New Zealand Family React to 10 Culture Shocks Foreign Tourists Have When They Visit America
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- Опубліковано 11 бер 2023
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If you are in the south, especially Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia or the Carolinas don't be surprised if the women call you honey, darlin, sweetheart, or sugar. They arent flirting. Its what we call southern hospitality. Thats just their way of being friendly.
I say Darlin', Sweetheart and Sugar. lol
moved from NC from a young age and noticed the older i’ve gotten i’ve started calling people sugar, thought i could escape lol
I'm southern male, (although not the "deep south"... Oklahoma and Texas mostly) and I also call women darlin', or hon. (Short for honey I suppose). You adults will typically be addressed by Sir or Ma'am. Your son may also get called Sir quite a bit, whereas your daughter will probably be addressed as Miss. Down south we just grew up being polite and once you grow accustomed to it, it's very comfortable.
you mean that southern girl made me catch feelings for nothing? 😢
Also... "Oh honey" in a voice that drops at the end... that's not a compliment.
Watch out! Some road intersections do not allow right turns on a red light. They will have a sign that reads something like “No right turn on red.” Also, if the signal light is in the shape of an arrow (versus a circular shape) and it is lit red, that generally means that a turn in the direction of the arrow is prohibited until the arrow color changes to green.
If it’s flashing red it’s saying stop and proceed when safe.
Good tip
In nyc no rights on red at all so be careful assuming it’s always right on red too
I was just about to say the same thing.
Plus some states I know that's the way it is here in Delaware actually allow left turn on red from a one-way to a one-way in certain circumstances.
One thing that I think would be surprising about Americans is the way that not only are we patriotic and proud to be American, but we also tend to be pretty proud of where our ancestors came from So you will see Irish festivals like St. Patrick's day, Mexican celebrations like Cinco de Mayo and Dia De Los Muertos, Chinese New Year, Oktoberfest, Swedish and Norwegian fests, and every other nationality. I don't remember ever seeing a New Zealand Day, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Yeah. I find Americans are proud to be two cultures. American and their ancestry. Everyone else just says the country they’re born in.
But not everyone or everywhere. My SIL said when she moved to WI from Iowa, she was shocked by people asking about it... She said she is American. That was kind of eye-opening to me. I thought people cared about origins, but I guess not.Doesnt mean we aren't or don't love America. Maybe younger people don't ID with care?
yep. I have a friend in Mexico and he said it was weird that we celebrated Cinco de Mayo, aka Mexican independence. I was like wait, what?!
Love our festivals don’t forget to add on the fairs .
@LadyChaos1992 in no way do I mean this to nit-pick, but Cinco de mayo isn't Mexican independence day, it is a celebration of a region of Mexico winning a battle- allowing their region to be free.
I remember going out to a bar with a friend from China years ago and he was shocked to learn that, even as a passenger, it is illegal to drink alcohol in the car. He opened a beer in front of a cop and the cop waved us over and gave him a stern lecture. Henkept telling the cop "that doesn't make any sense, I'm not even the one driving" but he tossed the beer out. Our open container laws apply to everyone in the vehicle.
🤦♀️ I can’t believe he did that. He got lucky . I can state our alcohol laws are pretty strict and there is no sympathy. And stores do have limits and times ,
This varies depending on the state. Some don't prohibit passengers from drinking from open containers.
@@zacmontgomery8684 really? Where? I'm genuinely curious, I always that it was every state.
if I really bend my brain, I can understand why that law is in place, but overall why does it exist.
@@hydrashade1851 It's usually just a open container charge it's probably to discourage you from sipping as your driving. Other states since it's open your considered to be under it's influence even if you haven't drank any. I"m sure if we had a time machine and could go back in time we'd find out why and it would make sense. But usually with laws in the US it was a problem at one point in time that caused a huge issue that makes no sense whatsoever now. I.e my hometown had a law saying you could not tie Giraffes to sign posts. Seeing as I'm not from Africa and Giraffes are not native to North America that law makes no sense at all. But when it was written it probably did.
Just note:
- the cost of a 2 liter soda (along with everything else) went up - after Covid
- A lot of, if not all, Walmarts are no longer open 24 hrs - after Covid
- Choose the 'medium' priced hotel. A 'cheap' hotel may shock you at best, kill you at worst.
- Ice is available literally everywhere in a score of different forms. We have vending machines that sell bags of ice cubes.
- People are very friendly, but in touristy areas, that friendly person may be trying to scam you.
- You can probably use your accents and friendly natures to talk your way out of most police encounters (traffic, not Driving Under the Influence. He was serious about the DUIs).
- Make sure you have at least one working cell and get a navigation app. Most Americans use one most of the time and probably couldn't tell you how to get anywhere beyond their local neighborhood.
- If you end up in an uncomfortable area (and you'll know), just turn around and go back the way you came.
- It takes, on average, 3-6 hours to drive across one state, not counting stops. Some of the big states take even longer. In western states, you could potentially drive for hours and not see another person.
- Nobody is going to be peeking in the bathroom stalls at you while you do your business. If they do, punch them in the eye or tell the police.
- Free refills are same visit only.
Good tips!! I was wondering what Walmart that guy got $1.00 Coke and Pepsi. It’s between $2.00 and $2.50 where I live.
Yeah we are raised to not look at others in the half inch gap in a bathroom door.
Me I hang my coat up , so that solves that. 2 liter soda is now 2.50 but so is a smaller 20 oz
Walmarts in smaller towns are now only left open until 11
Some gas stations are open 24 hours
Reserve a room using an app like Priceline because a few years back I tried renting a room in Nebraska. A convention was in town so I had to drive an hour down the highway to even find vacancies. Even in the winter. Can be busy.
Things didn't go up due to covid. They went up due to inflation and supply chain issues. Everything is up. I bought 2 subs and a salad at a sub shop and it cost over $30. Never cost me more than $20 or so.
@@Rockhound6165 The supply chain issues, labor shortage issues and hence inflation are a direct result of covid. However you view it, both of the first two notes are accurate.
@@ambermac77 This vid must have been from 2019 or thereabouts.
I always thought Americans thought of just themselves before moving here lol found out literally day one that's not true at all. We ran out of gas a few kilometers/miles from the gas station and within a few minutes we had 3 cars pull over asking if we needed help. One guy ran down to the gas station and filled up a 5 gallon can for us, wouldn't take any money, he put the gas in our car and then just left lol loved America ever since haha
You’ll be surprised about the hypocrisy of “ignorant Americans” when in reality everyone is just as ignorant. Example. People attack Americans for not going and exploring out of the US… when literally most Americans haven’t even explored their own country. Solely bc of how vast and culturally different it is.
Sounds like you were in the Midwest or deep south..
@@CollinKillian In the South, but in South Western Pennsylvania lol
@@CollinKillian I am from the Midwest but ironically I found in traveling people were more helpful the northeast than they were in the South.
@Merri Cat southerners are just more polite to your face. North Easterners are usually rough around the edges but most are generally happy to help.
Your channel is popular because Americans like to hear good things about ourselves (myself included) and your family is so positive. I hope you're not disappointed when you come here!
I hope they survive. I would recommend they don’t go to too many crowded places. Never know when a “good guy with a gun” will turn bad and start shooting.
@@Ron898 thats like a 0.01 chance of happing stop acting like its common
Tell that to the people of Lewiston, Maine who just wanted to have a night out bowling, and were gunned down by a “trained good guy with a gun”. It’s insanity what is happening in our country, and no one will do anything about it.
@@Ron898 how are you about to go from a mass shooting to a random shooting at night in the random shooting at nigh pick one and stay with it
@@Ron898 your comment looks like a copy and paste to it doesn't even match the first comment
One thing people do in America is ask about accents. It’s usually out of genuine curiosity. We also don’t get offended if you ask us about ours. For example I have a southern accent because I grew up in Georgia most of my life.
very proud of my southern accent actually
Americans do not have accents! 😠
That is sweet 😊!! I'm a native Californian and have a accent that doesn't portray it. People always ask me where I am from? I'm told I don't sound American, which is surprising What I take from this is there is no such thing as American accent 😅
I'm from Iowa, and find that it depends on my environment that determines what accent I'll take on. Farm, it'll be a southern twang, with hay in the teeth... Certain people with me, and I'll just take to their accents. I had a buddy from Australia, and he'd say I sounded just like a kid down the street from where he grew up. As a kid, I did impressions. Maybe it stuck.😂
Keep in mind that that video is a few years old. 2 liters of name brand soda are now about $2.50 -3.00 each. You can still get generic soda for a little over a dollar for a 2 liter, but prices have really gone up in the last few years.
