In 1974, tipping was a feel-good gesture. Fast forward to 2025, and many Illinoisans—and Americans as a whole—feel pressured to leave higher tips than ever before for services that have already become pricier due to inflation. Americans know they pay high tips. But how do our tipping practices compare to other countries in the world?…
Approximately one out of every ten Alabamians is left-handed. Luckily for us, using your left hand for everyday tasks is perfectly normal in the U.S. Try it in certain other countries, though, and you may earn a few dirty looks. In many cultures around the world, using your left hand is taboo. From eating to…
More than one Louisiana resident has argued that the USA is the best country in the world, and most certainly better than the United Kingdom. After all, we fought an entire war to gain independence from the English throne. The last thing we’d ever want to admit is that we were somehow inferior to our…
Residents of some countries are so satisfied with their homeland that they have no intention of moving, according to recent findings. Statistically, South Carolinians are among them, as the United States is among the countries its residents report loving the most. But where does the USA stand in the rankings? Determining the Data Canadian moving…
Since when did leaving a 20% tip for your local fast-food takeout become the norm? This growing expectation is causing tip fatigue among many Pennsylvania residents. If you’re tired of American tipping practices, you just might want to visit (and perhaps move to) one of these countries where tipping isn’t common practice. In some cases,…
Business class is the holy grail of flying out of Virginia. Stretching your legs, sipping something fancy, and not getting elbowed every five seconds? Absolute dream. But those price tags? Yikes. Luckily, there are a bunch of sneaky-smart ways to fly like a VIP without dropping thousands of bucks. If you’re craving the good life…
Some Pennsylvanians plan their vacations around warm weather, cultural experiences, or enjoyable outings. There’s a growing trend, however, of Americans traveling to destinations that allow them to explore the darker parts of the country’s history. Dark tourism involves traveling to sites associated with death, tragedy, or unnatural events. In the United States, there are many…
First impressions are everything, especially when it comes to learning about new cities. From the bustling streets of New York City to the hipster culture of Portland, overarching ideas about these metropolises are helpful, but they can also overshadow their more nuanced realities. Many cities—including those in Illinois—are made up of bustling neighborhoods, local businesses,…
Many Floridians take it for granted that they’ll receive a U.S. passport after applying for one. However, the government sometimes denies passports for reasons that take Americans by surprise. These are some of the most common reasons the U.S. government won’t issue you a passport. Outstanding Child Support One reason for a passport denial is…
Tornadoes can occur just about anywhere, but the United States—and especially Mississippi—is particularly prone to them. Our wide, Midwestern plains provide the perfect environmental conditions for tornado activity. Scientists categorize the deadly and catastrophic storms by the Enhanced Fujita or EF scale which uses damage indicators to estimate wind speeds. The scale runs from EF-O…
