Why does everyone not want to be thought of as a tourist?

"Why does everyone not want to be thought of as a tourist?"

Good question. I think it's because tourist is what the other, uhm, visitors are, but not moi (heaven forbid I should be thought of as a mere tourist!).

Under this "logic", you're a tourist, I am not! But if you're in my travel party, or I know you, then you're promoted from the lowly rank of tourist.:) (I'm joking)

Because tourists are easy targets for being taken advantage of.

Think about it...if you wanted to pick someone's pocket, price-gouge them for a service/product that you sell, or use someone to generally further your own agenda pretty easily, wouldn't you first go after someone who appears to be a "fish out of water?"

There are unscrupulous people in the world, particularly in destination cities that rely on tourism as a big business. There can often be a love/hate relationship between locals and tourists. Anybody who lives in an area that even HAS a "tourist season" knows what I mean.

Not all locals are bad, of course. Most are welcoming and friendly.
Not all tourists are bad either. Most are respectful and appreciative.

But I don't know anybody who likes the feeling of being taken advantage of...especially when on vacation.

Because we, and by we I mean Americans and Canadians, are assimilators.

It probably began as a desire not to fall victim to a griff, but it morphed into a self-righteous psuedo-sophistication ("I'm not like those OTHER tourists, look at how posh I am). Or maybe it's a Zelig-esque need to fit in and be accepted. I don't know, let's see what others say. But I do know this- it is a uniquely North American phenomenon.

I'm with Dylan. As someone who lives in an area with a lot of tourists, and has worked jobs that bring me into contact with a lot of tourists... tourists get mocked. Maybe just by mean American locals and Europeans are nicer than that, but certainly I know there's a love/hate relationship when your local economy depends on tourist dollars. We'll be friendly and welcome you to come back and then mock your clothes. It's horrible. I try to be nice because everyone is a silly tourist as some point, but it also encourages me to try to blend. Even with all "making yourself a target" safety concerns aside, I dislike being the butt of jokes about tourists.

I had very good experience with the German folks myself...very helpful (lost my credit card in a automated machine in the subway...sooo many people came to help me) and I had a nice conversation with a man who wanted to learn about the part of america we were from and tell us of where he would love to go here. I find young people working in the hospitality field enjoy using/practicing their english with you also and are very helpful.
But I do not like being in masses of tourists (or locals probably) that include rude self righteous people....I think THAT is the type of person most people do not want to be associated with as tourists.... My picture of tourists I cringe at are those rude ones that have little respect for local people and traditions and rules of an area. I have run into some asian groups (I believe they were from China) that were horrendous to local people HERE. I wish we could all have conversations with people of different kinds in different cultures...how mind opening!

Dylan: "... Think about it...if you wanted to pick someone's pocket, price-gouge them for a service/product that you sell, or use someone to generally further your own agenda pretty easily, wouldn't you first go after someone who appears to be a "fish out of water?" ..."

No. I would go after people who are unaware of their surroundings, who are uninformed, who are distracted, who are gullible, or who are greedy (a key component for many scams).
I wouldn't give a rodents behind about their citizenship or their shoes.

So I think that the smart counter strategy would be to cultivate "street smarts" -- be informed and prepared, be aware, be critical (too good to be true? It probably is!).
To masquerade with black clothes and shoes is fighting the symptom, not the cause.

I'm enjoying all the comments already. I mean, aren't we, the "Rick Steves elite", so much cooler than all the other tourists? :)

You never know what locals' feelings are about Americans or tourists in general. We've run into some who are excited about meeting new people or want to ask about America, and others who completely shun us and think we're all greedy bastards over here. Not that I want to have much to do with the latter, anyway. I'm sure we've all had experiences overseas with the "ugly American" tourist (like the ones who speak English louder and slower so that the French can understand them) that make us not want to be included in that club.

Actually, speaking English at a slower rate than you normally speak is extremely helpful, as is dropping slang. As long as one is not over exaggerating, as though the other person is dumb.

Speaking louder, saying the same thing over and over again though, is of course rude.

One thing that folks might want to think about is saving their negative comments for when they are back in their room, as you never know when someone is going to understand you. I over-hear people speaking English on the trains all the time here in Germany, saying the rudest things about Germans and all I can think is that they probably don't realize how much of what they are saying is being understood by the people around them

I think many people want to avoid the negative connotations of tourists, such as the many that have been mentioned. Or want to avoid getting scammed.

