If you’re heading to the USA, these top insider tips will ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Hannah and I split our time between the US and other parts of the world, and there are things that you are just expected to know as a visitor!
This article will help you learn the subtle nuances that exist between American culture and everywhere else. Having spent lots of time traversing the States, here are my 10 top insider tips for visitors to the USA.
1 – The Tipping Culture
Topping my USA insider tips is being aware of the tipping culture – it’s unlike anywhere else. Sure, if you’ve had a great meal in the UK, you’d leave a few quid extra for the service. But giving the person who just poured you a pint or a cafe server a tip is almost ludicrous.
In America, tipping is expected uniformly in bars, cafes, taxis, hairdressers, and restaurants. This is because of the way their minimum wage system works. Servers are among the lowest-paid workers in the country, in cases being paid as little as $2.13/hour.
Now, if the server doesn’t make $5.12/hour from tips to top up their hourly rate, the business owner has to kick in the rest to raise the hourly rate to the federal living wage standard of $7.25. Many places have raised the minimum wage to way above the Federal minimum, such as Portland, Oregon where it’s $15.95!
When You Should Tip and Why
Tipping is something that irks me in the US. I feel that like the rest of the world, the owners of the establishment should pay their staff enough. Especially with many states now paying well above the federal minimum, why tip for someone popping a beer bottle top?
However, to play along, I’ll throw in a dollar for every two drinks a bartender pours. I also add 10% (a nice easy figure to work out) when dining out anywhere, more for excellent service. I don’t tip for coffee and honestly whenever I can get away with not tipping I won’t.
If you plan to sit at a bar for a while, keep your server happy and throw down regular singles. If you’ve had great service, like anywhere, show your gratitude. But the tipping culture in the US is now mostly just tradition and although it does contribute to people in lower-paid roles it’s not the vital lifeline it once was.
2 – Paying the Check
Yes, ask for the check or to close out, not the bill. But for starters, ordering at a bar, you will be asked if you want to keep it open or close out. Keeping it open means you essentially plan to pay as you go. My advice is to keep it open if you intend to stay for more than 1 drink, here’s why.
Unlike the rest of the world where tap-and-go card systems are routine, American establishments will hand you a folder with a wad of paper and a pen to finalize the check. This is mostly because as we previously discussed there is a tip to be added!
You’ll be presented with various receipts, one is your copy to keep and one goes back to the bar. You’ll be given a net amount, the total plus tax (more on this next), and a blank tip box. You need to work out the grand total yourself if you plan to add a tip – it’s quite a palaver but routine almost everywhere.
Upgraded Systems and Things to be Aware of
Some cafes and even some bars these days have more updated tap-and-go systems. You’ll occasionally be presented with a screen that shows you the details of your check, plus the option to tip. Yesterday when getting coffee, I was presented with 3 tip options that started at 20%!
As I was simply handed a cup and poured my own damn coffee I selected the small hidden ‘custom’ option and entered my own desired amount (see previous section!).
Another of my USA insider tips is that the establishment will update the amount taken from your card later. So, for example, if your meal was $50 and you left a $5 tip, they’ll charge the card for the initial amount and then update the tip later, often days after. This can be a nasty surprise if you’re dining out a lot.
3 – Everything is Plus Tax
A unique quirk to the USA is that almost every price you see is plus tax. And the tax rates differ depending on what you buy and where you buy it. There are state taxes, local taxes, special district taxes, and excise taxes on things such as gasoline, alcohol, and cigarettes.
Getting to the bottom of this and working it all out is a minefield. There are simply too many products and taxes to be discussed in one article. But let’s take one example and figure it out. Hannah and I are currently house sitting near Austin, Texas, so here’s how much our beers are going to cost.
It’s happy hour at The Lone Star Bar in Pflugerville, North Austin, beers are advertised at $3, a happy hour indeed! I buy two and closeout. Beer comes with a 6.25% Texas state rate, a 1% Travis County tax, and a 1% city tax, PLUS a $1 tip, meaning the total for two $3 beers is actually $7.50.
Aside From the Great American Bar Scene
Grocery stores, cafes, gas stations, restaurants, you name it, every price you see is subject to a variety of taxes. I always work to an easy round figure of 10% and hope it’s no more. If it’s any lower, or in the rare case where the tax has already been added, take it as a financial windfall!
4 – Understanding Happy Hour
Happy hour is a very American thing. Many bars you’ll visit will have different nightly specials with reduced prices on drinks and bar food. But the terminology takes some understanding so here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know;
Cocktail: Typically, this refers to any mixed alcoholic drink. It doesn’t have to be a classic like a Mojito; it can include any combination of spirits, mixers, and flavorings.
