Spanish Girl Reacts 13 Etiquette Rules in the US That Surprise Tourists

Added: 2026-06-04

[00:00:00]Hi guys, and welcome to my channel.

[00:00:02]Today we are going to watch a video called 13 etiquette rules in the US that surprise tourists.

[00:00:10]And I'm really, really curious because I'm thinking what is that surprise tourists?

[00:00:18]And of course, when you travel to any place, a different country, it's very good to know about the culture in this place, about the rules, about everything about the social norms.

[00:00:31]So, yeah, just to avoid to have problems or or I just to adapt easy, you know?

[00:00:40]Because of course, different culture have different norms and different rules.

[00:00:45]So, I'm really curious to watch this video. So, let's do it together.

[00:00:53]>> [music] >> So, our parents teach us to be polite, but what you learn as a kid doesn't always apply when you're in another part of the world. So, if you're heading to the US anytime soon, I've got some tips for you on what we Americans consider the rules of etiquette and some stuff that's totally okay in the US that other [music] countries might consider rude.

[00:01:18]Let's start off with my favorite, food etiquette.

[00:01:24]Number one, feel free to ask for some condiments.

[00:01:29]If you're eating out and your food is tasting a little bland, it's completely fine to ask for salt, pepper, or sauces to add a little zing to your meal. I know some places in Europe see it as an insult to the chef if you start adding a little spice of your own, but don't >> In a Spain, no, in a Spain usually you have on the table salt, pepper, olive oil, and vinegar.

[00:01:54]And you can ask for anything you want.

[00:01:57]So, yeah, perhaps in another countries, yes, but not in Spain. So, perhaps in this way we are very similar.

[00:02:05]>> As an insult to the chef if you start adding a little spice of your own, but don't worry about that in the US.

[00:02:12]Nobody's going to be offended or give you weird looks if you ask the waiter for a bottle of ketchup. Even if you're at someone's house visiting, they won't see it as a jab to their culinary skills, either. Some just like it spicier than others.

[00:02:29]Number two, always tip.

[00:02:32]Okay, well, maybe not always, but it's a rare occurrence if you don't tip your waiter, hairdresser, cab driver, and so on, and only if the service was really awful.

[00:02:44]But even that, a lot of Americans feel guilty about not leaving any tip.

[00:02:49]The rule is 15 to 20% of the bill.

[00:02:53]>> Okay.

[00:02:55]Uh, I was hearing already about the tip in I think it was my first video I was reacting.

[00:03:01]And uh, yeah, I knew also that in America I mean, you tip.

[00:03:09]But I didn't know this was 15 to 20%.

[00:03:13]You have to calculate uh, how much you have to give.

[00:03:17]In uh, Spain is optional. You can give tip or you don't give tip. You decide.

[00:03:23]If you like the service and you want to give tip, you can do it.

[00:03:27]If you don't want tip, is also okay.

[00:03:29]Nobody is going to get angry with you or anything.

[00:03:33]I guess perhaps in America e- if a tourist that they are not used to give tips, perhaps in America they say, "Hey, you have to give a tip." No?

[00:03:43]I think.

[00:03:46]>> about not leaving any tip.

[00:03:48]The rule is 15 to 20% of the bill.

[00:03:51]So, get ready to do some mental math each time you eat out.

[00:03:55]I've heard that tipping isn't a thing in some countries, especially in East Asia, where restaurant staff always provide good service no matter what.

[00:04:04]But, in the US, it's simply a sign of gratitude that your waiter did a good job, even though they're probably tired, their feet hurt, and they've got a bunch of other tables to tend to.

[00:04:16]Number three, clean up after yourself at fast food restaurants.

[00:04:21]Of course, if you're going to the States, I imagine a lot of your eating out will be done in fast food joints.

[00:04:27]You'll see a lot more of those than your traditional sit and be served by a waiter types of places. But, anyways, if you're finished eating and your tray is now full of wrappers, used napkins, and empty boxes, take it to the trash can and dispose of the garbage yourself.

