Most people who are travelling like tourists don’t like to look like one. Try these pointers:

1. No dress code for tourists

Don’t dress like your going to a Hawaiian Luau in a conservative country. It’s ok for the beaches, but not for the centre of London. Try and find out what the local dress codes are. The idea is to blend in, not to stand out.

2. Look at my new big camera!

Everyone travels with digital cameras, camcorders, etc. But in quite a few places, South America, Africa or most countries of Asia, it’s not a good idea to show off that super whatever. They attract unwanted attention (robberies) and immediately brand you as a tourist. Try to keep them in a bag, and, if possible, go for the smaller units.

3. Speak up

Watch your voice, people tend to speak loudly when in unfamiliar territory.
Speaking loudly and slowly won’t help people to understand you if you don’t speak their language.

4. How many dollars is that?

Try to memorize the local money exchange rate so you don’t have to pull out a calculator every time you look at something you want to buy. This may be specially useful in some countries, were locals may try to rip you off with the exchange rate.

5. Im completely lost!

Maps. Of course you need them in a strange city. But try and read them discreetly, not walking down the street with the map all open.

6. I hate this food…

As to the food, wherever you go, try and not put down the local cuisine even though to you it seems awful. Many tourists do this not realizing that it’s impolite. Also, try and not moan all the time that you’re dying for a hamburger.

7. Big tips

Don’t over tip. In most places a 10% tip is fine, a bit more if you feel like it. But just because the place you’re visiting is very cheap doesn’t mean you have to over tip. People will take your large tip but not respect you any more for it. In some places of the world the average monthly pay is around 100 dollars, so a 5 buck tip is way out of proportion.

8. Use only Dollars

Try to get some local change before you travel. It’ll save you a lot of trouble…specially if you didn’t follow tip number 4.
If your travelling to some out of the way area it might just be that they don’t have credit cards. Carry some cash, not too much, just in case.

9. Everyone should speak English

Before you travel, try to learn a bit about the place you are going to, as well as a few key words of the local language. It’s surprising how a few words in the local language make things so much easier.

If you have more tips on how not to look like a tourist, please leave them in the comments!