Comments on: 17 Ways To Avoid Looking Like A Muggable Tourist

By: Don Wylie

Don Wylie — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:17:43 +0000

I disagree with recommendation #3 If McDonalds (or whatever) are plentiful in the city you are in, do go in even if only for a cup of tea or coffee. The locals you will see there (and perhaps get to talk with) will be a very different part of the culture than what you will be with in a restaurant. More so than in the U.S., they will often be the young adults who tend to be spirited, funny and friendly.

By: Victoria Blackwell

Victoria Blackwell — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:59:30 +0000

I’d like to add…
With today’s high quality pocket-sized digital cameras, it’s easy now to ‘hide’ your camera in an inside shirt pocket or hidden on your body elsewhere (away from possible pick-pocketing). Then, quickly pull it out for a photo opportunity, and return it to the pocket. No ‘tourist camera’ hanging around your neck as a dead giveaway.

By: Jean Leventhal

Jean Leventhal — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:57:40 +0000

Most of these are terrific (and the illustrations are great), but I think the “don’t look up” is silly. I’m a New York native (now living elsewhere), and even when working in the City 40 years ago, I realized that looking up above the ground floor in NYC introduces one to marvelous architectural details on every block. Too bad if many of the locals miss these, but visitors shouldn’t.

By: John Clark

John Clark — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:59:49 +0000

Useful tips, all. Buying a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine in a local shop helps, too. In Europe, a Gottmann or Kangol motoring cap is a blend-in substitute for the sore-thumb baseball cap. If driving a rental car, put a small logo of a host-country F1 racing team (Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault, etc.) on the back window and leave a copy of a local newspaper in the back seat. Tiny digital cameras can remain pocketed when not in use. Haven’t yet found a way to carry my larger digital SLR inconspicuously, though.

By: Mireille Grovier

Mireille Grovier — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:34:16 +0000

These are wonderful suggestions. We travel quite a bit. Women should dress as ladies, not as beach bums. Dresses suggest culture, and a little bit of jewelry in the evening (preferably costume for safety,) is a good idea for opera, theatre and ballet). Definitely learn a few words in the language. And remember that, no matter how much money you are spending in any given country, YOU are the GUEST. Act as you would if you were a guest in a private home. Show respect for the residents of the host country and their customs. Your educational experiences will be invaluable, and your memories will be glorious!

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:52:15 +0000

I don’t dig the dog idea…I’m not a dog lover and I wouldn’t want to worry about walking and feeding schedules while on vacation. One other recommendation, along the lines of the “no sneakers or athletic shoes” rules: DO NOT wear white socks, whether you have on shorts or pants. Europeans always have a colored sock on no matter what their footwear is. White socks scream out “American tourist that looks silly!!!”

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:01:05 +0000

People are mugged or robbed because they have sometthig to steal:

1. Keep your wallet, a.k.a Billfold in America in your front pocket, not your back..

2. Store camera in backpack, not hanging on neck.

3. Look at people, people that are getting ready to much do not want to be notice. A confident person does not get mugged.

There, up to twenty.
Andy of HoboTraveler.com in Guatemala.

By: Tom Worrell

Tom Worrell — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:47:17 +0000

Thanks for the travel tips. Travel light, buy locally. Leave the baseball cap home.

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:09:58 +0000

I travel to Greece every year and is reson I purchased my Mobal phone. This suggestion/hint is soooo true!! You can spot the tourist a mile away..I stay and go with no one but my Greek friends and I always pay attention to what I carry and wear there.
Good Hint for the travelers.

By: Carol Arnold

Carol Arnold — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:09:31 +0000

My husband is bald, and always feels exposed without a hat, but waits till he gets to Europe and finds a short brimmed (non ball-cap ball-cap) hat the locals wear. On Lake Como, he bought one off the head of the young man who delivered us to our hotel!

And ladies, wear your scarves like the locals! Each area has a “look.” EX: In Slovenia it was long and thin and wound around & around the neck, with only a tiny tail out the back; in Italy, long scarves are folded in half and the loose ends tucked thru the loop made at the fold.

GET out of those trainers! of any color…

Wearing black is also great for packing: everything works together. But spice it up with cool, non- bling: wood beads, loose scarf, and great earings.

The map business: Rick Steves has been talking about it for years: cut the guide books and maps apart! keep ‘em small and inconspicuous. take only what you need for today. Sit and have a coffee and write a note in a sketch book, while checking directions. ?Buy a hand-held GPS and check it inside the church, not at the corner.
Have fun!
CAA