Here are some tips to help you navigate an extended stay with relatives this holiday season:

Make Your Bed More Comfortable 

Relegated to a futon, air mattress, or pull-out couch during your visit? There are a few things you can do to make your sleeping arrangement more comfortable. Air mattresses get colder than real beds (the air inside cools overnight, making you chilly). Pad it with extra blankets, or use a sleep sack, which is easy to pack and provides a ton of warmth.

If possible, move the air mattress up against the wall so your pillows don’t fall off while you sleep. Also, put a blanket or a yoga mat underneath the mattress to make it less noisy when you move around. Packing an inflatable sleeping pad is an easy solution to make futons or rock-hard mattresses more comfortable.

Even if you’re staying in a great guest room, most normal bedrooms don’t come with blackout curtains like those you’ll find at hotels, so be sure to pack an eye mask that will block out light to help you sleep past dawn.

Earplugs are also essential if you’re a light sleeper (or just go to bed earlier/get up later than other people in the house). We recommend Earpeace, earplugs that are specially designed for sleeping. Or bring a travel-sized white noise machine if you really want to drown out the world.

Don’t Forget to Breathe

Getting stressed? Take a deep breath to help relax. If you’re staying in an environment you’re not used to (for example, sharing a house with smokers or pets when you’re allergic), bring a tiny travel air purifier for your room. This can make a big difference and help you breathe easier.

Get Some Quiet Time

Spending time with other people 24/7 can be challenging. But you’ll be a better guest and family member if you take some solo time to decompress each day. Take a walk, or excuse yourself to take a nap and use the time to sleep or read. If you’re coming home to a deadline-driven family, you could appear busy while carving out alone time by offering to run errands by yourself.

Stay Charged and Connected

If a big group is staying at your family’s house, the Wi-Fi may get overwhelmed quickly. If it’s important to stay online, bring along a Wi-Fi hotspot to avoid the frustration of slow internet. A travel-sized power strip can also save the day if everyone is fighting over one outlet to charge gadgets.

Work Out

There’s a reason the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot is so popular. Whether you head out in the morning for a quick run or get a day pass to a local gym, working out can give you an excuse to leave the house for a bit. Exercise is also a proven stress reducer and mood enhancer and will make you feel less guilty about eating home-cooked food.

Don’t Dominate the Bathroom

Chances are, you won’t have a private bathroom while staying with family, so don’t leave your toiletries scattered all over the sink and shower. This innovative bag is a great solution, as it lets you lay out all your toiletries on a flat surface to use; when you’re done, simply fold it up and take it back to your room.

Be Your Own Climate Control

Unlike at a hotel, you don’t get control over the thermostat when staying with family. If you know the house will be cold, pack extra layers. In shoe-free houses, travel slippers can keep you comfortable. 

House too hot? A portable fan can be a lifesaver, and also act as a white noise machine at night.

Pack Modest Pajamas and a Robe

You probably don’t think twice about what you pack for sleepwear at a hotel, but you might want something a little more modest if you’re staying in someone’s home. Don’t forget to pack pajamas and a robe you won’t be embarrassed to be seen in for those middle-of-the-night bathroom trips.

Offer to Grocery Shop, Cook, or Buy Dinner

Try to make your visit as easy on the host as possible. Just because it’s your family doesn’t mean they’re responsible for cleaning up after you and cooking every meal. Show up with a restaurant gift card to let them know a few meals are on you, or offer to go grocery shopping and cook for everyone while you’re there.

Be Appreciative

Your presence is not your present. Make sure to show appreciation to your host for putting you up. A thank you note or gift is always a nice gesture.

Some good host gift ideas include a bottle of wine and a wine chiller, a gift basket full of tasty treats, an easy-to-care-for plant, or a framed family photo.

Caroline Morse Teel is a Managing Editor at SmarterTravel. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline for photos from around the world. 

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The post 10 Strategies to Survive Staying with Family Over the Holidays appeared first on SmarterTravel.

TSA Rules for Flying with Gifts

Here’s how to avoid having to toss your special gift or souvenir whether you’re flying domestically or internationally, and a few alternative items to consider purchasing instead.

1) Avoid Toys That Look Like Weapons

This might seem like a no-brainer when it comes to TSA rules, but airports intercept a lot of toy or replica weapons that appear to baggage scanners to be the real thing. At the security line, there’s a fine line between toys, sports equipment, and weapons: Toys resembling guns, swords, and explosives are sure to spook your security screener; but sporting equipment like bats and lacrosse sticks that could be used as a weapon will be snagged as well.

