look like a tourist

[googleygoo]

It's funny because everyone says, "don't look like a tourist."

I don't understand how you're not supposed to look like a tourist. I know usually when people say that, they mean don't be obvious about it, but in my opinion, if you don't look like a local, you're obviously a tourist!

Maybe that's just me because I live in New York and I can always tell when someone is not from New York. I mean, ok, some people are more obvious than others, but I can usually tell if someone is from Europe or if someone is from other parts of the U.S.

So, ok, I can see how you can attempt to not look stupid while travelling, but I think it's pretty hard to "not look like a tourist."

What do you guys think? Especially those of you who live in big cities prone to tourists?

[MuvverRussia]

I live in London and tourists stick out like a sore thumb. They don't know where they're going on the tube, they stop at junctions etc. Also they take the piccadilly line from Leicester Sq to Covent Garden (it's far quicker to walk). The worst thing of all though is the tourists who come to take their picture in front of my school entrance (London School of Economics)- this really winds me up, as it's pretty congested at the best of times.

Generally it's all about being streetwise though. Just know where you're going and make sure you don't walk around with cameras on your neck and/or filiming with a video camera.

[Patrick]

Exactly. Walking around with a map in front of your face, a camera around your neck... counting your euros out in the middle of the street. Bad, bad!

I think it's more that if you look really out of place, you're more likely to be taken advantage of. Just be streetwise, be smart and keep yourself safe.

[MuvverRussia]

I don't know what it is, but I've seen perfectly sane people act like complete idiots when travelling. Stuff like pulling €200 out of an ATM and counting it whilst walking around the Trevi fountain at night (asking to be mugged/pickpocketed imo).

Just keep your head screwed on and you'll be fine.

[googleygoo]

hahaha. funny stories.

When I was in London, I never even thought to stop by LSE (no offense, but I didn't realize it was a tourist attraction, much less a photography spot!)

[Eagle]

I suspect it's very easy for the "locals" to spot tourists, even if they take steps so they don't look like a tourist. I imagine it's especially easy in Europe, as this would be fairly apparent as soon as one started to speak.

Even in my "home area" in Canada, I can generally spot tourists quite easily. I can't attribute this to anything specific in their appearance, it just seems obvious (again, especially when talking to them).

[Emma]

For me, it's usually the people carrying around shopping bags. I used to live in the Twin Cities (home of the Mall of America ) and you could always tell the tourists, because everyone else knows that it's cheaper to stop somewhere else.

[jennifer]

Hahahah!

I just love spotting tourists! Downtown Montreal from Spring to Fall is loaded with tourists, but mostly Japanese so they come in groups and block the sidewalks! It drives me mad cause i'm mostly in a rush and i have to walk around them, but I do love being a tourist in my own city, sandals with socks, camera and map lacking of course!

hehehe

It's fun to see everyone can spot tourists in their city even if they think they don't look so touristy in another!

xoxo

[googleygoo]

oh, I know what you mean about getting frustrated with tourists and having to walk around them!

I always think it's cheesy when people in tour groups wear the same t-shirts. Sometimes the shirts are too conspicuous, like bright orange. I guess it's so you can spot a fellow group member from far away and it keeps people from getting lost?

[WillTravel]

I work in an area where there are a lot of Korean and Japanese students here to learn English. I can't necessarily tell the students apart from tourists or the general population. But sometimes it's clear, like if you see someone walking along reading a "Lonely Planet" book as they wander through Chinatown . It tends to be a giveaway if the people in question are speaking German, although the city is so multicultural that just speaking another language does not mean one is a tourist. But nonetheless I can tell a lot of the time. For one thing, couples are often walking along holding hands, a state that seems to have some connection to being tourists. (Not foolproof, but it just seems to be linked. On an average workday, most people don't walk around holding hands with their partners .)

[jennifer]

Will, where's your romance? ;D

[Nicstar]

we just spent a weekend in sydney observing and discussing the same thing.

