Help us avoiding looking like tourists
Feb 13th, 2012, 05:44 AM
#41
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I agree with hetismij2 and if someone is going to make fun of me because I'm wearing my New Balance trail runners that is their problem. My feet will be happy, I'll be enjoying my trip and I won't be able to understand what they are saying anyway.
Sometimes I think it is okay to look like a tourist. We were in Vienna a few years ago and wanted to take the U-bahn to Schonbrunn Palace. As soon as we stopped at the ticket machine a security guard ran over, asked if we needed assistance and helped with the transaction. After we arrived at the stop and started walking toward the palace a woman riding by on her bicycle stopped to give us directions. Even though we actually knew where we were going and did not have maps in hand, I found it thoughtful and sweet and thanked her. My boys were wearing shorts that day so maybe that was why everyone was so polite and helpful.
Sometimes I think it is okay to look like a tourist. We were in Vienna a few years ago and wanted to take the U-bahn to Schonbrunn Palace. As soon as we stopped at the ticket machine a security guard ran over, asked if we needed assistance and helped with the transaction. After we arrived at the stop and started walking toward the palace a woman riding by on her bicycle stopped to give us directions. Even though we actually knew where we were going and did not have maps in hand, I found it thoughtful and sweet and thanked her. My boys were wearing shorts that day so maybe that was why everyone was so polite and helpful.
Feb 13th, 2012, 06:00 AM
#42
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If you're afraid of looking like a tourist, you're going to look like a tourist. You'll have that anxious, almost haunted look on your face as you move about, ever watchful of sneering responses from haughty, judgmental Europeans, a look which is tantamount to having a neon sign on your forehead flashing "TOURIST."
Hey, I'm almost kidding.
Take the advice of those who tell you that no one will care whether you look like a tourist or not. People are too busy getting on with their lives.
Hey, I'm almost kidding.
Take the advice of those who tell you that no one will care whether you look like a tourist or not. People are too busy getting on with their lives.
Feb 13th, 2012, 06:03 AM
#43
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I'll be more accommodating...I don't wear baseball caps, I don't wear t-shirts, I wear comfortable shoes, I wear longish shorts on hot days.
I don'tt carry a camera bag, I don't have a fanny pack, I don't have a money belt.
I don'tt carry a camera bag, I don't have a fanny pack, I don't have a money belt.
Feb 13th, 2012, 06:31 AM
#45
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As independent travelers we always wear the same clothing we wear in North America specific to the weather/climate of the place we are visiting (don’t even own a pair of white shoes). Because of our Northern European heritage, obviously, in South America, Asia or the Mediterranean it doesn’t matter how we dress, we will stand out; but in Sweden, Russia and other parts of Europe we have been mistaken as locals on several occasions. Bring some nice clothes for any “dress-up” occasions you may be attending.
I think much of the clothing available in Europe or North America is made in the same factories in Asia or Latin America anyway. Shoe styles sometimes can be variable.
Some ways to not stand-out: walk the same pace as the locals; study your map before you get on the street and step aside in some out of the way place to take another look if necessary; don’t wear expensive jewelry or even a cheap watch that may look expensive; don’t talk loud (that’s how I identify people from Canada, Australia, Britain, USA, Spain, Italy); above all, don’t be demanding.
Be mindful of people near you in train stations and in crowded trams, subway trains and stations; if you carry a bag keep it under your arm and hang on to it while on a tram to avoid a grab and run at a stop. Avoid the look of being lost. If you are a traveler you will look like a traveler, the best you can do is not making it look like you just “got off the boat”.
Be very mindful of your surroundings when using an ATM or money changer, but that is yet another subject.
I think much of the clothing available in Europe or North America is made in the same factories in Asia or Latin America anyway. Shoe styles sometimes can be variable.
Some ways to not stand-out: walk the same pace as the locals; study your map before you get on the street and step aside in some out of the way place to take another look if necessary; don’t wear expensive jewelry or even a cheap watch that may look expensive; don’t talk loud (that’s how I identify people from Canada, Australia, Britain, USA, Spain, Italy); above all, don’t be demanding.
Be mindful of people near you in train stations and in crowded trams, subway trains and stations; if you carry a bag keep it under your arm and hang on to it while on a tram to avoid a grab and run at a stop. Avoid the look of being lost. If you are a traveler you will look like a traveler, the best you can do is not making it look like you just “got off the boat”.