Also 24 hours are not the norms today.
Yes I agree. Some of the particulars are a bit dated today.
Thank you Biden
I grew up on generic soda. We called it " Broke-a-Cola".😁
Coke is still $1 for me here in Utah lol
Some things to remember about the "right turn on red light" rule:
1. You don't just cruise through the intersection if you're turning right on a red. You need to stop first (like you would at a stop sign), look to be sure it is clear of approaching traffic, and then make your turn.
2. "Right on Red" is allowed if there isn't a sign or other indicator that says it isn't. If you see a sign saying "No right turn on red", you (obviously) cannot make the turn. What may be less obvious, though, is if the intersection has an lighted arrow (pointing right) to indicate you can turn. If that is the case, and the arrow is red, you cannot make the turn. You can only turn when green or yellow. Sometimes you'll see a flashing yellow arrow which means you have to yield to other traffic -- i.e. turn only turn if clear.
I came to make the same comment. You made this MUCH clearer than Walter, so thanks for saving me the typing.
Depends on which state you are in. Not all states allow it.
@@dallasarnold8615
ALL 50 states in the US allow right on red.
Yes, and do not ride in the left most lane of the interstate if you are going slower than those to the right. Slower traffic stays to the right.
@@anidaralopez5676 Well, Anidara, you almost got it right. Slower traffic is SUPPOSED to keep to the right. If only they would.
The friendliness thing is absolutely true, we generally love meeting people from other countries and cultures, because for us, it’s fun to compare and contrast our daily lives and experiences in wherever they’re from. We like seeing that there are in fact similarities with other countries and cultures, especially when food is involved, eating with someone is a great way to bond and make friends. We even do that with different states, which a lot of people don’t realize are almost different countries under a central government, hence the name “United States.”
When we’re not shooting them.
@@Ron898 You shoot people? Wow, must be a northerner or west coaster? Portland? Chicago? St. Louis?
The kindness really varies depending on the state you’re in. Not all states are at the same level of hospitality.
New York...
@@LadyChaos1992New Jersey too
as a Minnesotan I will say we are all overly kind and even to my friends, I am exceptionally nice
Cities very also in hospitality. Like if you're in Chicago and try to order a New York style you might get in a fight 😂
WATCH OUT for the right turn on red. Sometimes there are small white signs hanging next to the light that says "NO TURN ON RED." Some of them actually give the hours you can't turn right on red, like 6am - 8am and 2pm - 4 pm, because they are close to a school. They are hard to read sometimes. ALSO, you still have to come to a complete stop first & make sure no cars or pedestrians are coming into the path of your turn.
Yes, I believe there might be some states that don't allow it ever. Not sure about that though. The turn on red
Yeah, it would be best to read up on the driving laws for each state you visit since rules can be different.
I live in AZ where u-turns are ok unless posted, in fact thete are parts of my city where you can only get into certain shop with a u-turn.
But I visited my parents and was out with mom. I did a u-turn cause I passed a entrance and she lost it. Apparently, no u-turns in MI, but backing up is OK.
Just be careful when driving in different states.
To add onto this: Some intersections have signs that read 'Right Turn Yield to U-Turn', this is very important, especially on the 'Right on Red' intersections.
Normally it is between two roads that are quite busy, but some states do not have these.
Considering portion sizes in restaurants…yes, they’re big. Very big in most places. BUT nothing says you have to eat it all in one sitting. In fact, after all the free refills, the next most popular item is the To-Go box where you pack up half your meal and take it home to re-heat the next day. Two meals for the price of one! 😁
we call it a "doggy bag" here. No lie. They are used to it, I gaurentee you. No big deal.
Many foods don't age well. With most, I prefer to order one or two items and share. Start with an appetizer and see how hungry you still are. Some entrees will literally feed your family of four.
Doggie bag is falling out of style where I live. They'd know what you meant, but you can ask for "a to-go box." Fancy restaurants might pack it into a box for you, off at another table or somewhere (and expect a dollar or two extra on the tip maybe), but most places give you the empty container and you put whatever you want to take home in there.
We've used this very often to take something home to a family member who didn't go out for some reason of time or schedule, or for the dad to take to work for lunch the next day or something.
My husband and I like to split one entree and a dessert as some burgers are huge, plus the fries that come with it. Some restaurants will charge for split meals, though, if you want them on different plates, so beware. We just share a plate.😊
We like our culture because our families are from all over the world. So we love to invite all cultures
That really isnt true, at least not until very recently...
@@thomgizziz I can only speak on myself though
I dont know how recently it's been for others. I have always had an interest in all cultures . mlMy father was french and I always wanted to visit France and explore all the differences . So, I'm Interested in all cultures because they are so different. I will say that my dad would talk when I was younger of how America wasn't open to others..The mindset of the older generation of Americans was that the American way is the only way ..the only right way..That they let foolish pride get in the way of learning new ways of things to do better in areas that they need to work on. I think people are getting better with each other. We need to be because we literally CANT survive without one another...People need to understand that better. Fingers crossed that things get better for everyone.
Rent an RV, there are RV Parks and Campgrounds everywhere. It’s a great way to see certain areas without having to change hotels every time you change location. You can cook your own meals which helps offset a lot of the costs.
Also about the portion sizes, you're not expected to eat the whole thing. Servers will readily ask you of you want a to-go box to put whatever you don't eat inside to take with you (and a lot of hotels will have refrigerators on them.) When I go out I usually always make at least two meals out if what I get at a restaurant. And like our hotels, the more expensive the restaurant is, chances are the portions are smaller than the cheaper places.
I usually have dinner then my to-go is second dinner later that night or breakfast the next morning lol
What? They usuahave to bring more food
A lot of things are sharable too. At a Mexican restaurant, if you order any specialty nachos, even from the appetizer menu, they're big enough to feed 2 adults. What most foreigners want to do when eating out in the US, is stick to the lunch menu, even if it isn't lunchtime. That's going to be a portion size they're more used to.
If you dont have a way to reheat your food share meals. They are usually big enough for 2. I ate a Carraba’s on Saturday and I have made 2 meals out of it plus that days meal and I can get at least 1-2 more meals out of it. I dont eat a bunch and at the restaurant I ate my salad and only like 2-3 bites of my meal. You really can eat at least 2 meals out of most places.
@@occheermommy Good suggestion! And, at least in my experience, most restaurants will have no problem with you buying a single meal and splitting it!
Several comments:
1) I have helped many international travelers plan trips in the US. The biggest mistake is to try to see the entire country in two or three weeks. Choose what you want to see and plan it out on Google Maps to let you map it out. I have seen people who plan to drive 5k miles in a week or two.
2) There are cheaper chains like LaQuinta and Comfort Suites are comfortable and much more reasonable than Hampton and Holiday Inns. Do realize that "free breakfasts" may be a donut and coffee or a full breakfast. Inquire when booking.
3) Americans are generally friendly as long as you avoid two things. Avoid discussing politics or expressing your opinion on American politics. Also, avoid a trap that I have seen a lot of Australians fall into - that is saying "that not the way we do things in Sydney." It sets people off a lot and you may be told to go home.
4) Many people will hear your accent and ask where you are from. That should be seen as a friendly act. You will find that it takes some of us a minute to understand you with the accent.
5) The gaps in the bathroom are very small. You can see the people's feet underneath which lets you know it is occupied.
6) Do not drink and drive. You will be jailed for a short time.
7) A smart UA-camr planning to come to the US for an extended period of time would start making contacts with people who might be able to arrange some of the travel for them or offer to host them or at the least, will guide them while they are in a locale.
8) A big deal is made about sales tax and tipping. In other parts of the world, those costs are buried in that one inclusive cost. You are still paying them. The advantage of tipping is that the excellent servers make great money. The poor servers don't make a lot and are encouraged to move on to a different job.
Hope that helps.