But perhaps a big reason for many is that we want to experience the real culture and life of the place we are visiting. I think that is a very good reason, even if very few people actually achieve it.

I'm not a tourist. I'm an American traveler.

I don’t know…perhaps those who normally weigh-in on the oft-asked questions regarding fitting-in and not wishing to look like tourists are concerned about America’s declining reputation in the world and don’t want to be pegged as American. While the U.S. in general gets quite low marks with respect to favorable opinions, the American people themselves receive much higher scores in the polling I’ve seen. I’m not sure if this concerns travelers or not when they’re interested in blending in, but it’s something to think about. Many, many travelers cannot be easily distinguished as American and don’t seem to be too concerned with this topic (rightly so). They could be in their home city, in San Francisco, or in Madrid, and you wouldn’t be able to tell where they’re from based on appearance. For others, why worry about it (you might look like a dork both here and there)?

Probably because I grew up in San Diego and, for us, tourist was synonymous with stupid ("Otro tonto Tourista.").

A tourist can come home and tell you what they bought. A traveler can come home and tell you what they learned.

I don't do a lot to avoid looking like a tourist, but I do a little. I try to avoid white athletic shoes and shirts with sayings on them. This year I bought a nice leather messenger bag to replace my backpack style daybag.

I don't do this to avoid being scammed. Rather, I do it mostly to avoid looking like a dork. There is a bit of truth to the idea of trying to look like you are not from the US, too.

(I love that quote, Pearl!)

My husband is a photographer and carries a camera everywhere. We can't walk down for a coffee in our own neighbourhood without a camera with a mega lens strapped around his neck, wearing his baseball cap backwards to make taking the photo easier. People ask us, "Where are you from?" and we say, "6 blocks down the road!". Occasionally when we travel we are treated differently because we are tourists. Some cities seem to have a"them" and "us" attitude about tourists. But it's not going to stop us from seeing the wonders of the world.

I too am a photographer of sorts, I love getting my setting right and taking a picture, not just holding up my camera and taking some snapshots so I carry a
DSLR with me. It goes everywhere with me neatly tucked away in my messenger bag and you can't see it, it doesn't bulge or look like I'm carrying a camera but it's always there. Most people don't know it's there. It makes me feel more comfortable, like to feel like I belong there instead of just visiting. I don't necessary try to avoid looking like a tourist but through my clothing choices and attitude I feel as though I an not one.

I use the word tourist sloppily, throwing it around as shorthand for culturally insensitive or unaware visitor, taking pictures of everything and loudly yelling, "DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?", or I use it as in, "that's a little too touristy for me". It's a sloppy use of language but I feel it's universally understood the stereotypical tourist.

Awww, Thanks, guys!!

"I'm not a tourist. I'm an American traveler."
"A tourist can come home and tell you what they bought. A traveler can come home and tell you what they learned."

I'm waiting for James from Ansbach to say what I'm thinking.

I always wear white tennis shoes. So do half the people passing me on the streeet and I am not talking about just Germany here. The shoes DO NOT MATTER! White shoes are big here, so I am continually puzzled that people think this marks them as a tourist?

It is the whole package, from hair styles, to the way one walks, the styles, the ever-present water bottle hanging from the back-pack, the guide book, the maps, everything. Just don't worry about it, those tourist ladies in the saris don't worry about blending, so why should you?

James, I have seen you walking down the street with your wife and kids, and the Hello Kitty stuff fits in perfectly. Last time I checked, they had a huge section of this for sale in the Kaufhof Department store. My daughter used to love it too. I thought you and your family looked like you belonged here.

Hey Brad! "Probably because I grew up in San Diego and, for us, tourist was synonymous with stupid."

I also grew up in San Diego and we felt the same way. We used to laugh our heads off when they pronounced La Jolla incorrectly and especially when they would shout very loudly "I thought this was America, why doesn't anyone speak english here" while trying to order at the counter in Taco Bell.

I also try to not stand out, I find that by being part of the crowd, people seem more relaxed to be themselves and I can enjoy the experience better. Those that are labeled "tourists" tend to stick out and are more obvious. Not by what they wear, but by how they act.

I've always felt I get a lot more from my trips if I study some language, history and culture before I show up for my visit.