Be very mindful of your surroundings when using an ATM or money changer, but that is yet another subject.
Feb 13th, 2012, 08:05 AM
#46
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Europe is a big place.
Like everywhere, there is a difference in how people dress depending
city- country
workday - weekend
wealthy- not
young - older
stylish - not
tourist ( smaller wardrobe to chose from, comfortable shoes,etc..). - not
Like everywhere, there is a difference in how people dress depending
city- country
workday - weekend
wealthy- not
young - older
stylish - not
tourist ( smaller wardrobe to chose from, comfortable shoes,etc..). - not
Feb 13th, 2012, 08:19 AM
#47
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You are a damn tourist get over it.
I dress the way I damn feel but conduct myself as courteously as possible.
I live in NYC and last year there were 50 million visitors. As other noted above it is the mein, eyeglasses, hairstyle, gait, camera, guide book, etc.
The fact that you are wearing yellow shorts and walking with your wife and two kids in the financial district is a tip-off.
The fact that you looking up at the buildings or ask a steranger to take your picture is a tipp-off.
If you wear white shirt and tie and sport a crew cut, you are a tourist or someone who going door-to-door selling god.
You need not be a profiler to figure out who is a tourist.
I dress the way I damn feel but conduct myself as courteously as possible.
I live in NYC and last year there were 50 million visitors. As other noted above it is the mein, eyeglasses, hairstyle, gait, camera, guide book, etc.
The fact that you are wearing yellow shorts and walking with your wife and two kids in the financial district is a tip-off.
The fact that you looking up at the buildings or ask a steranger to take your picture is a tipp-off.
If you wear white shirt and tie and sport a crew cut, you are a tourist or someone who going door-to-door selling god.
You need not be a profiler to figure out who is a tourist.
Feb 13th, 2012, 08:33 AM
#48
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"The fact that you are wearing yellow shorts and walking with your wife and two kids in the financial district is a tip-off."
A lot of people are walking with yellow shorts in the financial district these days.
A lot of people are walking with yellow shorts in the financial district these days.
Feb 13th, 2012, 09:43 AM
#50
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There have been times when I've done nothing at all--just standing at the base of looooong stairs at the Munich train station--when young Germans (a man and a woman) grabbed our suitcases and, without saying a word, hauled them to the top of the steps, plopped them down, and went on their way.
Okay, two plumpish middle-aged women with confused looks on their faces...dead giveaway.
Okay, two plumpish middle-aged women with confused looks on their faces...dead giveaway.
Feb 13th, 2012, 10:33 AM
#52
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If you want to look like a male German tourist when in the countryside, assuming you are over 35 years old:
1. Wear above-the-knee, very tight hiking shorts
2. Some sort of shiny shirt with a soccer team name on it
3. A long-billed or double-billed baseball type cap
4. Sandals--with grayish socks if the temperature might dip below 70 degrees F.
In town, anything polyester is good. For women, some sort of formless dress with a flower pattern will help you blend in.
1. Wear above-the-knee, very tight hiking shorts
2. Some sort of shiny shirt with a soccer team name on it
3. A long-billed or double-billed baseball type cap
4. Sandals--with grayish socks if the temperature might dip below 70 degrees F.
In town, anything polyester is good. For women, some sort of formless dress with a flower pattern will help you blend in.
Feb 13th, 2012, 10:53 AM
#53
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The fact that you are wearing yellow shorts and walking with your wife and two kids in the financial district is a tip-off."
A lot of people are walking with yellow shorts in the financial district these days.
____
You are right, so that should go for brown as well.
A lot of people are walking with yellow shorts in the financial district these days.
____
You are right, so that should go for brown as well.
Feb 13th, 2012, 11:00 AM
#54
Don't worry about it. Just wear your normal clothes. Pick from your "nice/casual" in fabrics that will pack well and are appropriate to the weather. Sneakers and jeans are OK too. The entire idea they are not appropriate is ridiculous. Plenty of people in Europe wear exactly that when they're going around on the weekend.
Feb 13th, 2012, 11:04 AM
#55
Mostly people know you're tourists (or at least this is true in my home city of Seattle) because you're wandering around on a weekday, not at work, with a map in your hand or pocket and a confused look on your face!
