Big, bustling cities aren't exactly known for their calm, well-mannered citizens. Urban-dwellers are typically exhausted, constantly on the move, and essentially living on top of their neighbors. They've got places to go and people to see, and there's little time for a kind exchange with the cashier, opening doors for strangers, or giving up a precious seat on the bus. But which U.S. cities have the worst reputation for rudeness? A survey by Insider and SurveyMonkey went to the source to find out. The survey asked nearly 2,100 Americans to rank what they believed were the five rudest U.S. cities from a list of the nation's 50 largest cities. And if you put all your money on New York City topping the charts as the number-one rudest city in America, you'd be very rich right now. On the other hand, Raleigh, N.C., came in at number 50 on the list, speaking to its reputation for civility, with only 1.4 percent of survey participants declaring North Carolina's capital the rudest. No news here: NYC—the Big Apple, the City that Never Sleeps—isn't for the faint of heart. The island city definitely has its bright spots (why else would 8.8 million people choose to live there?), but good manners apparently aren't one of them.1 New York, N.Y., was named the rudest city by a landslide by 34 percent of survey-takers. Whether they've lived there, visited, kept up with NYC news, or heard tales of its particularly ornery inhabitants, Americans are pretty set in their perception of this Northeastern metropolis. Coming in just behind New York City, according to this survey, are Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Boston. There's just something about buzzing, populous cities, notably all coastal cities (even Chicago, which abuts Lake Michigan) that breeds more rude behavior than other locations. What else can we expect from millions of people forced to live, work, eat, and commute in such close quarters? And does this mean everyone who lives in these five cities is totally uncivil? Of course not. But you're likely to encounter more questionable manners here than in, say, Raleigh, North Carolina, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, or Providence, R.I.—at least based on this particular opinion report from Insider. And here's an idea: Anyone really looking to avoid gruff, disgruntled neighbors might want to check out Utah—recently voted the happiest state in the U.S., according to WalletHub. Just a thought. Here's an official rudeness ranking of 50 American cities, starting with the worst offender. 1. New York, N.Y. 2. Los Angeles, Calif. 3. Washington D.C. 4. Chicago, Ill. 5. Boston, Mass. 6. Detroit, Mich. 7. Buffalo, N.Y. 8. Baltimore, Md. 9. Philadelphia, Pa. 10. San Francisco, Calif. 11. Birmingham, Ala. 12. Atlanta, Ga. 13. Las Vegas, Nev. 14. Dallas, Texas 15. Miami, Fla. 16. Austin, Texas 17. Jacksonville, Fla. 18. Houston, Texas 19. Cleveland, Ohio 20. Tampa, Fla. 21. Sacramento, Calif. 22. San Diego, Calif. 23. Pittsburgh, Pa. 24. Cincinnati, Ohio 25. Charlotte, N.C. 26. Hartford, Conn. 27. Indianapolis, Ind. 28. Seattle, Wash. 29. San Jose, Calif. 30. St. Louis, Mo. 31. Columbus, Ohio 32. Kansas City, Mo. 33. Nashville, Tenn. 34. Portland, Ore. 35. New Orleans, La. 36. Memphis, Tenn. 37. Louisville, Ky. 38. San Antonio, Texas 39. Oklahoma City, Okla. 40. Orlando, Fla. 41. Riverside, Calif. 42. Virginia Beach, Va. 43. Phoenix, Ariz. 44. Denver, Colo. 45. Richmond, Va. 46. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. 47. Salt Lake City, Utah 48. Providence, R.I. 49. Milwaukee, Wis. 50. Raleigh, N.C.

