To do or not to do... -from experiences in the new world

•  ·        Never ask the person next to you to move over on a transatlantic flight.
• ·        Never hold the urge to pee till you land.
• ·        Never appear lost and keep an eye on your baggage, especially in Heathrow airport, London.
• ·        Always keep your passport on you even if you have an overbearing but well meaning parent insisting over its custody
• ·        If questioned by immigration police over absence of passports point at said parent and hope they don’t laugh too loud.
• ·        Always be polite, even (maybe especially) in the face of an irate policeman with a handgun
• ·        Accept the complimentary wine (if under 21) with decisiveness and be nonchalant.
• ·        Pretend to be a kid if sitting next to a highly testosterone fuelled man with a gleam in his eye
• ·        Flirt with the air hostess. You get perks
• ·        Shake firm and if your hands feel crushed, bear it with a good countenance.
• ·        Gather your bags and get out of the airport as soon as possible. They can cancel your visa as     long as you are in the airport.
• ·        Talk to the cabbie and give him a tip.
• ·        Never take a bath in a motel, only showers if you must.
• ·        Swallow the fact that your kid cousin knows more about American football with good grace (erst it gets unpleasant)
• ·        Never give in to an American what football is. (it is NOT SOCCER!)
• ·        Love the country; it’s beautiful as are the people.
• ·        Walk as much as you want the sidewalks are heavenly.
• ·        Cars ACTUALLY yield to pedestrians.
• ·        Talk to the people because most of them are waiting for you to do just that.
• ·        Never picture the national cuisine from the food in the cafeteria.
• ·        Party for all the good and right reasons.
• ·        Live with moderation and toleration.
• ·        Do not dimension to hidden lines
• ·        Relationships are verrrrryyyyyy sloooowwwww. Go SLOW!
• ·        Be friendly and cheerful most Americans are and strive to be just that
• ·        Live your culture but respect theirs (its more than just Hollywood)
• ·        Never call hotdogs WIENARS.
• ·        Forget about good bangers and mash. Fish n chips aren’t too great either.
• ·        They have a weird cellular system why do phones cost so much and why cant I cancel a plan without a fee!
• ·        Opportunities abound but you need to ask around. Americans are very independent to the point that asking might look embarrassing, but do it. No one cares
• ·        To try not to jay walk. I’ve done it on occasions but I really do not want to check the effectiveness of the Columbus City police.
• ·        ESPN 3 has live and replay feeds of most football and cricket matches (YAY!!!!). it was an easy find, kudos Google.
• ·        Have fun and work hard. People respect both and love both.
• ·        Be social it’s your one good bet to take tons of green home. You could either marry rich, make rich friends strike rich contacts or strip a rich passed out drunk.
• ·        Always help a drunk passed out girl home SAFELY. You feel good about it even though it might mean you have to tolerate entering the girls toilet to pick her up.
• ·        There are classical Americans who still read books and like writing poetry. (There’s hope). No stereotype is ever right and none are.
• ·        Don’t be evil