Identifying Tourists
May 29th, 2008 | 06:58 AM
#43
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,780
Likes: 0
...make a meal of everything<<
Assuming that means staying on sharp lookout for reasons to become irate and/or offended, may be interpreted as lack of self-confidence and therefore more to be pitied than scolded.
Though it does make for rockier communication, doesn't it? Heavy sigh possibly best response.
Assuming that means staying on sharp lookout for reasons to become irate and/or offended, may be interpreted as lack of self-confidence and therefore more to be pitied than scolded.
Though it does make for rockier communication, doesn't it? Heavy sigh possibly best response.
May 29th, 2008 | 07:00 AM
#44
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
Am I missing something or is it really a goal to be considered a local while travelling? I have had plenty of people ask me for directions and I never even considered that they mistook me for a local. I just assumed I had a look on my face that was slightly less pathetic and confused than the person who was trying to find their way at the time. I am American, proud of it and don't try to be something I am not. I am sometimes able to give the directions asked for, usually in English, and other times I just have to shrug my shoulders and give the universal sympathetic look that indicates that I have no idea of what they just asked and am totally incapable of provding a response in anything other than English. I don't buy new clothes to take to Europe but wear what I have in the closet at home. I don't wear white tennis shoes because I don't own any but I am sure my clothes, haircut, manicure and everything else about me gives a clue that I am from the US and not a local. If anyone is mistaken about that they are quickly informed the minute I open my mouth and speak. I am a tourist, I dress like one, act like one and don't try for anything else. I simply use the same good manners when travelling that my mother taught me to use at home and I have never had a problem.
May 29th, 2008 | 07:09 AM
#45
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,582
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Am I missing something or is it really a goal to be considered a local while travelling? >>>>
It's a bit of an in-joke. There have been many threads about not looking like a tourists and fitting in in various european places.
Often people will say they fitted in so well that a local asked them for directions (although given how monglot Americans (and brits) are the local may simply have been telling them they have mad hair).
It's a bit of an in-joke. There have been many threads about not looking like a tourists and fitting in in various european places.
Often people will say they fitted in so well that a local asked them for directions (although given how monglot Americans (and brits) are the local may simply have been telling them they have mad hair).
May 29th, 2008 | 07:24 AM
#48
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 26,778
Likes: 0
<i>Am I missing something or is it really a goal to be considered a local while travelling?</i>
You are not missing anything, at all. I've never understood this whole concept of trying to live, act, or dress like a local, either. You can't, at least not to a meaningful extent. Sure, being asked for directions or being addressed in the local language might give the ego a little boost, but in what way does this really enrich your experience?
I think about this way: Suppose I were a New Yorker. If I took a two week trip to Houston, would I be able to successfully pass myself off as a Texan? If I were being honest, I would have to say no. So why, exactly, would I think that I can pass myself off as a Frenchman or a Swede? And, when in Texas, would wearing cowboy boots improve my experience? Cowboy boots are cool, sure, but I don't see how wearing them dramatically improves the travel experience.
If you were talking a longer-term relocation, then maybe things would be different, but that isn't what these threads are about. And even then, it isn't clear you will ever shed the label of outsider.
You are not missing anything, at all. I've never understood this whole concept of trying to live, act, or dress like a local, either. You can't, at least not to a meaningful extent. Sure, being asked for directions or being addressed in the local language might give the ego a little boost, but in what way does this really enrich your experience?
I think about this way: Suppose I were a New Yorker. If I took a two week trip to Houston, would I be able to successfully pass myself off as a Texan? If I were being honest, I would have to say no. So why, exactly, would I think that I can pass myself off as a Frenchman or a Swede? And, when in Texas, would wearing cowboy boots improve my experience? Cowboy boots are cool, sure, but I don't see how wearing them dramatically improves the travel experience.
If you were talking a longer-term relocation, then maybe things would be different, but that isn't what these threads are about. And even then, it isn't clear you will ever shed the label of outsider.
May 29th, 2008 | 07:33 AM
#49
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,581
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JDraper: The others have pretty much explained this very well. On this thread, at least, we are just making fun of some of the snobby people who think you HAVE to dress/act a certain way. Unfortuantely, there are a fair amount of snobs here who follow that school of thought. Life's too short, I say.
May 29th, 2008 | 09:06 AM
#51
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
flsd asked: "Padraig: is that Irish for classless?"
Not that I advert to it, but in fact it does mean something close to the opposite.
You debate like a juvenile, including turning a difference in opinion into a personal issue. Go away; you may come back when you acquire some sense of decorum.
Not that I advert to it, but in fact it does mean something close to the opposite.
You debate like a juvenile, including turning a difference in opinion into a personal issue. Go away; you may come back when you acquire some sense of decorum.