[00:04:44]Most fast food places don't have a separate cleaning staff for that. It's pretty much always the cashier that needs to find time between ringing people up to go clean up the dining area. So, we try to help them out a bit and clean up after ourselves.

[00:05:00]>> Okay, I think in a Spain, uh in the fast food places from America, they also try this system that everybody's cleaning after, but sometimes it's not working, I guess, because people are used to leave their things and yeah, that somebody is taking, no?

[00:05:22]But, in general, in normal restaurants, usually the waiter is taking your plate.

[00:05:28]But, uh yeah, I don't know if in America this is always like this or is going to be depending of which restaurant.

[00:05:38]>> Number four, open gifts immediately in front of the giver.

[00:05:43]Now, I was pretty surprised when I found out that opening a gift as soon as you get it is considered bad manners in certain parts of the world.

[00:05:51]I guess some cultures see it as kind of greedy when you start tearing into a present right away.

[00:05:56]In the US, it's pretty much the opposite. Open it as soon as you get it right in front of the giver.

[00:06:03]That way, they can see your reaction and you can thank them right there on the spot. There are also no rules about using both hands or a certain hand when giving or receiving a gift. Just grab it and open it already.

[00:06:17]Number five.

[00:06:18]>> Okay.

[00:06:20]I think you know, in Spain, usually I mean there is no rule when to open a present.

[00:06:26]But usually when somebody give you a present, you open and yeah, of course this is the best moment, no? When somebody is giving and the other person is receiving and they like to see how is the reaction or yeah, if this person like it and everything. I think this is very normal. Of course, sometimes in certain when in certain parties or birthdays, perhaps the person is giving the present and sometimes they open later or there is a moment for this. It's going to be depending, no?

[00:06:57]But of course, the best is to open at the moment. So, now I know if somebody in America give me a present, I have to open right away.

[00:07:07]>> [laughter] >> So, this this was a good one.

[00:07:11]>> Five. Be ready for small talk.

[00:07:15]How about that game last night?

[00:07:17]When's this weather going to let up already? Yes, Americans love small talk.

[00:07:22]So, don't be surprised if a stranger just starts chatting with you while you're waiting in line or sharing an elevator.

[00:07:28]It could be sports, [music] the weather, traffic, anything just to have a short light conversation.

[00:07:35]I can't really say why we like talking to people we don't even know. But I mean, you know, if you're sharing a space with someone, are you just going to totally ignore their presence? That'd be awkward. Oh, yeah. And you'll get asked how you're doing a lot, even by strangers. It's usually waiters and cashiers that'll greet you with a, "Hi, how are you today?" Just answer with, "Fine, and you?" Even if you're not exactly having a fantastic day.

[00:08:02]Number six.

[00:08:04]>> Okay, I have to say in the Spanish pretty the same.

[00:08:07]Uh usually, if you are waiting to take the bus, or you are in a line, or yeah, there is many moments that usually people they Yeah, they have a small talks.

[00:08:21]Perhaps, uh yeah, this was time by time people they were doing a bit less and less.

[00:08:27]Perhaps, it's also because of the mobile phones, no, of today.

[00:08:31]But, uh I think this was always something to Yeah, to have a small talks. Of course, if you go to a store, and is uh a smaller store, or something like this, is normal they ask you, "How are you?" And yeah.

[00:08:46]So, in this way I think we are pretty similar, too.

[00:08:52]>> having a fantastic day.

[00:08:56]Number six. Expect a lot of smiles.

[00:09:00]First of all, let me bust the myth that Americans constantly walk around smiling ear to ear. Nobody does that, because that'd be weird.

[00:09:10]But again, if you're sharing a space and making small talk with a stranger, or maybe someone opens or holds the door for you, they'll smile at you. And it's polite if you do the same. Cashiers and waiters also greet you with a big, friendly smile. I read somewhere that this goes back to our early history as a country built by people who all spoke different languages.

[00:09:32]>> [music] >> They didn't understand each other all that well, so they just smiled. But I still think we just like to be open and kind.

[00:09:41]Number seven, respect >> Okay, for me this is very nice to just a smile on the street, but I think in in Spain um can happen, but it's not so uh usual that people are just uh smiling everywhere where they are going. Of course, if you open the door to somebody or yeah, there is a small things like this.

