutely loved it! Nothing like anywhere else in America such a vibe and so much culture!

[@WILFREDRUSSELL-h8n]

Londoner POV here: I lived in Hollywood for three years back in the mid-80’, so it’s probably changed a lot, but I loved every minute of it then. Firstly, people walk there! The street life on Hollywood Boulevard reminded me of home. There’s so much history and things to do. The Hollywood Hills are on your doorstep - Yamashiros, pre-Beverly Hills stars homes, (you’ll recognise many of them that were used in modern films), winding lanes (more like Cornwall than California), and the views across the city’s palm fringed hills as far as the ocean and the Hollywood sign in Los Feliz is amazing). Plus it has great transportation (I took the bus to work on Wilshire Boulevard cos I don’t drive and got to sit with actual Angelenos - they don’t bite!)

[@Julia-lk8jn]

Okay, but I gotta admit: going off the path gave you a really memorable picture; haven't seen that in any _''things to (not) do while traveling''_ videos before. & I *honestly`* thought that the cawing sound right before was some 🦅going for your camera.

[@GCAbleism158]

Honestly surprised few people said Hawaii, given the fact that the natives don't want people to go there.

[@j.rinker4609]

I would recommend if you visit the Rocky Mountains, you prepare for high altitude and dry climate. Bring tissues and buy a saline nose spray. Know how to stop a nosebleed, but don't freak out about it. Nosebleeds are common here, but pinching your nose closed, packing it with a wad of tissue, and sitting quietly while leaning slightly forward (leaning back will cause the blood to go down your throat) will help it stop. Drink plenty of water, NOT alcohol (you get drunk faster at high altitude), and maybe stay at a mid altitude for a few days before going higher.

[@sams3015]

In my head we view the road trip like the way Americans view Eurrail. Generally have an idea but sometimes can make crazy assumptions

[@stecky87]

Wisconsin is actually a very lovely state. I agree with not going to Northern, WI, but for a different reason: I don't want nature to get more ruined that it already is, & Northern WI isn't as built up as the rest of the state. That being said, don't go to the huge cities, go to the medium/small ones. They're less crowded, not overrated, and cheaper, but still have plenty to do

[@mrsm9974]

3:10 The London Rainforest Café (RC) is now called Jungle Cave, so I think it changed management recently. During the pandemic we took our kids to the Disney store and RC to recreate a ‘Disneyworld holiday’ themed day out. RC in London was a massive let down after being at RC at Disney Springs

[@frankhooper7871]

Now showing when googled as "permanently closed"

[@miz_logo_lee]

I live fairly close to Rocky Mountain National Park and I only get fatigued when I go to the peak spots. I’m probably acclimated to high altitude in general. That said, it is a MUST visit place! ❤ I would start with like a 20 minute RT trek tops until you know what you can handle.

[@marcberm]

Heh... Applebee's DOES have "a peel" LOL

[@nance1111]

Where's the ukulele exit ditty? It's one of my favorite things you do. This was a fun discussion.

[@Necr0e1]

when i went to ecuador for my brothers wedding first week i was hospitalized for high altitude pulmonary edema going from flat finland to ecuador in 1 trip was a real shock (beautiful country tho!)

[@HarryPujols]

If you're a foreign tourist here are the places to visit: New York City (Manhattan) Boston San Francisco Chicago Philadelphia D.C. Colorado (Except Colorado Springs) And,,, THAT'S IT. Avoid: Los Angeles Florida Texas New Jersey Basically everywhere unless it's on the list above.

[@DavidBeddard]

2:47 Just watched the cactus video. 🌵 You really have come a long way since then! Haven't we all...

[@daleykun]

I had to take a greyhound once from Chicago to New York because flights were too much on Labour Day weekend - never again

[@htim8997]

Re: Greyhound: I used to live in Boston, and my parents used to live in South Jersey. For a while my car wasn't up to the trip, so I went by Amtrak. After a few such, I switched to Greyhound. Much better than Amtrak. Then I switched to Peter Pan Bus Lines. (Do they still exist?) Even better. Buses not as nice, but more friendly, more convenient, and cheaper. Sometimes they even showed movies! (Back before everyone had their own.) Four hour layover in New York with either bus line, though. Had to get used to napping on the floor at Penn Station. Bottom line, I would absolutely choose Greyhound over Amtrak in the Northeast corridor.

