Saturday Night Magazine - Overseas Fasion

Overseas Fasion

Written by Bryce Longton

Monday, April 10 2006

How not to look like a tourist
There's nothing wrong with looking like a tourist, if you are one. But you also don't want to stick out in a way that makes you look like a country bumpkin or a clueless visitor. Try these tips on your next trip.

In General
	Don’t go around comparing everything “to the way it is at home” you aren’t at home douche bag. Enjoy the quirks of the city you are in—you’ll be home soon enough.
	Don’t over pack. Every other city probably has things like shampoo, toothpaste and tampons—no need to bring the Costco-size version in case you run out. The rule of thumb is only pack what you can carry. And you will be carrying—a lot of places do not have elevators or smooth streets to wheel suitcases on. Less is more here.
	Do bring extra doses of any medication you are on, and also contact solution (if you need it)—it is notoriously hard to find overseas.
	Do rip out the relevant pages in your heavy guidebook. Just tear out the pages for whatever city you are going to—this way you don’t have to lug around the entire book. Before you come back home throw away—or give away—the rest of the book. What, did you want to keep Backpacking Europe 2006 forever?

When Sightseeing
	Bring as little as possible with you. Passport, camera, enough money for the day, a long sleeve shirt and a bottle of water is enough.
	Don't go around asking people where the McDonalds is.
	Plan ahead. Don’t be the idiot walking in circles trying to get to the museum down the street.
	Don't stop in the middle of a packed tourist area to read your map – at least get out of the way to have a look.

Clothing
	Do not wear VISIBLE white socks.
	Do not buy a touristy el cheapo t-shirt from the place you are visiting and wear it while you are there. Also, do not wear shirts that say "I love New York" or any other major city. Is there anything more obvious?
	Do not wear brown khaki shorts. Hello? In fact, if you are a guy—don’t wear shorts at all. In most countries shorts are only for little boys. They will mark you as an instant foreigner. If it’s hot buy some linen pants.
	Do not wear baseball caps. Ever. It is a really American thing to do.
	Do buy some clothes locally, you’ll fit in better and you’ll have them as a reminder of your trip when you get home.

Gear
	No fanny-pack. Need I even say this?
	Do not wear those "security" wallets on a string outside of your shirt. They are supposed to be worn where you cannot see them.
	Do not carry around a translator dictionary.
	Do not bring anything with you of great value—electronics or jewelry—you might lose it or be a target of theft.

Photography
	Put the camera somewhere discreet, like in a backpack. Don't wear it around your neck.
	Don't ask too many people to take group pictures of you. That flat out makes you look like a tourist.

Language
	Lower the volume of your voice. Speaking louder won't make people understand you better. Also, don't make a fool of yourself by using hand signals to talk to people.
	Speak the Language! Learn enough basics, curse words, and phrases to get a grasp on the local lingo—you want to be able to play drinking games with the locals at the bars don’t you?

Specific Quirks for Different Countries
	The Philippines: Foreigners are identified not by their looks, but by how fast they walk. If you want an annoying moneychanger to leave you alone, walk s l o w l y.
	Great Britain, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand and Thailand: All drive on the “wrong” side of the road—the left.
	Rome: Curses fly freely from Vespas all around the city. Try Vaffanculo, Puttana or Stronzo and you’ll be just like a local.

Tips
	Keep in mind that more colorful clothes are worn the farther south you travel.
	Remember, the smaller the city, the more conservative the dress.
	If you're a female traveling alone, consider wearing a wedding ring.
	Don't smile so much. Americans are much smilier than Brits. Showing your pearly whites is a dead giveaway.

Warnings
	Leave the short shorts and tracksuit at home.
	Remember that denim isn't appropriate in many restaurants in the evening; better to err on the side of being too dressy than too casual.