Five Practical Ways to Not Look like an American Tourist when Traveling Abroad

Americans in general are known for being egotistic, un-traveled and not well educated. When constantly being preached that America is the "superpower" of the world, it does go to our heads. We begin to think that most countries, and people, love us. The reality is much different. Most industrialized nations loathe Americans and our attitude.

The reality is, as a whole, Americans are extremely un-traveled. It's hard to find actual numbers, but an easy Google search seems to show that only an estimated 25% of Americans hold passports and only 10% of Americans have actually been out of the country. Obviously it is next to impossible to get hard statistics on this, but even if that is anywhere close to true, that is shameful. Having spent a few years living in another country, I realize how important travel is to many other countries and how unimportant it is to the average American. Chatting with taxi drivers in the UK, even they go on exotic vacations to places like Africa and Italy. It doesn't so much have to do with money, as it has to do with our values system and what we do with our excess money.

Because of the negative outlook much of the world has about Americans, I have decided to help you with some of the pitfalls the common American traveler falls into. This will help you enjoy your trip a little more and get laughed at a little less.

1. Dress Normally
For some reason, Americans tend to wear "travel wear" when traveling and it just doesn't work. There are travel pants that unzip into shorts and they are NEVER COOL! Also, when does the weather change so drastically in one day that you need to change from shorts to pants?

Feel free to wear your "regular" clothes when traveling. Style doesn't have to go out the window just because you are living out of a suitcase, though I do recommend going with cotton clothing. Cotton is breathable, travels easily and dries quickly if you need to wash it in your hotel room. I also suggest bringing clothing that don't have place names on them. This helps you blend in with your surroundings a bit. Honestly, as an American, you stick out enough so you want to do as much as possible to blend in and your Miami shirt doesn't help!

Check the weather before you pack. Very often tourists seem to be either very over-dressed or under-dressed for the weather conditions. Think ski jackets in September or shorts and flip-flops in April. Many times when traveling, you will experience many different types of weather over the course of your vacation. The best way to deal with this is by thinking of layers. Also, shorts aren't necessary in many parts of the world. You can generally get away will pants or jeans in most weather conditions.

I always think it is better to be over dressed rather than underdressed. I like wearing dresses when traveling. All you have to do is throw on a cardigan or jacket and it goes from cutesy to dressed up. Guys can do this by sporting a polo or "fun" short sleeve button up shirt. This allows you to go into a more upscale restaurant for a meal and not feel out of place.

2. Don't Weigh Yourself Down
Nothing SCREAMS tourist like wearing your backpack on your chest. What's the point in bringing a backpack with you if not for the ease of wearing it on your back? And honestly, how much stuff do you need to carry around with you during the day? Definitely not a backpack full. Save your back, and stop looking so much like a tourist, by leaving the backpack at home. Have a lot you want to carry around with you during the day? Consider a messenger bag. They look cooler and your stuff is way more secure.

Never, ever go for a fanny pack. I don't care how old you are or how handy you think they are, leave them where they belong, in the '80's! First, they aren't even a secure way to carry your valuables, given that someone could rip it off you in one good swipe. Second, they don't look cool. Third, they really scream tourist, causing you to be an easy target for theft.

Leave the money belt at home. You shouldn't be traveling with that much cash anyway. Pretty much everywhere takes credit cards these days. This doesn't mean don't have any cash on you, just don't bring loads....really don't bring more than you can handle having stolen! Also men, pick pocketers love tourists and touristy cities, so please don't carry your wallet in your back pocket. Put it in your front pocket.

Remember when packing your luggage to check the baggage restrictions for ALL the airliners you will be using while on your vacation, not just your long haul flight. Long haul flights tend to generously allow a lot of baggage, generally two checked bags and two carry ons. Cheaper airlines will charge you not only per bag, but also by how much your bags weigh...some will even make you weigh your carry on, so be sure to read the small print when buying your tickets. Also, when traveling by train, it is cumbersome to have too much luggage with you and there isn't much luggage space on trains.

It is advisable to take no more than one piece of checked luggage per person on your trip and one carry on per person. This is more than enough stuff. Plus, you want some wiggle room for buying souvenirs. Remember, store bags can instantly turn into carry on luggage and boxes into checked luggage.

3. Think Before You Travel
Think about your transportation before you get to your destination city. How will you be getting from the airport or train station to your hotel? Many European cities have great public transportation and this will cost you a fraction of what a taxi will. Also, in many cities, taxi drivers will take advantage of tourists. They will drive you the long way to your destination, not run the meter and more. Ask before you get in the car how much they think your taxi journey will cost. Also, make sure to use a taxi that is licensed. You are less likely to get taken advantage of this way.

When taking public transportation, remember that bus drivers don't give change. Never have I been in a city where bus drivers do give change, so please do not get on the bus and expect the driver to break your 50. You can avoid this by traveling with some small bills and some change. If you don't have any on you, buy a candy bar before you leave the airport!

Many cities have day passes for their public transportation that will cover all their public transportation (train, tram and bus). This is something to look into as it can save you a good chunk of change. These are usually sold in tourist offices, train stations or transportation offices.

There are a few things to remember when traveling with your luggage on public transportation. If you decide to sit in the handicap area of a bus or tram with your luggage, be prepared to move if a handicap person or a person with a stroller gets on. Your best bet is to put your large luggage on a rack or shelf, if one is available, and sit in a place you can see it. It is taboo to use a chair for your luggage. You may even be told by the driver to move your luggage.

4. Keep Your Comments to Yourself
Tourists tend to loudly make comments comparing the place they are visiting to "home". Many times it sounds derogatory, even if you didn't mean it that way. Remember, you are traveling to get cultured. Allow yourself to be cultured. Shut your mouth, take it all in and wait until you are back in your hotel room to make your stupid comparisons. Also when talking, be conscious of your surroundings and tone of your voice. If you are at a theme park or in a noisy bar, there is nothing wrong with talking loudly. In the middle of a cathedral or on public transportation, it is disrespectful and rude.

When you talk too much, you take away from the experience. You focus so much on the differences between America and where you are, you forget to take in the beauty of the differences. And when this beauty is lost, you have lost the reason for travel.

Rather than making comparisons, just enjoy yourself and see how other people live. Imagine from being from a city, like say London, where most people take public transportation and shop in little stores and going to visit Los Angeles where everyone drives everywhere and shops at big box retailers. It is just as much a shock to them as it is to us. We don't want them attacking the way we live, so don't attack the way they live!

5. Be Conscious of Your Surroundings
For some reason tourists seem to forget that people actually live where they are vacationing. You are enjoying meandering through the streets, so why shouldn't everyone, right?

For some reason, groups end up walking in a horizontal line. It becomes essential that everyone in your group walk next to each other. This clogs up the sidewalks for everyone behind you and annoys the locals. Plus, you become so oblivious to everyone around you that you will just stop walking without notice, continuing to take up the whole sidewalk. This leaves those walking behind you with only a couple options, to ram you with their strollers and heavy bags, or to walk into the street and risk being killed by a passing bus, taxi, tram or bike.

Be respectful. Remember that people live and work where you are visiting. Also, remember that people are trying to get one with their life while you are on vacation. Being conscious and courteous to those around you will go a long way.

Taking into consideration some of these travel tips will have you not fall into the category of the stupid traveler. It will also make your trip less stressful for you and those that live where you are traveling. Having a successful trip will allow you to enjoy memories for year to come, not memories that take years before you can enjoy them!