Do Not Try This In America - It Won't End Well!

Pea wraps up her extended stay in Florida (originally planned for one to two weeks but stretched out after viewer suggestions to visit Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and test-drive a Tesla) and prepares to head to Georgia. Before leaving, she compiles a list of cultural don'ts for tourists or potential immigrants based on everything she's observed, explaining each rule through the lens of Filipino culture and why it trips up visitors from other countries.

Don't invade personal space ​

• America is a big country but Americans fiercely protect their personal bubble — keep at least a few feet away from the person next to you
• In the Philippines and other high-density countries, constant bumping and physical contact is normal; people sit on top of each other on jeepneys
• When you must brush against someone (like getting up in a movie theater), you're expected to say "excuse me, sorry" to every single person you touch
• She heard from Americans that Brazilian tourists in particular would bump into people from behind or race around them to cut in line

Don't cut in line ​

• Cutting in line is either acceptable or tolerated in many countries — she names China, the Philippines, and Brazil
• In the US, "if you value your life, don't try it" — Americans are obsessed with fairness and won't tolerate rule-breakers, especially when "the rule you're breaking is running in front of them"
• Consequences are real: "a foot up your butt or at least loud protests and a sea of angry stares"

Don't be loud ​

• "Silence is golden" — Americans believe they have a right to peace and quiet
• No lawnmowers before 8 AM, no loud parties after 10 PM, people don't want to hear your dog bark or your music
• Philippine stores play "earth-shaking disco music" but American stores play soft music so people can hear each other talk
• In confined spaces like buses or elevators, keep your voice down to avoid being "an obnoxious tourist"

Don't stare ​

• Even if the person across from you has red contacts and vampire fangs, brief eye contact then look away
• In big cities, she's been told it's better to make no eye contact at all
• Completely different from the Philippines where Filipinos openly stare at foreigners — "you guys that have been to the Philippines know exactly what I'm talking about"
• Filipinos treat foreigners as a novelty

Don't be late ​

• Americans live by "time is money" — when they say 3 PM, they mean exactly 3 PM, not 3:30 or 4:00
• If you're not there on time, they'll often just leave and won't cooperate with you in the future — you get labeled unreliable and "forget about it"
• Pea says she actually likes this: "it's precise and predictable and you get more done in a day when you live in a society where everyone agrees to be on time"
• Filipino cultural contrast: Filipinos save seemingly useless things (empty bottles, jars) because they don't waste what's useful, but Americans "waste what's precious to an American — we waste time"

Don't be surprised when strangers talk to you (a positive "don't") ​

• At least in the South, Americans are incredibly friendly — men, women, even children will approach you
• Strangers compliment your dress, tell you to buy a different peanut butter brand because it's cheaper, cashiers strike up conversations
• Sit next to someone in a waiting room and "there's a good chance you'll know their whole life story before your name gets called"
• Pea loves this: "it makes me feel accepted as a member of the community"

Don't take "How are you?" literally ​

• When Americans say "Hi, how are you?" they just want "Great, and you?" — the conversation is over unless someone extends it
• Filipinos take the question seriously and try to give a full account of their day: "we don't know why you asked and you don't really care to hear it anyway"

Don't talk about politics (or religion) ​

• Americans are deeply divided — it's "more of a life or death topic" for them
• They lose control of their emotions if they even suspect you disagree; some won't associate with, date, or talk to people from the other side
• Pea says it would be better for national unity if they thought of themselves as Americans first rather than members of competing factions, but "that's just the way it is right now"
• Adds religion to the off-limits list "just for good measure"

Don't ask about ethnicity ​

• Considered rude in America, whereas Filipinos "just come right out and ask — no big deal"

Don't rely on public transportation ​

• Outside big cities, it often doesn't exist; taxis are "bloody expensive"
• Americans love their mobility and freedom, which equals a car — everything is so far apart that owning one is nearly a requirement
• Almost every American she's met has their own vehicle, sometimes two; even their kids own cars, and at 16 they either have one or desperately want one
• Renting a simple compact car costs about $1,200/month — she says "it's almost cheaper to buy a used clunker and just give it away when you leave"

Don't ignore road rules ​

• Philippines has traffic rules but enforcement is minimal — speed limits and lane markers are "just suggestions"
• In the US, if it says don't make a U-turn, don't make a U-turn
• Don't honk constantly like Filipinos do — "if you're going down the road honking every time you pass someone, you're gonna attract the wrong kind of attention and be seen as yet another crazy Asian driver"

Don't freak out about free appetizers at restaurants ​

• Breadsticks, chips, salsa, warm bread that arrive unrequested are free; you can ask for more and it won't appear on the bill

Don't leave your trash at fast food restaurants ​

• You're expected to clean up after yourself and leave the table as you found it

You pump your own gas ​

• She theorizes the reason for self-service (cleaning tables, pumping gas) is the high cost of American labor
• In the Philippines, hiring a busboy or gas attendant costs about $10/day; in the US it costs many times that
• So Americans eliminate labor costs on things people are "perfectly happy to do themselves"

Don't forget to tip ​

• Unlike the Philippines where tipping is optional and often skipped, in the US it's expected for waiters, pizza delivery, hotel bag handlers — "it's the American way"

Bonus don't: The flag swimsuit incident ​

• Two videos prior, she wore a red-white-and-blue swimsuit she'd special-ordered to honor the US
• Got comments saying it was against custom and disrespectful
• She was confused because she saw flags on shirts, caps, bandanas, and cars everywhere and thought it was a harmless gesture of appreciation
• Speculates "maybe because I had a flag on my butt" and genuinely asks viewers to explain the rule
• Apologizes but hopes "the intent is more important than the action"

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