What to Do Instead: Your best bet is to check all sporting items, and to avoid packing anything resembling a weapon. “In general, it’s best to avoid packing toy or replica weapons in carry-on luggage,” TSA Spokesman Michael McCarthy told me. “These items should be placed in checked luggage or left at home when possible.”

2) No Alcohol Over 140-Proof

A lesser-known item that’s banned from both checked and carry-on bags, strong liquors over 140-proof (70 percent alcohol) like absinthe or 151-proof rum are prohibited from planes by the Federal Aviation Administration. Don’t plan on gifting a bottle of absinthe you got in Amsterdam or bringing back some 151-proof liquor from a distillery visit; TSA can confiscate it on behalf of the FAA, regardless of which bag you packed it in.

What to Do Instead: Your souvenir doesn’t have to be jet-fuel strong—try grabbing a less flammable local spirit, or opt for a subscription service to enjoy wine varietals from around the world without having to pack them: Vinebox delivers wines tailored to your tastes starting around $80 per month, and makes a great gift.

3) Skip the Gift Wrap

Getting a jump on wrapping isn’t a good idea if you’ll be flying with gifts. Anything wrapped in paper, like presents or food items like pies (which are allowed, but subject to extra screening) are likely to be unwrapped for inspection if agents can’t tell through the scanner if it violates TSA rules.

What to Do Instead: Use gift bags instead of wrapping gifts. Gifts wrapped in festive, easy-open gift bags can be easily rewrapped if necessary and won’t violate any TSA rules.

4) Leave Toy Holiday ‘Crackers’ Behind

I’m not talking about snacks: Those English-style cardboard Christmas crackers that pop and explode with tiny gifts like paper crowns are prohibited from planes and therefore against TSA rules. While they’re a fun tradition and could seem like a great souvenir if you’re returning from the U.K., they’re banned from aircraft, meaning they’ll likely be tossed from your checked or carry-on bags.

What to Do Instead: These can usually be purchased online or back home, if you’re really set on having them for your holiday celebrations.

 5) Minimize Carry-on Liquids

Don’t forget that 3-1-1 TSA rules also apply to traveling with gifts. Bottles of wine or spirits will have to be checked unless they’re under 3.4 ounces, and the same goes for cologne and perfumes that are over the liquid limit. Also remember to avoid aerosol items that could be considered flammable.

What to Do Instead: If you’re not checking a bag but want to purchase a gift bottle of perfume or wine, buying at the duty-free shop beyond airport security is your only option. Make the best of it by getting something you can’t at home, or that’s more affordable when it’s tax-free.

6) Declare Animal Products Like Cheeses with Customs

This one doesn’t fall under TSA rules—solid cheese is fine to pack for domestic travel. However, international food souvenirs like meats and cheeses could get tossed per customs and agriculture regulations on animal products if they aren’t declared or if they violate requirements. Splurging on fancy cheese or charcuterie to gift with local wine probably isn’t worthwhile if it won’t make it home.

What to Do: To be safe, make sure you declare all animal-derived food items at customs, and keep creamy or water-packed cheeses under 3.4 ounces if they’re in your carry-on bag. Or, if you don’t want to risk wasting money on international items that could easily get confiscated, sign up for a subscription service that will ship both your favorite international items and new ones to try, like Try the World, from $40 per month.

 7) Snow Globes

Even if you’re flying with gifts that aren’t necessarily meant to be opened, they can still be discarded under TSA rules if they contain liquid over the 3.4-ounce limit. TSA rules state that snow globes bigger than a tennis ball should stay behind.

What to Do Instead: If you’re not already shopping online, it’s the way to go.

The post Flying with Gifts: The TSA Rules You Need to Know appeared first on SmarterTravel.

You May Regret Being Cheap While Traveling

A cheap flight, inconveniently located hotel, or minuscule rental car may save you money, but they’ll likely still cost you plenty of regret and inconvenience. Want to avoid feeling the regret of being cheap when you travel? Then avoid these mistakes:

Waiting for the Shuttle to an Off-Airport Rental Car

You just survived a long flight and are ready to get to your final destination. Too bad you booked with a shady rental car company that’s located in an industrial area far from the airport. Now, instead of hopping in a car and driving off, you’re trekking to some forgotten corner of a far-off terminal and waiting for a rental car shuttle bus that may or may not come.

