United States
North America · English · US Dollar
Tip 20 percent or brace for the stare, expect sales tax to appear at the register, and know that small talk from strangers is friendliness, not an angle.
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5 phrases you need in United States
- HelloHey, how's it going?hay howz it GOH-ing
- GoodbyeSee ya latersee yah LAY-ter
- PleasePleasepleez
- Thank youThanks a lotthanks uh LOT
- Excuse meExcuse meek-SKYOOZ mee
The Trovlr app drills all 8 United States phrases with audio, Duolingo-style. Get the app →
Know before you go
tipping
Tip 18-20% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, and 15-20% for taxis and haircuts; servers are paid below minimum wage on the assumption you will.
money
Listed prices never include sales tax, which varies by state and city and gets added at checkout; cards and phone payments work everywhere, cash is optional.
transport
Outside New York, Chicago, DC, and a few other cores, you need a car; distances are vast, so fly between regions and treat a coast-to-coast drive as a week-long project.
connectivity
Buy a travel eSIM before arrival rather than roaming; free wifi is everywhere from cafes to supermarkets, and coverage gaps only appear in remote national parks.
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