Whether you’re checking out the international food scene in Düsseldorf or visiting houses of worship in Sibiu, how not to look like a tourist is an essential skill. And, given the recent scenes in Paris and London with violent street thieves targeting unsuspecting visitors of all kinds, fitting in can ensure you blend in with local culture. It’s hard to know what’s worse, becoming a target of city vermin like phone-snatchers or irritating locals who will mutter “Les Tourists” through gritted teeth.
How not to look like a tourist may seem pretty obvious. Dress like a local. Know your way around. But, there is a little bit more to it that that. In this blog post, I’ll tackle how to blend in so well, locals will ask you what time the next bus is arriving.
What is the Difference Between a Tourist and a Traveller?
I know. For those who have the means to travel, it can seem a little indulgent to split the difference. Here is my take on it:
- Tourists (and I’ve been one) are preoccupied with a few things: convenience, entertainment, and comfort – all things you can quite honestly get easier at home.
- Travellers are interested in everything! They expect inconvenience and are more often than delighted and amused at a lack of comfort. Who’d devolve into whinging about the quality of the coffee when the tacky cafe you’re in is right outside the Colisseum?! Train seats that disgorge last decade’s traveller dust recede in light of the excitement of travelling to hear Byzantine chanting during at Matins in an Eastern Orthodox Byzantine monastery tucked into a side street in Budapest. And, chugging through verdant Transylvanian valleys to find that freshly-baked mahogany bread and sesame seed pretzels dotted with salt crystals that make your tongue fizz await you in Germanic Brasov bakeries makes any sweaty traipse worthwhile.
Why Do I Need to Know How Not to Look Like a Tourist?
Because people are after your stuff! Let me tell you a few travel tales…
Scenario 1: Gadget Grab Near Termini Station, Rome
Just a two minute walk from Termini station in Rome gave me a lesson in vigilance. I set a (cheap) camera down for one second at an outdoor cash exchange counter, and it was gone. It was hours before I even remembered I’d had my camera out of my bag. Only one roll of film was lost. To date, it’s only place I’ve ever been a victim of a successful theft – and I’m pretty sure I set the camera down myself on a money exchange counter.
Scenario 2: Street Urchin Pickpockets in the City Centre, Rome
Another day on the same trip, my three fellow travellers and I were dandering up toward a fountain on our way on a ramble around Rome on a blistering July afternoon. We were walking single file, a little aimlessly. Requisite tourist dress: shorts, t-shirts and sandals. Pale Atlantic skin. Most of us wore bumbags and a few of us had cameras. We could not have signalled our non-Roman credentials more if we’d been doing it on purpose. Naturally, the street gangs who employ and control these desolate souls saw an opportunity. There were 2-3 of them. The kids managed to get their hands into both shorts pockets of both me and my friend behind me. Thankfully, we were savvy enough to have our money and passports in a concealed money belt, while our very modest everyday cash was in a wallet in our well-secured bags. My friend who was dawdling few steps behind shouted as soon as he detected little hands grabbing for cash, alerting me that something was wrong. I saw them the moment he roared, all of us jumping away from each other in fright.
Scenario 3: Phantom Bag Snatcher in Modern Colonnade Patio at KFC, Rome
Later – yes, again on the same trip, one of my travelling companions had her bag stolen form under her chair at a large, budget burger chain. There were five of us at the table that evening. So, to this day, I cannot understand how they managed to spirit it away. This necessitated a trip on the train back to Milan to replace the lost money, travellers’ cheques, Inter-rail train ticket and passport – an expensive and stressful introduction to the risks inherent in trekking from city to city across Europe.
Scenario 4: Rabid Selfie-Stick Hawkers Doubling as Bag Snatchers at Victor Emmanuel II National Monument, Rome
On one of our city-wide hop on/hop off bus tours, our vantage point from the top deck allowed us a clear view of an attempted bag theft. We watched as a pesky self-stick seller distracted a group of tourists while he deftly reached for one of their bags! I could not help but gasp at the brazen attempt to defraud while selling!
Note From the Editor: There really are few places where I felt totally relaxed in Rome (see Rome Dice Basta! for details of why). This was due to the fact that I saw multiple instances of scams – perpetuated by migrants, not locals. So, while my stories are Rome-heavy, it is because it is there where I witnessed the most scams.