Getting up Before Dawn for an Early Flight

Hovering over the “book” button, you think to yourself, “I’m saving $50! I’m so frugal! I get up early for work every day, a 6:00 a.m. flight won’t be that bad!” Until the night before your flight when you’re calculating just how early you have to wake up to be at the airport in time … and realize that you’re going to be spending the first day of your vacation sleep-deprived. Plus, if you have to be up before public transit is running, you may end up spending what you saved on the flight to take a taxi to the airport.

Lying Awake at Night Listening to Your Hostel Roommates Snore

How bad can a 20-bed room in a hostel be? After all, you’ll only be there to sleep, so why bother spending more for a private room? If one of those 20 beds is booked by a loud snorer, a sleep-talker, or someone waking up early for a flight, pretty bad—and will defeat you being in there to sleep, since you won’t get any.

Settling Into the Middle Seat in the Back of the Plane

After spending too many hundreds of dollars on a bare-bones economy ticket, it can be hard to persuade yourself to give another penny to an airline. You’ll stuff everything into a small carry-on and be willing to board last… but when you settle into the non-reclining middle seat next to the bathroom, you will be cursing your past self for being cheap and not paying the fee to select your seat.

When Your Tiny Rental Car Might Not Make It

The economy rental car option seemed like a fine idea when you were looking at it on the website and trying to cut costs, but when your budget vehicle turns out to be comically toy-sized (especially compared to those semi trucks whizzing past you on the highway), you might start to have some regrets about being cheap. See also: that heart-stopping moment when you wonder if your car is actually going to make it up a hill/down that dirt road or if you’re going to figure out how roadside service works in a foreign destination.

Dragging Your Suitcase on Public Transit

Everyone on this packed train hates me, you’ll realize as you try to squeeze your way on with your suitcase while accidentally whacking a few commuters with your backpack. As you’re dragging your luggage up and down the stairs, through crowds, and off the train or bus, you’ll rue being cheap and not just splurging on a taxi.

Stressing Over Your Flight Connection

When you’re on the first leg of a plane journey with a tight connection, every minute your plane doesn’t board, or sits on the tarmac without taking off, feels like an eternity—the flight with the 50-minute layover was the cheapest option, but does that cost savings matter if you miss it?

Waiting in Line to Buy a Ticket Instead of Paying the Booking Fee

This ticket site wants how much to book admission in advance? I’ll wait and buy it at the window, you think… until you arrive at the attraction and discover everything is sold out, or that the line is hours long. Is being cheap worth wasting your precious vacation time standing in line? If it’s a Ticketmaster-esque ridiculous fee, it can be a tough decision.

When You Reach Hour Five on the Slow Ferry or Train

The slow ferry/bus/train won’t be that much worse than the express, you think. Imagine all the scenery I’ll see. That sounds like a great, cost-saving measure until you’re trapped on an excruciatingly slow form of transport, experiencing fatigue and pain from sitting for so long, and thinking of everything you’re missing by not arriving sooner.

The post 9 Times You’ll Regret Being Cheap When You Travel appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Here are seven things you should never do on a plane—or you’ll face fines, getting kicked off the flight, or, at the very least, judgment from other flyers.

Drink Your Own Alcohol

Although it’s perfectly legal to bring your own alcohol aboard a plane (as long as it’s under 3.4 ounces or purchased in the airport after security), it’s actually against the law to consume it. Passengers can only drink alcoholic beverages served to them by flight attendants, who are trained to recognize signs of intoxication and cut off flyers who have had too much to drink. With alcohol-fueled in-flight incidents on the rise, many flight attendants are cracking down on passengers who attempt to serve themselves alcohol onboard. 

Penalties for drinking your own alcohol on a plane can be severe—the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can and will pursue legal enforcement action against any unruly passengers. Flyers who ignore the rules can be fined up to $37,000 per violation in civil penalties.

Behave Inappropriately to Flight Attendants or Passengers

We hope we don’t have to remind you to behave kindly toward flight attendants and other passengers on your flight, but you should know that if you lose your temper on board, there’s a no-tolerance policy for aggressive or inappropriate behavior on planes.

The FAA has referred 43 unruly passenger cases to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for criminal prosecution review this year alone. “Dangerous passengers put everyone at risk—and the Biden-Harris Administration has been clear that those who disrupt flights will be held accountable,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Unruly travelers face stiff fines from the FAA and possible criminal prosecution too.”

