Blending in when traveling, that is, being less noticeable as an outside or tourist, lies in the subtleties of patient observation. It’s the grandiose gestures which give you away and the inconspicuous ones that keep your cover. There is no single one way to blend in and soon after arrival you’ll need to discover the native mix first to become a traveling chameleon.
Leave The Extra Gear Behind
Locals walking on the streets typically don’t carry large specialized bags with them everywhere. Pockets might not be bulging with wallets; light jackets may be worn in what you consider warm weather. Whatever it may be, you likely have packed it or can leave it locked in your hotel. The items that can help you blend aren’t those found in specialty shops, unless of course you’re going to hang out with a bunch of hikers.
- When you do whip out your camera for a few photos, put it away when not in use.
Changing your focus can not only help you take better travel photos but make your camera less obvious as well.
Observe Faces, Not Places
The majority of cultural clues in a given place are walking all around you, expressed and in plain sight on the faces of everyone you’re trying to mimic. How do people interact with each other – at the grocery store checkout, how much eye contact takes place, for how long? You need to observe faces for how fundamental signals are conveyed like “yes”, “no”, and “friendly” versus “acknowledgment”.
- Notice The Little Things – Tiny differences in behavior that you exhibit are what make you stand out. Put your clothes on someone from the city you’re visiting, they probably wouldn’t be mistaken for a tourist.
- Watch The Pace – People all over the world walk at different paces; slow down or speed up to match the flow around you.
- Observe Conspicuously – Absorb all that’s going around you in snapshots, not trying to see everything at one. Getting caught wide-eyed disrupts your flow (see above) and makes you stick out.
- Learn A Few Words – Whether it’s the language, jargon, or native accent, even knowing just 4 words can go a very long way.
- Chat With Someone Living In The Area – There are 3 language social networks you can use to talk to locals and share a bit about yourself as well.
- Opps! – Don’t commit these international faux pas.
Remember, the people around you are live examples of numerous mannerisms, facial expressions, and sounds that all tell you what makes a local seem like a local.
The Benefits Of The Blend
Aside from the insights you gain through careful perception, the less outside attention you attract, the smoother your movement will be on sidewalks, markets, and popular tourist spots. Traveling chameleons are less attractive targets for pickpockets, overzealous shopkeepers who don’t know you can bargain your way to a good price.
One of the best reasons to blend in though is the confidence it gives you. Travelers who feel less out of place are more likely to go to lesser known restaurants, engage locals more frequently, and experiment with new experiences.
Added time is another bonus – or at least the perception of it. You can slow down and make the most out of your last impressions, using the process to look back on your entire trip, in between, and ahead for your next trip.
You’re Not A Local; Limits To The Disguise
There is no absolute, no complete blend possible. Locals can (eventually) always distinguish everyone else from themselves. It take a moment, perhaps until you utter your first few words of broken Spanish, but it’s not when you go unnoticed that’s important. It is what you notice to achieve that state that not only keeps you undercover, but lets you uncover the culture you’re visiting. You’re not completely changing who you are but rather making subtle adjustments to fit in just that much better.
[photos by: ifijay (chameleon), sculpture grrrl (faces), glsims99 (confidence bench)]
A couple days ago, I was taking a picture (artfully) of a mango at a market in Bangkok. In Thai, one market seller said “what, this foreigner has never seen a mango before?” A few other sellers replied back, “he’s not a foreigner, he’s a local!” (as overheard by me Thai girlfriend). Thought that was pretty funny, really made my day!
Definitely right Anil, if you can blend in, even a little, it will enrich your travels!
haha, hilarious story – love the quote by the first guy 🙂 Glad you were able to blend in, camera or not!
The weird thing is being an ex-pat. Are you a local or a visitor? I went out to take photos yesterday, and was immediatley conscious of the vibe the camera sent out, yet I wan’t dressed like a tourist,either. That said, it was hot, this is a small resort town, and locals and tourists, really, were dressed alike, mostly beach gear. What set the tourists apart, of course, was the red skins. What made me chuffed, though, was when I called into the tourist office in search of some information, and the lady there immediatley knew I was “local”, despite the camera hanging around my neck by then (usually do put it away between shots, but it had become unweildy…..I’d even taken a girly kind of bag instead of the backpack I prefer because of my back problems!
So much of that distinction in our subconscious actions. The longer you stay in a place the more comfortable you get and it shows, in addition to picking up the little clues.
I like to go to the local park and sit and watch people, after a while people forget you are there and you’re free to take photos or the local personality comes up to you to chat you up and allows photos. Either way it works out.
Great way to blend in and unwind 🙂
I like your idea of taking time. I think that may be the greatest “trick” to blending in. My pet hate is people wearing their daypacks on their front – to me an accusation that the place they are in are full of thieves. Not a very positive message for acceptance.
