Melissa

I'm asian--not Korean, but in Korea I am ALWAYS mistaken for a native. My most hilarious encounter was in Venice, when a German woman came up to me and asked me for directions....in GERMAN! And although I speak not a word of German, and we used very few gestures, somehow I could understand what she needed and pointed her in the right direction. I turned to my flabbergasted sister and said, "You see? She could tell that I'm multi-cultural." hahaha

Diane

I'm always asked for directions, no matter where I am. NYC, DC, LA, SF, Paris, Belfast, London, on the beach in Jamaica or Florida, you name it. I think it is because I look like, oh, "Aunt Mary" or a 6th grade teacher, or someone else familiar. Totally non-threatening. I'm usually confident of my surroundings (because I check out the map before I leave the hotel). I'm usually smiling because I'm usually quite happy. I should probably learn some pick-pocketing techniques and I'd easily make enough to support my growing travel habit!

Sjoerd

On a visit to New York City last year, three different young women looked at me, walked over and asked: "Are you a TV star or something?" When I asked who they thought I was, they did not really know a name, but told me I looked familiar. Well, I must admit that I could be Brad Pitt's twin brother.

Stacey

I'm guessing it's because of my very short, very blonde hair - but people always start conversations with me in Germany (in German). I have enough of the language to get about three lines in and then I have to confess I don't speak it!

John

I was snookered into going into a tourist bar near Shannon airport in Ireland with a bunch of Scottish friends - we were all somewhat bearded and raggy from work we were doing in the area, and some American gent fresh off the plane (his name was Howard, or according to his rather noisy wife, Howw-erd), wearing a Full Cleveland, lurked about with his camera, glancing at us. He finally whirled and fired off a flash, no doubt expecting us to launch into faiths and begorrahs. Instead, I affected my best Texarkana twang (it's a good one) and went up to him and asked "Cain yew git me a copy of that picture?" He fled.

Judy

Sjoerd: Sigh, you must be one cutie pie! Brad Pitt, move over! ;-) Judy

Jeanette

Having relatives in three different European countries, I can say that I have been taken for native only in one, Italy. The first thing out of my German relatives' mouths when I meet them in 1984 was that I didn't look German. (As they all looked down upon the top of my head.) I have been asked if I was Cuban about 5 different times by Europeans and Americans both while traveling, which I am not, but people do sterotype on looks- regardless it has never concerned me. One time I was totally alone in Formia, Italy when a man came up and talked to me for about 3 or 4 minutes as I was waiting in a bus station. At the end he asked a question and although I did not understand more than one word in twenty, I could tell that he was trying to get to Gaeta. I said Gaeta and showed him the bus stop signs. He said gratia to me about 20 times on the bus ride and was meet by what looked like a number of his teen-aged children. They also started to talk to me as I left the bus station. Just smiled, said bon journo and went on my way.

Lesli

Great stories, one and all! <BR> <BR>My first trip ever to Europe, I was approached by a local woman in Florence, who began speaking to me in Italian - she was soliciting funds for her church's charity. I knew enough to get the general idea, and to respond, (in Italian) that I did not know the language very well. She was very sweet and apologetic, but I was flattered! I thought the Florentines extremely stylish and attractive, and considered it a tremendous compliment that I was mistaken for one of them. <BR> <BR>I have also had people ask me for directions in various languages in Paris. One woman did not know French or English, but asked if I knew Spanish. I don't, but we managed to get by in broken Italian, with lots of gesturing. A Frenchman asked me how long the RER trip to the airport was; again, I was flattered! <BR> <BR>Another favorite moment of mine happened right at my local produce market, where a man asked me a question in Russian! I said, "I'm sorry, I don't speak Russian," and he replied, (in perfect English) that he just assumed that I was Russian, since my neighborhood has a large Russian population. I love it that things like that can happen in my "everyday" life.... <BR>

Susan

Given that so many of us living in North America have parents born elsewhere (or we were born elsewhere), I would think that this happens frequently when we travel to the 'homeland'. <BR> <BR>I had a funny experience when I was in Sydney, Australia visiting my mother-in-law. My husband (originally from the US) and I (Canadian) were sitting in a pub. Two English police officers (who were in Sydney on business) asked if I was Scottish. This was apparently because of the way I was holding my glass of beer! Since I was clearly with my husband, I don't think it was a pickup line. (Actually my father is Scottish - but I don't know if I've ever even seen him drink beer.) <BR> <BR>In terms of being mistaken for a native, for many years now, we've tended to travel to Mexico, Central America, last year Greece and Turkey. In no way would my Scottish Canadian (i.e., pasty white) appearance allow me to pass as a native. Even in Australia, coming from a Canadian winter, I couldn't pass as an Aussie! <BR>

Meg

I am always mistaken for a native especially in Italy and France. I am of Irish/Italian descent, but apparently medium skinned enough not to attract attention and also I try to dress conservatively (shoes always give you away). On the other hand, my husband is obviously of Irish descent and he has been pickpocketed in Rome and Paris. His face is an obvious target. He also makes it easy by pulling his maps out in front of the world to announce he is from other than the country he is in. <BR> <BR>I don't think people should change their identity completely when traveling, but they should have a sense of where they are and try not to make a target of themselves - unless they're looking for excitement.