Domestic and Imported: A straightforward term mostly used for beer. Domestic beers are brands like Miller, Budweiser, and Coors, while common imports include brands like Stella Artois, Modelo, and Pacifico. Imported beers are generally priced slightly higher.
You Call-It: A popular happy hour deal where you specify the drink you want at a discounted price. This usually applies to spirits, so for a “You Call It Vodka Night,” you pick the brand you prefer, and it’s priced lower than usual.
We Call-It: Similar to “You Call-It,” but here, the bar chooses the specific drinks offered at a reduced price. This is also typically used for spirits like vodka and whiskey.
Well Drinks: These are house spirits, usually served as the bar’s default, lower-cost option. The “well” refers to the shelf close to the bartender for easy access to these standard liquors.
Less Frequent but Handy to Know
Top/Bottom Shelf: Top shelf refers to high-end, premium liquors that are typically more expensive. Drinks made with top-shelf spirits are usually not included in happy hour discounts. Bottom shelf however is usually the most affordable liquor the bar has.
Call Drink: A drink made with a specific brand of liquor, rather than a generic house spirit. For example, a “Jack and Coke” is a call drink, specifying Jack Daniels instead of a well whiskey. If you don’t specify a brand you will usually be given house liquor.
Rail Drink: Similar to a well drink, a rail drink is made with house liquors kept in the bartender’s easy-access shelf. It’s usually the lower-cost option.
Draft vs. Bottle: Beers are often offered at different prices based on whether they’re on draft or in a bottle. Draft beers are usually less expensive and often appear in happy hour discounts.
Reverse Happy Hour: A happy hour held later in the evening, usually after the main dinner rush. It’s popular in bars that stay open late.
Final Thoughts on the USA Drinking Scene
I love a good American bar, and there is always a great happy hour out there waiting to be found. Hopefully, this glossary of terms will put you in good stead and make you a natural when ordering your first domestic beer or ‘you call it’ cocktail.
Before we move on to the next section here’s a bonus and important addition to the list of insider tips for the USA. Don’t go drinking without ID! The drinking age is 21 and many bars and supermarkets ID everyone. I once saw an 80-year-old man get asked for ID. I’m not joking.
Driving in the USA
Moving away from eating and drinking, the following insider tips for the USA will all be about driving. I enjoy driving in the US and Hannah and I have completed several epic American road trips. Here are the main things you need to remember when driving in the USA.
5 – Stop Means Stop
Stop signs crop up all over the place, so if you’re driving around the USA, one of my biggest insider tips is to be on the lookout for them.
And stop really does me stop. It doesn’t mean slow down a bit, or check to see if anything else is coming. It literally means come to a complete stop. I’ve often seen cops situated like a speed trap looking for drivers who roll through a stop sign. You can be given a significant fine for not complying.
Multiple Stop Signs
When arriving at a crossroads of 2 or more stop signs it can be confusing for non-natives. Years ago I had to ask a taxi driver what the deal was.
You may be faced with up to 4 cars at a cross-section of a road all stopping at once. The etiquette is simply whoever was there first gets to move on first. If you happen to arrive at exactly the same time, all bets are off, edge forward slowly and see who blinks.
6 – But Turn Right on Red
I still feel like I’m doing something illegal every time I do this one, but at most red lights in the USA, you can turn right. However, like a stop sign, you are required to come to a complete stop first. So, unless it is otherwise stated feel free to check that the coast is clear and continue on your way
A word of warning here, especially if like me you’ve spent much of your life driving on the other side of the road. American road systems have huge cross-sections and the lights stay green (and therefore also red) for a long time, meaning people often gun it to make the light or ensure they get through.
Be vigilant when turning right at a red as cars come at you from all angles and often at speed. Being the car facing the light, you have the least right of way in that situation. So, proceed with care and always pay attention to signs that indicate ‘No Right Turn on Red’.
7 – Have a License on You at All Times
In the US, you’re required to carry a valid driver’s license at all times when driving. If stopped by law enforcement, failure to present a license can lead to fines or, in some states, more serious consequences like vehicle impoundment.
Many countries have similar laws so this won’t be a big shock to many but in the UK you are not required to carry an ID or a driver’s license on you.
I was pulled over for speeding once driving from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, the cop zapped me from a mile away. Thankfully he was in a good mood and saw that the hire car was going back that day and I was leaving the country, so he let me off with a stern warning.
