Identifying Tourists
 

Take a seat and watch the crowd go by. The natives are in a rush, they only stay in view a few seconds. All know where they are going. Tourists amble along, they goggle the window displays, they stop in the middle of the sidewalk and they apparentlly have no destination in mind. Is it black and white?

You clearly have never seen me going to work in the morning. The closer I get to the office, the slower I walk. Tourists push past me because they can see the Eiffel Tower at the end of the street.

They're often the ones at a corner with a map out and pointing in opposite directions. I've seen 6 couples at once on the same corner with maps out and looking around for street signs.

Let us confine our attention to those who try not to look like tourists, and do not sport cameras or consult maps and guidebooks in the street.

In addition to what GSteed notes, you can see other tourist giveaways. For example, many of them hobble because they have already walked too far.

The people I can identify as tourists in Toronto are generally couples wandering about downtown during working hours, very clean (ie just popped out of the hotel room shower and into their neatly laundered, pressed and packed clothes), and stopped on streetcorners to look at a map. I always ask if I can help.

Tourists from NYC have an extra 'tell'. The hail cabs as if their lives depended on it, not realizing that getting a cab in Toronto is not the problem it is in NY.

This one is a no brainer...tourists are the ones who wear large white tennis shoes everywhere and chew gum violently, talk loudly and grumble...

I can spot a yank at 100 paces. So can most Brits.

However the tourists in London that cause most resentment are scandiwegoans with enormous rucksacks on the tube at rush-hour; unspeakable French school parties; lots of middle aged japanese people following a bossy woman with an umbrella and the utter utter sods who stand still at the entrances to tube stations, usually with a humungous golf umbrella at eye-ball height.

here in europe, you can easily identify the american tourists who have been put through fodors' school on how to be european (laughably run by americans). they:

-don't smile because 'europeans' are very serious and 'don't gush' (whatever that means) as we learned on a recent thread.

-just wear black because 'europeans' just wear sophisticated black clothing.

-very formally stride up to the shopkeeper and bid him or her a 'good day' in the native language because this is what 'europeans' do.

-drink wine with every meal as it is always cheaper than soda in 'europe' (oh my gawd, am i in heaven or what?)

-think that people are split in two distinct camps 'natives' and americans.

-they are usually busy trying to identify other americans who did not go through the fodors' school on how to be european (oh my gawd, i can't believe he's wearing THAT in EUROPE).

-talk very very softly because that's how 'europeans' talk

-often seen patting themselves on the back for being such 'enlightened' and sophisticated travellers

-desparately hoping that they will be mistaken for a european (the absolute holy grail).

In Florida we love our European friends and appreciate the business, but we also have some fun with them. We have many good laughs at the beach at their expense.

Watching a middle aged, overweight couple walking down the beach, he in speedos with black socks and sandals, she in thong bikini that's few sizes too small. Typical of British and Germans. French seem to have somewhat better beach fashion taste.

We don't do beaches well as our little island isn't really a great place to sunbathe.

Your lucky that in America the Germans wear swimwear - over here they wander around butt nekkid.

In Germany, I am sometimes asked for directions. That's probably because my ethnic background is northern European, but also because no one expects an--dare I say it?--"elderly" woman alone to be a tourist.

My basic wardrobe is black--not because I have any idea that Europeans dress in black--but because it's easier to deal with when one travels with only a carry-on size suitcase.

No one has mentioned what I suspect may be a giveaway in Spain and Italy, but especially Spain. Very light skin. I was taking a Spanish class in Madrid when my teacher mentioned that a film director was looking for non-Spanish-looking people for crowd scenes for a movie. She pointed me and another woman out as the kinds of looks the director wanted.

Another huge giveaway for the yanks is that they want their dinner at 6pm.

Is the term "yank" one only used by the British?

Is it considered polite to use as I've only ever seen it used here on Fodor's by CW and I'm not sure if it is meant to be pejorative?

Does it refer to all Americans or only those from the north?

signed,

a curious American who knows lots of British people but has so far never before been called a "yank"...

All my Canadian friends call me "yank."

It may be pejorative, but often I don't think is, when used by the British (yanks). But I"ve heard plenty of other people use it, including lots of Americans themselves (older guys, actually).