Too many people get discouraged when the jump into a place and don’t feel like they know everything after a day or two. They’re so worried about sticking out that they forget to notice what it takes to blend in.
Totally agree
I second Ayngelinas comment on sitting in a park until people forget you are there. It is then that great pics come out.
Blending is not easy, but with keeping a low profile will take u everywhere.
Federico
It does allow you to get a different perspective 🙂
that’s a scary shade of green but unlike that green, you really want to blend.. i hear what you’re saying and totally agree!
Love the international list of faux pas.. funny but true! great post, thanks for sharing.
The green just covers up the bug eyes!
Love the concept of “observe faces, not places.” In addition to picking up cues on how to fit in better, this is usually the most fascinating aspect of travel – why do people greet each other in that way? why do men carry purses around here but not there? why do people eat so late/early?
It’s funny, we’re often approached in European countries (where we physically fit in most) for directions. If you look like you’re comfortable, people will assume you’re local. It’s usually the start of a great conversation.
I completely agree – why does the one head shake mean “no” somewhere and “yes” somewhere else? So many great anthropological books have explored many of these traits and none of them can completely agree – I find it one of the greatest qualities of our species.
Infinite diversity through infinite combination. (Vulcan proverb)
I’m all for blending with the locals where possible. Sometimes appearances don’t allow it eg in Japan so you do your best.
As for “When you do whip out your camera for a few photos, put it away when not in use” – no can do. When it comes to photos, the camera is appended to me. A few photos means a number in the 100s so when you like to take snippets of every day life, you can’t simply put it away 🙂
I’ve been trying to be more consistent with my camera use and I’ve been good about it lately but still not that many shots!!
Anil, I’ve never really thought about this before, but it really makes sense. Trying to blend in to a new culture is a chance to see it from a completely different angle, and makes interactions with the local people a different experience. Nobody wants to be a “tourist.”
Even if it gives you a moment or two, you see things that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Plus, it’s kind of fun to pick up on and watch for those tiny cultural clues.
Great post, so true. Though for me it really can be a challenge sometimes, being rather blond and tall. How to hide in countries were they’re short and dark…? Behaviour isn’t everything – they spot me long way since my head is above the crowd…. *giggles*
That is true – and a very interesting point. Sometimes you’re looks say you didn’t start out from a place but with the right changes you can show that you definitely know the place on a deeper level.
I love the blending in aspect of travel and typically I’ll spend the first few days learning exactly how to do just that. I normally go full out, often wearing local clothes (such as the shalwar in Muslim countries) and picking up the subtle gestures (such as the head wiggle in India).
I’ve also found that travelers almost always tend to move at a faster pace than locals. Perhaps its the excitement of being in a new place or trying to cram too much into one day, but it’s definitely one of the most noticeable signs of a foreigner. Making a conscious effort to slow down from the beginning seems to help the blending in process significantly.
I’ve noticed that as well, the speed-walking seems to be very pronounced in the first few days. It often takes that conscious “whoa I need to slow down” for it to change like you say.
I like the idea of observing the pace of the place you’re visiting. If you’re able to feel the pace and vibe of a city or town, you’ll inevitably look and feel much more comfortable.
It can also help you see more since you’re moving slower to see 🙂
I’d say, leave the daypack at home – you don’t see them in Europe except on young students or active hikers. Choose a stylish but roomy bag instead for all yur gear. Also ladies wearing trainers except when jogging in Europe will instantly be branded as an American with no sense of style.
My moment of triumph came when I was standing at a bus stop in Valencia and a local asked me directions – sadly my poor Spanish broke the illusion
You got pretty far though!
Great tips for fitting in while traveling. I especially liked the idea of observing faces not places. As far as standing out when wearing tennis shoes, thankfully the shoe industry now makes comfortable looking day shoes for those of us who need to pamper our feet.
You’re right, I think that line is blurring.
One of the things I enjoy about being an expat is that it gives you a chance to get to know a culture much more deeply, and through that, you learn how to blend in much better.
There is nothing like living in a place to know it. A wonderful travel experience.
After having been an expat, I am no longer really satisfied with traditional travel. Being anywhere for less than two months just doesn’t feel like an immersive experience.
Nice thoughts. This is why I laugh when people think NYC is dangerous…as a local – I know what to do, where to go, how fast to walk, and how to cross the street. But tourists do really stick out and can be more vulnerable.
My biggest hurdle is my camera…it’s big and I can’t hide it if I am out to do photography.
However I think the best complement is when someone comes up to me and starts asking me directions in the local language…then I have to tell them that I”m not from there!
It’s great isn’t it – makes you almost want to give directions or point just to keep the act up 😛