You are so right! Planning to go to many places means spending most of your time in the car...and some other youtubers I follow had many offers of staying with subscribers, and got to see lots of local events and meet lots of people.
addendum to the accent thing. a LOT of people can't tell the difference between British and Commonwealth accents. Australia and New Zealand especially. we're so used to the Ocker Australian accent a la Mick Dundee and the late Steve Irwin that they won't recognize yours...except a few war vets that served in the Pacific, maybe.
LaQuinta has very comfortable beds too.
Also, when booking a room, look at the hotels review online. Americans are good at giving reviews for excellent service and for bad service with detail.
5 is a lie, and you know it.
I have friends from the Netherlands and they always bring up the size of the US. They do business in several east coast cities and talk about how much time/mileage there is to do business. And of course "our" train system is so mashed together compared to Europe. But, they do love the fact that different regions have different cultures.
I never really heard the whole "America doesn't have history" thing until I watched Lost in the Pond's channel and he mentioned it but he also mentioned something I really enjoyed. America has TONS of history but it is all condensed into a very small time period when compared to most other countries. Like yes many European nations have history going back thousands of years but there are also large gaps of time in that history where nothing of note really happened. American history is packed with noteworthy events happening pretty much every decade. The easiest way to see that is by looking at all the wars we were a part of, there is barely any points in our history where we went more than a decade without being involved in a war. Early on you have things like the French-Indian War, American Revolution, Cherokee Wars, War of 1812, a whole period of off and on wars with different native tribes, Mexican-American War and The Civil War at which point we toned it down on large scale wars, we still had wars but they were mostly small skirmishes between specific states and native tribes. Then we enter the 1900s and we play significant roles in both World Wars (more so in WWII but we did covertly send much needed supplies in WWI) then the Cold War which involved us going into the Korean War and Vietnam. The Gulf War got us into the middle east in the 90s and just as we were starting to back off 9/11 happened and we went into the Afghan war that only just ended. That is all just our wartime history, we still have Manifest Destiny, The Trans-Continental Railroad, The Industrial Revolution, The Golden Age of Invention, and while it isn't pretty the rise and fall of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade is a significant part of US history. Then you have entertainment history, American literature, the American music industry, Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and the American video game industry all grew insanely fast during the 1900s and had global impact. The point being United States may not be very old as a country but hot damn did we make up for lost time. (also note I didn't even get into pre-colonial native history)
North America has an incredibly long history. There were people here long before colonization by Europeans , indigenous cultures go back thousands of years - I wish people would remember that there is more to the history of the US and Canada than just the European colonization.
Something I do not see mentioned often for restaurants is that we do not tip at fast food restaurants. This is only common practice at traditional restaurants where you are served by a waiter/waitress. Also, anywhere you see a tip jar is completely voluntary. If paying with a card, some of the card scanners sometimes may have a screen pop up for a tip on them during the payment process at places you don't generally tip. It is just in the software, you can skip this. It isn't extremely common, but I have ran across it before. Just be aware of it if you end up looking around and buying something in an antique shop (just throwing something random out there) and you see a screen while paying with a card asking what percentage of tip you want to leave, don't feel obligated to leave one as we don't tip at these establishments (unless you really want to), you can skip it.
As for taxes, most of the country is 7-10%. Where I live is 8.8%. ($1 = $1.09 or $10 = $10.88) You get used to it pretty quick if you live here and aren't traveling all over the place. In most of the U.S., if you just expect 10% over the listed price, you won't ever find yourself short. This is combined state, county, and city sales tax that equals the sales tax in the area you are in. Be aware of the tax laws per state you plan to visit because you might find states don't charge taxes on certain items and there are a few states that don't have a sales tax at all. In my state, there are no taxes on groceries. So the price for food items in a grocery store is what you pay. But you will pay sales tax on a can opener if you buy it in the grocery store. But this differs from state-to-state.
Yep, don't feel obligated to tip at the drive thru unless you feel so inclined.
Plenty of us also tip the folks working at the fast food restaurant too. While they earn an hourly wage that is much higher than wait staff at sit-down restaurants, these folks are still underpaid and under-appreciated. They are human beings but are treated horribly by people. No, I don’t tip 20-25% at fast food, but I generally give 8-10% tips in these instances; more if it’s at a drive-up establishment that serves your food to you to eat in your car.
@@TrixieJFerguson I work at Chick-fil-A and am usually surprised when people give me tips (not that I don't want them lol) it's not super common though, I get maybe an average $2/month lol. But it's usually because I gave a tourist some advice for the next day or because they had me outside in extreme weather or smth, which I feel like is what tipping should be
With the hotels it’s more important to make sure the area of the city your staying in is safe. Most holiday inns, holiday inn express, Howard Johnson, best western, etc are pretty much the same. So if you’re in a safe part of town they’re great options for places to stay.
Right on red light means you pull up to the light, come to a complete stop, check to see if anyone is coming then if it’s safe you can turn right even if the light is still red. Just remember you have to stop first because you always stop on red.
Many Americans need that advice about the right on red lol.
I argued with a co-worker because he would drive the company truck right through the red light. He insisted he didn’t need to stop. I showed him the law later. He learned to drive in Los Angeles, and I don’t think they are as strict on the tests compared to other places in California.
Also in New York City, it’s just the opposite. Right on red is illegal at all intersections there. Unless it’s specially posted that it’s permitted.
As a Brit who has been to Minnesota, I can vouch for the 'Minnesota Nice' thing. That is 100% true, very friendly people in that state.
I also made sure that I didn't sit down to eat.
Thanks, as a Minnesotan we welcome anyone and everyone. Just know that if we accidentally bump into you, we will likely say "OPE, sowry", or "just gonna sneak right past ya!"
Iowa Nice I’ve heard of, but never heard of Minnesota nice. Wonder who was nice first?!
@@Bardmusic66 No clue, but it is a thing Minnesotans usually embrace. It's on signs and posters etc. lol
I grew up in Minnesota, and had “be nice to others” instilled in me with my baby food! So much so, that in my current home state(Texas) I am still very polite and nice to others. Possibly it is a version of the Golden Rule-do unto others as you would have them do to you! It has worked for 79 years in my case.
People are pretty nice in the Midwest in general. I'm from Chicago and totally notice the difference when I go to the east coast.
Holiday Inn Express is our family's go-to choice. They have them in just about every city (most of the time they have more than one) and they are priced great. They have indoor pools and a great breakfast selection included.
Yes! These are my favorite as well. A lot of them in my state are newer and very nice also.
Choice Hotels are great also. Very fairly priced and quite consistent, and they'll be on the side of any highway.
Yes! We recently discovered Holiday Inn Express and would definitely stay again and recommend them to others! Clean, neat rooms; well-stocked bathrooms; friendly staff; clean, well-stocked breakfast bar with good variety and even "grab and go" items if you don't have time to sit and eat breakfast.👍👍 [Edit:] Oh yeah, and vending machines for after hours snacks and drinks!
I always go with Drury in areas that have them. They are always clean, safe and you can get free breakfast, dinner and even a few drinks.
100% I wouldn’t get any hotel for less than $120-$140 a night depending on what city you’re staying in it can be more expensive.
Hello from Louisiana! As someone that lives in the south, the thing that I’ve heard most people are shocked by is the heat, the humidity and the bugs...especially mosquitoes. I would recommend keeping some allergy meds on hand. We had a foreign exchange student from Norway some years ago and he ended up having a rather severe reaction to an ant bite. Fire ants are a thing here and he didn’t react well. So be cautious of insects you aren’t familiar with. I hope you have an amazing trip and I can’t wait to see the videos from your travels, here and Europe!
If they have ever been to Australia, they know how to beware of bugs, I'm sure.
Louisiana does have a lot of bugs, seems all the bugs in southern US are pretty large.
folks thinking fire ant of the south are just regular bug - Lmao! Florida here - we have them everywhere - I'd rather be stung by a bee than bit by a fire ant.
The problem with fire ants is that by the time one of them bites you, you can look down an see a thousand on you.
@@RebelCowboysRVs Yikes!
Actually, Springfield Oregon is the "real" Springfield that the Simpson's city was modeled after. There's a plaque signed by Matt Groening in city hall saying as such. There was a mural unveiled in 2014 on the side of the Emerald Art Center when it was announced. Also, Yeardley Smith (Lisa) came to the event. Julius Preite was the mural artist and was a character layout artist for the Simpson's and worked in coordination with Matt Groening on the design for the mural. Matt also signed the mural.
