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Don't be "that" tourist - things to avoid when you are abroad
It isn't too hard to look like a well traveled jetsetter, and it only takes a couple of common sense measures.
After the jump, you'll find a list of things (I think) you should avoid if you plan to go abroad. Some of the items are quite logical, others may be things you'd normally overlook.
Feel free to add your own "don't do's" in the comments at the end of the article.
Leave the stupid T-Shirt at home
Your "Female body Inspector" T-Shirt may be a riot back home with the guys and girls, but when you are heading abroad, you may want to leave it behind.
A trip abroad doesn't mean you need to dress up in your best tux, but remember that you are representing your country. A little respect and good behavior goes a long way. Plus most stupid t-shirts make you look like an immature jerk.
Loud and obnoxious
Speaking loud and slow is not a sure way to make people understand you. And no - this isn't just something from the movies. I have witnessed plenty of people doing it.
Picture someone speaking Chinese (assuming you don't speak any Chinese) - if they talk louder and slower, does it help you understand what they are saying?
Do keep in mind that foreigners may not always be able to keep up with your tempo or accent, so slow things down a little.
Don't be the unprepared one
Before you leave, spend some time getting to know your destination. Investigate simple things like airport to hotel transportation, and the local voltage (that Travelocity gnome was onto something). Other things to keep in mind; will your phone work, can you get any required medications abroad and will your credit card be accepted.
Brush up on your geography
When you travel the world, you'll come across people who are doing the same thing - so try and brush up on your basic geography.
I know it's been ages since you had to learn the world capitals at school, but if you come across someone from Copenhagen, you'll look like an ass if you tell them you've always wanted to see their home country of The Netherlands. And trust me, I've met people like this a lot, you'll be amazed how quickly people forget basic geography as they grow older.
Learn the language (a bit)
Even if your only phrase is "do you speak English?", speaking some of the foreign language will always show you put some effort into visiting their country.
English may be one of the most popular languages in the world, but to many people so is their language. Even with just a couple of hours practice a week, you'll learn some of the basics of other languages.
Eating at US restaurants
Resist the temptation to ignore foreign foods by sticking to US restaurants when abroad. The only exception is when your favorite fast food chain offers something particularly local (like the Maharaja Mac in India). Try that once.
If you don't want to eat all that icky looking foreign food, stay home next time. Part of heading abroad is adapting to their culture, which includes food.
Wearing a fanny pack
Seriously, just don't do it. Very few people can pull it off without looking like a complete fool. If you need to carry that much crap with you, get a backpack or cargo shorts with big pockets. Nothing screams "rob me" like a loud tourist with a fanny pack.
Counterfeit products
You may think you look cool with your new Looey Vuitton luggage, or a nice Shannel handbag, but remember that anyone who knows a thing or two about luggage or handbags will spot you from a mile away.
Do you really want to be walking through the airport with people staring at you because they think you can't afford the real thing? Just don't do it - if you really want a piece of exclusive luggage, save some money, but don't fall for the temptation of a counterfeit product.
The same goes for counterfeit watches, perfume or electronics. When you get back home and show off your new Roleks watch, do you really think your friends will think it is real? Another risk is the risk of being caught at the border - US customs and immigration will seize counterfeit products.
Gallery: 10 things that will mess up your vacation
Filed under: Food and Drink, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Consumer Activism
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Robert R. Aug 18th 2009 1:50PM
When in England remember that this culture drives on the left hand side of the road. So even if you aren't going to hire a car, take caution to also walk on the left hand side of the sidewalk. Just like the street, people tend to navigate the sidewalks like their streets. This also goes for the entire UK, Japan and any other country that drives on the left hand side of the road.
As a side note, most large cities have metro systems, subways, or underground's. Call them by their proper name for clarification. If someone asked me for the Tube in Paris I wouldn't know what they were talking about. And getting back to right of passage on public thorough fares. When standing on an escalator, stay on the right hand side (left hand side in the UK) as passengers who want to walk up the stairs will use the left hand side of the steps to pass. Most Europeans will walk up a moving escalator and I've seen plenty of US tourist families crowd an escalator gabbing away, totally unconscious of the pile up forming behind them because they "don't understand them" or can't read the sign indicating to move aside! (Tenez a droit = stay to the right).
These are my two pet peeves about tourists, hope they help.
Barb Aug 18th 2009 3:11PM
Before I saw your comment, I was going to write exactly the same thing about staying to the right on escalators! I've seen locals in the London airport actually scream at these totally unaware tourists. It bothers me here in the states when I see it EVERY DAY and people just have no clue, nor, quite frankly, do they care.
Paul Aug 19th 2009 12:59PM
Give me a break, If you want to walk then take the fkn stairs or if in an airport stay OFF the escalators all together. I'll NEVER know why people insist on walking on an airport escalator when those of us that have problems walking would love NOT to use them. We would rather walk beside them as nobody in a hurry walks there!!!!! A@@wholes
Walt Aug 19th 2009 2:22PM
Um, PAUL - you are incorrect! Escalators were meant to WALK up or Down when they are moving - it gets you to the end much QUICKER. So, if you want to stand on one, STAY TO THE RIGHT!!!
aleighcat Aug 19th 2009 2:58PM
Robert: Escalators are there for the people who don't want to (or can't) walk up the stairs manually. I'm sorry, but I am one of those "rude" people you speak about. If you are in that much of a hurry, then you need to take the stairs or elevator instead of expecting people to move aside and maneuver their parcels to accommodate you. **MY** pet peeve. What slays me is when there are stairs right beside the escalator, yet people *still* want to inconvenience everyone else by shoving them to the side on an escalator. To me, people who use escalators in this manner are the very epitome of RUDE.
