- Share This Post
- submit
- 8
-
Sparkle (0)
I rather despise the word, tourist. I always have. Hearing it conjures up all kinds of images in my head, images with sombreros and tequila shots or white legs sticking out of shorts in chic urban areas. My idea of a tourist is someone who is afraid to be alone, goes on tours with groups of people on a crowded bus and speaks only one language. They may or may not go to museums. They may or may not understand the things they are looking at. They may or may not appreciate the local cuisine. They think that having two weeks of vacation time a year is just fine.--Artist at Large
...i always put extreme effort into NOT looking like a tourist, an effort thwarted with almost military precision by grandma, whose motto seems to be "ask more questions." ...probably the crowning humiliation of the entire trip was the point at which she forced me to stand next to a subway musician while she took a picture...-- how now, wit? whither wander you?
Nothing says tourist more than the fold-out map — and nothing is worse than looking like a tourist. --Bagel in Harlem
We all know what these bloggers are talking about. It's the fear of being perceived a white shoes and shorts and t-shirt wearing why don't you take dollars tourist. The horrors. In the blogosphere, this phobia is often accompanied by commentary about how, sorry, there are no photos because "I didn't want to look like one of them."
First off, you need a camera. Don’t worry about looking like a tourist, New York has a large amateur and pro photographer community. Plenty of natives go around getting pictures - the city’s too interesting NOT to.
Real New Yorkers Know has tips on taking pics in New York City and doesn't spend any more time worrying that you'll look like a tourist.
Folks will get in to all kinds of hairsplitting discussions about the difference between travelers and tourists, arguing the superiority of one over the other. But not everyone has the time, freedom, or even the desire to travel below the surface. Being a tourist is not a crime. Plus, odds are high that you actually ARE a tourist, whether you're a gap year backpacker or spending the two weeks you've got sprawling on a tropical beach some where. That is a-okay.
Maybe instead of worrying about how we look when we're traveling, we can worry about how we act instead. Check out the picture of Mongo in Hue.
...it is always important to look the part. Never shave, wear a loud Hawaiian shirt, and always wear your shades!
And here's a quote from his travel story. This guy might look like your typical clueless tourist, but it's his behavior that shows his shining character.
Mongo bowed and gave the traditional Buddhist salute palms pressed together at the chest. The priest smiled at him and dragged him into the room with the Buddha statue by the elbow. He likes you," said the guide. "You very respectful."
Still obsessed about avoiding "the look"? All right. Here's How to Avoid Looking Like a Tourist in New York City. But keep this in mind:
I was worried at first that we would stick out like tourists, but frankly, you probably will anyways.-- Yellow Puma Shoes