[@mauk2861]

I agree about the greyhounds... In 1990 did Miami to Niagara and back... very little good about the journeys although I loved most of the cities!

[@Mcfly3595]

I’m a Brit but in 1990 I traveled across USA and lived in Houston Texas for a while. The most positive memorable places were old Tucson AZ, Grand Canyon, monument valley, Hoover Dam. Most Negative Hollywood blvd. I did love Wendy’s burgers!

[@livrose3567]

I would add Memphis to this list. We went when I was 15 and our hotel room that had outside access was broken into when we were literally 20ft away, the guy had a gun and I was in the bathroom when he broke in and stole a bunch of our stuff. We then found out it’s the 5th most dangerous city in the US. I’ll never go back

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Don't assume that a state's nickname is at all an accurate descriptor. NJ is the antithesis of being garden-like. I know of few who are enchanted by New Mexico. I've seen no plantations of nutmeg in Connecticut. Rhode Island has less ocean coastline than 16 other states. And I'd sooner be almost anywhere in the US than in Oklahoma. 😂

[@jaredbowhay-pringle1460]

Definitely agree with Greyhound. I made the mistake of booking parts of my trip across the US ahead of time with them and really wish I hadn't - awful bus stops, non existent customer service, "interesting folk", and delays that are absolutely mind boggling in a first world country, both in their length and frequency. Obviously there are some more remote areas where they're the only option, but for most journeys between major cities there are other bus options that are often similarly priced or, when possible, go by Amtrak.

[@mechengr1731]

As someone who's been to Six Flags multiple times over the years. It saddens me to say that yeah, it's probably best to skip it. The prices are inflated, and it seems like so many things are shut down. Some of the ride operators also don't seem to take their job seriously when checking restraints. At the OG Six Flags, most of the stalls are closed. And it seems like rides like Mr. Freeze and Titan take turns going down. When my dad and I went to Magic Mountain, they had quite a few rides down, including both the log flume and Roaring Rapids rides. Note, we during July, so it was hot. They also didn't have any shade at all for the Goliath's ride queue They were hit hard during covid, and it shows. Sadly, they seem to be making up for that with inflated ticket prices and underpaying staff There are better amusement parks in the US imo

[@funkyneil2000]

I've done Atlanta to Nashville and back by Greyhound, it was fine. I've had worse bus trips in the UK. Also the American trains are very comfortable. I did 17 hours from New York to Chicago.

[@Bluetangg]

Unless you have relatives, skip Iowa, North and South Dakota, Nebraska. These are minimally exciting and pretty flat. Beware the southeast in summer. Very hot and humid. The Atlantic is warm, the Pacific is cold. Pass on most fast food. If you want to try our food, do your research like I would going to Europe or Asia.

[@theartssocietyworcester7736]

Philadelphia, very true and sound advice. It's been that way for ages. I went in the 70s, missed a turn in my rental car and was very glad to get out unmolested...

[@eattherich9215]

'Philadelphia, very true and sound advice.' The entire city? I could suggest not going to London because some areas have a homelessness problem but that would be STUPID.

[@SamUnreel]

I know Pueblo CO. 4th Gen Coloradoan and 1st not raised in Pueblo. Due to the closure of CF&I, Pueblo had been on the downswing (it was at one time considered for the Capitol of Colorado because of the convergence of trains transporting iron ore in the state; it's in the same Arkansas River valley as historic Bent's Fort). It's been slowly improving. The cannabis business has helped it improve. I think it just needs more love and investment. The city has a lot of history and professional opportunities, especially as manufacturing returns to the U.S.

[@frankhooper7871]

The last time I visited California, I did visit Hollywood. Not to see the tatty sign; not to see the stars; but to dance with Tinseltown Squares - LA's first LGBTQ+ square dance club. A fun evening, and I was even invited to call one dance. (I'm a square dance caller from the UK) I did grow up in Orange County, California and remember when I was in my mid-teens going to a Mexican restaurant "on the wrong side of the tracks" which actually catered for Mexicans - best food ever. But I like Taco Bell too - one will be opening here in Ipswich next year!

[@lloroshastar6347]

Some of these are advice to people visiting America by Americans. I understand not being excited about going to a chain in the US when you live there and can have food from that chain anytime. But honestly, I mean this with every fibre of my being, Popeye's chicken was the best thing I had on my trip to the US the entire time I was there. Yes, we went to independent restaurants, and NO they were not better than Popeye's. They weren't healthier than the other options, but I didn't go to the US for a health camp, I went to have a nice holiday and eat things that taste good.