Some of my great-great's traveled in a covered wagon and actually helped found the town of Springfield. They were some of the first settlers.
No they said it was ambiguous still
Yeah no... nice try though.
Just like several other Springfields.
And every single state has a Springfield. I believe that's why they chose it.
If you do travel through the US South, just remember that our "sweet tea" is very sweet & is the same thing as iced tea. If you don't like very sweet tea you can ask for unsweetened tea & some sugar or sweetener packs to make it to your liking. Also fast food places don't have hot tea, but sit-down restaurants almost always do (though they may not have a large selection of blends). If you want to have hot coffee or hot tea with dessert you will most likely be able to at those restaurants, but you may simply want to go to a grocery store & buy a couple boxes of the tea &/or coffee blend(s) you like to put in your hotel room. The hotel will have a coffee pot in the room & the breakfast area will have regular & decaf coffee & hot water & tea bags, but their free coffee & tea will only be the most common brands. We're not totally iced tea drinkers, it's just that it's more common to have iced tea with a wedge of lemon. Also a favorite cold drink is a half tea- half lemonade. You won't see it listed on a menu as such, but if they have lemonade & iced tea they are used to having people ask for it, so don't be scared to ask for it. It's not considered an inconvenience to ask your server for half & half drinks & it's very refreshing in hot weather!
As someone from california who traveled to Texas & tried SWEET tea it is Not The same as iced tea xD sweet tea is crazy crazy sweet
No kidding on the southern sweet tea! Southern sweet tea could double as pancake syrup for the rest of the country. 😂 Not saying it’s, bad. Just saying it’s something you have to be prepared for.
Also the lemonade/tea mix is known in the Midwest as an Arnold Palmer after the pro golfer.
@@tamrakwiatt2503you can also get half sweet and half unsweetened tea, in TN we call it half cut. Makes it a lot easier to drink. Sweet tea can be to sweet. But the tea better be strong or all you taste is sugar water.
Some friendly advice from a former bad guy. Every state and city has areas you should not go to. Not even by mistake because some people are just plain evil. Y'all be careful, safe and I'll pray for your family.
Yes. Parts of Chicago, NYC and any really big city. Bad areas that you don’t go to
Agreed. And in cities it's a good idea to keep your doors locked even in the nicer areas. Carjackings happen here, at red lights and such. Not often, but better safe than sorry. And ditto on the praying for you, too. :)
As an Uber driver in St. Louis, I fully endorse this comment.
Well said Blade, i live in south Texas, but my job keeps me on the road, and Houston has plenty of places you shouldn't go, especially at night or alone. Keep everything family oriented, and you should be fine. If you can avoid saying its your first time wherever, do it. Too many scammers and thieves around. Be safe.
If you find yourself in one of these bad parts and trust your uncomfy feeling, Detroit included, don’t even stop at a red light. Just keep on going if no one’s around. A cop will understand.
Another note - Make sure to check out what "season" each state will be in. Winter in the North and Midwest is much different than winter in the South, for example. Southern states RARELY see snow, if at all. Again, all depending upon the region of the state. Summer time? Some states have dry heat, some states have super hot humid temperatures and some states are more mild. You really do just have to check the weather a lot, wherever you're going lol. Wherever you're going, take note of hurricane season and tornado season. Depending upon the time of year and depending on what states you visit.
Fun(ny) side story: I'm from Iowa. Aka part of "Tornado Alley" during spring and summer. My ex is from Buffalo, New York. Where they get MASSIVELY dangerous blizzards in the winter time. My ex lived with me here in Iowa for a few years. He got stuck in a tornado with me once. It devastated my town and I've never seen a grown man so damn scared in his entire life lol. We lived across the street from my work. My dad owns an autobody shop. We lived in an apartment building directly across. I told him the safest place for us to go was to the shop (brick building is a safer bet) across the street. This 320 lb 6 foot 3 inch man was getting blown around like a rag doll, crossing the street. We get into the shop. I grab tow straps, throw one to him and start strapping myself to the 2 ton frame machine bolted into the cement floor. He looks at me confused and said "what the hell are you doing??" I said "If you think an F4 tornado can't blow this building to smithereens and take everything inside, with it, you are sadly mistaken". He started sobbing, frantically strapping himself to the frame machine. Which soon turned into screaming when the tornado hit us. The next morning, I woke up to him packing boxes 🤣 "You can HAVE your tornadoes! I'll stick with blizzards and getting stuck frozen into my house for two weeks at a time" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
😂😂Missouri here…yup🤣
MN, here. I can't say he's wrong. We've had a heckuva lot of snow this winter (and today started as rain, then turned to snow), and I'm sick of shoveling it (not to mention annoyed, as my car's now in the shop until sometime in May because of sliding ice), but I'll still take it over tornado weather. 😅
Tipping for great service is VERY MUCH like a performance bonus for a factory worker. Think about it. I've never heard anyone say that before, but I think it's worth considering for those who "hate" tipping. We always want to incentivize great work and effort.
I don't know if it was mentioned, but I know growing up that my parents would go to a grocery store for things like deli meats and such, and then use the ice from the ice machine to keep the food cold in the coolers that we brought with us. It saved a lot of money on food during our trips this way.
We have so many fast foods places here way better than McDonalds! You guys should create some polls for your viewers; best fast food, best national parks, best road trips, etc.! We all are excited for your visit to our country!
One place to NOT skip is Waffle House!
This is a great idea!
I agree. Mc Donald's is the worst ...
That’s a good idea!
Chic-Fil-A and Panda Express are my favorites.
I wanted to mention that a good place in Florida to visit is St. Augustine. A lot of Florida schools take the children there from all over for field trips (a day trip away that is usually educational). My children went there, as did I, in elementary school up to high school. The oldest schoolhouse is there and the old Fort (Castillo De San Marcos). Also, Kennedy Space Center. There are many wonderful clear cold Springs in State Parks too.
St augustine is absolutely beautiful. Great food, greT sights. So much history. Highly recommend. I live not too far away.
I would add that probably the best time to visit, not just St. Augustine, but our theme parks would be around the cooler seasons, usually Autumn and Winter. Sometimes early Spring can be cool enough. Florida summers can be miserable. (To get a feel for how a Florida summer can be, turn your heat in your house up to 100 degrees fahrenheit, take a shower fully clothed, then stand around soaking wet). That's the closest way to describe it.
If you are in Florida, definitely visit Sarasota in the southwest part of the state. The white sand beaches of its keys are uniquely beautiful. The Ringling Museum is here which is all about the history of the circus in America. Also worth the time is a visit to Selby botanical gardens overlooking Sarasota Bay. Sarasota is on the Gulf of Mexico. If you're in Florida, you might want to go up to Savannah Georgia and/or Charleston South Carolina for the flowers, the architecture, the food and a little southern hospitality.
Please, please please don’t forget to make time to catch a baseball game while here. Season starts this weekend and runs into the fall, ticket prices increase later in the season and pending on the teams playing. You guys would have a ball watching a Braves game at Truist Park
Love you guys I'm really touched by how you react to things we are very proud of.
Just spent over 3 months in a hotel. Our room had two queen size beds, free Wi-Fi and a small refrigerator. The hotel also had an ice machine, beverage and a snack vending machines, a laundry room for guests ($7 a load) and free breakfast. Yes, the coffee is hot. Be careful with the right on red rule. If there are multiple lanes, the lights might be timed so that left turns (across traffic) are possible before a green light for everyone.
Hint: carry a cooler in your car with drinks. Get ice for your cooler from the hotel. If you stay at the same hotel chain throughout your trip they may give a discount. My cousin moved from New York City to Denver Colorado and it was a huge culture shock for her. If you go to NYC or Washington DC you might want to plan on taking public transportation or cabs. Some roads change directions for rush hour traffic and lots of multi-lane traffic circles.
I have found that, in the bigger cities, a mix of subway, uber and cabs works, depending on where you are going. The NYC subway network is vast and complex. In DC, the subways are a bit less expansive in terms of where they go. Chicago is sort of in the middle. And also, some lines in all of the cities will go to or through some sketchy areas, so head's up on that.