I try to avoid major social faux pas, use at least a few polite words in the local language and be thankful for the food/shelter/shower I have (rather than complain about everything I don't have).

I really don't care if people know I'm American. I like my home and am happy to share thoughts about it when asked.

When we were in Paris last week the trinket sellers at the Eiffel Tower headed straight for the "typical" American tourist and would not leave them alone. On the tube in London the guy in front of us said "oh god..its Wednesday..look, all the tourist are here". (Was curious why Wed. in London mean tourist...anybody know?). On Tube in London after being ran over by French tourists with luggage London girl looks at me and says "ugh, tourists should not be allowed to ride the tube". I just smiled and shook my head. My point is I think blending in makes it more easy to travel "low to the ground" per RS recommendation and for my family we just did not want to be any sort of a target.

Awhile back, I'm not sure if it was this board or another board where someone denigrated the idea of traveling light with only carry-on. He and his wife were going to Rome. He said something like:

"While all of you people wear your silly polyester clothes, I'll be dressed properly for strolling through the piazzas in my Italian made suit. No one will take me for anything but Italian."

All I could think was "He's been watching too many Sophia Loren movies from the 1960's."

IMHO,those posters who think that by not wearing white athletic shoes,Disney logo stuff, etc etc that they are actually fooling the Europeans, well you need a reality check.

Good chance that his “Italian made suit” was actually an “Indonesian made suit” from one of those $99 suit stores, but I’m sure it went well with his Stacy Adams shoes from China. Reminds me of that line from Father of the Bride when Steve Martin had an epiphany as Franck informed him that Armani doesn’t make a blue tux, nor do they make anything polyester.

A suit for strolling piazzas? Is it a business trip?

I admit to not being too keen on travel clothes (I prefer lightweight cotton and linen in the summer and wool in the winter to artificial fibers, partially for medical reasons), but I think you can over-think a travel wardrobe both ways!

Which reminds me, I have to get back to obsessing over which shoes will be most versatile :)

"but it morphed into a self-righteous psuedo-sophistication"

I agree that this attitude and a "Rick Steves elitist" attitude seems to be woven through many of the discussions over the years about this topic of why people feel the need to try to be thought of as a European local and not an American.

While I have never dressed or acted like the stereotypical "rude American tourist", I don't do anything differently when in Europe than when I travel elsewhere in the world or even in my own community. And I don't think you're going to fool anyone anyway. Just travel wisely and don't be ashamed of who you are or where you live.

No one here has ever admitted to being a tourist. Heavens, the shame of it all, being a lowly tourist. Those are the other people standing in line.

I'm a tourist! I'm a traveler, visitor, guest, vagabond, wayfarer, voyager, rambler, whatever you want to call it. Ultimately, I'm there to see stuff and taste stuff I can't experience at home, and I don't care what word people use. Just don't give me some load of crap about how you're there to "experience the local culture" " become a temporary local" and "go of the beaten path" while you're waiting in line behind me at the Eifel Tower.

What am I getting at? Lighten up everyone!

Ditto what Tom said, emphatically.

I love a more philosophical thread. But I think we have meandered away from the more obvious answers to the question;

1) The question, itself, is a bit innaccurate. I don't think I'm going to fool anyone while in Europe, but I don't want to look like a dork, either. It's not about not being a tourist as much as it is not looking foolish.

2) We are all tourists, of course. But the term has come to mean someone who doesn't belong, and someone who want's to see a Disney-esque version of famous sights but does not want to experience any inconvenience associated with things being different from home.

In my mind, a traveler is someone who tries - however in vain - to belong. They imagine what it would be like to live there and would willingly shed their comforts of home to do so under the right circumstances. They want to see famous sights like anyone else, but the most satisfying "sights" of all are those that represent locals happily living their lives. Nothing beats a stroll in a quiet neighborhood where people actually live.

Of course, these are just terms we throw around as if they had universal meaning, which they do not. So let's not pretend otherwise. I know in my mind what I prefer. I'm not interested in telling anyone else what to be. If they just get off their backsides and travel and see things out of their comfort zone, that would be accomplishment enough for me.

Oh yeah, I think I remember that stuff. It's hard to forget a wine with a name like "Baby Duck". A case of it found it's way into the hands of someone in my dorm, way back in the day. As I recall, it tasted something like ginger ale. Not bad if you wanted to get drunk off of ginger ale, but I probably wouldn't serve it to dinner guests.

