When visiting a different country, there are ways to blend in and not appear like a tourist.
• Dress like locals.• Blend in to get better deals.• Know how to order food.• Research the customs of an area.• Try to not be obvious about checking maps or taking photos.
As fun as being a tourist is, it’s not always the best idea to look like one. People who are pegged as tourists are more likely to be pick-pocketed, and it can make it harder to get good deals when you’re browsing in local shops.
In some countries, locals are treated better. Here are a few ways to ensure that you don’t look like a tourist when you’re flying abroad for vacation.
Dress Like the Locals
Dressing like the locals can help you quickly and easily fit in. Along with being aware of current fashions, you should wear footwear that doesn’t immediately identify you as a tourist.
You should also be aware of what type of attire is appropriate when and where. In some countries, dressing up for meals or for dinner is expected. Additionally, there are numerous countries in Europe and Asia where casual American clothing just doesn’t fit in.
Loose-fitting clothing, bright colors and clothes with logos on them tend to be sure signs of a tourist. Wearing denim is often enough to identify you as a foreigner in countries where the locals wear nicer slacks.
In many countries, if you wish to enter sites that have a religious or cultural significance, you may be required to dress in a particular manner.
Know How to Order Food
Ordering food seems like it should be simple, but when you fly to foreign countries, you will find they have very specific ways of doing things. It may be normal for certain meals to have multiple courses or for coffee and alcohol to be ordered only at certain times of day. Additionally, in some countries, it is considered insulting to make special requests regarding food preparation.
Tipping can vary widely from country to country. In some countries, such as France and Italy, tips are included in the price. In other countries, such as the UK, the tip may or may not automatically be included.
Familiarize Yourself With the Region
In America, you walk into a store, and what you pay for items is what is listed on the price tag. However, there are many places, such as India and Italy, where you are expected to haggle. Failing to barter when it is the norm will almost definitely identify you as someone whom local shop owners can overcharge.
Few things mark someone as a local more than wandering around lost and squinting at street signs. Before visiting an area, take some time to download local maps and study them. You don’t have to memorize them, but it’s a good idea to know major streets and landmarks to help you avoid getting turned around.
Not only can familiarizing yourself with an area help keep you from getting lost, but it can also help keep you safe, and that’s critical for any trip abroad. If you’re obviously consulting a map or trying to figure out where you are, you stand out as a tourist. This makes you an exceptionally attractive mark for pickpockets in many cities.
Be Discrete When Taking Pictures
Just like running around with a map or constantly checking your phone for directions identifies you as a tourist, so does taking pictures of everything. Everyone wants to send pictures back to friends and family but if you are respectful then you can join in with activities, participate fully in cultural events while enjoying discovering a new destination.