International Driving Permits
One of the sillier things I’ve had to do in recent years is go to a Post Office in the UK and obtain an international driver’s permit. This handwritten pamphlet-sized document, resembling a WWII ration card cost me £15 ($20). It’s a pointless cash-grab in my opinion but oh well!
Since April 2024, the UK government has intervened and taken control of the IDP racket. It now costs £5.50 ($7) and permits can be attained from most places that have a PayPoint system, like convenience stores. You’ll need a fresh passport photo and additional ID to get it all processed there and then.
Not all US states require them, and even the ones that do haven’t asked me for it when I have hired a car, hence the cash-grab quip. But for £5.50 why risk it if you plan to hire in a state that requires it? You’ll need IDP-1949 which lasts for 1 year. Click here for a list of states that currently require you to have an IDP.
8 – Do Not Overtake School Buses!
In the US, it’s mandatory to stop for school buses when they display flashing red lights and a stop sign. This rule applies to drivers in both directions on two-lane and multi-lane roads without a road divider. On divided highways with a physical barrier, only drivers traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop.
Penalties for breaking school bus laws are severe and vary by state. Fines can range from $100 to $500, with repeat offenders often facing even higher fees. Many states also add points to your driving record, and some may even suspend your license for multiple offenses.
In addition to fines, US citizens can receive a spike in insurance rates, and serious cases, especially those involving endangerment or injury may result in criminal charges. These strict rules ensure the safety of children as they enter and exit school buses – this is one of the most important USA insider tips!
9 – HOV Lanes
Yes, it took me a while to figure out what it meant too, but High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, also known as carpool lanes, diamond lanes, or express lanes, are designated lanes on highways for vehicles with multiple passengers – typically two or more.
These lanes, marked by diamond symbols, operate during peak hours to encourage carpooling and reduce traffic congestion. Some regions also use HOT lanes (High Occupancy Toll lanes), where solo drivers can pay a fee to use the lane.
Punishments Even for Tourists
Violating HOV lane rules can lead to steep penalties. Fines vary by state but often reach several hundred dollars for a first offense, with higher fines for repeat violations. In some states, US violators may also receive points on their driving record, which can impact insurance rates.
Just because you are a visiting tourist don’t think you can get away with abusing this system. Automatic tolls and HOV lanes are monitored by police officers and powerful cameras. Violations are sent to the car hire company which will automatically deduct the penalty from the credit card you used as a deposit.
10 – Crossing the Road and Pedestrian Right of Way
Whenever Hannah and I are about to depart the US we play a silly game of ‘things we are not going to miss about America’ to cheer ourselves up a bit – not having to tip every man and his dog is always top of the list. The last of my USA insider tips is about waiting an eternity to cross a road.
As we discussed in an earlier point, American road systems can be pretty huge, and in big cities, pedestrians often have to wait a significant amount of time to cross. I thought jaywalking was an urban myth but it turns out you can get a fine of up to $250 for crossing when and where you are not supposed to.
The strictness around jaywalking is intended to promote pedestrian safety, particularly in busy urban areas, though many people still cross outside crosswalks without consequence in less enforced areas – I certainly do.
Power to the Pedestrians
In a strange turn of events in favor of the pedestrian, once you are in a large car park (parking lot) drivers are required to give way. This is mainly focussed around the entrances to supermarkets and I have witnessed first-hand pedestrians walking into, albeit slow traffic, without a care in the world.
So a final word of warning, drive slow and be ready to slam on your breaks once you are in the car park. As a pedestrian, It seems to freak drivers out when I do the very English thing of thanking them for stopping with a smile and a wave, it’s just not the done thing but good manners cost nothing!
Conclusion
I had a lot of fun writing this article and I hope my top insider tips for the USA will help you on your first visit to the US. Or, perhaps it has answered some questions from a previous visit.
It wasn’t my intention to come across at all negative about anything in this blog – well except maybe the tipping. We both genuinely love visiting the USA and enjoy the many quirks that make it a special place. Happy travels!
Make Visiting the USA a Regular Thing
Hannah and I split our time between the USA and various other parts of the world through house sitting. The US house sitting market is the biggest in the world with thousands of homes currently accepting applications. Just read my previous article – The Top Iconic US House Sit Destination.
It’s easy to get signed up and cheaper than you think, a year’s worth of house sitting accommodation starts at $129! Our website is filled with information to help you get started and show you how to secure those amazing USA house sits. For starters, don’t miss Everything You Need to Know About House Sitting.
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