I use it occasionally but never pejoratively.

Just friendly-like, y'know?

Kerouac, your comment brought a smile to my face. I don't exactly rush out of my parking garage to work, either (although clearly your view is preferably to mine). My goal is not to "blend in" because that's impossible. I AM a tourist and despite my best efforts, I am likely to look like one. I am tall and blonde and don't look remotely French, so no one in Paris is likely to mistake me for a local, despite my dress or the speed at which I walk (not to mention my atrocious French). I agree with Peg. The majority of my wardrobe is black, but not because I think its "European". It’s because it's slimming and versatile. As a tourist, I often have a map so that I don't get lost, a camera to capture the beautiful sights I traveled around the world to see, and I've even been known to carry the *gasp* occasional guide book. Since there is no chance people will confuse me with a local, my goal is to be a polite, respectful tourist and do my best to counter any “ugly American” stereotypes. It's pretty easy to recognize tourists where I live, too, and as long as they are pleasant, I'm happy to have them here.

walkinaround: Very funny.

I actually carry a camera with me in my home town, but I live in a rather scenic area so it isn't real unusual.

The way you can tell I'm a tourist is:

-I look around and notice the locals wearing all the things that our euro-fodorite friends (e-fods) tell us are disgusting American fashions. I get a super big smile when I spot the relatively frequent hideous white trainers.

-I wear shoes that I am comfortable in and don't buy special shoes for individual countries or cities.

-I do the unthinkable of sometimes tucking my shirt into my trousers. I know it's hideous, but it adds about 10 lbs when I don't. That extra 10 though may help me blend in with the locals.

-this is a dead giveaway. In a self indulgent attempt to ward off skin cancer, I wear a hat. My hair line requires that and prevents a terrible glare (when the sun is out) on those with a more distinguished and well appointed cranium than my own.

-Who could deny the tourist here as I let my normal tone of voice get overpowered by a Canadian or worse yet, an e-fod. Oh the shame of it.

Yikes ... folks who sit around trying to decide who the tourists are need to find something valuable to do … like charity work.

<i> look around and notice the locals wearing all the things that our euro-fodorite friends (e-fods) tell us are disgusting American fashions. I get a super big smile when I spot the relatively frequent hideous white trainers.</i>

Hi wojazz-

With a few exceptions, I think all the posters worrying about what Americans do or don't wear, are American not European. IME, Europeans aren't all that concerned with what anyone else is wearing. And they can be just as guilty of their own funny quirks - like the socks and sandals look!

I'd be a tourist along with you any day.

gruezi

:-) I agree that folks form the States tend to be more fashion frenzied than those from the other side of the pond. Still, we have taken a few beatings and generally, no matter what I wear, I assume I will be laughed at. It could be the extra skull that protrudes from my left shoulder blade though.

A couple approached my daughters and me in La Roche-Posay and asked in British-accented French where the tourist office was, said we looked French. We try, we simpered, trying not to look to gratified.

I like yank; it has an old fashioned giving candy bars to youngsters sound.

I still haven't figured out what's so bad about consulting a map in public.

Haircombs and colors
Glasses
Watches
Shoes

Walking without purpose
Dressing casually as a family in a business area
Trying to act like you belong
Upside down tourist guide

Husband and wife wlking down the street during business hours

Looking like wax figures on the top of hop on bus

Is the term &quot;yank&quot; one only used by the British? &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

Nope. All the dominions use it too. As do some of the colonies, many of the dependencies and a couple of the protectorates.

&gt;&gt;&gt;Is it considered polite to use as I've only ever seen it used here on Fodor's by CW and I'm not sure if it is meant to be pejorative?&gt;&gt;&gt;

It's neutral in itself. If used with an intensifier, &quot;bloody yanks&quot; for instance, then it's not so nice.

&gt;&gt;Does it refer to all Americans or only those from the north?&gt;&gt;&gt;

All yanks are yanks - we don't care which bit of jesusland they come from.

stokebailey wrote: &quot;I still haven't figured out what's so bad about consulting a map in public.&quot;

It makes your tourist status obvious; you are not paying full attention to your surroundings. Pickpocket bonanza.

<i>All yanks are yanks - we don't care which bit of jesusland they come from.</i>

Was this supposed to be nasty?

