Ok - maybe they didn't think I looked like a local - perhaps they just thought I looked like a nice person who knew how to get where they wanted to go - LOL. And of course I did, because I pulled a map out of my purse and looked it up for them :)

I find that if an English speaking tourist asks you directions it is because they think you can speak English.

I have asked other tourists directions, if they look like they are savvy.

If a local person has to ask directions then I wonder about him and think that he is trying to pickpocket me.

We are happy to be tourists and mix with the locals. They, much like us, love to talk up their area and share what is good about their town, etc. Being a tourist is a bad thing if you are like the two-fisted slopper at the ballgame! We try very hard to not be that when traveling :).... although the locals always LOVE to share their local brew... Shirley, Waukesha

I dress when away from home as I do at home. What I wear depends on the weather, the activity, the location etc. I do not dress for a causal day at home as I do when in SF. If I am in Italy and am going to spend a day at a friends house I don't dress quite the same as if I am going to be in a large city and having dinner at an upscale restaurant. I always try to be properly dressed. As far as looking like a tourist..well so what? Now looking like a sloppy tourist who has no consideration of others is a different matter but that is true even when one is home. I have one, thankfully he does not live too close to me, neighbor who makes me want to gag everytime I see him.

The most important thing is to be comfortable and that will get across. Be yourself, polite, and be happy. That will get across no matter what country.

Risab,

Good thread. I have been in Europe many times and accept the fact that I am a tourist and have no allusions that I am otherwise. I love travel in Europe!

I live north of Boston and today had business in town (Boston proper) where I saw many happy tourists from the States and abroad enjoying the ambiance of Quincy Market and the beautiful Boston waterfront. Luckily, the weather was great after many days of rain. These folks were having a wonderful time and who cares what they were wearing?

I thought to myself, “Hey, that’s me in Berlin, Lucerne, Rome, Dublin, Provence or wherever….”

Happy travels to all!

lateday traveler. I take my dog, Pastis, to the Boston Public Garden weekly on the way to the farmers'market in Copley Square to meet the tourists. They always ask to take his photo , partcularly with their children. I have noticed everytime, a high percentage of French and Italian.

Just another comment which Mimi made me think of. I love running into tourist which are visiting my small city. They are fun, I enjoy suggesting things to them and they make me appreciate my area more than I usually do. And unless they are shall we say "slobs" who cares how they are dressed. And like I guess most people I usually can tell when people are visitors. They are looking around, they are a family having fun in the middle of the work week and so forth.