[00:10:05]Usually people can uh smile of you is if you uh smile somebody is smiling to you.

[00:10:10]But, of course, not everybody is uh smiling today. Many people they are very serious or uh stressful or I don't know.

[00:10:19]Um yeah, this is not so often that people uh smile to you just by nothing.

[00:10:25]But, yeah, this already hear in some of the videos and I think this is a really great attitude in life to uh smile and to be happy and to yeah, to share with everybody. So, yeah, this I really like about America a lot.

[00:10:43]>> just like to be open and kind.

[00:10:46]Number seven, respect the bubble.

[00:10:50]Now, here's a pretty funny thing about Americans. We're friendly, we love to chat, but we also really like our personal bubble.

[00:10:57]The unspoken rule is to stand about an arm's length away when you're talking with someone.

[00:11:03]We're also not too big on touching during conversation because this can be misconstrued as a way of flirting.

[00:11:10]Of course, the rule doesn't apply with close friends and family, but still even then, most Americans aren't too touchy-feely.

[00:11:20]Number eight, >> Okay.

[00:11:22]Um what's to say in in Spain? I think we are more close to each other.

[00:11:29]And some people have the tendency also to touch you on the arm or things like this while they are speaking to you.

[00:11:37]But yeah, this I didn't know about Americans, so it's very good to know.

[00:11:45]And yeah, perhaps in this way Americans and the Spanish we are a bit different.

[00:11:53]Uh but I guess it's always depending of the person.

[00:11:58]And uh yeah, I don't know everybody in America is like this or there is exceptions.

[00:12:06]>> Most Americans aren't too touchy-feely.

[00:12:10]Number eight, and definitely no kissing.

[00:12:15]I know in countries like Spain and France, people often greet each other with a peck or two on the cheek.

[00:12:21]There might be some Americans who greet the European way, but overall, we don't kiss each other as a way to say hi.

[00:12:28]Again, my personal bubble is my sanctuary. So, don't come in it with puckered lips a-blazing.

[00:12:35]It's best to just say hi, smile, and keep it at that.

[00:12:41]Number nine, >> Okay, in a Spain we kiss.

[00:12:46]And we kiss two times in the two cheeks. Usually, if you don't know the person, usually you don't touch really with the lips. It's more like you are doing more just like this, no?

[00:13:00]Without touching or anything more everything on there like mua mua.

[00:13:04]And that's it.

[00:13:05]But yeah, in a Spain when you meet somebody, it doesn't matter if you don't know that person, if somebody is introducing a friend or family or some something, you kiss you give two kisses.

[00:13:18]And also when you leave a place or so you are kissing everybody.

[00:13:23]You if there is like a party or a family party or anything and there is 30, 40, 50 people, yeah, you have to go one by one.

[00:13:34]>> [laughter] >> But yeah, sometimes if it's too much you say goodbye and that's it. Ah, and other thing is usually woman and woman they kiss on the cheeks.

[00:13:49]Men to woman, woman to men but men to men they don't kiss.

[00:13:55]They give the hands.

[00:13:58]But yeah, in a Spain we kiss and I didn't know that in America you don't kiss.

[00:14:04]But is good to know.

[00:14:06]So but anyway, in many parts of Europe also they give the hands so I understand.

[00:14:14]Is is like giving a bit of distance no when you don't know the person. And the only thing in a Spain I think this is just like a cultural thing and and that's it.

[00:14:27]>> Being loud is usually okay.

[00:14:31]The stereotype of the loud American tourist might ring true most of the time since we tend to project our voices even out in public.

[00:14:40]It's not that we're yelling all the time but I'd say we certainly speak louder than people in Europe or Asia.

[00:14:46]I've gotten some friendly reminder to take it down a few decibels when visiting my friends abroad.

[00:14:52]But hey, if you're ever in the States feel free to laugh out loud or get particularly animated while telling a joke. But of course there's a time and place for that. You still have to hush down in places like libraries. Shh.

[00:15:07]Number 10.

[00:15:08]>> Okay, they say here that Americans they speak very loud.

