Sneaky Ways To Not Look Like A Tourist, No Matter Where You Are In The World

You know 'em, you love 'em, you laugh at 'em, you hope you are not one of them, and you can pick some out of the crowd within seconds. Tourists are often the most visible people in the room and on the street.

Putting aside the humor, the issue with tourists drawing too much attention to themselves while traveling abroad is that they are missing out on the fly-on-the-wall effect. Did you travel to Buenos Aires to be the one observed or to be the observer? Do you want to experience the local culture, or do you want yourself to be an abrupt disruption to the normal flow, which can actively push away locals and prevent you from having an authentic international experience? By playing the part of respectful witness and traveler, you can dive much deeper into a foreign culture, immerse yourself in surprising ways, and remove an invisible but real barrier between you and local life.

So, how can you walk down the street in a foreign country without it being a dead giveaway that you are not from there? Here are some sneaky suggestions on how to achieve cultural chameleonism and not look like a tourist, no matter where you are.

Knowledge is power. The number one giveaway that you are a tourist is going to be your face: overwhelmed, clueless, vulnerable, and "What now?" in giant bold font printed on your forehead. Your confidence and presentation are your first lines of defense, and your external demeanor is most certainly going to be determined by your internal state of mind. Do some research before heading to your destination rather than booking a plane ticket to Timbuktu with the idea that you are going to figure it out when you get there. This is especially helpful in regards to countries with very, very different languages, customs, and traditions to your own. If you come armed with sufficient information, your confidence will shine through.

Simple trip research can be done before you even step foot in the country. Pick your poison: do you prefer to read travel blogs, listen to podcasts, watch Youtube videos, or skim through guidebooks? All you need is some basic info in your head, and that is going to get you so very far once you touch down overseas. This goes from eating at more local places, knowing navigational basics on the public transportation, and avoiding the most common tourist traps that don't deserve the hype. You don't know what you don't know, and ignorance is NOT bliss when it comes to safety, respect, and common sense.

Clothing is your second giveaway and can instantly put that "tourist" label on you. Tourists frequently dress more glamorously, impractically, and vibrantly than locals, no matter where you travel to. It may be impossible to not instantly look foreign if you have different skin and hair color than most locals, but you can soften differences by dressing in locally appropriate clothing. Tourists tend to want to put their best foot forward and look fab for the 'gram, while locals are heading to the market, school, or work; this clothing contrast immediately raises a flag. Whether it's high heels on cobblestone streets or white sneakers in muddy climates, practicality often goes out the window. 

Rule of thumb: Opt for subdued patterns, easy-to-match colors, and a simple, classic look. Dress in practical outfits for the climate and don comfortable walking shoes. We aren't saying you have to look drab! Just drop the obnoxiously bright colors, flamboyant prints, and gaudy jewelry. Maybe don't pack a t-shirt that literally has your country's flag on it. Take the first day of your trip to observe the locals' attire and adjust your wardrobe as best you can. You may find it's not appropriate to wear certain outfits, such as those short shorts or a mini dress, and keep some of the clothing you had packed in your suitcase. Showing lots of skin in some countries is a dead giveaway if modesty is highly valued there.

Stopping in the middle of the crowded sidewalk with the most enormous confused look on your face and staring at a map on your phone (or even better, a physical map) to obviously try to figure out where you are, is just classic. Before you leave your hotel, have your route mapped and know where you are going. If you are going to ask for directions or help, do it away from the busy street and away from the world's eyes. 

Dive into a corner store, buy a drink or a snack, and ask them nicely if they could answer your question, or take the opportunity to check the map on your phone. Same goes for your Rick Steves guidebook and having that bad boy waving in the wind as you sip your coffee at an outdoor cafe — it'll give you away.

How discreet are you with your photography? A selfie stick is the true beacon of tourism if there ever was one. A DSLR hanging around your neck with a trigger-happy finger is a giveaway. So is taking out your phone at every opportunity, including really un-remarkable sights, and having it in your hand with the camera app open. Stopping in the middle of the pedestrian flow to take a 180-degree video scan of your surroundings while everyone flows around you can also scream "tourist." Taking pictures in front of locals immediately puts a bit of a wall up. 

We all love photos and the memories that they can capture, but either using as much discretion as possible or using that memory of yours to record precious moments would keep you more undercover. Try snatching pictures while sitting down, out of the flow of traffic, and against walls.

If you want to blend in a bit, it's best to be cognizant of your presentation and level of external expression. If you are pointing or raising your voice louder than your surroundings, it can flag you as a tourist. Not to interfere with your natural curiosity and natural desire for expression, but your most public displays mark you as a newbie.

If you don't want to be hassled by assertive shop owners and restaurant hosts wanting to lure you inside, walk with purpose. Locals have somewhere to go, and they walk like it. Tourists wander and meander with slower steps, upturned eyeballs, and mouths open. Being chill around any sellers who call out to you will help deflect their attention; no need to make eye contact with every single one, and single yourself out for attention that you don't want.

Opt for practical accessories over aesthetic. Ain't nothing wrong with an umbrella on a rainy day, but did you choose one that has "I LOVE LONDON" stamped on it? We do love London, yes, but the locals aren't advertising it in that fashion. Are you backpacking Europe with an enormous bag on your back? Try to leave bulky backpacks at the hostel. Instead of a bejeweled, impractical purse, carry a nondistinct tote bag over one shoulder. 

Picking up local customs and etiquette with the power of observation will go a long way. Notice how locals greet public transport conductors, whether people wait in an ordered queue or if it's a free-for-all, and whether it's common to jaywalk. For example, in Thailand and many other parts of Asia, it's customary to take off your shoes before entering a shop or home. When asking the price of something, ask in the local currency, not your home country's. Downloading a currency exchange app or knowing how to calculate the exchange rate in your head allows you to quickly do the conversion yourself, improving communication. It's also helpful to learn a few basic words of the local language, such as, "hello," "thank you," "please," "excuse me," "bathroom," "how much," and "where is." A couple phrases you can use at restaurants will also be immensely helpful!

Put your local culture in your back pocket, and say ta-ta for now to what you know. Be open and adapt. Don't try to force your own traditions in a new country, because often, they will only impair your ability to fully experience the now. If locals are curious and ask you about where you came from, that could be an amazing opportunity to share about your home country, but otherwise, why drag in the dead?

And let's be honest about two things! One, locals will likely be able to sense you are a tourist pretty quickly, even with these above tips, once they have a true interaction with you. Still, doing what you can will ease and improve your experience and interactions. And second, there is nothing wrong with being a tourist! You shouldn't worry about it, and instead, be proud you've gone outside your comfort zone abroad.