Wear Something Inappropriate

It may surprise you to learn this, but airlines actually have dress codes, which can usually be found by reading the Conditions of Carriage. For example, American Airlines’ dress code specifies, “Dress appropriately; bare feet or offensive clothing aren’t allowed.”

Plenty of people have learned this the hard way by being kicked off of a plane for wearing clothing that the airline deemed too revealing or otherwise inappropriate.

Introduce Strong Smells Into the Cabin

Those same Conditions of Carriage that define what you shouldn’t wear on a plane also have an important note about odor. American Airlines’ specifies, “Be respectful that your odor isn’t offensive (unless it’s caused by a disability or illness),” and many other airlines have the same clause. 

In addition to making sure that your personal odor isn’t offensive, be respectful when choosing what food to bring on a plane (maybe leave the tuna fish at the gate) and what activities to engage in—now is not the time to paint your nails, and a seatback tray table is not a diaper-changing area. 

Joke About Threats

You might think it’s obvious that you’re joking if you make a sarcastic comment about having a weapon with you, but flight attendants have to take your remarks very seriously. For example, on an Air Canada flight, a passenger was asked about her bag, which did not entirely fit in the overhead bin. The passenger joked, “There’s a bomb in it”, which then triggered a flight delay of over two hours and a closure of the entire terminal while a bomb squad searched the premises. 

Keep any comments about weapons, fights, or anything else offensive to yourself aboard a plane.

Attempt to Vape or Smoke

Smoke from e-cigarettes might seem less noticeable than regular cigarettes, but it can still set off the fire alarms on planes, causing a flight to be diverted out of safety concerns. Or worse, cause an actual fire on the plane, like this malfunctioning e-cigarette did on an American Airlines flight. All forms of smoking, including e-cigarettes, are banned on planes. 

Passengers who attempt to sneak a smoke can face fines of up to $4,000, be removed from the plane, and/or be arrested.

Listen to Your Devices Without Headphones

We’ve all been there—you board a long flight only to discover that your headphones are dead. Unfortunately, that doesn’t give you the right to listen to your music, stream shows, or play video games with the volume on. The other passengers in your row didn’t sign up for your DJ set, so please keep your entertainment to yourself. 

Parents, this also applies to kids’ devices—we know you need to keep them entertained, but a child-size pair of headphones is a necessity in a shared space.

The post 7 Things You Should Never Do on a Plane appeared first on SmarterTravel.

When you travel a lot, it’s natural to develop habits that work for you. For me, the few days before a trip tend always to follow the same pattern: I review my itinerary, make a mental list of what I want to pack, plan accordingly, and make my bed before I leave the house. Unfortunately, I’ve also developed a few bad travel habits along the way.

Bad Travel Habits and How to Quit Them

One habit that’s proven particularly hard to break is refusing to splurge on cabs when I’ll be out all day. Because I try to walk everywhere to save money, my feet are the ones paying the price at the end of the day.

We’ve all got our bad travel habits, but the good news is that you can break them with a little bit of effort. Whether you’re a workaholic walker like me or a packing procrastinator, here are some ways to break even your most persistent bad behaviors.

Not Learning Basic Vocabulary

If you frequently land in a new country and realize you never learned how to say hello or thank you, you’re probably familiar with how silly it makes you feel. Learning new languages is difficult and might not seem worth it if you’re passing through many different countries or staying for a short amount of time, but knowing the basics can make all the difference when it comes to how comfortable you feel and how well you connect with local people.

Solution: Of course, there are plenty of language apps and tutorials you can use to learn a language, but there’s an easier solution if you don’t think you’ll have time to practice. Instead, make it a point to look up the basic words of the new language at least once before your trip and write them down. Keep them somewhere handy, like saved on a note on your phone, and when you get there, you’ll have them at your fingertips.

Booking at the Last Minute

You can tell yourself that you’re waiting for the prices to drop, but unless you’re very flexible, that can backfire: The longer you wait, the fewer options you’ll have. Whether you’re booking flights, accommodation, or a tour, you’re almost always better off booking well in advance and having everything organized before your trip.

Solution: If you still want to hold out for low rates, set a “book by” date for yourself at least a week or two before you leave for your trip. Consider it a self-imposed deadline and do whatever you need to do to hold yourself accountable. I like to schedule my personal deadlines into my calendar to make them feel more official.

