7 Tips for Traveling with Class

I’ve been traveling internationally since I was 15 years old and some of my proudest moments are when I’m mistaken for a local. Obviously, as a white American woman, this is unattainable in many countries—like when I lived in Kenya for 3 years—so I’m equally thrilled when someone thinks I’m from somewhere in Europe. I love my country, but the “Ugly American” stereotype is so often the unfortunate truth. (There are a couple other cultures I’ve noticed achieving “Ugly American” status over the last several years, which I won’t name, but if your region has a similar reputation, this article is for you, too!)

 

Now, I know, you just read me calling you an Ugly American and got angry that I’m judging you. But stay with me a for a moment. The problem isn’t being American. The problem also isn’t that you’re going to offend people (although you will). The issue with being the Ugly (Insert Country Here) is one of your personal safety and security. Taking the steps below will help you blend in and make yourself less of a target for scammers, pick pocketers, and others who would wish you ill will.

 

So what behavior tweaks do I make to ensure that I don’t fit into the Ugly American stereotype?

1.        No logos! I know, your favorite Lululemon sweatshirt is the most comfortable thing on the planet. BUT… splashing a giant logo across your chest, particularly for a brand that’s generally only available in your home country, turns that logo into a target. Sure, there are brands like Timberland, The North Face, and Victoria’s Secret available in many international locations, but with the added excise taxes, these brands can cost up to double the price as in the US. By the way, this includes your backpack. More about that below.

 

2.        Keep your voice down. Especially in restaurants. I can’t tell you how many restaurants I’ve been in where my family and I have completely ceased conversation to either A. Eavesdrop on the conversation happening in English 4 tables away because they’re just that loud, or B. We simply couldn’t hear each other over the noisy table next to us. I’m glad you’re excited about your great Aunt Sally’s first-ever trip out of the country, as you should be, but please read the room and understand the rest of us would very much like to enjoy our own conversations.

 

3.        Research the local dress code in advance. This certainly comes into play more in some of the Middle Eastern/North African countries, but it helps to be aware of how the locals are likely to dress. In my experience, there are very few places where men are likely to wear shorts outside of the US. So, men wearing shorts is usually a dead giveaway. Similarly, in many parts of the world, women almost exclusively wear skirts instead of pants—Kenya was one of these places, although there were plenty of women who did wear pants (or trousers, for the Brits). Here in Greece, the only women I see in shorts seem to be tourists, unless we’re at the beach.

 

4.        Avoid backpacks. If there is one thing that screams “I’m a tourist” more than anything else, it’s a backpack/rucksack (and I’m not talking about the on-trend 90s-style itty bitty leather backpack purses). You might see backpacks on commuters during the rush hours, but very rarely have I seen locals toting backpacks around all day long. Backpacks are a pickpocket’s dream. All those easily-accessible compartments! If you must carry a backpack, I highly recommend this Kopack Backpack from Amazon. I have carried mine for almost 10 years and only now is the bottom starting to wear through. It has a laptop compartment, a zipper that can only be accessed when you take the backpack off, and handy hidden pockets for your phone and passport. I just wish it had an external pouch for a water bottle.

 

5.        Learn a few words. Seriously, learning how to greet someone properly goes a long way towards fostering a connection. In both Kenya and Greece, the surprised and delighted reactions I have gotten just from uttering “good morning” in the local language have been entertaining. I am often asked, in an excited voice, “Oh! You speak XXXX language?” Pro tip: also learn how to say “I speak only very little XXXXX language” in response! Inevitably, just attempting a few words is enough to bring a smile and a pleasant experience for everyone.

 

6.        Keep your head out of your phone! Especially when walking down the street or through a tourist site. I know, it’s a new city and you probably don’t know where you’re going, so you need to consult the map! Please, for everyone’s sake, when you realize you’ve gone three blocks too far, step off to the side or duck into a café for a local delicacy.

 

7.        Don’t expect everything to be exactly like home. I mean, doesn’t that completely defeat the purpose of traveling abroad? On a recent trip to Scotland, I actually overheard someone say, “I want to see more of the world, but I also want it to be just like the US.” The US is incredibly diverse and multi-cultural and that’s one of the country’s strengths, but the diversity pales in comparison to the rest of the world. If you are going to all the expense and trouble to experience a new place and a new culture, why not embrace the full experience?

 

8.        Try to get off the beaten path. Maybe you’ve seen the news this year that many European locations are staging protests against overtourism. On Santorini, the local government asked local residents to limit their movements due to the expected influx of tourists in a single day. Not only is this frustrating for the local community, but it also diminishes the tourists’ experience. I always recommend visiting sites during off hours (for example, the Acropolis in Athens is best after 5:30 pm, after the cruise ships depart) or even off season! Also consider visiting smaller sites or towns where you will receive a more authentic experience. Keep an eye on my blog for some of my recommendations for my favorite under-rated locations!

 

What are your tips for experiencing a destination in a more authentic way?