5 Tips For Not Looking Like A Tourist
As a photographer I have ALWAYS carried my camera while exploring new cities. But after a while a realized that traveling to places that I had never been I would need to focus more on my surroundings and look more like a local versus someone not knowing where I am. The reason behind this is that you DO NOT want to bring attention to yourself and create an avenue that someone may see as vulnerability an take advantage of the situation.
Thankfully, just as you see in this image of me in Florence, Italy, my husband has always been right next to me watching my every move while I obviously continued to look like a tourist taking photo after photo. But this may not always be the case.
Those adventurers that like to take solo trips or those “Girlfriend Getaways” that you go on it is IMPERATIVE that you DO NOT look like a tourist! Your safety depends on it!!!!!
So here are 5 tips to avoid looking like a tourist:
DON’T WEAR YOUR CAMERA AROUND YOUR NECK ALL DAY!
If your like me photos are LIFE! So of course you’ll want to take your camera and take photos. But you don’t want to have it exposed the entire time your walking around. I currently have the IPHONE 12 Pro Max and the camera on it is amazing so I have been ok with not carrying my camera with me on past trips and just taking photos with my phone. So that’s an option for you!
WALK LIKE YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR GOING!
Research! Research! Research! I can’t stress this enough! When I decide on a destination for us to travel to I immediately begin to do research to create an ITINERARY so we know what we’re doing, where we’re going, and how we’re getting there.
SIMPE IS BETTER!
I know you want to show off your new outfits and accessories (that fanny pack may need to stay home), but the LESS flashy you are, the LESS attention you’ll receive. Try to avoid wearing expensive watches, necklaces, rings, etc.
NO SELFIE-STICKS!
I understand that you want photos of yourself and the ones your traveling with, but nothing screams TOURIST more than a selfie stick! If your on your resort property then it’s fine. But if your around locals, in town…I would advise you to avoid them.
I am traveling with my best friend to Tulum, Mexico in August and to avoid having to lug around a selfie-stick in town I suggested we book a photographer while there. So we have a 1 hour photo session with a local photographer that will capture us in different locations to share our time there.
ACT LIKE YOU GOT SOME SENSE (COMMON SENSE)!
Drink responsibly! Be courteous! Be kind! Chat with locals! Eat at local spots!
HAPPY TRAVELS FRIENDS!!