Blending In

Though we may not like to admit it, many times first impressions can seal the deal as to how someone is treated. Your physical appearance, even what you are wearing, can influence the way you are treated and the level of service you get, both positively and negatively. This is never more apparent than when traveling. Tourists are treated different than locals, many of whom stick out like a sore thumb from an on-the-street standpoint. Yes, your clothes and accessories can greatly help or hinder your experience abroad. Looking like an out of towner, even looking specifically like an American, can at times create an adverse reaction to your presence, and even in instances in which you are treated better because of your nationality, it will certainly inhibit your ability to experience a foreign country with any semblance of authenticity. How do you blend in with the locals?Traveling gives you the opportunity to walk a day in the life of another’s shoes. In order to take advantage of this offering, you must first put on the shoes. Your typical going out for the attire in a foreign country should not look exactly the same as it would were this a trip to the local grocery store. There should certainly be a similarly disheveled manner if you are running tedious or mundane errands, though this is less common on vacation. After all, your demeanor should be genuine, it’s not like anyone is terribly happy about standing around waiting in lines, whether they are from Syracuse or Syria. However, it’s important to pay attention to the stylings of fellow passer-bys. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, dressing according to custom is no sign of disrespect. There will be times in which dressing a certain way will do little to conceal your foreign lineage. For example, it’s highly unlikely many tourists of Irish origin could pass for the common Chinese citizen, however, locals will still be appreciative when customs, traditions and dress are observed in a good faith effort. Particularly when visiting a well-known religiously obedient region it is important to mind what you are wearing and try to cater to their wishes as best as possible, so as not to deeply offend various members of strictly adherent cultures.A good first impression is not entirely dictated entirely by aesthetics. Perhaps one of the egregious stereotypical errors commonly associated with “Ugly American” tourists is their general lack of knowledge concerning foreign cultures, especially language. Before traveling to a land in which the native tongue is different, consider taking a few corresponding language courses or trying at-home tapes. Taking the time to learn a foreign language is a sign of respect and shows that you were willing to make an effort towards cultural appreciation. Much like how attire, language will only go so far, without years of either living abroad or study in an academic setting it unlikely your language proficiency could ever truly pass for authentic, most likely your accent will give you away if not a lack of vocabulary. However, most locals will admire that you took the time to try your hand at their own language, as so often tourists expect them to learn English in order to properly perform their job.

www.localsintheknow.com @ October 27, 2010