1. Do NOT assume “the list price is the final price” on anything. Always ask if there’s tax, which will usually be provided to you as a percentage (“Item costs $8.99 with 11.25% sales tax” so just multiply 8.99 by 1.1125 and that’s your final price). 不要以为“账单上的价格就是最终价格”，任何情况都一样。每次都要问是否含税，而税一般都会以百分比形式呈现给你（“商品价格8.99美元，销售税11.25%”，那么8.99 x 1.1125才是你真正要付的价格）。
Tax in the US is supposed to be transparent, and separate, which is why you’ll almost never see “tax included in price”.在美国，税本应是透明的，且需和消费金额分开，这也是你基本不会看到“价格含税”这类标注的原因。
（译者注：实际上我遇到的餐厅账单基本都是直接标注税的价格，而非百分比，如下图。可能因地区而异，大家注意观察清楚就好）

2. Do NOT be afraid to go to the hospital if you need to. Our payer system is a trainwreck but our healthcare is pretty good. Just be sure to go to a public hospital- They’ll give you service and treatment and then a bill, but they won’t make you pay it then. 不要害怕去医院，如果真的有需要。我们的支付系统乱得就像车祸现场，但医疗体系还是相当不错的。只要确定自己去的是公立医院 – 他们提供完服务和治疗后会给你一份账单，但并不会逼你付款。
And their likelihood of attempting to collect is almost (But never absolute) zero. You can pay cash for most common prescription painkillers at a pharmacist, and although they’re not free, they’re pretty cheap.而且他们找你催收的可能性也几乎（注意是几乎）是零。一般的处方类止痛药你都可以用现金在药房买到，虽然不免费，但真的很便宜。
3. Do NOT forget your specialty prescription drugs. If you’ve got conditions that require constant medication, try and bring MORE THAN YOU NEED for your trip. Although many docs will write you a script here (especially if you have a bottle with your name on it from your country of origin) there’s TONS of medication that’s laughably priced if you don’t have insurance. 不要忘记你的专科处方药。如果你需要长期服药，出行时尽量多带些额外剂量。尽管很多医生都不会拒绝给你开处方（尤其是你带了一瓶上面写有你名字的药瓶时），但如果你没有医疗保险，你会见识到各种药品贵得有多么可笑。
And I’m talking common stuff like Diabetes, heart problems, skin problems, liver or kidney issues and more. I can’t stress this enough. Also, if you are suffering from PTSD, anxiety or panic attacks and you’ve been prescribed benzodiazapenes like Clonapin or Xanax, make SURE you bring enough- getting benzos in the US is becoming more and more difficult.而且我说的就是那种常见类别，例如糖尿病，心脏病，皮肤病，肝脏或者肾脏疾病等等。这一点我觉得自己强调多少遍都不够。同时，如果你患有创伤后应激障碍，焦虑或惊恐并且被医生开了苯二氮卓类药物例如氯氮平或佳乐定，千万记住自己带了足够的剂量 – 在美国找这类药物现在已经变得越来越难。

4.  Do NOT underestimate the size of the US. Many entire countries will fit nicely into a single US metro area. If you’re in San Francisco, you’re not taking a “day trip” to Oregon, Washington or even Los Angeles.不要低估美国有多大，很多国家面积也就和美国一个大都会地区相当。如果你在旧金山，就别琢磨能去俄勒冈，华盛顿甚至是洛杉矶“一日游”了。
5. Do NOT assume that what is acceptable in one state is acceptable in another. Treat them like separate countries (Because they are) with separate values, morals and ethics. (Example: California is extremely liberal, whilst Oklahoma is extremely conservative - learn local customs)不要觉得一个东西或一件事在某州被接受认可，在另一个州就也一个样儿。把州和州看成是（其实本来就是）拥有不同价值观，道德观和伦理观的独立国家。（举例：加州自由主义盛行，文化非常前卫开明，而俄克拉何马州就极其保守 – 所以大家要入“州”随俗）（译者注：所谓联邦，实际就是由多个国家联合组成一个大国，因此大家不要听闻“美国人是什么什么样子”或“美国是什么样子”的各种传言后就一概而论，不同地区的居民之间，所见所闻可能大相径庭，因为就好比中国的南北差异一样，美国的文化多样性也是极强的）
6. Do NOT rely on news or movies to paint a picture for you. I’ve lived in lots of major metro areas across the US for decades. I have never: Seen a mugging, a murder, a street fight, a riot, a kidnapping, a drive-by shooting or police brutality. I know they exist and they happen, but they’re not as common as the media portrays.不要轻信新闻或电影为你描绘的画面。我在美国很多个中心大都会地区住了几十年，我从来没有：见到一次抢劫、谋杀、街斗、暴乱、绑架、飞车射击或者警员暴行。我知道这些都存在、也会发生，但是完全不像媒体描述得那样普遍。

7. Do NOT assume you’re perfectly safe (Flipside of 6). For example: Do not leave your vehicle unlocked when unattended. Do not leave valuables in your hotel/hostel. Do not leave your door unlocked to your hotel/motel/AirBnB. Do not flash cash in public and don’t let anyone know how much cash you actually have.不要以为你是绝对安全的（上条的另一面）。例如：下车后走远的话不要忘记锁门。不要把贵重物品遗留在酒店或旅舍里。住的酒店、汽车旅馆、爱彼迎房间一定要上锁。不要在公共场合暴露自己的现金，更不要让别人知道你携带了多少。

Do not go to the bathroom and leave your bag or purse at the table, unless you are not alone. Do not walk alone at night in most metro areas (Rural you’re far more safe). Remember that just like most places, US criminals are opportunistic. They don’t want violence- they just want your stuff. If it’s too much of a hassle to get, they’ll target someone else.去洗手间时不要把包放在桌上，除非你有同伴。在大部分都会地区夜晚不要独自出行（乡间要安全很多）。记住就像大多数地区一样，美国的罪犯也都是一直在寻找机会的。他们并不喜欢暴力 – 仅仅是喜欢你的东西而已。如果要大费周章才能得手，他们会另择目标。
8. Do NOT underestimate the vastness of the US wildlands. If you walk out in to the Mojave desert unprepared and thinking you’re just on a day hike, you probably won’t be coming back. if you’re stranded in the wildlands, including national parks and depending where you are, help is hours away.不要低估美国荒野的广阔程度。如果你毫无准备地走进莫哈维沙漠，想来个徒步一日游，多半你是回不来了。如果你被困在无人区，包括国家公园，救援到达可能需要数个小时，当然这因你所在的地区而异。