▲The government of China issued a warning on its website stating that “Overall, the western United States is safer than the eastern portion.” That rules out NYC, Florida, Washington, D.C., or anything in that region.

▲This one is a bit of a head-scratcher. What does this even mean? The world may never know. In any case, the People's Republic of China advises that when visiting America one must “Take good care of flowers and trees, etc.”

▲The Chinese government advises those traveling to the USA to “Be courteous to other vehicles while driving; unless it is absolutely necessary, avoid using the horn and avoid other behavior that can easily anger other drivers.”

▲The Swiss are warned that “bathing topless or without a shirt is forbidden (even for children), as is urinating in the street or taking partially naked pictures of children (even at home).”

▲Chinese citizens are told that "In the United States when many people are lining up for services at some distance away from the window, wait your turn in line. Failing to observe this convention could lead to unnecessary disputes."

▲The Russian government tells its people that the ideal democratic society the US claims to be is little more than a fantasy due to high economic inequality.

▲The national site states that "due to the presence of the ‘young aristocracy’—already formed in the 20th century—and the specific model of American society, inequalities in socio-economic status between rich and poor are no lesser than in any other country in the world.”

▲Australians are warned by the government to "Use discretion when deciding whether to link to free internet services available in public places to connect to your corporate network. Avoid using webmail services such as Hotmail or Gmail for official business."

▲Some Japanese have taken pains to warn their countrymen that the food in America does not have seasonal specialties or secret spices, and relies on sweet, high-fat, high-calorie items.

▲While in Japan people reserve only the weekends for leisure and recreational activities, people in the US make use of their entire week for leisure.

▲Japanese travelers have even explained how air quotes work, clearly finding sarcasm useful in communicating with Americans.

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In Japan, women often place their hand over their mouth when they laugh, and it's disgraceful to laugh loudly with an open mouth. In the US however, a wide, unapologetic belly laugh is preferred.

▲A Japanese traveler was astounded that there were only carbonated beverages in the vending machines.

▲Japanese have been told to avoid wearing the typical street-wear popular in Tokyo, as it could associate you with a street gang in rougher areas.

▲Most Americans wait leisurely for service that is apparently "abysmally slow compared to Japan."

▲Some Japanese people are very impressed by the way people wait their turn and keep to the speed limit.

▲The American dinner plate concept is very different compared to the various individual dishes one would get in a typical dinner in Japan.

▲In Japan, there is great fear of failure and humiliation which can stop people from trying things, but in America people have an optimism and curiosity to try even when they aren't sure they'll succeed.

▲Gifts are especially not welcome in business, as they can be seen as a bribe, which is illegal. If you are going to bring a gift, Russians advise that it's something "purely Russian."

▲Russians in the US are also advised not to hang up suddenly, as "Phone etiquette in America usually involves the gradual end of the conversation, confirmation agreements and standard closing remarks."

▲One site attributes Americans' confidence to the way America's dominant position in the world is taught at an early age.

▲One site helps Russian visitors navigate the great American picnic: "Everything is the same as ours, only with far less booze," and they love when you bring a sporty thing.

▲The US etiquette of smiling all the time warranted a warning for Russians: "be prepared to give a smile not only to friends and acquaintances, but also to all passers-by, in shops, to the staff at the hotel, police on the streets, etc."

▲One Russian site explains that US etiquette prohibits flirting with a woman who is not your partner, and they advise travelers avoid ogling women because they could easily call the cops.

▲While Russians enjoy small talk before getting to the purpose of a phone call, they're advised that Americans generally prefer to get directly to the point.

▲One travel site says Americans are far too law-abiding, but explains that it's because there are hidden cameras on the streets, in shops, in hotels, and so on.

▲The French kiss before and after social encounters, but Americans prefer a firm handshake, which is also a sign of confidence.

▲The French have been warned about how the American culture celebrates inspiration above all else, from movies and books to even deeming regular people heroes.

▲It should not be taken literally, as it is solely a courtesy and not a promise.

▲One Italian blogger warned his readers that Americans will even eat in business meetings, expressing a great deal of frustration.

▲German blogger Otto Buchenegger warned that while it's important to be friendly to strangers, when someone is friendly to you it has nothing to do with genuine friendship.

▲One site explains that at times Americans may put their foot on a nearby chair or table, and that in the culture it's considered an acceptable norm.

