Do you look and act like a tourist? If so, it can produce assumptions that you are inexperienced, naive, lacking cultural awareness, and wealthy. Standing out as a tourist can make you appear vulnerable and an easy target for scams, pickpockets, and other types of crime.
Making an international faux pas by not being aware of cultural differences and similarities in the country you’re visiting could ruin a trip.
By following a few simple guidelines, one can reduce the risk of being identified by local criminals or scam artists and being targeted for fraudulent schemes or petty crimes.
Here are some expert tips that will help travellers not look like a tourist, thereby increasing safety and, at the same time, getting closer to what Mark Twain calls a “bold, wholesome, charitable view” of the world we live in and share.
Behaviour
• Always look like you know where you’re going, even if you don’t. If you must look at a phone app, do it discreetly and in a way that others don’t think you’re looking at a map. Holding a map in the street is a tell-tale sign you are a tourist. Familiarize yourself with a local map before leaving your hotel room and plot your route ahead of time using Google Maps (or similar).
• If you use public transportation like the locals, be certain to read and understand the bus routes and metro train schedules before you go and have the correct currency or pass for the fare. Using public transportation is a great way to blend in with the locals and save money. It is also a fun and smart way to explore a city’s neighbourhoods and get a sense of the local way of life.
• Leave the selfie stick at home. Avoid taking selfies to reduce your “I’m a tourist” signature. Keep your voice down. Many tourists are noisy and often perceived as being loud and obnoxious. Be mindful of your volume and avoid drawing attention to yourself.
Appearance
• While travelling in conservative destinations, avoid revealing clothing and behave in a way that shows respect for the local culture and way of life. Don’t try to be what you’re not. If dressing like a local means wearing clothing that doesn’t fit your ethnicity, then don’t do it.
• Most countries are more formal than Canada and US, so avoid wearing gym clothes, yoga garb, sweats and anything that looks like you just rolled out of bed or came from a workout. Many other cultures may see that as offensive. Stay away from clothing that has religious or provocative imagery, curse words, profanity, sports teams, political brands, and national flags. These are potentially offensive, disrespectful, or confrontational.
• Jewellery, especially flashy jewellery for men or women, stands out wherever you’re travelling. Tone it down or, better yet, opt for costume jewellery, less showy watches, necklaces, and bracelets. Reconsider toting a flashy camera – not only does it provide a thief or mugger with a target, but also draws attention and signals that you’re not from the area and makes you an easy mark. Wearing a passport holder with a cord around your neck makes you easily identifiable as a tourist. If you do have one, wear it under your top layer.
Observe, Respect Local Customs
When you’re visiting a new country, it’s essential to respect the local culture and customs. Try to learn about local customs to show respect for the local culture. Here are a few examples of destinations’ customs that may seem unusual compared to your home country:
• Tipping in Japan is considered rude, and there’s no need to tip at restaurants in Denmark. Meanwhile, a 15-20% gratuity is expected in the US.
• While it’s normal, even required, to sit in the back of a cab in North America, it’s different in Australia, New Zealand, parts of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands where it’s considered rude not to ride shotgun.
• If you’re trying to say, “awesome” with a thumbs-up hand sign, be careful in countries like the Middle East, Latin America, Western Africa, Russia, and Greece where it has the same meaning as holding up your middle finger in the North America.
Self-awareness and destination research will protect your travel experience. By blending in with the locals and respecting the local culture, you can avoid looking and acting like a vulnerable traveller and have a more authentic and enjoyable travel experience.
(Dan Richards is CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, a leading provider of medical, security, evacuation, and travel risk management services. He currently serves on the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce).