Halloween safety tips 2026: for kids, parents, drivers and hosts
Halloween is one of the riskiest nights of the year for child pedestrians. Practical safety tips for trick-or-treaters, parents, drivers, party hosts and pet owners.
Cultural Norms
The Unwritten Rules series: short, practical reads on everyday American etiquette.
Start here
The Unwritten Rules series covers the everyday habits nobody explains: how much to tip, what “How are you?” really means, and how to handle a potluck. Short, practical and judgment-free.
Everyday etiquette
Tipping in America: who, when and how much8 min Personal space and punctuality in the US3 min Dinner parties and potlucks: what to bring and how to behave3 min How to order at a US restaurant: from “table for two” to the check3 min Gift-giving etiquette in the US3 min American wedding guest etiquette3 min US dress codes explained: business casual, smart casual and more3 minWork culture
Small talk at work: the unwritten rules3 min How Americans give feedback at work3 min Work email etiquette in the US (with templates)3 min Common American slang and phrases, explained3 min American work culture explained: what newcomers notice first7 minSocial life
Making friends as an adult in the US3 min Dating in America: apps, first dates and who pays3 min American holidays: a newcomer’s calendar3 min American sports for beginners: football, baseball, basketball3 min Halloween in America: a guide for newcomers3 minHealth & safety
Urgent care vs the ER: where to go when you’re sick3 min US driving rules that surprise newcomers3 min Emergency numbers in the US: 911, 988 and more3 min Dealing with culture shock in the US3 min31 guides
Halloween party ideas for adults: themes, food, games and a hosting plan
Hosting a Halloween party on Saturday, October 31? Party themes, easy food and drinks, games that actually work, a budget and a timeline so you can enjoy your own party.
Trick-or-treating 2026: times, rules and etiquette for Saturday, October 31
Halloween is on a Saturday this year. What time trick-or-treating usually starts and ends, how to find your town’s official hours, age limits, porch-light rules and etiquette for kids and households.
Halloween costume ideas 2026: trending, easy and last-minute looks
The costumes people are actually searching for this year, plus easy DIY ideas, group and family themes, and what to wear if you only have an hour and $20.
How do I register to vote in the US?
Who can register, the three ways to do it, state deadlines, and the rules every newcomer and new citizen needs to know.
The 2026 midterm elections explained for newcomers
What’s on the ballot on November 3, 2026, why midterms matter and what non-citizens should know.
When does daylight saving time end in 2026 in the United States?
Clocks go back on November 1, 2026. What changes, which states don’t switch and how to adjust.
Thanksgiving 2026: travel tips and what to expect
Thanksgiving is November 26, 2026. The busiest travel days, booking tips and how to spend the holiday if you stay.
REAL ID explained: do you need one to fly?
What REAL ID is, which IDs work for domestic flights and how visa holders get one.
Your first US winter: clothes, heating and staying well
Layering, boots, heating bills, driving in snow and beating the winter blues.
Tipping in America: who, when and how much
Restaurants, rideshares, salons, delivery and those tip screens at the coffee shop. The numbers locals actually use, and when it’s fine to skip.
American work culture explained: what newcomers notice first
First names with the boss, direct but polite feedback, meetings that start on time and self-promotion that feels uncomfortable. A practical guide to US workplace norms.