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Travel Tip Tuesday – Do’s and Dont’s of Traveling like a Local

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By definition, I am a tourist, though I much prefer to blend in when I travel. In my opinion, if I assimilate myself into daily life at my destination, it allows me a richer, more authentic travel experience.

There are some sure fire ways to be successful as well as ways to fail. Stick out like a sore thumb, if you will.

So here are some do's and dont's when it comes to trying to blend in like a local in Europe.

1. Don't bring your spify-white New Balance sneaks, your addidas track suit, your fanny pack, your cargo shorts or your Hawiian shirt. Save those for a retirement home in Florida. Europeans dress smartly. Do bring comfy yet stylish walking shoes, dark wash denim, black pants, scarves and a belted trench. Bring solid-colored items that can be layered. And though neon pink and lime green spandex may indeed be comfortable, for the love of God, if you know what's good for you- you'll leave those home. Or better yet, at the Salvation Army.

2. Absolutely do stop to ask locals where they like to eat. Just don't ask about the nearest McDonalds or Olive Garden. Please!

3. When dining out, you'll want to eat with the locals, do not go to dinner at 5pm. Locals in Europe eat very late. Do wait to eat dinner until at least 8:30 pm.

4. Do not expect the locals to speak English. This is their turf. Do learn some polite phrases in the local language. You will be treated better.

5. Do learn some of the local customs with regard to hand gestures. Do not just assume that giving someone a thumbs up or the ok sign will be understood and welcomed in another culture. You may in fact be insulting someone.

6. Don't be loud and obnoxious. Don't have to much to drink, stumble into the streets yelling and screaming like a high-schooler at a frat party. Do be respectuful and use your inside voice. Common sense? Maybe, but you would be surprised how many rude, drunk Americans I encounter on vacation.

7. Do have an open mind. Remember you are in a foreign land and that nothing will be the same as in America. But, wasn't that the point of traveling in the first place? Don't bitch to the waiter, "In America, we don't eat intestines". Don't complain to the hotel owner, "In America, all of our hotels have elevators". Don't complain to shop keepers, "In America, our stores don't close for 3 hours in the middle of the day". It gets old and it is just plain rude.

So, what are your secrets on blending like a local? How do you do it?

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Now, bop on over to Cherrye's place to see what she cooking up for Travel Tip Tuesday!

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Miss Expatria
April 14th, 2009
Nice tips! I’d also add: Be fearless about going into places that look like it’s a private clubhouse for four locals. You’ll have a great time. Too often, tourists will avoid restaurants and bars that seem TOO authentic, for lack of a better term, because they are afraid they’ll be uncomfortable.

Lola
April 14th, 2009
Great tips! I especially appreciated #3 – eating @ 5pm is merenda, not dinner.
Another thing you may want to add is that – save some rare exceptions – grated Parmigiano and seafood *cannot* occupy the same plate. It is heresy. Like after dinner cappuccino, for that matter.
I will come visit this blog again soon and I’m following you on Twitter. Ciao

Moscerina
April 14th, 2009
Great tips. Especially #4. If you learn how to say Please and Thank You in home country’s language, before landing, and you actually use these words, your politeness (and kindness) will give you carte blanche.
Read the map before venturing out and familiarize yourself with the neighborhoods so you can avoid standing on a busy street corner looking like a target.
Ride the buses and subways without fear– yes, there are pickpockets, so just be smart, don’t carry a lot of cash or passports. And before complaining in English, remember David Sedaris’ subway story in Me Talk Pretty One Day.

My Melange
April 14th, 2009
Thanks C. I will say that I have fallen victim to that before. It CAN be intimidating, but your are right, just take a deep breath and walk in!

Rachel Cotterill
April 14th, 2009
Good tips, though more applicable to certain parts of Europe than others – in the UK & Scandinavia, it’s pretty safe to assume that everyone will speak English, and shops shutting at mid-day also gets more common the further south you go.
I have to pick up on Moscerina’s advice not to carry “a lot of cash or passports” – I nearly got arrested in Spain for leaving my passport in my room, a lot of countries make it mandatory to carry your passport around. Check the local rules before you set out.

My Melange
April 14th, 2009
Thanks for your input! I confess that I sometimes put parm-reggiano cheese with my seafood pasta. But not in Italy! Ha!

My Melange
April 14th, 2009
Thanks for the tips! It amazing what you can get with a positive attitude and a please and thank you, isn’t it?!

My Melange
April 14th, 2009
Hi Rachel- Thanks for your thoughts!
I specialize in France and Italy- so I am sure that my advice is generalized and that some areas will in fact be different. I am the type that doesn’t like to assume that certain countries speak English- unless it is the National Language. I much prefer to still learn a few words in the local language.
I don’t carry my passport with me either and I have not had a problem. I would probably make a copy of it and carry it with me though. Good idea to check the local rules, wherever you are going!

Cherrye at My Bella Vita
April 14th, 2009
Great tips, Robin. FYI-in Italy you “should” carry your passport with you, as they are free to ask for it at any time. If someone doesn’t want to carry their passport-they could probably get by with a copy, but you’ll need some sort of photo ID. Love these tips!!

My Melange
April 14th, 2009
Hey partner-
I know I * should* carry my passport, but I am one of those rebels that makes the color copy- just cause I’d hate to be robbed- and then what?! (I know, I know what if the hotel gets robbed??) Maybe I just think I am so good at blending in as an local Italian- that the carbinieri never think to stop ME???!!! Yes- I know…dreaming!

xo

erin :: the olive notes
April 14th, 2009
amen!

My Melange
April 14th, 2009
By your enthusiastic support- I’ll assume that you live like a local everywhere you go Erin

joe@italyville
April 14th, 2009
Great tips once again Robin! Good luck trying to eat at 5… most restaurants don’t even open until 7:30:)
I laugh at the “In America” lines… hate those people. If everything is so great at home…. stay there!

My Melange
April 14th, 2009
Well siad Joe, very well said!! I never understand those people- shouldn’t the point of traveling to be to get AWAY from where you live for awhile??

Nadine Bouler at BDG
April 14th, 2009
Your tips should be printed inside of every passport.

My Melange
April 14th, 2009
Aw, thanks for the kind words. Think I’ll contact homeland security about putting that into motion

Lenora@ItalyRetreat
April 15th, 2009
Great tips. Will link these to my blog. I love to take photos when traveling but I try not to look too touristy with it hanging around my neck, making a spectacle of myself.

Angie
April 15th, 2009
As usual, great tips! And aren’t you thrilled to be using them yourself in just a few short weeks?

My Melange
April 15th, 2009
Thanks Lenora! I have the same roblem with my camera. It wouldbe easier to seem less touristy with like a huge 35mm rather than my digital. But such is life, right Maybe the bigger the camera the more you look like a photog- not a tourist!

My Melange
April 15th, 2009
Ang, you have NO idea how thrilled

anne
April 22nd, 2009
Hi Robin you gave such great tips…Thanks..I think I was spot on when in Paris …a lot of you commentors gave brilliant tips too!!
You REBEL….I didn’t know you had to carry your passport, I think its a good idea to get photo copy and a photo..Think i am going to sort that for my next holiday.
Oh I did write down my passport number, never done that before, I think you or cherrye gave it as a tip a while ago!!