How Not to Look like an American Tourist

While it's great to have pride in your origins and where your from, some people can never have fun on vacation unless they feel more like a local than a tourist. If you're planning a trip to Europe this summer, and don't want to stick out like a sore thumb, here are some tips to help your American self blend in with European scenery.

1. Lose the trainers

There is nothing that says "American tourist" quite as loudly as wearing cross-training-style sneakers while not in the gym. Absolutely no European citizens do this, even though they tend to walk quite a lot. If you're looking for comfortable walking shoes, opt instead for a more stylish not-gym-worthy sneaker (Chuck Taylor Allstars are extremely popular right now across the pond). They'll keep your feet comfy as you pound the pavement in search of the holy grail of European vacations (little-known excellent cafes with air conditioning).

2. Worldwide pants

The United States is home to the most unflattering of all pants/shorts styles: pleated-front khakis. Very popular in both the shorts and pants versions, these tummy-enhancers are shunned the rest of the world over for being...well, tummy-enhancers. In addition, Americans tend to wear more elastic waisted pants and shorts casually than the rest of the world, which, as with the sneakers, sees that style as only gym appropriate.

If you're heading to Europe and hoping to fit in easily with the chic populous, find some classic, lightweight, flat-fronted black trousers. They'll look right at home in any major European city, they don't show travel-induced wrinkles, and they go with virtually everything. Or, if you just want to look like the coolest American possible, bring your jeans. Europeans do a lot of things well, fashion-wise, but jeans just aren't among them.

3. Trade the cap

Baseball caps are ubiquitous in the United States in summer, since they're great sweat absorbers and eye protectors. In the rest of the world, though, they are a clear signal that you are not from there. That is not to say that hats aren't common in Europe. Every bazaar or knick-knack store will have a wide selection of hats meant to stave off the harsh summer rays. Grabbing one of these on a summer day while touring will be the best way to protect yourself from getting burned by the sun (or an opportunistic vendor).

Being from the U.S. is something to be proud of, make no mistake. If you're one of those people, however, who believes in the "When in Rome" edict, these tips can help make your trip a rousing success.