Another good alternative is staying at Bed and Breakfast inns. They are typically owned and operated locally. It’s a great way to meet local people in the area and get the best and current recommendations to restaurants and fun activities. I also recommend bringing lots of sunscreen and bug spray!
I agree. Bed and Breakfast inns (BnB or B&B are the most common abbreviations) are an excellent way to meet local people as well as people from other places. A few places my wife and I have stayed at over the years not only served breakfast but also afternoon snacks (American portions apply) or even dinner with the cost of the stay.
Have a safe and fun trip!
Yes! Can't recommend BnB's enough!
If you have time, try to visit the Redwood Forest in northern California where the redwood trees are so old and so huge that there are actual roads going THROUGH the tree trunk. Yep, you can drive THROUGH the tree. It is an awesome experience.
A lot of the chain hotels also have coffee makers with the components to make your drinks, hairdryers, sometimes a refrigerator or microwave in the room.
I've been to every state in the lower 48, truck driver of 26 years. You will encounter many different cultures in every region. If you visit Atlanta, downtown area, the change from inner city to driving into the country an hour in every direction is a huge difference. I'm sure that's probably the case in most countries, but here it's quite extraordinary the difference you'll see from inner city to out on the country.
Of course, Atlanta will have to go to Atlanta, just saying.
that's one state you need to be super careful in, you make a wrong turn and end up in the wrong neighborhood, you could be in some serious danger, just like phoenix arizona, after dark there is just some streets you don't go down, i've also been to 48 states, people should tell these folks the truth and not candy coat it. america is seriously overrated in every way.
We always found in our US travels that the Hampton Inn was a very nice hotel to stay in; the beds are very comfy, the pillows are fluffy, plenty of room, very clean, Hi-Fi- and yes, they have ice machines and free full breakfasts. Very reasonably priced. But Disneyland and Disneyworld are quite expensive.
If going to Florida near Disneyworld, stay somewhere in Kissimmee, FL and be sure to visit Medieval Times.
@@anidaralopez5676 great advice! I completely agree
Rent a house in Orlando/Kissimmee! (VRBO, etc.)
@@Caderic Definitely the way to go if there are a lot of you!
@@britking Not even a lot. In my experience, in Orlando, a 4br/2-3bt is cheaper that Hampton Inn.
For our honeymoon I had a 7br/4bt, swimming pool, hot tub, $600 for 9 nights.
In all of my travels, I have found Orlando vacation rentals to be significantly cheaper than hotels. It's the only place i have found that to be true. You have to shop around a little, but there are GREAT deal there.
I only find that great of deals in Orlando, and I have rented in LA, NYC, Branson, Pigeon Forge/Gatliburg, DFW, Austin, San Antonio, and on and on.
We in the South and Southwest definitely like our iced drinks; it's how we cool down in our climates. If you order "tea," it will come iced unless you ask specifically for hot tea. In a lot of the South, "tea" will result in iced sweet tea, unless you specify unsweet.
I’ve been enjoying your content. I liked how in one vid you guys were happy to see New Zealand on the map, you felt noticed; well a lot of us in the USA have a similar feeling when our state is referenced haha. Fun content, thank you, and God bless your family!
I almost never go out to eat and actually finish the food on the plate. It's perfectly normal to ask for a To Go (or Doggy) bag. Then take whatever you didn't finish home and have it at your next meal or the next day.
As an American Midwesterner, I'd say go to the smaller neighborhoods outside and around the city centers because, that's where you'll find the good food and the friendly people. There's plenty of people that will tell you where the mom and pop shops are and what's going on in the town. Depending on when you go to certain places there my be festivals and cultural events that are free.
Totally agree with you. Big cities are not the American experience
I visited New York City a couple of times, and shockingly, all the people are met were very friendly.
@@lindakrzyzewski6912 That's utter nonsense. It's all the American experience. There are a lot of fake and bigoted people out in the countryside.
Carver county just outside the twin cities is worth it. I mean Paisley Park 😮
Fax as a Midwesterner
Im from Texas and lived in New York, Canada, Tokyo, and in France for a while. As much as I enjoyed it, I missed my home state. I love everything about Texas. Even in America (when I lived in NYC) people thought we all had horses and used them to get from and to work. 🙄
This is so cool that you do this with you family that’s awesome always spend time with each other from Georgia/USA
Just an FYI on motel vs hotel. Motels have access to your room from an outside corridor. You have to go inside through an indoor hallway in hotels. That's the difference. I used to work for Holiday Inn and also Hampton Inn. Holiday Inns are usually all service hotels that have swimming pools, restaurant and bar. Some of them also have a work-out room. You will pay a little more for a Holiday Inn room because of the amenities. At a Hampton Inn, they also have a pool, free wi-fi, free continental breakfast, and free parking. Be aware that not all hotel/motels have free parking. In some of them, you'll have to pay a parking fee. If you forgot to bring a toothbrush/tooth paste, need a sewing kit, etc. you can ask at the front desk and they'll usually give it to you for free. I hope you have fun when you visit the US!
Oh, and not all states allow making a right turn on a red light. Be sure to google so you don't get a ticket for it.
Seems to me that the parking fee would be one more example of the things that tend to be free at cheaper to mid-range motels and hotels.
Yes, hotels are the better choice because of having to go indoors to reach your room. I am an elderly lady who has often traveled alone and I have stayed at both. I always feel safer at a hotel. And they are much quieter. Motels tend to be a little bit more questionable.
@@philipmcniel4908 It all depends on where you are. For example, even in the cheaper to mid-range motels, we've had to pay parking fees in San Francisco. Most places in Colorado, however, do not charge fees unless you're somewhere very pricey like Aspen or Vail during ski season.
One of the hardest things for me traveling abroad as an American.. is the lack of ice everywhere. Europe was the worst. Restaurants didn’t even have ice. So hard when you are used to full glasses of ice.
Omg your one of those. If the drink is served cold you don’t need ice lol it’s a waste of water and you are saving the buisness money because they are selling you frozen water with a splash of your drink 😂. Ice makes sense to me in water.
Must have ice! I hate being overheated, gives me vicious headaches. Am not a fan of humidity either. Summer is the season that I suffer through the most. I prefer everything to be as cold as it is practical. Even in winter.. iWinter is my favourite season! I will leave my window open at night. And I live in Denver Metro, which is a high altitude desert, and we get into the minuses frequently in the winter. And, no, I don't ski, snowboard, ATV, etc. Rather ride a horse that hates my guts than sliding down a slope of frozen water on a piece 9f wood. Or fiberglass. So, yes, I am one of those. In the South and Southwest it's considered bad.hospitality if you can't give your guests ice!
@@sheilatruax6172 I agree but a coke out of the fridge is like cold enough, but that just me. Lol. Ice water is my ice blood. I hate the heat to, so I try to reduce how much meat and animal products I eat so I don’t contribute as much to warming the planet and billionaires do.
@@DVAMEKAGK Me, unless I can get brain freeze, it's not cold enough. I keep 6 ice cube trays in my freezer, 365 days a year.
I just got back from a couple of weeks in Europe. The lack of ice is a real frustration! Sometimes complaints like this are culture shock, or a "my way is better than your way" mentality. I really don't think that's the case here. I had a seriously difficult time cooling off. As a tourist I spent hours walking in the sun nearly every day. I would have really liked ice to keep the water in my water bottle cold, but there wasn't any ice available in the hotel. At restaurants the drinks were often served warmer than I prefer, and only got warmer as the meal went on. One night I bought ice from a supermarket to cool down drinks in our hotel room, and it cost €1.50 for just enough ice cubes to fill one glass! Ridiculous! For about that same price, I can get a 7 pound bag of crushed ice from my local grocery store here in the U.S.
Gelato helped (and was excellent), but cold water is certainly healthier.
Uber has really helped the "public" transportation thing here. While not truly public, it is a lot easier to get around without a car because of it in most areas.
There are still a lot of areas that do not have Uber access. Where I live the nearest available Uber is over an hour away
You can be totally scammed too though ... when we were in Las Vegas it cost us $12 to get from airport to hotel, cost us over $70 to get from hotel to airport the next day!!
