abc |
Nov 10th, 2001 08:02 AM |
This question comes up a lot, and I don't understand this fear that so many posters here have of "looking like a tourist". Of course, there's the stereotype of the tasteless, clueless tourist dressesd totally inappropriately for the situation that we can all imagine, but how many travelers really dress like that (except at amusement parks - but don't get me started on that topic!)? What's wrong with being a tourist? If you travel for pleasure, that's what you are, and that's a good thing, not bad - someone who is broadening their horizons, learning about new places, cultures, and people. Why would you want to try to pass yourself off as a local? That seems deceitful to me. Of course, you want to be sensitive to what is considered appropriate dress, but I think using common sense usually works. Do you all think so little of where you live that you imagine that wearing your normal wardrobe, which is acceptable in your hometown, would suddenly make you stand out as a hick or rube elsewhere? I can understand wanting to know what to wear if you're going to a climate that's different from where you live, or knowing what is acceptable dress when going to a foreign country, where it might be very different than in the US, but I don't understand the horror of having someone perceive your status as "a tourist". Especially if you're going somewhere that is a popular tourist draw, why do you think that anyone will pay much attention to you, unless you do something rude or extremely unusual to draw attention to yourself? I live in a town that is a big tourist destination, and, believe me, I don't spend my time trying to decipher who is a visitor and who is a local. If someone looks lost or needs directions, I'm more than happy to help them; I'm proud of the history and beauty of my town, and am glad to share it. In fact, some might mistake me for a tourist, as I enjoy photography, so I frequently carry my camera around town, and sometimes I'll wear a waist pack if I'm going to be doing a lot of walking that day. But why should that bother me? After all, it's one's behavior, not appearance, that really counts. That's just my two cents.
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