Summer is here, which means the vacation season is officially in full force. Whether you’re planning to jet off overseas, take a road trip, or even head to your local beach for a few days, many of us have travel plans that we’re excited about. But unfortunately, your time away from home also makes your house more vulnerable to burglary. However, that doesn’t mean you should go away and be worried. Rather, the contrary. Consider this the perfect opportunity to finally get proactive about securing your home. Here are four things you should always do before you go on vacation. Automate Your Lights With Smart Lighting Jim Nye, Vivint CPO, recommends automating your lights with smart bulbs. “A property that remains dark all night might signal to potential thieves that the house is unoccupied. Automated smart lighting inside and out can be very effective in deterring burglars.” Vivint offers a smart lighting system that allows you to create custom schedules on an easy-to-use app. However, if you are on a budget or rent your home, there are plenty of smart bulbs on the market that are compatible with systems you may already have, such as Alexa or Google Home. Keep in mind that you don’t need to buy smart bulbs for every room. Start with just the rooms that have windows facing the street. Secure All Doors and Windows With Sensors Before you head out for an extended time away, make sure all the windows and doors are closed and locked. Don’t forget to take one last look before you hit the road. Nye tells me it can be easy to miss that basement window or that back door you rarely use. “By installing smart sensors throughout your home ahead of time, you’ll be able to easily see which doors and windows are still open via a central app and secure them accordingly before you go.” Swap Out Your Spare Keys for Smart Locks Professional thieves know what to look for and this includes the spare key that many of us keep hidden under a rock or planter on the front porch. Smart locks are a far better solution to this problem. “Smart locks can be controlled remotely and allow you to give a friend an access code, so they can watch your house while you’re away. You can also stay notified of their activity the whole time,” says Nye. No time to install a smart lock before you go? Make plans to give anyone planning to come by a key in person, instead of potentially setting yourself up for trouble. Plan for Package Deliveries Did you order sunscreen and it didn’t arrive in time? What about that monthly box subscription scheduled to arrive the day after you leave? Nye advises planning for package deliveries and using a doorbell camera (they're often part of wireless doorbell systems). “Unattended packages on your porch are a clear sign that no one is home—and they also present a prime opportunity for porch piracy.” He recommends protecting your home by placing orders that will be delivered before or after your vacation. “If packages must arrive while you’re away, you can use a doorbell camera to deter porch pirates and receive alerts about those deliveries.” You also ask a neighbor to come by and take your packages inside while you're away. Then return the favor by doing the same for them while they’re on vacation. Lastly, you may be able to ask your local post office, or couriers like FedEx and UPS, to hold your boxes or reschedule delivery dates. If you have items on Amazon subscribe and save—be sure to change those dates or pause the month if need be.

If you’re a U.S. passport holder, you know how long the process can take to get it renewed, not to mention the stress involved hoping all your documents come back safely in the mail. But there's some good news—the U.S. Department of State announced it will now allow people to renew their passports online rather than using the traditional paper application method. “The Department of State is making our new online passport renewal system fully available to the public today, a significant step forward in ensuring that Americans can more easily access passport services,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a recent press release. “Instead of printing a paper application and mailing it with a check, Americans can now renew their passports through a secure process that will save time and effort.” To renew your passport online, visit the U.S. State Department website to confirm you meet the requirements, then create an account and start your online application. You'll also be asked to upload a digital photo with the specified dimensions and you'll need to pay all passport fees, among a few other steps. According to AP News, roughly 5 million Americans can use this new online feature each year. However, this only includes adults, “whose passport has expired within the past five years or will expire in the coming year,” and does not include children’s passports that need renewal or first-time applicants outside the U.S. interested in renewing their passports. Expedited applications are also not available with this new online feature. “By offering this online alternative to the traditional paper application process, the Department is embracing digital transformation to offer the most efficient and convenient passport renewal experience possible,” Blinken said in the press release. “Thanks to increased staffing, technological advancements, and a host of other improvements, the average routine passport is being processed today in roughly one-third the time as at the same point last summer, and well under the advertised six to eight weeks processing times.”

