My wife and I like to play a game when we travel.

It’s called “Spot the Tourist”.

It’s a pretty easy game, and we both win. And we both laugh too. Some people do NOT know how to blend in while they travel

You see these sweating people, laden with huge backpacks, walking around with their cargo shorts and sandals and sunglasses on a cord. You can clearly see those “hidden” money belts under their tight polo shirts.

Who do they think they’re fooling? Certainly not the locals.

There are serious disadvantages to looking like you don’t belong somewhere when you travel.

You can be targeted for crime. You can get swindled or conned (tourists are incredibly easy targets). You can face all sorts of nasty characters and get shockingly high prices if you choose not to blend into the crowds.

You should make it your goal to try to blend in when you travel. Make efforts to not stand out, to not look like a tourist.

And even if you’re somewhere where you’re OBVIOUSLY the tourist (Japan, India, China…etc.), you can still take some steps to camouflage yourself into the crowds.

Buy Clothes Where You Travel

I LOVE this tip, and when I first heard it, I thought I was BRILLIANT.

It’s simple. Pack as light as possible, with the goal of just taking two full outfits in your bags. The rest of the clothes you need can be bought locally.

This is going to help you blend in, wearing the same types of clothes that locals are already wearing. It’s the first tell-tale sign of a tourist. And it’s the easiest way to start to blend in.

You’ll also get the benefit of packing lightly. My friends always ask how I can fit everything I need into my small bag. This is one of my secrets.

If you shop smart, you can also find an outfit that will serve as a souvenir when you return home. Every time you pull out that shirt or that dress, you’ll be reminded of that crazy market you visited that one night. Or how colourful the local attire is.

Speak Some Foreign Phrases

I’m not one to brag, but I do enjoy learning languages. It’s one of my passions and I always try to pick up a phrase or two when I’m travelling abroad.

I find that it’s easy for me to learn just a few well-chosen phrases to help me in my new destination.

First, even if I’m somewhere where they speak my language easily, the people LOVE someone who actually puts in the effort to try to learn their language. More often than not, my quick trips to the supermarket turn into 45-minute trips where I’m invited to someone’s house…

…simply because I asked where the tomatoes were in their language.

Second, I love how quickly you make friends. I get deals and discounts because of my hasty and shoddy attempts to try a new phrase. I’ve heard it once that the best way to learn a new language is to speak it badly. If that’s true, I’m the master.

Stay in Private Rooms

I’m averse to staying in hotels. While some places can be nice, I’m pretty happy finding somewhere that’s cheaper and less well-known to stay.

My absolute favourite is staying in private houses. I get the place to myself, and I can enjoy some of the day-to-day experiences of the neighbourhood.

I’ve played in village cricket games in India, I’ve lit fireworks with my neighbours in Thailand, and I’ve had tea in strange homes in Bhutan, all because I’ve stayed locally.

Plus, you don’t have to feel like you’re stepping it down. There are some incredibly nice locations that you can rent for yourself and your family.

Learn your Money BEFORE you Leave

Wow.

This is a big one that I’m surprised that I need to mention.

But the number of times I’ve seen some poor tourist trying to understand if 20,000 Viet Dong is a good or bad price…

It takes just 15 minutes to learn the local currency. I use a site like XE.com to understand the general exchange rates I should know. I also use a site like BudgetYourTrip.com to get an idea of what prices are like before I travel somewhere.

I try to understand what 10 pound of my currency compares to theirs, and I use that as a general rule.

If I know 10 pound gets me 600 Indian rupees, then I know what to expect for meals, taxis, and anything else I want to buy.

Remember this:

Prices are more fluid than you expect. I love talking about this to anybody who hasn’t travelled before because most people don’t even bother to negotiate a new price.

Just walk in and assume that the stickered price is just your starting point of negotiation, not the amount of money that you’ll actually hand over. You’ll be amazed at what price you can get if you assume that you can negotiate.

Join in With a Custom or Tradition

Not many people I know do this, but take the time to research a local custom or tradition before you go.

Like If I’m going to spend any time in Andalusia or Costa Del Sol, I can do a quick search online to discover that Flamenco is HUGE there.

Then I would know to make it a point to visit Seville and the Feria de Abril. Drinking sherry, eating tapas and then drinking more sherry? All while being serenaded by incredible Flamenco music?

Sign me up.

It’s these local experiences and distinct cultural traditions that really stick in my memories. I tend to remember nights like that more than an old church or some historical site that I visited. Not only that, I get to blend in with the locals, doing what they do, and enjoying what they enjoy.

I also find that the more I try to join in with something that’s very specific to that location, a custom or tradition, the more people will welcome me in.

A Canadian would LOVE to take you to a hockey game, a Japanese would love inviting you to a Sumo competition, and an Indian would gladly invite you to take part in Diwali celebrations. People love to share their traditions with somebody who will appreciate them.

 

I find that even a couple of these tips will help people forget that you’re a tourist, that you aren’t from around those parts. I also find that you will get more out of your travel, even the few short days you’re in a location if you make attempts to blend in. While you’ll probably always stand out anywhere you go that’s different to your own country, you can always take steps to mingle more with the locals.