[00:15:13]And I have to say Spanish people also they speak very loud but I don't know who is the the loudest.

[00:15:22]But uh yeah, this is one of the things I'm very curious when I come to America because I would really to experience everything and to also to feel how the people speak, how the people are doing.

[00:15:33]And yeah, this is one of the things I'm really thinking how is going to be when I come there, how is going to be the people, how is going to be everything.

[00:15:42]And uh I'm really really curious to just jump there and to see how loud the people are because uh yeah, because for example, when we interact here in YouTube, you write to me comments. You are not telling to me the things by speaking. So, I don't know how all of you you speak.

[00:16:05]So, yeah, it's very interesting. And I have to say also I'm not a very loud person, I think.

[00:16:13]I'm a very silent if you compare me with the people in uh Spain.

[00:16:18]But, uh yeah, my family in general they speak very very loud.

[00:16:24]>> [laughter] >> So, yes, in this way I think also we are American and Spanish people they are similar.

[00:16:34]>> Indirectness is politeness.

[00:16:38]So, here's the thing about Americans. A direct no, I don't want or like that is seen as pretty rude. But, if an American gives you a polite, "No, thanks. I'd rather not." or "I don't think that's the best idea." That doesn't mean that they're on the fence about it. No means no, even if it's said indirectly and super politely. It's frowned upon to try and convince someone to do something or change their mind because it's seen as pushy and disrespectful to their wishes.

[00:17:08]Number 11.

[00:17:10]>> Okay, this is very important to know because for example, in uh Spain we are I think completely different.

[00:17:19]If somebody is asking you something, you are like more like, "No." And then another person is telling you, "But, yeah." And is trying and trying and at the end you are like, "Okay."

[00:17:30]>> [laughter] >> But, uh as I see here in this video, if this is true like this, uh yeah, it's good to follow to understand when people say no is no.

[00:17:41]And to don't Yeah, to don't insist so much and to just understand is telling you no and is also not rude to tell like this, but of course, in a Spain we are a bit different and yeah, usually Mm, in I think in this way people are not really really honest because when somebody is asking for something is like we I think we like the fact that another person is asking you more or I don't know, but this is very typical. Perhaps not everybody is doing the same, but in general, yeah. This about insisting, this is if you say no, they are going to tell you again and again and again. I mean, they offer you food or anything like this. If you say no, they will try again and again.

[00:18:34]>> [laughter] >> So, yeah, in this way we are very different and I have to say I'm happy to know that you are usually doing like this.

[00:18:43]So, in this case, yeah, I'm aware of this and yeah, it's it's really good to know.

[00:18:50]So, let's continue. This video is very very interesting.

[00:18:54]>> Sit in the backseat of a cab.

[00:18:58]And this is something interesting I found out about Australia and New Zealand. There, it's considered rude to take the backseat of a cab because it's almost like you're showing that you expect to be chauffeured by someone who's lower than you. Well, don't worry about that in the US. In fact, you should ride in the backseat because the driver might give you a weird look otherwise. It's not an elitist thing, and you can still make friendly small talk from the back. Just respect the driver's personal bubble. That's all.

[00:19:29]>> Okay.

[00:19:31]Uh in a Spain you can do as you want. You can sit on the back. You can sit on the front.

[00:19:37]There is not really a problem where you sit. It's not like if you sit in front they're going to look you a strange or yeah, you are like taking their space or anything. So, in this case, yeah, uh we are a bit different, but also it's good for me to know.

[00:19:55]So, yeah, if one day uh I go in a Uber or taxi, I know now where to sit.

[00:20:04]>> Number 12. Feel free to keep your shoes on inside.

[00:20:08]I had a friend from Russia recently asked me, "Why is it that in all American movies people are walking around their house with their shoes on?"

[00:20:16]And I just told him straight up, "Because that's what we do."

[00:20:20]Now, there are plenty of families here that don't have a no shoes indoors policy, although I'd say the majority don't. So, here's a good rule of etiquette to live by if you ever visit an American's home. When you walk in, ask if you should take your shoes off at the door. If they say, "Nah, you're okay." don't feel bad about walking around their house in your shoes.