Once had a foreign exchange student tell me that he was stunned how LARGE everything was. The cities, the food, and the people; he didn't even necessarily mean sideways, he meant how TALL Americans are too. It didn't help that I was a 6'0" 15 year old girl who he told this to, which just made me laugh and agree that we get big. It's a specialty of ours.
I would like to add, and of course this is just my observation, that if you happen to strike up a conversation with an American local and mention that you're from outside the states, they will excitedly chat you up about where you're from and what's it like over there, etc, etc. From as much as i can tell, even the most simple Americans love to exchange stories with people from different places. I could be wrong, but that's just something I've noticed.
The great thing about the large portion sizes is that I get to bring home leftovers. I personally love leftovers. But that leads me to another culture shock, in the US, taking home leftovers from a restaurant is common and completely normal. In some cases, encouraged!
Leftovers are the best part! Most people don't eat those large portions in one sitting.
Yes! I will cut my portions in half and take home half the meal, just ask the waitress for a to go box when your done.
@@jasonnichols6264 My parents always ask for a box as soon as the meal is brought to the table. Portion control!
Yes! A lot of times, if the server sees you have quite a bit left, they'll actually ask you. "Would you like a to go box?"
Exactly! Get a large order, eat some and pack the rest to go, and suddenly that $20 meal is actually three or four meals and therefore much more affordable.
The lack of ice elsewhere truly shocked me when I found out. Knowing I can't get unlimited ice in Europe made me question if I want to go 😆
And no, it's not because of the heat. I live in the NE united States. It's currently winter and lots of snow here. I still drink my iced coffee every day. I will sometimes go to the corner store to buy a cup of ice for 25 cents if I forget to make a tray of ice or run out. I can't explain why but we do love our ice and I'm grateful our hotels always have ice machines 😆
I struggled in Europe! Most restaurants didn’t even have ice. And the ones that did would literally give you one or two cubes. It was a total culture shock. I am a huge ice person as well, even in winter (Pacific Northwest here), and it was very difficult to drink everything at room temperature. Most drinks were not even chilled. Water was warm. Often they didn’t even bring you water with your meal unless you ask. And then they begrudgingly bring you luke warm water. It was so strange to me as in America, if you sit down to a meal, a large glass of ice water is placed in front of you before you ever even order, and most restaurants have waitresses that walk around with giant pitchers filled with ice and water to pour fresh water in the cups. Most places don’t even ask if you want more water, or a refill, or to top off, they just see your glass is not full and they fill it when passing by. Without saying a word. Its like an unspoken thing. So when you go to Europe, and they look at you weird when you ask for water, and are actually rude if you ask for a refill, it is a total shock. I will never get over the lack of customer service elsewhere in the world.
I'm from Massachusetts, and I honestly experienced a bit of a culture shock when I traveled to North Carolina. 😂 I found it so wild to find alcohol being sold at gas stations and drug stores, you'd NEVER see that where I'm from.
What? I guess I’m Midwestern, Western and Southern and unless it’s a dry county in the South, I’ve never seen alcohol not sold in gas stations or drug stores. You New Englanders must not know how to drink properly. 😂
You can buy alcohol in gas stations, drug stores, and grocery stores in Maine. But in Massachusetts you can only purchase it in liquor stores (package stores) also known as “the packies.”
I'm from NJ, and not only can we not pump gas ourselves, but I wouldn't be able to buy alcohol at a gas station either
@@jackiechaplin8157 Just depends on the state. In Minnesota we can't purchase anything from a gas station or grocery store other than what we call 3.2 beer, because that's its alcohol content. Anything higher has to be purchased from a liquor store, or a warehouse store like Costco.
There is a hidden law that you can't wear an American flag as clothing (or let it touch the ground) but the clothing is just "flag inspired." 😄
Correct me if I'm wrong, as a fellow American, but aren't you supposed to burn/destroy an Old Glory if it touches the ground? Thanks:)
@@xCodeXANA
An American flag should not be allowed to touch the ground, but it is a respectful gesture, not a mandate. If it does touch the ground, you treat it like your child.
If a flag touches the ground and isn't dirty, you just keep using it as normal. If it's dirty, wash it, then keep using it.
Only when a flag is worn out should it be disposed of properly. Many organizations will do this for you (Boy scouts, vfw, etc). The proper procedure is to burn it in a fire that is large enough to burn the flag before the flag is added. (The flag should not be needed fuel). You say the pledge of allegiance and then hold a moment of silence. You should not burn a perfectly good flag.
Burning the flag as protest is also allowed. It is freedom of speech and should NOT be seen as Anti-American when done by Americans in protest. This has been held up by the supreme court on multiple occasions. (Obviously, you must own the flag. You can't burn someone else's property, whether it is a flag or not). However, that doesn't extend to other nationalities. An American wouldn't ever think to desecrate another country's flag and expect the same from others. Burning the flag of another country would be seen as a sign you don't believe that country should exist and is extremely offensive. Even countries we generally don't like have the right to exist...
@@herranton Maaan I was with you until you said burning Old Glory shouldn't be seen as "anti-american" when--thats literally why they're burning it in the first place in protest....I've been to a flag burning ceremony a few years ago with my now ex-boyfriend who hosted it for two worn and retired flags.
@@xCodeXANA it depends on who is doing it. If it is a bunch of Russians in russia, obviously it is anti-American. But if it is a group of black youths protesting police violence, that is obviously not. They are trying to make the country a better place. I'm not sure how wanting the country to be better could ever be anti-American? The only way somebody could possibility think it is is if they are trying to demonize the protesters. Which, at least in my mind, is even more anti-American than burning a flag. Its one thing to disagree with protesters, but demonizing them is the one of the most anti-American things you can do. Its our FIRST amendment right. Not the second or third. The FIRST.
@@xCodeXANAI agree. The burning of The US Flag, while legal (if it’s you’re own property, and not a fire hazard, etc.) in protest, is anti-American. The whole purpose is to show one’s displeasure concerning that which the flag represents, which is, America, its, people, and its ideals.
for the red light: remember that since we drive on the right, we aren't crossing any lanes of traffic. you stop, make sure the crosswalks are clear and no cars are coming from your left or turning from the oncoming lane. if its all clear, you can turn. there are a few places where you can't, and they'll be clearly marked with a 'no turn on red' sign
Not to confuse anyone but, here in Pennsylvania they just passed a law that if the red light is taking too long, you can look both ways and if there is no traffic, you can proceed through the intersection... I know crazy....
The reason for the ice is that a lot of people travel with chest coolers. I'm old enough to remember when it became a "thing" because of increasing people doing road trips once the interstate highway was completed. Truckers also -- before they became tiny RVs. They had just a bed and an ice chest. 😉Have a safe trip! oh, btw, if you know you're going to want ice, check to see if the machine is on when you arrive. Nowadays hotels are limiting their use because the machines use a lot of electricity.
You have a beautiful family, thanks for giving us great entertainment...love ya guys hope you have a great year
The reason why there are free refills on soda is because the major cost is in the paper vessel its served in... fountain soda is made from syrup & carbonated water... they give you unlimited soda because you purchased the cup and the syrup costs almost nothing... I used to work at a movie theater concession and we could have as much soda as we wanted as long as we brought our own glass
Also, one last thing about turning in red: NYC and other large cities may not allow it, that was the first traffic ticket I ever got, just be aware!❤
Does NYC have the "No turn on red" signs?
@@lianabaddley8217 no, it’s just the rule that you CAN’T turn on red there, unless you see a sign saying it’s allowed, but that’s fairly rare. Anything outside of the 5 boroughs in Ny State, you can turn on red.
@@natashaosborne5561 ahhh ok. Here in Utah if you can't ever turn right on red there will be a sign. Otherwise it's just Stop then wait, if any pedestrians. Unless it's a one way road. Then it will say no right turn. Like the exit of freeways will have signs saying not an entrance. Even though people still somehow miss those.
@@natashaosborne5561 except when there is a no turn on red.
Friendliness is completely regional.
