Fanny Packs

Right -- to avoid the neon sign (or worse) don't say it or wear it.

Thanks....that's what I thought. As a former professional tour director, and not a first timer as Kent implies, I never saw Europeans wearing them. I'm just tired of lugging around a daypack and want to find some alternative to carry umbrellas, maps, etc.

And if you want to have fun with British, Australians, or any non-American/Canadian English speaking friends, take them to a store that sells fanny packs made by Bum Equipment and introduce the sales person as "Randy." And while there, they'll probably want to buy some "trainers" as they are cheaper here than over there.

Unless you are a child or obvious student, the small backpack says "tourist," also. Whichever you use, keep the pack in front when in crowded situations. It's more secure there. And it's no place for the really important stuff--a money-belt is for money, passport, etc.

I bought Rick's Veloce Bag awhile back and received lots of negative responses (Mostly asking if I've changed my sexual orientation--not that there's anything wrong with it.)

I'm looking for something that will blend in better. Perhaps I'll get a travel blazer with lots of pockets.

I agree with the moneybelt comment. To share an experience on that: I always tell people that they have to wear a momeybelt when traveling but few listen. On one trip through Florence, I was with a group walking near the center of the city. As we passed a few shopowners, they starting waving and pointing to the middle of the group. I looked, and right in the center, was a small pickpocket who had already opened up the zipper of a woman's waist pack and would have taken her wallet unnoticed if we hadn't been alerted. Fortunately, we were able to chase him away before damage was done. But that's how good they are.

Frank, I would like to know who teased you about that bag, I bet it was American men between the ages of 30 and 60!
While in Paris this last August my friend spent 200 euros on a beautiful leather messenger bag for her 17 yr old son. He is not gay, in fact he is a rather randy rock band member, dread locks and all( and he is WHITE.LOL) but here, the younger folks think messenger bags are cool, and make a man look self confident and sexy, not "swishy" at all.
They also resemble many of the camera equipment type bags I see men carry. All in all I think Europeon men are just more stylish dressers, and seem to have less hang ups about looking " manly". Two years ago I noted Italian men wearing capris, and hey, they looked good in them.

I think age has a lot to do with it. I'm, shall we say, middle aged, and what may be stylish for a young person can look foolish on someone older. (yes, the teasing I got was from American males in their 30's and 40's. One was my car dealer who was smart enough to wait until after I signed the check for a fairly expensive BMW to make fun of it.)

I'm also not thrilled with the fact that bag has stitched on it, in big letters, the words "Rick Steves. To me, that's similar to wearing the neon sign saying "tourist." His old bags just had a tag on them that said "Europe Through the Back Door." Nice and subtle.

The Veloce also weighs over 1 1/2 pounds. I like to travel very light so I may look for a similar style bag but one smaller and lighter.

You will look more like a local if you wear one of those travel vests that looks like a fishing vest. You will want it to be a little dirty and wrinkled and open in the front, otherwise you still look like a tourist. I wear one because it has lots of pockets and lets me leave the purse behind. I use a small backpack when I have things to carry.

Well Frank, I agree I would not like the words Rick Steves broadcast from any item I am wearing or using. I think it is shouting " look at me I am a tourist".
No offence Rick , but not cool.

I'm thinking of getting a wrinkle resistant travel blazer/sport jacket. Many have lots of inside pockets to stash maps, pens, pads, and even a small umbrella or digital camera. Of course, probably not practical during the summer.

I'm just tired of lugging anything around.

I must be missing something because the only people I see wearing the multipocketed travel vests are tourists, wartime correspondents and plainclothes military security (lots of pockets for ammo.) Aren't they also a pickpockets dream?

Just say no! Generally speaking europeans dress like they are going on a date... all the time. Even when they dress down, they dress nice so try to avoid the toursist look.

L.L. Bean (and probably REI) have lightweight anoraks that have lots of pockets. There are also laptop bags that are versatile and non-descript. Then again, that would kind of defeat your purpose of not lugging anything around. I completely understand being tired of carrying a bag, but a fanny/waist pack is a sad reminder of the 1980's IMHO. ;-)

Years ago I used to carry a fanny pack, and perhaps I was taken as a tourist , but I have never had any problems. Now I take a small backpack, since I feel like I need to carry more stuff.
It's true that Europeans dress like they are going on a date, but many of them , especially the younger one, carry backpacks and wear Jeans like Americans.
I would never travel in a suit jacket and boots or high heels as others say.
You only need to be aware of your stuff.

I'm fairly new to this website and going on my first trip to Europe in May. I just have to say that I'm getting so tired of people worrying about looking like a tourist. WE ARE TOURISTS!!!!!! So Europeans dress nice all the time. Good for them. For the first time in my life, I'm looking forward to being comfortable rather than worrying how I'll look for people I'll never see again! ( and I'm a rather good-looking, nice dressing woman most of the time) Thanks for letting me vent.:)

I agree with you Melanie. I have a friend from London and when he hears people say they don't want to look like a tourist he just rolls his eyes and says, "You will be in the tourist areas, doing tourist things what else can you be?" His suggestion is to be comfortable and not worry about it. FYI he says backpacks/day packs are the first clue to being a tourist -- well above the clothes.

Because of this I have relaxed considerably and am also going for comfort.