Feb 13th, 2012, 11:09 AM
#56
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The only dress code thing you really ought to observe is the "covered shoulders/upper arms and knees and everything in between" rule that applies to churches in Italy.
Otheriwse - no one cares what you wear, with very few exceptions that common sense easwily spots. The yellow shorts would no be considered appropriate in a gourmet restaurant or at the opera house, for example...
Otheriwse - no one cares what you wear, with very few exceptions that common sense easwily spots. The yellow shorts would no be considered appropriate in a gourmet restaurant or at the opera house, for example...
Feb 13th, 2012, 01:41 PM
#57
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About 10 years ago we were walking on a small street in a small town in the Dordogne, and I heard a guy at a cafe across the street say ( in French), "There are two German tourists.". Trouble is, we are from the US. I have found that Italians sometimes think we are German. Both of us are from Northern European ancestors, though.
But I have noticed plenty of Italians in jeans and sneakers. I think the camera case, fanny pack, and extra shirt tied around the waist by the sleeves are rumpled tourist looks I want to avoid. Fortunately, cameras come pretty small now. And the cross-body purse looks neater but probably still says tourist.
but what the hell? not a big deal.
But I have noticed plenty of Italians in jeans and sneakers. I think the camera case, fanny pack, and extra shirt tied around the waist by the sleeves are rumpled tourist looks I want to avoid. Fortunately, cameras come pretty small now. And the cross-body purse looks neater but probably still says tourist.
but what the hell? not a big deal.
Feb 13th, 2012, 05:28 PM
#58
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I can't decide whether I will dress in Outfit "A" or "B" to help me NOT look like a tourist:
A) Baseball cap worn sideways, Tim Tebow Jersey, Acid-washed jean-shorts, gym socks up to my knees, unlaced Air Jordan high-tops...and my Oakley sunglasses.
or...
B) Short-sleeve dress shirt, Sans-a-Belt polyester shorts, black belt, black socks, Dr. Scholl's walking shoes, and a Fanny-Pack.
Help me decide. Thanks--I'm trying to look like a classy American when I go to France in June.
A) Baseball cap worn sideways, Tim Tebow Jersey, Acid-washed jean-shorts, gym socks up to my knees, unlaced Air Jordan high-tops...and my Oakley sunglasses.
or...
B) Short-sleeve dress shirt, Sans-a-Belt polyester shorts, black belt, black socks, Dr. Scholl's walking shoes, and a Fanny-Pack.
Help me decide. Thanks--I'm trying to look like a classy American when I go to France in June.
Feb 13th, 2012, 07:48 PM
#59
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A) Baseball cap worn sideways, Tim Tebow Jersey, Acid-washed jean-shorts, gym socks up to my knees, unlaced Air Jordan high-tops...and my Oakley sunglasses.
I live downtown in Manhattan. One day I am sauntering down the street and hear two young men speaking French behind me. When they finally passed, they were dressed like you described except their underwear was sticking out and they hung French bling. I did not see if they had French grill.
I live downtown in Manhattan. One day I am sauntering down the street and hear two young men speaking French behind me. When they finally passed, they were dressed like you described except their underwear was sticking out and they hung French bling. I did not see if they had French grill.
Feb 14th, 2012, 04:31 AM
#60
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Not really advice, but I just have to tell this story:
My daughter and son-in-law took a trip to Bangladesh as a young couple. They were as respectful of local customs as they knew how to be, but both being quite fair, and in an area where tourist were almost unheard of, they stood out like the proverbial sore thumb. They were subject to stares wherever they went, and coveted prey for the ubiquitous hawkers trying to sell them everything imaginable. The prize for enteprenurial instinct went to one young street vender, who upon catching sight of them called out in as a friendly fashion: "Hello, American dollar walking around!"
My daughter and son-in-law took a trip to Bangladesh as a young couple. They were as respectful of local customs as they knew how to be, but both being quite fair, and in an area where tourist were almost unheard of, they stood out like the proverbial sore thumb. They were subject to stares wherever they went, and coveted prey for the ubiquitous hawkers trying to sell them everything imaginable. The prize for enteprenurial instinct went to one young street vender, who upon catching sight of them called out in as a friendly fashion: "Hello, American dollar walking around!"