Valerie

Great posts everyone! <BR> <BR>I lived in Union City, New Jersey (of all places) while working on Wall Street in NYC. Union City has the second largest Cuban population behind Miami. While I am very English/Irish decent, my strawberry blonde hair (at the time), green eyes and fair skin should have been a dead giveaway, but I was constantly approached by Spanish speaking people all the time. I usually gave them a good laugh when I told them in my limited Spanish "Yo hablo un poco, pero, me Espanol is muy malo" (I speak a little but my Spanish is sick)&gt;

janice

It happens to me a lot in Paris - I never need a map since I visit there so often, and I wear the obligatory black with a scarf - but my last trip (which ended last night!) was the wierdest. <BR>In Venice, people repeatedly, and I do mean like 9 or 10 times, thought that my boyfriend was a movie actor from France. Nobody could come up with a name, but it happened in cafes, on the Accademia Bridge twice, in line to get into the Basilica etc. Anybody know of a French actor who's about 5'9", pretty ordinary looking (forgive me, sweetie)but a body-builder, mid 40's, sandy brown hair? I watch a lot of French movies and I've never seen him yet...

Bill

I hate to be critical here, but I'm sensing more than a little defensiveness about being identified as American, notwithstanding the protestations otherwise. I just can't understand people going out of their way to dress in a stereotypical Parisian manner so as not to give any hint of their real nationality while in Paris. I would no more wear all-black (... I'll bet they wear berets too...) to "pass" in Paris than I would wear liederhosen in Bavaria. <BR> <BR>It's one thing to avoid clothing that would appear silly or inappropriate to those around you. That's common sense. But I don't think a single person in this forum has ever worn a polyester jogging suit in a cathedral -- whether in Europe or America. Just don't get slavish about this fitting-in urge. <BR> <BR>People ask you for directions on the street because you look pleasant and you seem less lost than they are... not because they are sure you live there. If you go up to a person in Paris to ask directions, not knowing anything about the person, OF COURSE you'd speak to them in French... whether you were a native speaker or not. If I'm asking directions in New York, I'll ask in English regardless of whether the person appears to be European, East Asian, African, South Asian, or whatever. <BR> <BR>And I don't know what to think of the person above who says he gets mistaken for a Frenchman when he's in North America because, in part, "my natural gait is confident, with my head up". I had no idea that was a French trait not commonly seen among Americans. <BR>

Quicksilver

Relax, Bill, we're all "regular guys" around here. <BR> <BR>Re-read my post and you'll see you've misinterpreted what I said. I am mistaken for a *native*, not necessarily a French person, in cities on both sides of the pond. I'm theorizing that this is partly because my stride makes me look like I look like I know where I'm going (illusion though it may be!). After seeing other posts, I realize I'm also asked for directions because I'm eminently non-threatening. ;P <BR> <BR>As for the all-black, some of us wear "mostly-black, most of the time," anyway. This is nearly an urban uniform around the world, IMHO. If we already own these black clothes, it makes sense to take things that mix-and-match and don't show dirt, when we're travelling. My point was that this *incidentally* blends in. <BR> <BR>I don't think the point of this thread is that anyone wants to put on a costume, assume another identity or "fool" anyone. Not only do I know that I *can't* fool anyone, but more to the point, who cares? I'm sure I speak for many people here when I say that I travel because I love difference, and so I don't mind exhibiting it! As long as I'm not interfering with anyone's enjoyment of their own hometown (e.g., being really loud in a quiet restaurant) I've "blended in" enough. <BR> <BR>Your exhortation to be ourselves is well-taken: it's good advice, anywhere and anytime. As far as I'm concerned, though, being mistaken for a native is significant primarily as a fun anecdcote. Perhaps, on occasion, it makes us feel satisfied that we took a language class, or pleased that we've mastered the local underground. I doubt any of us consider it a serious quest. <BR> <BR>Closing thought: perhaps I'm pleased when this happens in Paris, not because I'm *not* myself, but because it makes me feel like a little bit of Paris has become *part* of myself. It's comforting to know I will take that little piece home with me. <BR> <BR>(yeah, yeah, Hemingway said it better, give me a break) <BR> <BR>Cheers! <BR> <BR> - Quicksilver - <BR>

Melissa

Why be yourself when you can be someone else?

Danna

This why I WEAR WHITE TENNIS SHOES. I figure it's my badge as a tourist in Europe. I know I'll always need some help, why not advertise? <BR> <BR>Actually I'm an Anishinabe Woman and was once greeted in New York's China Town with (phonetically) "nee how ma" Luckily I knew this meant "hello" so I smiled.

Meg

Thanks Quicksilver, you hit it right on the mark!!!

Bill

Quicksilver - <BR>I DID misread the intent of your original message. Sorry. <BR>And if you wear all-black-all-the-time, there's certainly no reason to switch to pink polyester while in Paris *grin* It's just that I was seeing a number of posts that seemed to suggest wearing all-black to "pass" in Paris and it was getting to me. Apologies to anyone who took offense.

janice

I don't wear all black to "pass" when I'm in Paris. I'm from Chicago - I wear all black about 90% of the time anyway...

Quicksilver

<BR>Actually, Bill, it seems there is *one* reason: if I get tired of people asking for directions, I can don the pink tracksuit in order to get some peace and quiet! <BR> <BR>Anyway, no worries. And now, hopefully, Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming... <BR> <BR> - Quicksilver -