I guess the point is to not stick out as everyone says.

We observed many sticky outy tourists. it was bad. It completely turned me off wanting to be like that. It had nothing to do with what they were or weren't wearing entirely, or even their cameras. It was more of an air about them, and their level of confidence. There was the chick who stuck out big time: two sydney guidebooks that kept popping out, a daypack packed full, a pile of maps in the front of the pack, her money belt showing above her waist line on her jeans, the trainers that just did not fit with the clothes (yes yes I know how you look isn't the most important thing, but this chick stuck out as being uncomfortable in what she was wearing, kept trying to pull her jeans leg down to cover the trainers...) All we could say was that she was taking travelling advice way too far.... you know, pack light, pack your most durable but comfy shoes, and only take one pair, take a daypack, read the guidebook, etc etc....she looked like she would have been an easy target for thieves.

Then right on the other side of us, sat two chicks looking calm, confident, not reading guidebooks maps etc, not carrying much, dressed casually, but nicely, one carrying a camera, the other reading the ticket prices for the cruise we were sat near, and we'd never picked them for tourists. Then they got talking to us, they were from the Netherlands, been in the country for a week.

Yet in the Aquarium we seemed to get in sync around the exhibits with this couple we picked as tourists purely from the way they pushed past everyone and had to take a photo of every fish in every display...clothing wise, and things they were carrying wise, we'd have never known, but the attitude was what made it stick out.


This is why I carefully plan what I pack clothes wise. If I don't wear trainers with jeans at home regularly, I won't when I go away, because it will be obvious I'm not comfortable in them and that will draw attention to me. If I don't usually wear colours like brown and black then I won't while I go away, even though I know darker colours probably are better for travelling. I just won't be me in them, and will stand out. I am a pink and blue girl, and even if they are extrememly unfashionable elsewhere, I will continue to wear them since it is me. I don't carry a daypack around a city here, so I won't while I am away. It will be very obvious that I am not adept at utilising it, thus it will be pointing me out to everyone right away. And I won't photograph everything I come across. LEave enough time in your trip, so if you go to bed that night and wish you'd taken a photo of the Harbour Bridge from the other side of the harbour, then you can return and take it.

The secret I suppose is to act natural, be yourself. Everyone will realise you're not a local, but you won't stand out.

[gamegrl1]

Don’t laugh, because I’m just from Sacramento (certainly not a “big city”, but not a hick town either!). I can always spot tourists around our Capitol here because they:
- dress extra casual
- travel in small groups
- carry cameras
- saunter instead of walking purposefully.

I know I’ll be carrying a camera & occasionally “sauntering” (can one go to Paris w/o doing that? ) but the nice thing about being from Sacto is that (unfortunately) it IS big enough to have plenty of crime and some iffy areas. So I’ve learned to be alert and careful, and how to carry myself when in public. I watch my belongings and try to be aware of my surroundings. Plus I have a travel partner which should make certain things easier – two pairs of eyes!

I like NicStar's advice about being yourself and being courteous. I was worrying a bit months ago about what to wear, but I'm just going to bring my most comfy (but modest & nice) clothes. Good advice from you guys - thanks.

[mikie]

oh man! yes!! I live in Calgary and its the same!!
ignorant they are they just dont move -

I was taking the bus the other day and here thye are taking pictures of each other in the bus depot? nothing special about this bus depot its a run down 1970 building - no art just concrete - very simple signage..

they bother me

jennifer said:

Hahahah!

I just love spotting tourists! Downtown Montreal from Spring to Fall is loaded with tourists, but mostly Japanese so they come in groups and block the sidewalks! It drives me mad cause i'm mostly in a rush and i have to walk around them, but I do love being a tourist in my own city, sandals with socks, camera and map lacking of course!

hehehe

It's fun to see everyone can spot tourists in their city even if they think they don't look so touristy in another!

xoxo