Moved to this one small town in oregon just before the start of the school year on a saturday. Next door neighbors welcomed us while unloading our belongings. The next day visited a church within walking distance of our new home. Everyone friendly. On tuesday, the first day of school my oldest son was riding his bike to school (about 6 blocks) had a mishap on gravel roaded hill which ended up removing most of the skin off one side of his face (active bleeding). A teacher was driving by and saw the accident, stopped and tossed his bike in the back of his pickup and brought him home and let us know he would tell the school secretary so we wouldnt have to call them anout his absence. By 10 am, or first visitor from the church showed up with fresh out of the oven cookies because they had heard through the grapevine about the accident. Shortly after that another neighbor from the church stopped by with a casserole, followed by the youth pastor and multiple others, most bringing food, but all offering help if needed and giving me both their phone #s and addresses in case we needed anything. Many more stories about that town.
Contrast that to where i live now in Virginia. I had lived in the area for a few years before buying a home. While i had been employed since coming to the area i had only been at the particular job about 6 months.
A woman in a different department that i had never spoken to previously had heard i moved into her neighborhood/subdivision a few streets over from her and didnt waste much time letting me know the nice thing about our area is that everyone respects your privacy. Lived here 11 years and while people will dip their head in ackowledgement when they are taking their evening walk, i stll dont know the names of any of my neighbors.
And in many large cities due to high crime and violence you may not want people to be too friendly, such as los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, portland, Detroit, New York.....
Thanks for sharing your latest interesting, entertaining & informative video.
You can plan a cross-country trip around Wal-Marts and hotels. They are usually near each other and near the interstate highways. Smaller towns have lower rates for rooms and you can get one with a kitchenette.
Also another tip, Beach towns have the most choices of hotels in one town and those Mid expensive hotels be the best
One thing he didn’t mention about tipping… when you get your receipt - it will show you your total and tax. Take that tax amount and double it to get your tipping. Most states are between 7-10 percent tax so by doubling your tax to pay your tip you are paying your waiter/waitress 14-20 percent which is a good tip point (especially since a lot of wait staff have to share their tips with bar staff or sometimes even kitchen staff).
That computation only works if state tax is 8% or higher. You can’t pay less than 15%. Don’t mislead them.
And base the tip on the total before tax.
@@vshekar Highly doubt they were trying to mislead anyone. It's just their experience when tipping.
I just always tell people to take 10% and multiply it by 2. It’s super easy and hopefully nobody needs a calculator to figure out 10% of their bill lol, it’s super simple if you can simply move a decimal in your head lol
20% or more if the service is good. If u give a good server 14% tip they're going to wonder what they did wrong and honestly they deserve more.
Those ice machines are for filling coolers, so you can keep food cold on your long drive
Hello from Springfield! So happy to see my hometown represented.
This was pre-covid. A lot of places that were 24 hours are not anymore. Check hours before you get up and go.
French people are sometimes surprised at how helpful and friendly Americans are.
Yeah, because the French people are so UNfriendly to Americans when we are in France! Must be because we saved their”buttox’s” in two different wars! AND, insult added,”WE”, (US gov.) have to pay France RENT on the grounds of the Normandy cemetery where OUR soldiers are buried who DIED liberating France !!! 😡🤬
@suzuki ltz if you ever left the cities you would see people who are still kind, friendly, and helpful. Strangers say hello and offer a helping hand.
@@suzukiltz8902 travel a bit. Americans are far more helpful and friendly than many countries. Lmao.
@suzuki ltz you may have to get out of the big city but then you will find almost any human you see is willing to take a few moments to help you.
I’m an American living in a small town in rural Pennsylvania and every one is friendly and willing to lend a helping hand. I have been to Philadelphia,Detroit, Miami and a few major cities in Europe. No one is more friendly than an American
I just found your family videos and love them. I just wanted to let you know that back in the 70's there was a push in the US to switch to the metric system. We had new math classes for quite a while. Then it just disappeared. I was a kid so not sure why or what changed.
The ice machines in hotels are mostly used for coolers as our driving distances when traveling are long. It isn’t uncommon to drive all day, even several days in a row.
If you’re in Minnesota. Mall of America and valley fair are the fun attractions we have. If your looking for nature the north shore is a very pretty and cool place.
I hope you all have a great time when you get here. One culture he didn't mention that's fairly prevalent in the Western Southern Western United States is the Hispanic or Mexican culture. I highly suggest you visit some quality Mexican restaurants when you're here. And if you make it to Colorado drop me a note. I'll give you a free tour of the state
As an AZ watcher, I also highly recommend finding genuine and well rated Mexican food. Look for places that are small but busy! A margarita, with good Mexican food, while relaxing on a vacation with family? Truly nothing better! Lol
Except if you move your Margarita drink, quesadillas and fam...beach side. Now that is vacationing.💗
They have watched videos on different culture of cooking which there are many in America. Cultures that would shock them is the Amish. Unless they’ve been to Germany or Belgium.
Or Salt Lake City Utah.
Another they would have to learn about.
@@HollyCranfan there's nothing strange about Salt Lake City. Mormons are no different from anyone else. It's not like walking into an Amish community. There are just more churches. There are a lot of Mormons in New Zealand and there is also an LDS temple.
People smoke, drink and go to clubs and bars here. We don't still live 1847.
@@jonok42 I don't know you personally so I don't know if you intend it to sound like this but what you wrote sounds like you're prejudiced against the Amish.
About portions, it is perfectly acceptable in restaurants to split a meal, they will typically bring you a second plate and silverware. And not only can you turn on red (if there is not a sign banning it) but you can pass on the right in the slow lane if someone is driving slow in the fast/passing lane.
For the right turn on red light. Make sure there isn't a sign posted that say "No right turn on red light". There are some corners nationwide that post that in busier corners. Also if sign not posted, always come to a full stop and look for cars before turning on red.
The Ice machine in hotels is not just for our drinks. It is to fill up a cooler so you can keep our drinks and food items cold while you are on a road trip to your next location to visit. But us American do like our drinks to be as cold as possible. On a hot summers day our temps can be from 80f to 110f degrees depending on location (26c to 43c). So a ice cold drink to help you cool down is great. One big think you might catch onto around here is our Accents. Vocal accents change from city to city and state to state. And our mannerisms change as well. Like if you are in Boston. Some one says it wicked good. They could mean awesome, great, really good or so on. If you go to many parts of Pennsylvania your shopping cart will be called a Buggy and the soda will be call POP. Where down south everyone calls it Coke. There will be a lot of small things here that will just blow your mind or catch you off guard.
So true. So many things are called different things depending on where you are in America. And definitely accents. I live in Indiana. If I say khakis, someone in Boston hears car keys 🤣🤣. Its funny cuz its true.
Buggy is also common in the south.
The ice machine is not to fill up your huge coolers. It's for the small ice bucket in your room if you need ice for a cocktail or drink. The whole floor has to share one machine. If you need ice for your cooler almost every mini mart and grocery stores sell bags of ice for cheap.
Met a girl from South America who was worried when after asking for water she was given tap water. Don't worry, with a few exceptions it is perfectly good but bottled water is widely available.
Another fact about sales taxes….not only are they different depending on the locality, here in Pennsylvania you don’t pay tax on “necessities” such as food (grocery, not restaurant) or clothing.
Our portion sizes are big - in many restaurants you can ask for a second plate and share a meal - we do it all the time - or you can get a to go box and have another meal - love your videos 😊
I can hardly wait to see your family tour the USA I watch Sean from Scotland, Marie from France, this last year I found Eva zu Beck from Poland (she went to school in England) she goes all over the world but this year she drove her RangeRover(?) From Peru to Alaska she's so very adventurous! There's also the "Across the Pond guy (his name eludes me😢) seeing my country through others eyes is so FUN 🎉 Also remind people to make sure they subscribed my subscription (?)to your channel and Marie & Sean's channel got cut off for some reason. Happy to see y'all again 😂😂😂
It sounds like a lot to think about and it is but remember so much of your time will be a blast. We went to Australia and were overwhelmed by the reverse driving and metric system etc. It didn't take long to figure things out. Just remember the difference between adventure and adversity is attitude. We went for the adventure and it really was so much fun. We actually got to go back. Enjoy your time here. Hugs everyone.
"Just remember the difference between adventure and adversity is attitude. " - I hadn't heard that one before, but I like it a lot!