How Not to Look Like a Tourist
Locals would never fall for the same scams. Tourists are at a massive disadvantage. You look, sound, and act differently. Whether you admit this or not, your ethnicity, behaviour, and appearance set you out as different – and perhaps not as aware or alert, particularly if you’re vacationing or distracted trying to find your way – from locals who know the area, people, language, customs, norms, and expectations.
Here are some ways in which you can avoid standing out quite so much:
How Can I Dress Not to Look Like a Tourist in Europe?
After having watched approximately 347 of Wolter’s World‘s addictive YouTube videos, I’ve learned a thing or two about paying as much attention to the people around you as they are to you. This advice will make you all but invisible for scammers scanning the horizon for their next mark.
- Avoid the temptation to buy all new clothes and shoes just before a holiday. Wear your worn-in stuff.
- Avoid the clichéd gear that gives away certain types of tourists everywhere: white trainers; sporty shorts, t-shirts and leggings; gem-coloured raincoats (guilty!); college hoodies and your favourite teams’ baseball caps.
- It’s been a little controversial on some of the travel forums I’m on (because each country’s residents do not want to think they’re lacking in style), but I’ve found that dressing down and dressing in darker clothes works best. I prefer travelling off season, and in countries where it’s often much cooler in the shoulder seasons. My uniform is pretty similar to home here in Northwest Europe: jeans, trousers, light sweaters, flat boots, dark woollen coat, scarf, gloves, and a lightweight beanie. You’re simply much less noticeable in a crowd. Our favourite incognito moment was getting asked by a local in Budapest if the next tram would be long.
What to Use to Schlepp Your Stuff
There’s been much written already online about how to carry your stuff while travelling. I travel carry-on (35L), mainly to limit the weight I’ve to lug around. But, I also save lots of time by not standing around at baggage reclaim. If you have similar minimal needs try the Arcido Faroe Backpack. It fits a laptop, extra pair of shoes and minimal clothing and toiletries.
To carry my stuff while day-tripping – wallet, tickets, phone, charger, scarf, gloves, hat, snacks, water, sunscreen, or medication – I wear a small, lightweight but padded cross-body, canvas sling, messenger or daypack (it never leaves my torso!). My latest recommendation is the Luna Recycled Sling Bag from ThisIsTrueNorthLife.
If you’d like to explore further options, I recommend checking out Chase Reeves’ in-depth and fun bag reviews.
How Not to Act Like a Tourist
First, don’t flop around like an expiring fish if you can’t get the exact food, opening hours and health and safety standards to which you are accustomed. There’s nothing more hideous than watching a tourist trash a country’s offerings by insisting they match their own. Accept what’s on offer, or make a decision and move on. If every country was the same, there’d be no reason to explore.
Here are a few more obvious behaviours to avoid:
- Avoid stopping in the pavement or street and gaping at sights. Find a step, wall or somewhere else to perch, and have a drink or snack while you sit.
- Avoid carrying a large camera or vlogging gear out in the open all the time.
- Avoid bringing out large, paper maps and leaflets in the street between locations. Do this indoors or in a cafe before you set off (much less obvious and risky). Even, better, use the copious city map and other visitors apps available on your smartphone. Many include have tube, train and bus route apps too, making it easy to get around. And some even have voice directions, meaning that if you’re trekking alone, you simply can tuck your phone safely away into your clothing and plug in earbuds instead.
Look Like a Curious, Engaged, Relaxed Traveller
- It’s such a cliche, but it will transform your experience in most countries. Learn a few basic phrases. I’ve found that in Germany and Italy, you’ll offend the locals more than in other countries if you don’t know how to say and understand the following before you go: hello, good-bye, please, thank-you, table for two, pharmacy, doctor, bus/train station, ticket, numbers, toilets, and directions.
- Compliment the locals for their country, food, traditions, enthusiasm or helpfulness, or tip where appropriate. It’s just a respectful thing to do, but you’ll also get better service from those working in the service industries.
- Try new things: Syrian coffee in Budapest, midnight trams, free walking tours, outdoor winter spas or underrated museums. Experience difference and you’ll soon find you’re craving it more.
If you have your own recommendations on how not to look like a tourist in Europe and elsewhere, please share them in a comment. Meanwhile, you may want to take a look at other travel tools.
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The Editor at Aletheia Travel
A business owner from Northern Ireland, I’m endlessly curious about differences in culture, tradition, architecture, art, language, religion, philosophy, food, and music… and in awe of perpetual travellers.
Join me as I remember old trips, new people, absorbing food and compelling places.
Next on my hit-list is a multi-site trip to Portugal and a road-trip through England.