Chi Aug 18th 2009 6:22PM
Oh, you're so right about forgetting geography. And learning some essential words in the local language - especially "please".
Shawn Aug 18th 2009 4:03PM
Ugh, don't get me started on the escalators.
Another one to add would be stereotype jokes. If you think you're breaking the ice by making stereotypical jokes about the country you're visiting - you're wrong. I grew up in a tourist city and I can assure you, every time you do that the locals loathe you. It's funny if we do it because we have earned the right to poke fun at ourselves. When you do it, you're an ass.
Jonathan Aug 19th 2009 1:14PM
Even though not "foreign", a friend of mine was singing "Do You Know The Way to San Jose" when he went to the S.F. Bay area. Not funny.
Katie Hammel Aug 18th 2009 4:21PM
The escalator thing drives me crazy here in Chicago!
Learn a little about the destination's history too. Everyone in the world knows who our President is. It makes us a look a little self-centered when we visit a country and don't know anything about their history or government.
Though on the stupid t-shirts. . . it's not just tourists unfortunately. My husband and I were at a tiny bar in Cinque Terre, Italy on our honeymoon. Us, a few locals, and some other travelers somehow ended up singing American pop songs as the bar owner played guitar for us. The pictures are great, except fot the Italian bartender rocking that exact "FBI" shirt!
Jacob Aug 18th 2009 4:51PM
Awhhh, come on. No Fanny Packs. Any time I see a tourist rocking a fanny pack, it makes my day!
Wendy Aug 19th 2009 10:39AM
Not to mention, that in England a "fanny" is an entirely different thing than it is here in the US
00Joe Aug 18th 2009 8:29PM
On the language thing: make sure you know the actual meaning of what you say. Such as German - asking the literal translation of "where is the bathroom" will get people wondering why you're looking for a tub in a mall. There are these crazy things known as "idioms."
SGarV Aug 19th 2009 11:05AM
... and "thank you".
Gillian Aug 19th 2009 6:55AM
If you're not of legal drinking age in your home country, but are in the country that you're visiting, don't binge drink. Actually, don't binge drink at all. That's not something that's done (or respected) in most other countries, and they will be able to spot you (and name you as an American) from a mile away.
wittlewabbitfufu Aug 19th 2009 7:10AM
Many moons ago, on my first trip to New York City, someone told me "don't wear a camera around your neck" and "don't walk around looking straight up at the big tall buildings", a) you can trip or run into people b) you'll end up with a REALLY stuff neck c) it screams "I've never seen sky scrappers, rob me"
to this day I chuckle everytime I visit the city and see all those people with their necks bent, looking up at the sky :)
Boz Aug 19th 2009 8:25AM
Aw, c'mon now...let people gawk. That's the point of visiting places you haven't been! How can you admire the architecture of the Chrysler Building if you don't look up at it? I don't get tired of looking at spectacular things in the area where I live even if I've been there for years. After 4 years in Anchorage, Alaska I still found myself stopping in places like the Wal-mart parking lot to gaze at the Chugach Mountains behind the city. But you make a good point of paying attention to your surroundings while taking in the scenery. No sense in getting run over or having your wallet stolen.
Sharlene Aug 19th 2009 10:11AM
Hi I'm a New Yorker and I have never been robbed there. I live in Kansas City and have been robbed three times. New York has a lot of thieves and pick pockets because that's a way they make their living and they can spot a new comer in a minute. You can look up at the sky scrapers, just hold on to your camera, purse or walet :)
Rachel Carter Aug 19th 2009 1:53PM
There would be another thing to consider, such as, when in a country and writing the language one should learn to spell the words correctly as not to appear as a buffoon.
Skyscraper is one word, one P.
I was born and raised in NYC. I lived there throughout the 70s,80s, and into the 90s, and was never "robbed", burgled, or mugged. Act as ifyou belong,look as if you do as well, and one will be fine.
The old adage, if it walks like a duck, etc.
Worf101 Aug 19th 2009 7:27AM
Just back from 10 days vacationing in Europe, mostly the Netherlands and Belgium. Most of the tips are spot on. However none would've prepared me for the dangers of kamikaze bikes in Amsterdam. LonelyPlanet mentioned it, but you really need a schematic to determine where the sidewalk begins and the bike path ends. 5 near collisions with speeding bikes was enough for me.
Da Worfster
Paige Aug 19th 2009 7:24AM
I guess we all agree about escalator etiquette - it can be quite frustrating. I think an important thing to remember is to always be aware of where you are and that though you think America's the greatest country in the world - the people in the country that you're visiting think the same about theirs. I travel to Europe once or twice a year (we have friends there) and hear Americans saying, "In America we would never do this - America this - America that...I want to shout, "Why did you come here if not to experience another culture's way of life - which may or may not be better or worse than ours." That's not the point of traveling. I love America but think we need to get over ourselves and learn to respect and appreciate the people and culture of the country we're visiting. We would expect the same of those visiting America. And about those teeshirts. I'm not so sure that's such a faux pas - I see tons of French and Italians wearing teeshirts. And, yes, out of respect, learn some of the language and history before you visit - it can make a world of difference in your experience abroad.