I was in Cannes in Dec and everyone was dressed nicely (even fur coats)Eze was very casual. I did one thing that I didnot see anyone mention. Firstly, I wore basic black but with my bright FL tops, I dont wears jeans or tennis shoes anyway but comfy black walking shoes for the rain, black rain jacket. But the best thing I ever did was go into the local grocery store & buy one of the little rolling carts (12E) that many of the women use in the city. It was the best investment. I could take my extra pr of shoes, my finds and my 2Liter water, my goodies from the local pastry shop, hold my jacket as the weather warmed, my maps etc and I could strol for hours. It's ready to go when I leave Sunday for my 6 wk trip. So if you see a woman walking down the street with a bright orange cart say "hi" it might be Johanna from Florida!

"Don't wear any sort of Tshirt with any sort of logo on it. The Europeans don't seem to do that. And - don't wear sneakers or tennis shoes."

Wrong and wrong. People don't seem to realize the extent that these two items, and even hats, have become social norms in Europe. Especially amongst the younger people (say under 30). However, that being said, if you are over 30, in shorts and a basebal cap and sneakers, you'll be dubbed a tourist.

Easiest way to not look like a tourist is to not wear your camera.

That's the difficulty: how to keep your camera in your bag while keeping it easily accessible yet difficult for a thief to steal.

The best advice is to accept it that you are not going to avoid looking like a visitor and comport yourself as a model one.

Florida Dee:

Thank you for that comment! It's very hard to convince people I'm from New York! But Syracuse (where I was born) is a far cry from the City.

I Don't know a time when T-shirts etc. were NOT the norm in Europe! (and I'm 38..)

And I'm 49 and delighted that the hipster flared jeans and lace-up vest tops of my teens are now back in fashion!

i'm a 50-year old European, and I've always worn trousers, jeans, and lately sneakers as well (they are SO comfortable!) and nobody would ever take me for an American. On the other hand, last year an American couple visited us (a colleague of my husband and his wife), they wore none of the above and were immediately recognized as being American (a seller in the local market sang to them "New York, New York...!") So, who can tell? It's something in the face, the expression, I think. Eating habits may also have something to do with it. People here in Europe generally don't eat or drink while walking, and always use both a fork and a knife. These things may be gradually changing, though. Just have a good time and enjoy yoursalf, and don't be intimidated by local anti-American a-holes.

"Europeans do NOT wear pink warmup/jogging suits."

What, you've never seen a Finnish family on holiday?! :-D

And for those who insist on wearing black, be sure to have everything that goes with it - the white face makeup, the black lipstick and nail varnish, and the obligatory nosering in silver ;-)

Last December I was in Spain, living in a tiny city hotel, 1st floor window towards a little street. I was just hanging from the window watching people passing by. And there comes two couples. None of them was overweight, they all wore dark pants and nice jackets. Nobody had sneakers. They did not talk to each other, so I could not hear the language from far. And I thought: "What are those Americans doing in this timy place that lies outside all tourist destinations, with nothing interesting to see or do?" When they came under my window, they stopped and started to read my hotel restaurant's menu that was outside on the street. Yes, Americans they were, and I spotted them 50 metres far.