Prepping for a trip is a lot easier when you know what you can and can't put in your carry-on luggage. To help you avoid unpleasant surprises at the TSA checkpoint, we've broken down the rules into three lists: stuff you can carry on board, stuff you have to check, and stuff you can't carry on or check, so don't even bother traveling with it. Keep these guidelines in mind while you pack—and whenever you're choosing new luggage pieces—so you know how much you need to fit where. What You Can Bring on a Plane in Your Carry-On Small tools Certain small tools, such as screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers, are permitted, as long as they're seven inches or less in length. You can also carry on nail clippers, pill cutters, bottle openers, and small scissors with blades measuring four inches or less from the pivot point. All other tools should be securely wrapped (if sharp) and packed in checked baggage. Nonflammable liquids, gels, and aerosols—including food, drinks, and toiletries—in quantities of 3.4 ounces or less Nearly all liquids (like beverages, contact lens solution, shampoo, makeup products, liquid medicine, nail polish, perfume/cologne, and face toner); gels (like hair gel, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, and face serum); and aerosols (products dispensed in a pressurized spray can or bottle, like hairspray, dry shampoo, and spray-on deodorant)—are allowed in your carry-on luggage. However, they must be in a 3.4-ounce or smaller container and fit together in one quart-size clear zip-top plastic bag. That's known as the 3-1-1 rule, and it also applies to food like peanut butter and creamy cheese like brie, as well as alcohol (yes, mini bottles of booze are allowed as long as the alcohol content is less than 70%). So if you have a six-ounce tub of lotion and you've already used more than half of it, you're still not allowed to bring it through TSA security and onto the plane. However, exceptions to these rules can include medically necessary liquids, such as insulin and baby formula. Matches and lighters Passengers may carry on common lighters and one book of safety matches—however, strike-anywhere matches (those that can be lit by striking against any rough, dry surface) are prohibited in both checked and carry-on luggage. No matches, including safety matches, are permitted in checked baggage. Batteries You can pack dry batteries (AA, AAA, C, and D) in either carry-on or checked bags. Lithium batteries with 100 watt hours or less may be carried on the plane or checked, as long as they're in a device. Loose lithium batteries may only be carried on and cannot be checked. Knitting needles Materials for knitting and needlepoint are allowed in carry-on bags and checked luggage. Make sure any knitting needles are wrapped or otherwise protected to prevent injuring luggage handlers and inspectors. Gifts Wrapped presents can be carried on board, provided the contents meet safety and security regulations. But since security screeners may unwrap gifts for inspection, it's advisable to leave presents unwrapped until you reach your destination. Electronics Portable electronic items are typically allowed on board. Those that are smaller than a standard-size laptop, such as cellphones and tablet devices, do not have to be removed from baggage during screening. Larger electronics, including laptops, full-size video-game consoles, and full-size DVD players, must be removed from their cases, placed in a separate bin, and screened individually at security checkpoints. Medication and medical equipment All prescription and over-the-counter medications can be carried on board in unspecified quantities. Other medical necessities, including but not limited to inhalers, EpiPens, canes, casts, blood sugar test kits, crutches, liquid nutrition for passengers with a disability, and items used for medical or cosmetic reasons, such as mastectomy products, can also be packed in carry-on luggage. These items must be declared to screeners before going through security and are subject to additional screening. Baby food, equipment, and needs Baby formula, breast milk, juice, gel- or liquid-filled teethers, and canned, jarred, or processed baby food are permitted on board the airplane if a baby or a small child is traveling. These items do not need to meet the 3-1-1 rule like other liquids and gels do, but must be removed from your carry-on luggage, declared to screeners before going through security, and are subject to additional screening. In addition to food and formulas, baby wipes, child car seats, breast pumps, and baby carriers can be taken through security and onto the plane. Expensive items Though not an official requirement, jewelry, currency, and other valuable items should always be carried with you, provided they meet security regulations. It's a good idea to stash them in a separate compartment to keep them organized in travel bags or carry-ons. E-liquids, electronic cigarettes, and vaping devices As long as the amount of e-liquid you're carrying onboard is less than 3.4 ounces, it is allowed through security—quantities larger than 3.4 ounces must be checked. However, battery-powered e-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, and electronic nicotine delivery systems can only be taken on board the aircraft in your carry-on or on your person. The FAA prohibits all these devices in checked bags. Disposable