A cultural travel guide to the world

Etiquette & taboos

Etiquette & taboos

Understanding local customs is where a journey begins. Find the topics that matter to you and feel at ease wherever you go.

United States

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Site-specific notes 24

Taken from the "don'ts" on each site page here. Open a site for its full etiquette and background.

Grand Canyon

  • Never climb over railings for selfies (there are falls every year)
  • in summer the canyon floor exceeds 40°C, so don't descend rashly
  • don't use fire in fire-ban areas.

Yellowstone National Park

  • Never approach or feed bison (people are gored every year)
  • don't leave the boardwalks in geothermal areas
  • drones are banned.

Statue of Liberty

  • Don't bring large luggage (there's no storage)
  • don't hide prohibited items at security
  • the crown is cramped, so if you're claustrophobic or afraid of heights, know your limits.

Times Square

  • Beware the 'free CD' scam (take one and they'll demand money)
  • don't get stung for high prices after posing with costumed characters
  • New Year's Eve controls are very strict, so check announcements in advance.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

  • Beware of 'free' street scams
  • take care on some stretches at night
  • don't graffiti, sit or lie on the stars.

Waikīkī, Hawaiʻi

  • Don't touch sea turtles (illegal, with heavy fines)
  • don't take sand or coral
  • keep to marked trails when hiking (cliffs are dangerous).

Golden Gate Bridge

  • It's windy on the bridge, so be careful taking photos
  • don't stop in the traffic lanes
  • use bike lights in fog.

Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend

  • Don't try to find the canyon entrance yourself or climb fences — reservation patrols are strict and the flash-flood risk is lethal
  • don't bring tripods, selfie sticks, large bags or pets into the canyon tours
  • don't carve on the rock walls, touch the fragile thin sandstone layers, or stop for photos on the ladder sections

The Getty Center

  • Don't bring large luggage or food into the galleries (picnics are allowed only in the designated lawn areas)
  • don't touch the outdoor sculptures or step on the garden plantings and water-feature stonework
  • don't use flash or tripods in the galleries

The Museum of Modern Art

  • Don't cross the floor warning lines to get close to paintings, and carry your backpack in front or check it in
  • don't photograph in special-exhibition galleries where photography is banned
  • don't set up equipment for long in front of The Starry Night and block the passage — shoot and yield your place

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

  • Don't touch any exhibit or case, and keep at least an arm's length from oil paintings
  • don't use flash or selfie sticks in the galleries or take loud phone calls
  • don't squeeze into the case areas wearing a big backpack — check it in first, then visit

Yosemite National Park

  • Don't feed or approach any wild animal, including seemingly tame deer and squirrels
  • don't swim in the waters at the top of waterfalls or climb over railings for photos
  • don't enter the wilderness overnight or climb the Half Dome cables section without a permit
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Hawaiian poke

  • Don't leave packaging on the beach
  • don't touch sea turtles or monk seals (they are protected by law)

New York bagel

  • Don't dither and hold up the queue in a busy shop during the morning rush
  • New Yorkers have strong views on whether bagels should be toasted — do as the locals do

New Orleans beignets

  • Don't wear dark clothes (the sugar will cover you)
  • don't hog a table on the crowded terrace

Fairbanks

  • Don't trespass on private land to see the aurora
  • don't stop your car in the middle of the road to watch it

Bishop Museum

  • Don't use flash in the galleries (follow signs on site)
  • be respectful around images of gods and ritual objects, and don't be noisy or play around.

French Quarter

  • On Bourbon Street you can drink in the street from a plastic cup, but not from glass bottles
  • don't sit drinking or make noise on residents' stoops
  • don't walk alone into quiet streets late at night

Hollywood Sign

  • Don't climb the fence to get near the letters (it's illegal and monitored)
  • don't park illegally or honk in the residential streets below
  • don't drop litter while hiking

Alcatraz

  • Don't enter fenced-off areas
  • don't touch or carve the walls
  • the island is a seabird breeding site, so keep away from nesting areas

Central Park

  • Don't cycle or skateboard in prohibited areas
  • don't feed squirrels or birds
  • keep off lawns closed for maintenance
  • don't go alone into isolated areas late at night

New Orleans Mardi Gras

  • Don't run into the road to pick up beads while floats are moving
  • don't cross the barricades
  • don't leave rubbish at the roadside