▲If someone stumbles in the street, the French have been warned that American culture expects you to stop what you're doing and go help.

▲It's been called an insult to common sense, and others can't believe that the kitchen sink would have a flexible head but not the shower.

▲One site warns German tourists that they will often hear terms of endearment like "sweetheart" in public, which are apparently reserved for the bedroom in Germany.

▲The French are surprised with how Americans eat at work, in the car, on the subway, in the elevator, etc. and especially how they're not embarrassed to ask for "doggy bags" to take food home.

▲Americans generally show particular respect for women in public, and Chinese visitors are advised to let women sit first, to move out of their way, and open doors for them.

▲One site writes that when you come across a child or pet, "it is mandatory to have a smile or a little 'how cute' tilt to your head ... Even if they are ugly."

▲When it comes to age and social class, most Americans aren't into formality the same way Chinese are, and they value occupational titles over hereditary family titles.

▲One site advises Germans that every negative response is gently cushioned, so there are consequently many ways to say no, including, "I wonder if this is really the best solution?"

▲Adding up the amounts on price tags at a store won't tell you how much the final cost will be, Aussies warn, as taxes are added at check-out, when it's harder to put things back.

▲An Italian blogger explained that the question is actually just a kind of greeting, and the person asking often expects you to lie.

▲Nearly everything accepts card in America except some essentials like laundry machines and parking meters, so Australian travelers have been advised to keep change on them.

▲Chinese travelers have been warned to be tolerant towards Americans lack of knowledge on the culture and customs of other countries.

▲A hilarious tip given to Chinese travelers is to sound sincere and compliment Americans, even if what they're presenting looks bad.

▲A strange tip some Aussies found important was to expect the majority of American meals to come with pickles on the side, whether or not you asked for it or if it was on the menu.

▲For those in less cosmopolitan parts of the US, Aussies are warned that cheese comes with nearly every meal, but they all usually share an "identical, nothing-y taste."

▲Instead, one site suggests, sports are always a good topic, as are effusive compliments—though it adds you should beware of superficial compliments to the opposite sex, as those can be seen as harassment.

▲Australians were surprised to see that college sports were a lucrative, stadium-filling American passion, often surpassing support for some major teams. "No, it doesn't make any sense," they wrote, "just run with it."

▲Aussies are warned about the enormous roadside billboard ads filled with grinning, creepy faces of lawyers, each boasting a very specific service.

▲In America, you must tip between 10 and 15%. By not tipping enough, Brits warn, "you are not making a grand statement based on superior European principles, you will instead come across as an embarrassing cheapskate."

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Words like rubber, hard, and pasty have very different meanings in America. Brits are advised to use eraser, tough, and meat pie instead.

▲British travelers shared that Americans can't tell if their accent is of a posh variety or not, as all British accents apparently sound positively charming to them.

▲Italy, like many countries, is perplexed by America's rules regarding drinking, and one site warns about having your ID checked everywhere you can drink, and that you can't drink on the street. "You can safely buy a gun and carry it around, but regarding alcohol, no chance."

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One site actually found the TV ads for drugs (with extremely long lists of side effects read very quickly) significant enough to mention in their travel tips.

▲Germans are warned that showing skin can be construed as indecent exposure, even if it's just topless bathing on the beach.

▲Americans don't order tea when they're out and they don't make it at home, one British travel site warns. The culture is way more about coffee, and many prefer a chocolate chip cookie to a biscuit.

▲In the US, both Japanese and British travelers warn, being able to drink a lot of booze does not give you a sense of superiority. It's instead actually frowned upon for your lack of self-control.

▲Austrians are apparently not fans of American water. The Austrian government notes that "Tap water—while not very tasty (it’s chlorinated)—is usually considered safe to drink.”

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The US government issues regular advisories for Americans traveling to other countries to ensure their smooth experience, but other nations are equally as concerned about their citizens traveling to the US. Of course, there is a wealth of American media that circulates the world, but there are so many nuances to the culture that vary wildly from others, and many things waiting to surprise you.

Some travelers have taken it upon themselves to share useful tips about what to expect, what to avoid, and how to act in America, and though much of it becomes useless depending on where in America a tourist visits, there are still some gems which say a lot about the difference between cultures.

Check out the gallery, based on information collected and translated by Mental Floss, to see some of the most outlandish, hilarious, and eye-opening things foreigners warn people about when visiting America.