and electric razors Both disposable and electric razors are allowed in either carry-on or checked luggage. Safety and straight razors must be checked. Wedding dress You can carry a wedding dress through security and onto your flight, but take precautions first. Pack the dress carefully and thoroughly in a protected garment bag. Contact your airline to ask about their policy for stowing the garment safely in the cabin and whether it counts as your carry-on item. (You may be charged extra to stash your wedding dress.) In addition, you should arrive early to the airport to ensure you get through security and to the gate early enough to talk with an airline agent about stowing the dress onboard. Small pets Small pets are allowed to travel with passengers through security checkpoints, but it's your responsibility to contact the airline for their specific policy. Pets need to be taken out of their carrier (which will also need to go through security) and screened by security. Restricted Items NOT Allowed on a Plane in Your Carry-On Sharp objects Sharp objects include a wide array of items, such as box cutters, ice axes and picks, knives (including pocket knives, but excluding plastic or round-bladed butter knives), meat cleavers, razor-type blades, and scissors that exceed four inches (smaller scissors can be carried on). Note that any sharp objects in your checked bags should be covered or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors. Sporting goods and athletic equipment With the exception of balls, many pieces of sporting equipment, such as baseball bats, golf clubs, ski poles, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, martial arts weapons, hiking poles, and tent spikes/poles, are prohibited from carry-on luggage and must be transported in checked baggage. However, some exceptions include tennis rackets, fishing poles, snow shoes, and longboards. Bicycles are sometimes allowed on flights, but it varies by airline—check with your airline for details. Self-defense items Self-defense sprays (like mace or pepper spray) and other items, such as billy clubs, black jacks, brass knuckles, kubotans, and other martial-arts weapons, are not permitted past security. Gel-type candles While solid wax candles are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage, gel-like candles can only be transported via checked bags. Large quantities of alcohol (more than 3.4 ounces) You can check up to five liters of adult beverages (as long as they contain less than 70% alcohol) in unopened retail packaging. Guns and ammunition Well-packaged ammunition and well-packaged, unloaded firearms, BB guns, compressed-air guns (e.g., paintball markers), pellet guns, starter pistols, and replicas can be put in your checked luggage but must be declared at check-in. Per TSA regulations on guns: "Firearms carried in checked bags must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in." And on ammunition: "Small arms ammunitions must be securely packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask the airline about limitations or fees." When in doubt, ask your airline about specific rules and regulations for checking firearms. Items You're Not Allowed to Check OR Carry-On, So Leave Them at Home Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof Any beverage with over 70% alcohol content, such as grain alcohol and 151 proof rum, cannot be checked or taken onto the plane in your carry-on bag. Flammable items Aerosol cans (except limited quantities of personal care items that are 3.4 ounces or less), butane, fuels, gasoline, gas torches, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, flammable paints, turpentine, paint thinner, arc lighters, plasma lighters, electronic lighters, E-lighters, and replicas of incendiaries cannot be transported in any way on passenger airlines. Explosive materials Passengers cannot bring items such as fireworks, flares, hand grenades, blasting caps, dynamite, and replicas of explosive materials onboard aircrafts. Chemicals Chlorine, bleach, spillable batteries, spray paint, fertilizers, tear gas, and fire extinguishers are considered dangerous and are not permitted on commercial passenger aircrafts. Outdoor and wildlife safety products Items such as bear bangers (intended to scare away bears without harming them) and bear spray are not allowed on commercial aircraft. Penalties for Not Complying The agency will impose fines of up to several thousand dollars for attempting to carry on certain weapons or other dangerous materials.1 In other instances, you'll have to hand over the item or leave the security line to check it or, in the case of liquids, dump some of it out. (And then go back through security, which is a drag!) Some items may require additional screening. Ultimately, the TSA agent can make the final call on what's allowed through security. What if You're Not Sure You Can Carry On an Item? There's a very thorough (and searchable) list that covers a lot of potential gray-area items on the TSA website, along with some gimmes. For instance, who knew that you could bring light sabers or bowling balls in both checked and carry-on luggage? But it's pretty obvious that books are allowed to be packed in either spot! If you have a question that isn't covered on that site—though that's highly doubtful—you can always text "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872) to get your answers.