[@joy_yt99]

I’m in a little town south of Atlanta atm and I’ve been loving it. I mean most of it depends on people :) and I have met some great ones. I love that it’s still beautiful weather here. I didn’t have a lot of expectations maybe that also helps :)

[@deadlymelody27]

When they opened a wendy's in my town in the UK i was SO EXCITED 😂 im always going to be excited about fast food brands 😂

[@alynam82]

As a South Jersey resident myself 😀 I say that for anyone who wants to visit Philly and feel safe, center city is a nice spot, in/around city hall and Love Park, and Rittenhouse Square. You got plenty of Dunkin, Starbucks, and a B&N

[@MENSA.lady2]

Worst parts, New York, Los angeles, Chicago and pretty much any large city. My choice for best is Cheyenne in summer ,yes it does have one, or Carson City Nevada.

[@word42069]

Sorry but North and Central NJ are great and have amazing historic suburbs… NJ is a shaper varied and impressive state for its size. Princeton & Lawrenceville are right next to Trenton and they’re gorgeous.

[@DarthDionius]

Please be careful with the sponsors, Evan. Beer52 are not exactly great. The "free" case is more like £6 because they still charge shipping, most of the craft beers come in tiny 330ml cans, which already makes £6 for a crate rough, but then it automatically subs you to a £27 a month subscription for the same shitty 330ml cans, and you have to call them to unsubscribe, if you even can.

[@AbiGail-ok7fc]

I used to live in New York City, and have visited it since several times. I never went to visit the statue of Liberty. When living there, it was always "that's only for tourists", and I haven't been able to shake that feeling, even after 20 years of not living there. I did do the free ferry to and from Staten Island though.

[@M.M.Y.B]

I like the ferry because it’s an opportunity to be on the water. I take it back and forth for hours at a time just to be on the water.

[@BoaterMoat]

To anyone that wants to go to Louisiana for Mardi Gras: the towns around Lafayette in West Louisiana/Acadiana have a much more (in my opinion) authentic Mardi Gras tradition. If you search « Courir de Mardi Gras » it'll give you a good idea. I can point out the most traditional one though. Otherwise i will gladly elaborate here if anyone is interested in my firsthand accounts of it

[@toffeelatte6042]

It's funny - your definition of philly is exactly what London is. For example - Pimlico. Back in the 2000-2010s dunno if it's the same now, it was both the roughest yet one of the most plush places in South Central London. You can go from a lovely street down Belgravia side to another and you're immediately in stabby stabby town.

[@evan]

Lmao not at all

[@Nilen96]

I went on this guided tour-thing to the US a few years ago (it was very weird), and it was just the guide and a whole bunch of middle-aged couples, and then my 80-something grandma and 18-year-old me. One morning, the guide had apparently called ahead and reserved tables at Wendy's and we went and all got served the same thing. Idk, it was the first I ever heard of the chain, but now I'm just imagining reserving a table at McDonald's 😂 It was delicious though

[@drj4608]

If you plan on coming to the Washington DC area, check to see if there are any rallies/protests scheduled. Unless you plan on participating, probably best to avoid those dates.

[@enter8487]

grey hound aint bad depending witch stop youre at. the one in Pittsburg is great and the food is fantastic (at least pre and during covid it was havent been there recently) but the atlanta one makes the DMV look like a 5star hotel

[@connorvickers2053]

Since you brought up roller coasters at 13:49 I think it's noteworthy to bring up my favourite roller coaster (and arguably better than Kingda Ka lmao get mad). The Do Dodonpa, found in Japan, holds the world record for fastest accelerating roller coaster, going from 0km/h to 180 km/m in 1.56 seconds. That's 3.3g of acceleration! Short of being a race car driver or fighter pilot, there's nothing else like it

[@AbiGail-ok7fc]

I have been to Trenton dozens of times. But only the station, to switch between Septa and New Jersey Transit.

[@darcityler2621]

My parents are currently on a plane to the US (visiting for the first time), I will send them this!!!!!

[@colingregory7464]

Kylie and Russell Crowe talking about their Wax works on Graham Norton is hilarious and worrying at the same time