Not Giving Yourself Enough Time to Pack

If you’ve got packing problems, it’s likely you’re a repeat procrastinator. This is one of the most common travel habits, and it can be tough to break when life is busy. If packing lists have no effect on you, there’s one thing you can do that you probably have to do anyway.

Solution: A few days before you leave, do your laundry. Instead of putting your clothes away in your closet, pack the fresh clothes right into your suitcase. Not only will this ensure that the clothes you wear most often are fresh and clean, but it will also help you get a start on planning your outfits before and during your trip. After you put in your first load, pull out your luggage and start researching the essential items for your destination.

Packing More Than You Need

If you’re a chronic overpacker, you’ve probably had your fair share of struggles with the check-in luggage scale and bags that just won’t close. You might think you need to take advantage of your airline’s full luggage allowance, but the truth is you shouldn’t be filling up your luggage just because you can.

Solution: Use a smaller suitcase. Consider how long you’ll be traveling and how many of your outfits can be reused, and then find luggage appropriately sized for the length of your trip. You’d be surprised how little you’ll need.

Not Splurging When You Should

This one varies from traveler to traveler, but everyone has that one thing they hate to spend money on. I’m very stubborn about paying for cabs or public transportation and often choose walking instead. The downside of this is that I’m often too tired to enjoy a night out, or I suffer from aching feet. For others, being too stubborn to spend might mean booking accommodation far from the center of town or missing out on a special food because it’s a little pricey.

Solution: Give yourself a budget to splurge. This small act of premeditation can make a huge difference in your travel experience. Knowing you’ll have a little money set aside to live a little will help you feel more comfortable spending spontaneously. Remember, this should be a set budget totally separate from your emergency fund to remove any guilt you might have.

Not Learning the Exchange Rate Ahead of Time

If this is one of your bad travel habits, you’ve probably wondered repeatedly if you’re paying a fair price whenever you’re confronted with a new currency.

Solution: Keep a currency exchange app on your phone. Take out all the uncertainty at the cash register by keeping a reference ready. What’s great about the apps is that they are constantly updating, which means you’ll always know the most recent rate.

Overbooking Yourself

Ever feel like you need a vacation after your vacation? It’s probably because you’re signing on for too much. When you’ve only got a set number of days somewhere, it’s tempting to try and do it all, but that’s no reason to treat your vacation like one long to-do list.

Solution: Make peace with not being able to see everything. And if you can’t do that, make a list, identify your priorities, and book only those priorities. Leave everything else up to the moment. Trust me: That cooking class probably won’t seem like such a good idea after you’ve actually completed the three-hour walking tour. 

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

The post 7 Bad Travel Habits and How to Quit Them appeared first on SmarterTravel.

No question is more divisive among flyers than whether or not to recline your seat on a plane. Either you feel like you should be able to recline fully and everyone else should follow suit to gain space (except the poor person in the last row), or you’re firmly of the opinion that airplane seats are small enough already and no one should recline and take away the limited space of the person behind them. 

Some flyers believe in a middle ground, feeling that reclining should be done only in certain situations—like on a long-haul flight when everyone is sleeping and not on a short flight immediately after takeoff. 

We want to settle this question once and for all by asking SmarterTravel readers:
Do you recline on a plane? 

Stay tuned for the answers, which we’ll share in an upcoming newsletter.

The post Should You Recline Your Seat on an Airplane? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Certain phrases and requests have become notorious pain points for flight attendants who fly hundreds of times a year. They’re guaranteed to make any flight attendant mentally roll their eyes, even as they maintain their professional smile. Before you join the ranks of passengers who unknowingly commit this mile-high faux pas, consider the impact of your words on these hardworking crew members. Flight attendants aren’t just service providers; they’re trained safety professionals whose primary responsibility is ensuring your well-being during the flight. The following ten phrases represent a compilation of their most cringe-worthy passenger interactions—those special moments that make them wish they could temporarily disable the call button or, at the very least, serve your drink with an extra helping of disdain.

Can You Watch My Kids?

You’ve paid plenty for your coach ticket, so now it’s time to relax, take a nap, and maybe let your kids run wild. After all, the flight attendants are just sitting at the back of the plane—they will be happy to watch your little darlings, right? Wrong.

“I’ve had passengers get mad at me because we didn’t have a play area on the plane. Another passenger came to the back of the plane and asked me where she could put her baby. She didn’t want to hold it,” flight attendant Heather Poole told Parade Magazine. Flight attendants already have enough to do and can’t take on babysitting duties.

