A Few Things Brits Should Know Before Visiting the USA

Planning a holiday to America? The USA has a lot of amazing experiences to offer, from hiking in the Grand Canyon to the big city lights of New York City to the beaches of Miami. Here are a few important things that you should know before your trip:
It’s Bigger Than You Think
You can drive almost anywhere in the UK in a matter of hours, but in the USA you can drive all day and barely even cross one state. The sheer scale of the country can be difficult to imagine, so before planning a road trip across the country make sure that you truly understand the distances that you will be covering.
Get in the Habit of Tipping
Tipping isn’t a huge part of UK culture, but it is something that you will need to get used to when visiting the USA. It is culturally accepted that wait staff, bartenders, taxi drivers, concierges, bellboys and others should be tipped whenever they serve you. It’s not always a reward for great service, it is simply expected as long as the person performs their duty.

If you do not tip, your server will either think that they have done something terribly wrong, or that you are a rude and cheap person. American waiters will receive most of their income from tips because they get paid a very low hourly wage. You might not agree with the system (why not pay service staff a fair wage?) but it is best to take a “when in Rome” attitude and follow the local tipping customs. A tip of 15-20% is what is commonly given.
You Will Need to Apply for an ESTA
Before you enter the country you will need to complete an ESTA application, which stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. This is required by the US government of British visitors, as well as any other traveller from a Visa Waiver Program country. It is recommended that you submit your application online at least 72 hours before your trip and the ESTA will be valid for 90 days. Of course, this doesn’t guarantee your entry into the country (US border control makes that decision), but without it your holiday will not happen!

Be Careful When Talking About Hot Button Topics
In British culture, it is generally acceptable to have a no-holds-barred conversation about a very intense political subject with your mates at the bar over a few pints. You might disagree completely with each other, call each other names and proclaim each other’s positions to be idiotic – then you will happily buy each other another round and go down to the chippy for a late night snack.
However, have the same conversation with someone in the USA and you could end up either causing a room full of awkward silence or making a sworn enemy forever. Americans don’t typically have heated discussions about politics, religion, guns, etc. with people they hardly know and it is almost always extremely uncomfortable to bring these topics up – so be aware.
Make Sure That You Have Travel Health Insurance
You are going to be very far away from the Land of the NHS and if anything happens to you, your treatment will certainly not be free. One of the biggest shocks for Brits is how expensive medical care can be in the USA. If you break your leg on your holiday you could owe $10,000 or more. It is absolutely essential to have travel insurance so that a small accident doesn’t bankrupt you.
These are just a few important things that every Brit should know before taking a holiday in the USA. Have fun and enjoy the great travel experiences that this country has to offer!
Some very useful tips here – I didn’t know about the ESTA for example! Also being careful about what you talk about with new people is interesting, I didn’t think it would be like that… Great tips to take heed of.
Europeans dream of understanding the social basements of American society. The American Dream is a mystery that has several directions. I recommend reading the feature text https://phdessay.com/free-essays-on/american-dream/ on the American Dream. It seems to me that the American Dream is a classic family that has social responsibility and social protection. Material goods are secondary indicators.
Excellent to read the article which is informative for me. The word ‘soda’ is used to describe all kinds of carbonated drinks. If you see a soda machine near your hotel, it means you can get all kinds of fizzy drinks there… not just colas! You may find that waiters and restaurant staff but now topcv reviews is the best option for students. Thank you!
Students need a CV for the job. Businesses need logo design because it benefits the brand. Many people provide logo design services. Logo design service is also a service. There are benefits to such a service, which is why so many people hire.
Reliable camper van rental Los Angeles, OC and Phoenix. Choose from 15+ rigs and hit the road!
TB Outdoor Rentals was founded on the coasts of Southern California by two college roommates dedicated to a love of nature and the thrill of adventure. Our mission was to share that spirit with others. We left our full-time corporate jobs behind so we could make our vision a reality.
Years later, we are keeping the dream alive by offering comfortable convenient rigs that help others fulfill their wanderlust. We understand the passion of the people we serve and that helps us provide the best service possible. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are happy to assist you.