"but the most satisfying "sights" of all are those that represent locals happily living their lives. Nothing beats a stroll in a quiet neighborhood where people actually live."

It's my understanding that Tom has actually been fortunate enough to actually pull this off (Tom, correct me if I'm wrong).

Yes, but I prefer to ride a bike...

Here is an personal experience that examplifies what I'm getting at. I was showing my mother around Brussels and we stopped at a restaurant near the Grande Place to eat lunch. Sitting next to us were a few American women who were having a conversation about their travel "philosophy" (because they were speaking in American-volume, we could hear every word of the conversation). I heard all of the Ricknik buzzwords and phrases- "must-see", "like a local", "authentic", "through the back door", "local culture" "off the beaten path", etc. Surely enough, the Blue Book Sign was on prominent display. As this was Christmas market season, and they had mentioned how much they enjoyed "shopping with the locals at markets", I made some recommendations in Leuven, Hasselt, St. Truiden, Tongeron and Mechelen, all very pleasant towns that host impressive Christmas markets and rarely see any North American tourist traffic. One of the women consulted the Blue Book in vain -none of them are in the book or even on the book's maps! Another one politely thanked me, but by her reaction, clearly wasn't going to follow any of my suggestions. No problem, their loss, not mine.

I think about these women everytime I read a suggested itinerary on this website that mentions "off the beaten path" and "local culture", but then consists solely of large cities like London, Paris, Rome, Munich and the well-known attractions in each. I can only conclude that a lot of people (particularly on this website!) really want to see the same exact things as everyone else, but want to believe that they are more sophisticated, and, to use another Ricknik buzzword "savier" than all those other tourists. Fine enough, but then don't criticize all those loud "Ugly Americans" looking at the same piece of art as you in the same museum, or pretend that you are connecting any more with the "local culture" even though you are staying at the same hotel and eating at the same restaurant.

Well said, Tom.

That is really, really well said Tom.

I don't think Tom means to not go to those popular cities, but that there is more to see in them then just the "must sees" where all the tourists are. How many times have people asked if a city "was worth it", as though only cities with tons of tourist attractions and tons of tourists that go with it are "worthy" of ones time.

This is why this forum and others like it, can be helpful, as many of us know spots that are highly interesting, but that are not in the guidebooks. Or we may know things to visit and see that aren't listed in the guide books.

"Why is it only in the travel world, particularly this forum, that being a POSEUR is not only lauded, but recommended?" Hmmm....what about Hollywood, Manhattan, or one of hundreds of other spots around the world? There are poseurs all over (possibly including those who revel in wearing a particular brand name of clothing), so to limit it to the travel world, and to this forum, isn't terribly accurate, or fair.
Of course, first-time travellers are going to visit all the popular sites...why would they not? For me, the difference is what they do AFTER that...say, on a return trip. That's when to start seeking out the "back doors" you didn't have time for the first time around.
But why condemn anyone who travels, whether they be tourists, travellers, poseurs, or Rick-niks? Travel's giving them a chance to broaden their minds, to see different people and different cultures in action....and knowing a little more about your fellow citizens on this globe can only be a good thing. It's certainly a better experience for those of us who travel, than those who remain at home, stuck with their unchanging prejudices and stereotypes.

James...you're dancing on the head of a pin. If you condemn the "methods and attitudes" of certain people who travel, then you're condemning certain people who travel.
I reiterate....why do we need to condemn those who travel with certain "methods and attitudes?" You may not like the way they approach travel, but then who are we to judge? They're at least getting out and experiencing new things....and for those who have been "off the beaten path" to condemn those who haven't isn't terribly useful to what we're all trying to do on this forum.....help people enjoy their visit as much as possible.

For the record, if I'm visiting a city covered by a Rick Steves guidebook, that'll be my first go-to for lodging recommendations. The guy makes some good suggestions.

But at the same time, don't delude yourself that these are in any way "off the beaten path". He sells thousands, if not millions, of guidebooks to North Americans every year. Countless Americans/Canadians tourists have visited every single recommendation in a Rick Steves guide book before you, and thousands will after you. And there is nothing wrong with that, but please don't call it a "back door". If you REALLY want to even approach experiencing Europe as a local, then at least use the Michelin Green and Red guides for a start.