This Drink Is Too Expensive!

Yes, that in-flight drink is too expensive. But whining to the flight attendant isn’t going to change anything. Do you really think the CEO of a major airline consults with the flight attendants before raising prices on drinks? Trust us, the flight attendant to whom you’re complaining is not making a commission off overpriced gin and tonics. (Starting salaries for flight attendants can be as low as $27,000 per year, and there’s definitely no kickback from expensive drinks factored into that.)

Fetch Me …

We all wish we had a personal butler we could summon with the ring of a bell. However, despite the presence of a call button above every airplane seat, the flight attendant is not that butler. Demanding that the flight attendant “fetch” you something is a sure way to get on a flight attendant’s bad side. 

Use the call button only when it’s really necessary, such as times when you can’t get out of your seat and genuinely need something. If you want a glass of water or a blanket, walk back to the galley and ask for it in person.

Hey, stewardess!

The word “stewardess” is about as contemporary as the glamorous coach-class experience of yesteryear. Both are gone forever. “Stewardess” was in vogue when women were the only people hired as flight attendants. 

Nowadays, both men and women work as cabin crew, and the term “flight attendant” reflects not only this but the expanded duties that they are responsible for onboard. 

Wait, What Kind of Drinks Do You Have?

The beverage service doesn’t just magically appear in front of you. The start of the service is usually announced on the PA system, along with a list of the beverages available on board that day. Couldn’t hear the announcement? You can usually find a card in your seatback pocket that lists what you can order. The snacks and drinks on offer are also usually listed in the airline’s app, if you have it downloaded. 

So if you’re craving something out of the ordinary (“Do you have any Diet Mountain Dew on this flight?”) or exotic (“Man, I could go for a can of cran-pineapple-berry-tang juice!”), consult your in-flight card to see if it’s being served. Flight attendants hate having to run down the list of available drinks for every passenger who asks—and they’ll be even more annoyed if you ask what’s on offer after they’ve just told the person sitting next to you what’s available. 

Can You Help Me Lift My Bag?

Congratulations. You’ve managed to cram everything you own into your carry-on bag. There’s no way you’re gate-checking it now, even if it does weigh 100 pounds. Who cares if you can’t lift it—you’ll just ask one of the flight attendants to heft it into the overhead bin for you. They’re basically baggage handlers that come along for the ride, right? Wrong. 

During flight attendant training, crew members are advised never to lift baggage for passengers because it’s a common cause of injury. Repeatedly hefting heavy suitcases into the overhead bins can cause health issues, and if a flight attendant is hurt loading bags, it could cause a flight delay or cancellation. 

It’s not a flight attendant’s job to help you lift your bag, so make sure you can actually lift and stow whatever you pack. 

I Will Blow Up This Plane If I Don’t Get Bumped to First Class!

Your terrorism jokes aren’t funny. Ever. Instead of laughs, the joke’s on you: That idle threat will get you kicked off the plane and possibly arrested.

I’ll Turn Off My Phone in One More Minute!

Different airlines have different policies about using electronic devices during takeoff and landing. Once you’re on the plane, though, the flight attendant’s word is law. So when you’re asked to turn off your phone or laptop, it means now, people. Holding up your finger to signal one more minute is rude. Stop it.

Can You Throw Away This Bag Of Vomit For Me?

Flight attendants see enough gross stuff already. They don’t need to be tasked with throwing away your used air-sickness bag or your baby’s dirty diaper. Walk to the lavatory and throw it away yourself. (And if you’re throwing away a dirty diaper, that raises another question: Where are you changing that kid? Please don’t do it on the tray table.)

Nothing (In an Exit Row)

While most passengers appreciate a quiet flight, there’s one crucial moment when your voice needs to be heard: the emergency exit row safety briefing. That seemingly simple “yes” you’re asked to provide in response to the question about being willing and able to perform safety duties in an emergency isn’t just a formality—it’s a legal requirement. Flight attendants must verify that every passenger seated in an exit row can both understand and respond to verbal and visual instructions, as these individuals could play a vital role in an emergency evacuation.

If you remain silent during this safety check, the flight attendant will have no choice but to relocate you to a different seat. This policy isn’t about being difficult; it’s about ensuring the safety of everyone on board. Remember, those extra legroom seats come with extra responsibility, and your verbal confirmation is the first step in accepting that duty.

