pattesonfamily
Active member
Know the rules of your destination and transit points. Especially those that differ from home. Sudafed is banned in Japan, a pocketknife can get you jacked up in the UK, don't bring bubblegum to Singapore and keep your edibles/thc vapes/weed at home.
No matter what you might think, it being legal back home doesnt make it legal there. And the US passport is not a get out of jail free card. The embassy will help ensure you are treated equitably, but they won't get you out.
And remember, in some political environments, hostage diplomacy is a thing.
Lastly, the rule of the stupids applies even more critically in unfamiliar environs - Don't do stupid shit, with stupid people, in stupid places at stupid times of the day/night. You can get away with violating the occasional stupid, but the more you add, the higher the risk of something catastrophic.
No matter what you might think, it being legal back home doesnt make it legal there. And the US passport is not a get out of jail free card. The embassy will help ensure you are treated equitably, but they won't get you out.
And remember, in some political environments, hostage diplomacy is a thing.
Lastly, the rule of the stupids applies even more critically in unfamiliar environs - Don't do stupid shit, with stupid people, in stupid places at stupid times of the day/night. You can get away with violating the occasional stupid, but the more you add, the higher the risk of something catastrophic.