If there's anything that can make you lose that relaxed vacation vibe, it's dealing with crowds—whether it's long lines at the airport, major traffic jams, or Black Friday shopping over the holidays. So your best bet? Use some sneaky data to help you plan your next travel or shopping excursion so you miss the peak crowds. While it's pretty much impossible to avoid all crowds if you're traveling or shopping during busy times of year like the holidays or summer breaks, we turned to some of the top travel sites—including Google, KAYAK, and Expedia—to get some helpful data that can help you plan your errands and travels a bit more strategically. Keep reading to avoid chaotic crowds and long waits. The Best Time to Hit the Road Around Summer Holidays Summer is chock full of holidays that give you a little extra time to relax. Whether you're traveling for Memorial Day, 4th of July, or Labor Day, you want to avoid heading out the day before the holiday proper—especially after 2 p.m., as that's when the traffic hits in earnest. The traffic can also be busy the night before a holiday (such as the Thursday leading into the Labor Day or Memorial Day weekend), as people tend to add an extra day to get an extended, four-day getaway. As for traveling home, avoid mid-day on the holiday proper (i.e. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.). If you're flying for a holiday weekend getaway, Kayla Inserra DeLoache, KAYAK's consumer travel trends expert suggests leaving the Wednesday before the holiday weekend for the cheapest and least busy travel, and as early in the day as possible to avoid potential flight delays that tend to get worse as the day goes on. "This is because this is before the vast majority of travelers are starting to head out for the long weekend," DeLoache says. And while you may think the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the worst day to travel, the KAYAK data experts found that the Friday before Memorial Day weekend ranked as the busiest day of 2024. How to Avoid Traffic and Busy Times During Summer Vacation If you're traveling to a popular summer rental vacation spot, the traffic tends to be busiest on Friday nights, or Saturday mornings to mid-day, when many people are checking into or out of rentals. To avoid the crowds, consider seeking out rental homes that'll switch over at off times, such as a mid-week day or a Sunday. If you're flying for your summer getaway, Expedia suggests Tuesday as the least busy day to hit the airport generally, and saving your summer vacation for August. Both Expedia and KAYAK say July is the busiest travel month, so waiting until August gives you a less busy vacation travel—and you're likely to score the cheapest economy tickets, too. The Best Time to Hit the Road for Thanksgiving and Christmas Depending on your plans and your available vacation time, you may not be able to control when you hit the road for Thanksgiving and Christmas travel. However, if you can, try to avoid driving on the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving to avoid heavy traffic. Instead, try to start your trip a couple days earlier. According to Google, roads are clearest on the Sunday or Monday before Thanksgiving, around 8 p.m. And if you have to head out on Thanksgiving Day, Google recommends hitting the road before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. to avoid the worst traffic. If you're driving to your destination for Christmas, Google recommends avoiding the roads between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on the days leading up to the 25th, since that's when the roads are typically the most congested. The Best Time to Go Shopping on Black Friday Many people opt to shop online Black Friday deals these days, but if you do decide to shop in person, plan accordingly. According to Google, the roads are busiest on Black Friday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., so try to plan your shopping sprees before or after these times. The Busiest and Least Busy Times to Visit Popular Spots Want to get your errands done in no time flat? Follow these Google tips for when you can get in and out of the most common shopping and errand spots. Airport Busiest: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturdays Least busy: 7 a.m. on Sundays Bakery Busiest: 10-11 a.m. on Saturdays Least busy: 8 a.m. on Mondays Gas Station Busiest: 4-5 p.m. on Fridays Least busy: 7-8 a.m. on Sundays Grocery Store Busiest: 1 p.m. on Sundays Least busy: 8 a.m. on Sundays Post Office Busiest: 2 p.m. on Fridays Least busy: 3 p.m. on Saturdays Shopping Center Busiest: 1-2 p.m. on Saturdays Least busy: 10 a.m. Monday Salon Busiest: 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturdays Least busy: 6-7 p.m. on Sundays