The post 10 Things You Should Never Say to a Flight Attendant appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Food You Can’t Finish

If you decide that a long flight is the time to enjoy a special treat, more power to you. Just make sure you have time to finish it—or that you’re okay with throwing it away before you land if you’re on an international flight. In most countries, you’ll have to declare any food (even packaged items) before entering, and something that you’ve opened up might not make it in.

Fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat usually won’t be allowed in, due to agricultural concerns. (The U.S. Customs and Border Control Agency offers this helpful guide, but other countries will have different rules.) Know that this rule applies even to food that you were given on the plane—if you toss the banana from your in-flight breakfast into your backpack, you’ll need to declare it upon arrival in another country.

Instant Soups

Some people will tell you to bring a cup of noodles or other instant soup aboard a flight for a filling meal. Once in the air, you can ask the flight attendant for boiling water during meal service. Although a mug of hot soup may sound enticing, it’s a bad idea to keep a cup of scalding liquid near your lap when turbulence could strike at any second.

Plus, many prepackaged ramen cups have close to half of your daily recommendation of sodium, which certainly won’t help you fight jet bloat.

I actually tried out this trick on a flight once, and the flight attendant told me that she did not recommend consuming the hot water offered on planes, as it comes from water tanks that are not cleaned regularly. (Keep this in mind next time you order coffee or tea as well.)

Noisy Foods

Crunch… crunch… crunch. Put down the chips or raw vegetables—your seatmate does not want to listen to you chew. Crunchy foods can sound louder than a jet engine when you’re basically chewing right in your seatmate’s ear. Remember that the person next to you has nowhere to go, so save the noisy foods for when you land.

Messy Foods

If you’d struggle to tackle what you’re eating on a full-sized table with actual metal utensils, don’t attempt it on a tiny tray table with flimsy plastic forks and minimal elbow room. Airplanes aren’t given a deep cleaning between most flights, so you might be leaving crumbs or other leftovers behind for the next occupant of your seat.

Smelly

If you’re tempted to bring hardboiled eggs, tuna fish, or other strong-smelling food aboard, stop and think about whether everyone trapped in the small cabin with you wants to smell what you’re eating. (The airlines are big offenders on this one, too—often offering a fish option at dinnertime.)

Greasy Foods

Grabbing a fast food meal can be the cheapest and easiest airport option, but it’s really not the best choice for flying. A greasy meal ticks both the “smelly” and “messy” options, and the often-high sodium content of fast food options can make you swollen and bloated, making you uncomfortable for the rest of the flight.

Peanuts

Tiny packets of complimentary peanuts have mostly disappeared from planes due to the growing number of peanut allergies worldwide. If the only snack you’ve packed is a peanut butter sandwich or bag of nuts, you might not be able to eat it if the flight crew announces that there is a serious peanut allergy onboard.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2016. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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You may think it’s easy to communicate when you’re visiting another English-speaking country, but think again! Certain words mean something entirely different on the other side of the world. Read on to see which eight words could cause you embarrassment across the pond or down under.

1. Pants

Be careful who you tell in the U.K. that you have to go pants shopping—across the pond, “pants” means “underwear.” When you’re talking about jeans and khakis, you should call them “trousers.”

Avoid Using In: The U.K., Ireland

2. Fanny

Own a fanny pack? In most other English-speaking countries, they’re called “bum bags” because “fanny” is slang for a part of the female anatomy (and no, we’re not talking about the rear end). So don’t tell someone to stop being lazy and get off their fanny, either!

Avoid Using In: The U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa

3. Pissed

In America, we may get “pissed off” when we’re angry, but the Brits and Irish who are “pissed” are extremely intoxicated. “Taking the piss,” however, means “to make fun of,” not “to get drunk.”

Avoid Using In: The U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand

4. Bangs

Prepare for weird looks if you’re bragging about your new “bangs” in England. A forehead-covering haircut over there is referred to as a “fringe” instead. Overseas, “bangs” is more commonly used as the somewhat vulgar slang that it is interchangeable with in America.

Avoid Using In: Anywhere outside of North America

5. Knob

Americans hear the word “knob” and think “doorknob” or “lever.” It has a much dirtier meaning in other countries, like Australia and the U.K., where it’s an insult or slang for a part of the male anatomy. Now you’ll know to be offended if someone calls you a “knob head.”

Avoid Using In: The U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa

6. Root

Americans may “root around” looking for a lost object, but Australians and New Zealanders use the term to refer to having sex.