It seems a bit insulting.

Don't know why it's necessary to always be so insulting. It gets so boring after a while.

gruezi

I'm so sorry to have offended the delicate sensibilities of the locals by looking like those silly American tourists who consult a map once in a while. It seems to beat being hopelessly lost, in my opinion.

Just accept the thousands of Euros we added to your economy, please, and try not to laugh at my lack of familiarity with every street name in your city.

All yanks are yanks - we don't care which bit of jesusland they come from.

Was this supposed to be nasty?&gt;&gt;&gt;

No.

Bloody yanks make a meal out of everything.

flsd wrote: &quot;Just accept the thousands of Euros we added to your economy, please, and try not to laugh at my lack of familiarity with every street name in your city.&quot;

That, more than consulting maps in the street, is an attitude that gets right up the nose of many Europeans (well, this one for starters). Money does not buy respect.

Well, I just wrote a snarky response to the previous super rude and snarky responses and then realized &quot;what's the point?&quot; and deleted it all.

I'm going outside to enjoy the sunshine and start thinking about the map I'll be using in Budapest this weekend while I goggle touristy things and walk with no destination in mind!

ciao,

gruezi

Oh, poor Padraig. I see I offended your delicate sensibilities, too.

I don't expect travelers who visit my town from other countries to know their way around intuitively, and I am more than happy that they have chosen to spend their hard-earned vacation dollars/Euros/whatever here. But then, my nose isn't as high in the air as yours.

yanks are yanks no matter where they are from in jesusland....LOL That cracked me up! I am living in central VA and I will tell you CW that my neighbors refer to me as a Yankee because I am from New Jersey. They would rather die than be referred to as a Yank (a northerner here in the states). Most of my town is still fighting the civil war! :)

I don't take offense at Yank.

I am assuming no matter where I go in Europe, I look american. I am blond and freckle faced and I will probably be wearing Levis jeans and possibly sneakers if I am walking a lot. So, I wouldn't pass for European even if I had the perfect wardrobe!
I only like to know where I am and where I am going to avoid being a victim of crime. I think that matters the most when traveling. The person wandering around with maps is a definite target.

It is perfectly okay to consult maps at every street corner. For your reading convience (these maps can be soo large) I would suggest to take off your backpack while you do it and place it out of sight.

Don't you people get it that no one was saying that looking at a map was &quot;funny&quot; or &quot;bad&quot;, but just something that can attract pickpockets?? And what was so &quot;bad&quot; about giving that advice?

flsd wrote: &quot;Oh, poor Padraig... my nose isn't as high in the air as yours.&quot;

No, I expect it isn't. Much lower down.

I was in Paris a couple of weeks ago and I was stopped in the street, asked directions in frenmch 9by a frog) gave directions in French and carried on my merry way. I do remember thinking at the time &quot;this makes me the king of Fodors&quot; as it is apparently the highest honour possible.

I later realised that i probably looked French as I had been in a downpour so had an unhappy look about me and smelled of wet dog and regret.

hahahhaha

I've just been in Northern Italy with a group of 17 Swiss. We all looked like tourists because
-the females weren't wearing spine-tingling high heels and tightly-fitted clothes
-the males weren't as good-looking as the Italian men
-half of us were wearing fanny packs
-we were wearing comfortable shoes
-we were stopping to check their maps

And nobody cared how we looked.

schuler wrote: &quot;And nobody cared how we looked.&quot;

I cared. I sat here in my study in Ireland and cringed for you.

Hey Gruezi there is hope for you. When I was in Budapest last year I looked at my street map a lot and still once I was even taken for a local, as a non-Hungarian asked me for directions in Hungarian. I refrained from thanking her profusely. If it can happen to a fair-skinned person with auburn hair in Hungary, it can happen to anyone! :D

Hey, do we get bonus points for being taken for a different nationality than our own and different from the actual country we are visiting? In Eger I was mistaken for Russian, Ukranian, and German all within the space of four hours. No one ever caught onto my true origin.

Hi Padraig,

We didn't find one pub in the areas we were either. But then again, who needs them with all those enotecas?

I forgot to mention that most of the men wore zip off pants (trousers). Very practical... like the Swiss.