Here are some simple tidbits to help you out....
Avoid or kill anyone talking about "praising the Black Sun".
Avoid anyone with the name Drizzt Do'Urden or Elminster. Once you come into contact with these characters, your own ceases to matter and you have no need to do anything... at all.. except sit there and bow in supplication like a subserveant peon
Don't make any deals with wizards dressed in red that have tattoos on their heads or any other visable parts (til you're at least level 10).
If you meet a Red Dragon named Klauth, just start making another character.
If you encounter a guy named Halaster in some "tunnels" under the city of Waterdeep, make a new character.
...Hell, if you go into those "tunnels" under Waterdeep, have a new character ready anyway.
If you find yourself in Zhentil Keep.. well, refer to the last few suggestions.
If you're ever involved in a huge battle, and a woman with silver hair appears and just stands there looking around... go over and stand by her. She'll make everything fuzzy and warm again.
If someone tells you to kneel before Bane's Might.. don't do it. Fight, or run away, but don't ever do it.
And finally!
If someone ever says.. "By Torm, there's a phaerimm right behind you!"... Don't turn around. Don't EVER turn around.
lol seriously, the realms are great. I've had some of my greatest games there. You can pretty much find or do anything in the realms, as long as you have a good DM who's not a Drizzt or Elminster fanboi.