9 Tips for Blending In While Traveling
I’ve just returned from a wonderful 5-day trip to Rome and Florence. Weather was beautiful, crowds were present but nothing compared to what I imagine the height of tourist season is like, and the food was everything you’d expect from the Italians.
I’m sure nobody mistook me for a local, but I was frankly amazed at how blatantly some foreigners stick out against the normal tourist backdrop. I consider myself a relatively experienced traveler having journeyed through Europe and Asia, so I thought that I would offer a few tips on how to blend in. A lot of this might seem like common sense, but if that was the case I wouldn’t see these things being done time and time again.
1. Try to learn the language- Being a tourist, it’s obvious nobody is expecting you to be able to do even simple things like ordering something off the menu smoothly, but little things like the basic “hello”, “goodbye”, and “thank you” go a long way in at least making it look like you’re trying. Instead of immediately resorting to a translation of a menu item, try pronouncing it in the original language (if you can read the alphabet). I’ve never met anyone who was annoyed by my butchering of the Italian, French, German, (English), Japanese, or Korean- usually I get either a puzzled look followed by recognition when the person battles through my pronunciation or worst case scenario I have to point to a map or menu. It’s fun and shows you care enough about the culture you’re experiencing to try the language.
2. Pack light- Too often I see tourists lugging around backpacks, enormous water bottles, and enough snacks to tackle Mont Blanc for just a city tour. Do yourself a favor and just pack what you need for the day. Walking around Rome all I really brought with me was around 30 euro in my pocket, one of my credit cards, and my camera (also in a pocket or my girlfriend’s purse which she was gracious enough to tote around). Especially when it’s hot, you’ll really appreciate walking around without a huge load on your back.
3. Don’t take a picture of everything- If you’re one of those people that comes back from a day trip with 600 pictures, you’re taking too many. There’s a time and place for pictures and there’s a time and place for actually enjoying yourself. Naturally there are certainly places that warrant the series of photos, it just seems that some like to substitute quantity for quality.
4. Minimize looking at your map/guidebook- Assuming you have a map of the place you are visiting, try not to look at it every two seconds. You should be able to plan your route enough that you can walk a few blocks without having to look where to turn next. Read about your destination beforehand so you won’t look like a walking advertisement for Frommer’s.
5. Avoid large groups- If you are part of a tour group this is probably unavoidable, but if you have time by yourself consider going out in a small group of 2-4 and exploring on your own. A huge herd of people surrounding a small flag is a sure sign that a tour group is bearing down on you.
6. Speak softly- Speaking loudly in the non-native tongue is not only a sure sign that you’re a foreigner, it’s also annoying for other people to listen to. There’s nothing worse than walking past a gaggle of people complaining about how hot it is, how they’re bored, or how the location they’re visiting is different from home. Especially avoid bemoaning a particular aspect of the native culture in a public setting.
7. Avoid main thoroughfares if possible- walk down less crowded side streets. Not only will they be less noisy, they’ll be less populated by tourists. Walking down the Via dei Fori Imperiali in Rome we practically had to slalom through a series of tour groups accompanied by ever-present traffic sounds.
8. Walk slowly if you have time- Make your travel a liesurely stroll instead of a race from point A to B.
9. Order local specialities- Save the McDonald’s for when you go back home. Food is one of the most direct ways you experience a different culture. Make it memorable.
While all of these tips might seem superfluous, they do have their practical purposes too. In high-crime areas, lowering your profile makes you a less attractive target for thieves. Avoiding less tourist-populated areas; popular bus and metro lines, major roads, and areas surrounding major attractions also reduces risk of theft. By only carrying with you things that you need, you won’t lose as much if you do get pickpocketed. Other things to avoid are fanny packs, baseball caps (in European cities, at least), and huge DSLRs hung from one’s neck.
Do you have any suggestions on how to blend in while traveling abroad? I’m always interested in other people’s travel advice since it’s one of the more interesting things I do from time to time. Leave a tip in the comments!
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