[00:20:41]I know it seems bizarre to most people around the world, but it's A-OK here.

[00:20:48]13.

[00:20:49]>> Okay, in a Spain is the same. I mean, in Spain usually people walk with their shoes.

[00:20:55]Depends. I mean, perhaps there is some Spanish people that were changing recently. But, usually everybody walk inside with their shoes.

[00:21:04]And yeah, you don't have to ask, usually.

[00:21:08]Perhaps, I don't know. Perhaps you see the person is walking without shoe, then yes, but usually Spanish people walk inside uh walk inside with their shoes.

[00:21:20]But it's good to know always, and I think it's always good to be polite, and when you come to any place or so to look, no, how they are doing.

[00:21:29]So, yes, because of for example in the because for example in some places of Europe, they don't use shoes inside of the house.

[00:21:39]So, yeah, this is very good to know, too.

[00:21:43]>> It's okay to keep it casual.

[00:21:47]Overall, I'd say the biggest thing about Americans is that most of us are pretty casual and laid-back.

[00:21:54]If you're ever out and about in the US, you'll see a lot of people running errands in sweatpants, gym shorts, baseball caps, and even their PJs.

[00:22:03]But it's not just about clothes, either.

[00:22:05]We often keep it on a first-name basis, even with people that are generally referred to more formally in other countries. For example, most of the time your boss is just Jim or Janet, not Mr. or Mrs. Jones. You might start off more formally, but I guarantee you that that person will say right off the bat, "Hey, call me Jim."

[00:22:25]Now, what would be weird is if their name isn't Jim. Maybe it's Howard or Benny. Then, what you say is, "Hey, call me a cab."

[00:22:36]So, are any of these a >> Okay, so I mean here was like two parts, no?

[00:22:41]And yeah, regarding the names, in in Spain, usually we call people by by their name.

[00:22:49]I mean only perhaps on the school, no?

[00:22:52]We were telling in a different way, a bit more polite, because yeah, they were this they were our teachers.

[00:23:00]But in general, we call people by their name and that's it.

[00:23:05]And about dressing casual, I think this is a very good and very practical. I usually like to dress casual. Sometimes I like to dress a bit different, but is perhaps is because there is an event or there is an important thing to do.

[00:23:22]And yeah, in a Spain is going to be depends.

[00:23:26]In perhaps in big cities, they like to dress better.

[00:23:32]And yeah, I I guess it depends where people live, but in general people I think they have the tendency to be more casual, more comfy these days.

[00:23:44]So, yeah, perhaps in this way we are also like a bit similar, I can say.

[00:23:51]And regarding the name, I think in in America you call like Mr. or Miss uh and the last name, I think, no?

[00:24:00]In this way is a bit different.

[00:24:04]But uh at then perhaps people they want to be called just by their name.

[00:24:10]So, this is very nice.

[00:24:13]So, I think this is the end of the video, no? Wait.

[00:24:17]>> Americanisms different or the same in your country?

[00:24:20]And to all my fellow Americans, can you add anything to the list? Let me know down in the comments.

[00:24:27]>> So, this was really a great video to watch and to understand more about their yeah, the etiquette rules in the USA.

[00:24:37]And yeah, I'm happy to know that we have some things that are are very similar.

[00:24:43]But of course there is things that they are a bit different and perhaps there is even more.

[00:24:49]If there are more things that they were not telling in this video, please just share with me on the comments. I would really really love to know.

[00:24:58]And uh what do you think about this video?

[00:25:01]Everything that is telling here is true or you think in a different way? Because of course sometimes uh they make everything very general.

[00:25:13]But uh in the reality, in all the countries, there is different people.

[00:25:19]Even we have the same culture, but sometimes people do in a different ways.

[00:25:24]But of course I guess here they were telling more the things are more general.

[00:25:30]So this was really a great video to watch. I hope you enjoy and like it.

[00:25:35]Don't forget to subscribe, like, and comment. If you would like to support me, you can do it through my Buy Me a Coffee. And see you in the next video.

[00:25:42]Bye-bye.