For better or for worse, when we Americans are visiting a foreign country, especially in a “tourist town,” the locals can peg us as tourists. Not only that, they can peg us as Americans!
It’s our own fault, of course. There’s just so much that we say or do, whether we’re conscious of it or not, that just scream HEY, GUESS WHAT? I’M AN AMERICAN! (here are a bunch of ways to spot an American tourist at first glance)
Of course, some people don’t care. I remember traveling with a guy, YEARS ago, who made it his business to purposely act like an “ugly American” throughout France. Yeah, I never traveled with him again.
But there are some people who DO care. Especially now. I mean, it’s not as if the United States has a fantastic reputation right now. And even though you’d hope people in other countries understand that our government leaders’ choices and behaviors don’t necessarily reflect Americans as individuals (for some of us, quite the opposite), you know there are some people who lump us all together as the “2025 American pariahs. So it might behoove us to not necessarily look and act “so American.”
It’s not just Americans though. The same holds true for anyone from any country. There are stereotypes, along with certain ways that certain people look and act when they’re from certain countries. Like Canadians will tend to be polite. People from the UK will always be happy to queue up. People from China tend to be big spenders.
But if you don’t want to look like a tourist, there are several ways to help make yourself fit in a little better and not look/act like a tourist:
Research before you go
A little research can go a long way to
Know where you’re going/what you’re doing
Nothing makes you look more like a tourist than having a confused look on your face as you madly search for things on your phone. Having a better idea of your plans for the day will not only help you look more confident, but will also help you save time.
Know the social norms
Some things that are perfectly normal in the United States are practically verboten in other countries. Knowing the social norms of the country you’re visiting will help you “not act so American” (or whatever you are). Here are some examples.
Know the behaviors
If you’re trying to not look like a visiting foreigner in a country where people tend to keep to themselves, don’t smile very much, maintain personal space, etc., you’ll need to know how those people behave to begin with.
Know the dress
Americans are known for their baseball caps, T-shirts/hoodies, sweatpants and sneakers. Not everyone wears that. Wearing camouflage in some countries (spoilers: THESE countries) can get you arrested. Women sometimes need to dress certain ways in some Muslim countries. So if you don’t want to look like a tourist (or worse, get in trouble), learn what people from the country you’re visiting tend to wear…and wear it. And I don’t care how cool your new I HEART DUBAI shirt is, don’t wear it until you get home!
Know the money
Going to deal with cash? Learn what the coins and bills of that country are. Going to just use a credit card? Great! But understand the exchange rate so you can do the math in your head. Know how to figure out how many U.S. dollars something is if it’s X amount of yen, pounds, euros, Rupiah, etc.
Know the language
This one is less “how not to look like a tourist” as much as “how to talk to people when you’re a tourist.” I mean, obviously, unless you’re fluent in the language, people will know you’re “not from there” as soon as you open your mouth. But if you know the basics:
- Hello/goodbye
- Yes/no
- Excuse me/please/thank-you/you’re welcome
- Who/what/why/where/when/how (Where’s the bathroom/toilet is super important to know, too – and the words they use to differentiate between Men’s and Ladies’ rooms)
- Numbers 1 through 10 (although if there’s a pattern so you can figure out through 99, even better!)
The more you know – or at least show that you’re trying – the more people will be willing to help, if you need assistance.
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