23 Things Americans Should(n't) Do While Overseas

{Part of my "30" series... Just for fun!}

THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T DO WHILE ABROAD:
1. Sing loud obnoxious patriotic songs. It's just rude and stupid. Do that at a baseball game in the States.
2. Break ANY kind of law.
3. Wear an American flag on your clothing. Seriously? It's like a target.
4. Argue politics.
5. Argue religion.
6. Smuggle anything into a foreign country.
7. Smuggle anything home from another country.
8. As a female, you really should cover-up... Most other cultures only know American women by the movies they've seen, and will treat you accordingly.
9. Give your opinion on anything major going on in their country. It's their country.
10. Show disgust for any food. (Sometimes braided sheep intestines are the highest form of hospitality!)
11. Barter in a marketplace... Unless it's that kind of marketplace. But still, don't offend the salesman. You can afford an extra $5 for that painting, and the salesman might need that $5 to feed his kids for a week.

THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHILE IN A FOREIGN LAND:
1. Thank everyone for everything.
2. Learn as many words in the local language as possible, and use them often.
3. The first thing you should learn how to say: "I don't speak [XYZ Language]; please teach me."
4. Don't give up if you make a real language blunder... Because you will =)
5. Eat ANYthing set before you!!!
6. Eat EVERYthing set before you!!! (Unless in one of those cultures where it's rude for one to ever finish their food.)
7. Eat seconds if offered!
8. Ask to learn how to cook whatever your host fed you. You will be given the cultural experience of a lifetime.
9. Ask that friendly local taxi driver/barkeep/waitress what THEIR favorite site is to see in the area, and go see it. You'll be glad you did.
10. If invited, go to a local place of worship. It will enlighten you to where another person/culture is coming from. Someone's entire worldview is centered on their religion most times... I know mine is.
11. Tip. Everyone. For everything.
12. Be moderate in your alcohol intake... Or you'll end up doing all the "shouldn'ts" aforementioned. =)