And no, there is nothing wrong with wanting to see all the highlights of London, Paris, Prague, Rome, Munich, Venice, etc, no matter which guidebook you use. Just don't pretend you're going "off the beaten path" unless you REALLY ARE- for example, check out the La Defense section of Paris. It's right there in plain view of the Paris you know and love and it will change every preconception you had of the city.

Finally, I'm not even criticizing the desire to "go off the beaten path" (it's such a cliche I even feel dirty writing it in quotes). I'm criticizing those who think they're being clever by going to the same tourist destinations as thousands of others but think there's something special about the way they do it. It reminds me of a 21 year old who thinks they're being sophisticated because instead of drinking the usual college swill-beer, they drink wine... which is usually something like White Zinfandel or blush.

"If you REALLY want to even approach experiencing Europe as a local, then at least use the Michelin Green and Red guides."

Point well taken! Even the Green guides, let alone Le Guide Rouge, is rarely mentioned in these hallowed pages.

I'm enjoying reading the discussion between Tom and Norm, each IMHO well spoken about the issues. You two seem to be pretty close to being on the same page, actually.

Why even use the Michelin guides? Head out on your own!! Talk to the locals and find out where THEY like to go. I've found lots of places that way....some OK...most of them hidden gems!
As for those who may "pose," I just ignore them.

And Tom....up here it was "Baby Duck," the WORST wine ever created!!

Yup, guess what folks? That's pretty much the "authentic local off the beaten path culture" that you're traveling thousands of miles to "appreciate". People mowing their lawns and going to the grocery store (probably more often than the hallowed corner market), buying pre-packaged, even (horrors!) processed food. A lot of people even eat (gasp!) pizza and hamburgers from fast food restaurants.

Yes, there are some fascinating differences between North America and Europe, the almost complete lack of full service chain restaurants, the bike lanes everywhere, the rail systems, the pedestrian shopping streets instead of malls, and the health systems being some prominent examples. But the similarities between the normal everyday lives of Americans and Europeans strike me more and more with each visit I make.

John Travolta sums it up it best in Pulp Fiction when discussing the differences between the two continents:
"It's the little differences. I mean, they got the same sh!t over there that we got here, but it's just – it's just there it's a little different."

There are plenty of chain restaurants in the UK and Scandinavia where TGI Friday is quite popular.

Michael, good quote!

Except that John Travolta said it...

Tom's correct...I made the correction.

The reality is that no matter where you go, what type of traveler you are and how much you try to blend in, when someone discovers you are not from there they will consider you to be a "tourist" anyway.

And in Paris at McDonalds its a "Burger Royal" not a Big Mac

What does that mean? A Big Mac is a Big Mac at any location anywhere in the world:

http://www.mcdonalds.fr/#/all-products/product-bigmac/

Burger Royal is their version of a quarter ponder:

http://www.mcdonalds.fr/#/all-products/product-royal-deluxe/

As long as I can use their restrooms for free without buying any of their nasty food, I don't care what they call it!

Yeah whatever:) BTW, McDonald's in Paris sell fresh-squeezed unpasteurized Orange Juice.
Still hoping to get to Italy very soon to tryout the new McItalian burger (IL Mac). Officially endorsed by the Minister of Agriculture.

http://www.mcdonalds.it/#/all-products/product-ilmac/

Exactly, Tom. That's the best thing about McD's in Europe.

There's times when it's actually beneficial to look like a tourist (gasp!) -- when you actually do find something "off the beaten path" that rarely sees Americans, you're an anomaly. Sure, you might get stared at like a circus animal for a while, but you'll eventually find someone who's excited to meet an American and will ask you questions (and let you do the same). Our new friend that runs the corner store by our cottage in Ireland we rented last summer now knows that Jimmy Carter still teaches Sunday school at his church (although we had to explain what Sunday school was!). And he told us about some great bands over there that he likes.

If you should get to Rome and want to go to McDonalds, go to the first one ever in that city (1986)near the Spanish Steps. It is very unique:

Marble walls
Cobblestone floors to match those outside in the Piazza
Roman Statues
Frescoes on the walls
Over 800 seats
A Gelato counter

Even if you don't buy anything at this two-story, 14,000 square foot restaurant, it is a site to see.

So why does everyone not want to be thought of as tourists? Becasue we're elitist snobs. The question is answered. Thank you.

There, everybody got it? Now we know.

I think, deep in our soul, we all knew that 64 posts ago.