Avoid Using In: Australia, New Zealand

7. Bugger

If you affectionately call your child or pet “little bugger,” you might want to reconsider doing so in pretty much any other English-speaking country. In most other places, from Canada to Australia, it is commonly used as an expletive similar to the f-word.

Avoid Using In: Most places outside of America

8. Pull

If someone “pulled” last night in the U.K., they’re probably not talking about pulling a muscle or drawing something apart. It’s commonly used as slang for successfully picking up someone while out on the town. Likewise, “going on the pull” means that someone is going out with the express goal of getting some action.

Avoid Using In: The U.K., Ireland

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2013. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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Don’t Use the Remote Control

Study after study has confirmed what germophobes everywhere have long believed: Hotel rooms are disgusting, fetid pools of fecal bacteria. We won’t get into the specifics just in case you’re reading this on your lunch break, but suffice it to say, you wouldn’t be out of place wearing a hazmat suit inside your room. And while there’s no shortage of filth-ridden surfaces to be wary of, the nastiest culprit by far is the TV remote control. You’ve got a few options here: Bring some antibacterial wipes with you, download a smartphone app to control the television, or just avoid TV altogether. Oh, and while we have your attention … don’t sleep on or under the quilt, either. Just trust us on this one.

Don’t Leave Valuables Lying Around

Perhaps this seems obvious, but we’ve heard enough stories of hotel-room thefts that we think it bears mentioning: Hide your valuables. Put them in the safe if you can (even if that means paying a small fee—it sure beats the cost of replacing that nice watch or fancy earrings). If there’s no space available, and you don’t want to carry them with you at all times, stash your valuables in an inconspicuous place, such as inside an empty vitamin or aspirin container. Hotel thieves know all the usual hiding spots, though, so an even better plan is to leave all or most of your valuables at home.

Don’t Forget to Put up the ‘Do Not Disturb’ Sign

People tend to get frisky in hotel rooms. Maybe it’s just the natural aphrodisiac of being someplace new. Who knows? The point is, it happens—a lot. But here’s the thing: Your hotel room isn’t exactly private until you put up the “do not disturb” sign. So if you want to be alone, make sure everyone knows it first. Otherwise, Murphy’s Law suggests your intimate moment may not be so intimate after all.

Don’t Reveal Your Room Number

Don’t say your room number aloud at check-in, at a restaurant, or to that friendly stranger you’ve just met. It’s just not a good idea. If you want to meet up with someone new, agree to meet in a public space—preferably one that’s not even at your hotel. The last thing you want to deal with on your vacation or business trip is a break-in.

Don’t Open the Door

It’s an automatic reaction for some people: There’s a knock at the door, so they answer it. Not a good idea. Make sure you know who’s there before you open the door—even if you’re expecting someone, like room service. Similarly, don’t leave the door ajar if you leave to get ice or, in some places, use the bathroom across the hall. You might return to find your room ransacked. Or worse yet, you might catch an unexpected guest waiting for you. And as long as we’re on the topic of leaving your room for ice, don’t do it au naturel either, or you may end up a hilarious Internet sensation like this guy.

Don’t Go Anywhere Near the Minibar

The good old days of perusing the minibar “just to see what’s in there” are long gone at many hotel chains. Those exorbitantly priced snacks are now more booby-trapped than the golden idol at the start of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Even jostling the Snickers bar a little could trigger the sensor, and just like that you’ve run up an automatic charge on your room bill.

Don’t Forget to Look for Bedbugs

They’re small, they’re nasty, and they’re pretty much everywhere these days—even at high-end hotels. Bedbugs are the world’s first (and worst) souvenir: They love coming home with you. Look for the incriminating signs of these little creepers before you put your bags down on the hotel bed or furniture for any lengthy period of time. Keep an eye out for the critters’ blood or fecal stains on your sheets or mattress and for the little buggers themselves on the mattress, headboard, couch, chair, and any other furniture.

Don’t Drink the Tap Water

Did you hear the one about the nice British couple who noticed a funny taste in the drinking water at a downtown Los Angeles hotel? It turns out the couple (and the hotel’s other guests) had been drinking from a corpse-tainted water supply for weeks. You read that right: There was a dead body floating around and decomposing in the rooftop water tank. And while this may be the most extreme case of tainted water we’ve heard in a while, it’s certainly not the only story of good water gone bad. Our advice: Don’t drink the tap water, no matter where you’re staying. Nothing good ever comes of it.

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Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2013. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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