We were just in New Zealand a few weeks ago. We got used to everything, because we left our American attitude behind. You conform quickly and appreciate the new, quirky experiences. 😊
There’s no words to describe about this family except that there amazingly beautiful fantastic and terrific I love you 4!💯⭐️🤩❤️❤️❤️
Something to note, not every red light allows you to turn right on red; sometimes there will be signs posted that say "No Turn On Red". While some people still do, it is an illegal driving action and if a cop is around, you may just get pulled over. Good rule of thumb on a right turn; no sign, you're good to turn when it's clear. Also, prices; while you may get a 2 liter bottle of soda from Wal-mart for $1.99 in one state, that same bottle at the same store in another state may be $2.49, and of course, that's before any sales tax. Along that same vein, we do have a bottle deposit cost, (usually it's $0.05 or $0.10), however, we don't always have the machines to put them to get that deposit back. Some grocery stores may have them, but not all.
This is so strange to say, because I understand it, but ice is the so normal to use! I have ice in almost every drink I get. I have a small ice machine on my counter and I barely ever fill up my water bottle without putting plenty of ice in there. As a kid we just had ice cube trays in the freezer, but they’re so affordable now that it’s common to have one built into your fridge or placed on your counter. Have fun guys! ❤️
We have a fair amount of Living History Museums that you might find interesting. My favorite is Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. You can learn about our history through public orators that are in period costume stand on a snap box and will interact with others. All of the people working here wear period costume and get fully into their roles. Tailor, Shop clerk, Inn Keepers, Harness makers, Carriage drivers, Bakers, Farmers, etc. The interaction is worth the visit. Quite entertaining, educational and fun.
Do you mean a “soap box” cause I’ve never heard of a “snap box”
@@ItsMeAnn628 That's an excellent idea!!
Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI (also the Henry Ford Museum) and Sauder Village in Archbold, OH are great places to visit.
We use the ice machines to fill our coolers! Kids sports tournaments, tailgating, taking leftovers home, road trip food ( my family picnics during the drive) I’ve machines mean we don’t usually have to buy ice!😊
Don't know if you have run across it but some ice machines have signs that say "Do not use to fill coolers".
The driving rules vary by state (and sometimes even county) so it can get confusing very quickly as to what is and isn't allowed. Best bet if you plan to drive is to make sure you study the student driver's manuals for each place you plan to visit. They can usually be easily found online. An example of a rule that varies is that in my state, TN, U-turns are illegal, but in some other states, it's fine or even expected on some roads. Right turn on red can also vary (though usually there's a posted sign if it isn't allowed). A lot of places also have rules for when you are or aren't allowed to drive in the far left lane on a multi-lane divided highway. While reliable public transportation isn't common, most places have uber, lyft, or taxis. When I vacation, that's usually how I get around. Depending on how much you travel/willing to walk, it could come out cheaper than renting a car.
Yes, the medium priced hotels are often very close to the big expensive ones. These hotels tend to be placed near major highway intersections. You can find them pretty easily because on the highway before your exit there will be signs pointing out restaurants, gas stations and hotels near that exit, giving you time to make the exit. The medium priced hotels normally have a coffeemaker in your room and most provide free coffee for them. Many have a small refrigerator freezer and microwave so you can skip some restaurant trips. There are usually small stores nearby where you can pick up some food. Restaurants and grocery stores are usually nearby. You will find that a lot of gas stations sell much more than gas. They have drinks and bottled water, chips and candy, maybe sandwiches in the cooler for a quick snack and many have hot food, some of the best hot food you'll find because these places usually have a grill and the food is made right on site.
The 2 Liters of Soda aren't $1 anymore. They typically run about $2.99 (USD) now. The ice machine at hotels come in handy when you are traveling. When my family travel we typically pack a cooler in the car for drinks and food to eat on the road so we don't have to stop as often. So, when you stop for the night at a hotel you can change your ice in your cooler.
2 liters are still $1 at Walmart in texas
@@martinez16chris $2.89 to $2.99 in Florida
@@martinez16chris two liter sodas are anywhere between $2.99 to $3.99 depending on the store you buy them, I’m from Vermont.
@@marydavis5234 like I said not in Texas still $1
Another tip for you about dining in sit-down restaurants here; if you are paying by card, don't be surprised when the waitperson takes your card and leaves the table. They have a "wait station" where they run your card through the machine. Some places will have a QR code on your bill that you can scan and pay online, but that is still in it's infancy here (at least where I'm located).
Here from Indianapolis, Indiana USA. I loved the information in this video! He was very accurate on all that he mentioned!!
I’m really excited to see your videos when you do get here to the states….. it’s definitely going to be a culture shock, no matter how prepared you think you are😂❤✌🏽☮️🤲🙏
Holiday inn is a very good chain just sometimes their location might not be exactly right where you want it but it’s close enough for you to either walk or take some transportation. New York’s holiday inn is near Madison square park which is way off from 5th ave and Central Park but the transportation is so easy it doesn’t matter. The holiday inn is on International Drive in Orlando which is close to universal but you can easily jump onto the free shuttle bus to get to Disney. You could also get Ubers or Lyft to downtown Orlando or any shopping location. Miami’s holiday inn is actually on the busiest road in the city and that’s A1A but you could walk to the beach or downtown Miami easily but Miami Beach is a little drive. I myself like the Hilton but the middle price version which has pretty much everything like free breakfast and WiFi and it’s close to what you want.
America definitely has an expectation that it's cold drinks are very cold. My personal recommendation is to ask for no ice in your drinks at fast food joints, as they are dispersed already refrigerated, and most fast food joints will fill half the glass with ice, leading you to have less drink or quickly watered down drink
Even though you can get a free refill, it's a pain to have to go back. I always go the "no ice" route for that reason.
Okay, so I gotta tell yall, the South is very rich in history as well! Yall make sure to visit Charleston South Carolina, that is my favorite city, because it is very rich in history, and it's beautiful! So glad yall are coming to the US!!! When yall get here, holler at me and I'll cook up a nice southern meal for ya!! Happy travels and safe journeys!! Big ol hugs and love from MamaJane in South Carolina USA 🇺🇸
Also, Savannah, Georgia is beautiful.
I am so excited about your trip. I know that everyone is advising you to pick a region of the country and not to expect to see everything. Like everyone of your fans, I want you to see my home state, but mostly I want you to have fun and be well. Really, really take the time of year and area of the country into account. When you have decided where and when let us know. Folks will be happy to make suggestions and tell you where not to go as well. I haven't traveled extensively in years but the US has a traveling culture. We want to be sure that you have all the information you need to have a great time.
Yes. It is hot in some places. We have had 90 - 119 degree temperatures in South Carolina for the last few months. You would learn to appreciate ice then.
American friendliness, it's not just applied to tourists, we're friendly to each other as well. Just today, my wife and I were grocery shopping and my wife was trying to decide if she wanted the orange marmalade or the lemon curd to go on her breakfast toast. There was a lady next to us in the grocery aisle who, out of the blue, asked if we could recommend which type of pepper jelly she should buy to use in a special treat she wanted to make for a party snack. Now, the only thing we had in common was that we were standing in the same grocery store. Yet we had a ten minute conversation for the sole reason of helping this lady choose what would be best for the snack she wanted to make. We didn't even exchange names, just asked what the other ingredients in the party treat she was making, and helped her decide what to buy, then went on our separate ways to finish our respective grocery shopping.
But that's just the way things are here in the Southern US. We'll strike up a conversation with random strangers for no better reason than we happen to be in the same place at the same time. There may be people and places who are unfriendly here, but that's the exception, not the rule. --Dan
One reason for the hotel ice machines is because we do travel a lot, and carry coolers with drinks, snacks, etc., that need to be kept cold as we travel.
I’m in St Louis and it’s a combination of MidWest and Southern attitudes-very friendly and helpful! I’m a SCUBA diver and have traveled quite a bit, I must say that when Americans meet New Zealanders and Australians while abroad we feel immediately at ease-y’all are so fun to be around ❤
The wrong turn in St. Louis, like many big cities, will get you to the gates of heaven real quick.
@@psychospyder2283 West is best and East is least, or so I've heard.
I completely agree with that statement.
Yeah dont ever upsale st. Louis. Thats how you end up a saint yourself. You're better off in KC. Smh. Came to Missouri and found out real quick why it's called the show me state. You have to show a lot of people how things are done the good way.
KC has problems too. Saint Louis is a beautiful city. Please come.
In regards to making turns at red lights; only right turns are allowed and you must first stop completely. And ,of course, make sure it is safe before proceeding.