I've had much more fun on trips when I admit I'm a tourist, ask for help, and party with the locals.

I live in SF and just this morning was on a streetcar going to work when a group of tourists got on. They were all crowding around the front, trying to figure out how to pay, how to get change, blocking other people from getting on behind them, totally holding up the works. Then one of them somehow didn't manage to get ON the streetcar before it left and she yelled at the driver.

They were so annoying. I don't want people to feel about me the way I felt about them. That's why I don't want to seem like a tourist.

I don't really care that much what I look like, although I don't carry around extra stuff when I travel. If I stand out as American, probably not much I can do about that.

For me, travel is about a mix of seeing the famous/notable sites and enjoying a bit of local life. Also generally hate crowds. So no problem with going to the British Museum or Parliament in London- those are truly amazing places that I enjoyed. But no need to stay in Piccadilly Circus and have major crowds every time you come and go, and crowded mediocre mostly chains within walking distance of your hotel. Better to stay a few subway/metro stops away and dip into the crowds for the truly great things, and step back out to experience a bit of daily life as well.

Looking like a tourist goes many ways. It’s not just the stereotypical fat white Americans with fanny packs and massive sneakers and bad dress sense. It’s also the hordes of young white kids mainly from Europe or Australia or the UK who travel through SE Asia with dreadlocks and baggy peasant trousers and shirts and who proclaim they’re “travelers” and not tourists who stand out ever so noticeably. One has to laugh.

Who hasn't been panhandled in the DC area even as a resident? I used to live in CA, and got panhandled there, too. I've been to Europe many times, and I don't try to blend in (I can't for the most part because I'm Asian), and very rarely got panhandled, and never was a victim of a pickpocket. Maybe my LA vibe radiates from me, ie, "don't f with me".

As long as you are cautious (don't take out wads of cash), keep your wallet/bag secured (not on your back), don't walk in sketchy areas or alone (walk where there are lots of people), you should be fine.

Newsflash people: when you are at a touristy site, you are a tourist, and the pickpockets know it. Doesn't matter how you dress.

I wrote on this forum about how I wear shorts/tank top sometimes when I go to the UK in the summer, in non touristy areas because DH's family/friends live there. Some snooty person on here told me that was so gauche and no Londoner would dare wear shorts or tank top. Why the heck would I care what Londoners wear. I'm not a wannabe Londoner, though we may move there, and I'll still wear my shorts/tank top when it's frickin hot outside, and most places don't have a/c there (have you tried riding the underground in the summer?).

I also wear fugly, comfy sandals when I'm there because *gasp* we walk around touristy areas, and I hate being uncomfortable.

When we travel abroad, I've been pegged as American because of my giant white teeth and straight smile. And using that smile often at nothing in particular. They say that's trademark American tourist

If that makes me look touristy, then I accept those consequences.

Obviously there are some places you just cannot hide that you're a tourist no matter what you wear. But just as we would roll our eyes at obvious tourists behaving obliviously in DC, I would expect to be treated the same if I was carrying around a fanny pack and acting oblivious when traveling elsewhere. If you'e comfortable being pegged that way then go on with your bad self... Many of us would rather not be so obvious.

Anonymous wrote:1) More likely to be directly "fleeced" as noted above (charged a higher price, taken on a roundabout taxi ride, etc)

2) More likely to be pickpocketed or targeted in other ways

3) More likely to be panhandled aggressively

That's just a few.

Once you open your mouth, they'll know you are American. No way around that in a taxi.

Anonymous wrote:1) More likely to be directly "fleeced" as noted above (charged a higher price, taken on a roundabout taxi ride, etc)

2) More likely to be pickpocketed or targeted in other ways

3) More likely to be panhandled aggressively

That's just a few.

While I agree these are valid concerns, I make no attempt to hide my tourist status. While I don't wear Hawaiian shirts or socks with sandals, I do wear a fanny pack. It is comfortable and convenient (mine has multiple pockets and a water bottle holder). It also allows me to carry everything in front of me, and if I'm caught in a crowd, it's easy to hold for extra security. I feel like this is a greater deterrent to pickpockets than attempting to blend in.

I've certainly faced panhandlers, but I've faced them locally (when I'm not a tourist) as well. I've also encountered many helpful people willing to assist a confused tourist. Whether either of those interactions is made more or less likely by my attire, I can't say.

Fleecing may be a matter of concern, but travelling mostly in groups (and generally avoiding taxis, other than to hotels where I think my destination and luggage gives me away), I haven't noticed it particularly. This may be a factor of my travel destinations. I can see this being a higher risk in some places than others.

Anonymous wrote:I like to blend in whenever I travel, due to reasons cited by PPs. I dress appropriately and manage to more or less blend in in the Caribbean and Europe. It helps that I'm racially ambiguous--I've been mistaken for Latina in Latinx neighborhoods, Parisian in Paris and even stopped and asked for directions (I look a bit North African), Jewish in NY Jewish neighborhoods. I do not, however, blend in in sub-Saharan African countries--I'm sure I've been considered an mzungu. *shrug* Oh well, can't win them all.

That’s awfully specific.

I like to blend in whenever I travel, due to reasons cited by PPs. I dress appropriately and manage to more or less blend in in the Caribbean and Europe. It helps that I'm racially ambiguous--I've been mistaken for Latina in Latinx neighborhoods, Parisian in Paris and even stopped and asked for directions (I look a bit North African), Jewish in NY Jewish neighborhoods. I do not, however, blend in in sub-Saharan African countries--I'm sure I've been considered an mzungu. *shrug* Oh well, can't win them all.

1) More likely to be directly "fleeced" as noted above (charged a higher price, taken on a roundabout taxi ride, etc)

2) More likely to be pickpocketed or targeted in other ways

3) More likely to be panhandled aggressively

That's just a few.

No, we just want to avoid getting fleeced.

And the fat American with Hawaiian shirt and socks with sandals walking around Paris is... gross.

Why do tourists want to not act like or look like tourists?

You’re a tourist. You don’t live there. That’s ok!