Published on August 24th, 2022
If you are visiting the United States for the first time, there is a huge country to explore and countless activities waiting for you. For example, you can find USA no deposit bonuses and try your luck at casino sites in states where gambling is legal.
However, there are still many things you need to know to keep up with everyday life in the United States, and some of these can be quite challenging for first-time visitors due to cultural differences.
“Las Vegas, Nevada should be one of your must-visit destinations,” says Tony Sloterman, product owner of Casino Bonuses Finder company. “But keep in mind that even if you’ve been to a casino in Europe before, the experience will be very different in America.
This distinction is due to cultural differences in general.” Whatever the purpose of your visit, here are some tips to make your time in the United States more enjoyable and hassle-free.
You May Still Need An ESTA
First, let’s talk about a situation that may make your entry into the country impossible. The United States does not require visas from 40 countries, and these are predominantly in Europe.
However, just because you don’t need a visa doesn’t mean you still don’t need a permit. You may need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) and if you forget to do this, you may be denied entry into the United States.
You can think of ESTA as a kind of digital permit, not physical paperwork (no one will ask you to show it), and you can apply for it online.
It’s a fairly simple process and can be completed in a few minutes. Before you start your journey, make sure you apply from the official site [HE1] and your application is approved.
This Is A Country For Cars
Especially those living in European countries may have a hard time grasping how big America is. The largest country in Europe is France, and in America, even the state of Texas alone is larger than France.
We are talking about a country that is roughly 18 times the size of France, and public transportation is hardly developed.
Buildings in America are quite far apart and walking from one place to another takes an unbelievable amount of time. In other words, if you don’t have a car, you’ll have a hard time in this country.
Renting a car is your best option, don’t rely on public transportation. Note that most car rental companies will require you to be at least 25 years old. If you’re under 25 or can’t rent a car for any reason, Uber and Lyft will be your best options.
Be Careful With Your Credit Card
Your credit cards will still be valid in the US, but beware of three things:
- If you withdraw cash with your card, you may have to pay very high fees. Whenever possible, try not to withdraw cash from ATMs with credit cards.
- Some places may only support American Express. This card provider is much more common in America than in the rest of the world. Stores that only support AMEX instead of VISA or MasterCard are not uncommon.
- Try not to use your card at gas stations and small stores. Card skimming is most common around here. It will be much better if you use cash. If you don’t have such an option, use a prepaid card instead of your credit card.
Tipping Is A Big Thing Here
Tipping is optional in almost every part of the world and is just a courtesy. In the US, you’ll find it’s mandatory in many places: most businesses add the tip amount to the bill without even asking you.
Even if they don’t, you’re expected to tip at least 10% of the bill. If you don’t, they may warn you – don’t be surprised. Service workers in America make money almost entirely through tips, and they are very serious about it.
They Take Personal Space Too Seriously
You may not even know what personal space is, especially if you come from Mediterranean countries. Behaviors that are considered normal in most countries (e.g., loving a baby, standing close while talking to someone, etc.) may be a big problem in the US. Do not touch anyone without their permission – this is especially true for strangers’ babies.
Doing so is serious enough to become a criminal offense. Do not enter anyone’s personal space. Imagine an invisible circle around people, roughly the size of a hula hoop. Do not enter this area, otherwise, you may get a serious reaction.
