Comments on: Four Ways to Avoid Being a Tourist http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/four-ways-to-avoid-being-a-tourist/ Nomadic Matt's Travel Site Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:42:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Susanhttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/four-ways-to-avoid-being-a-tourist/#comment-54559 Susan Fri, 16 Jul 2010 22:54:21 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=168#comment-54559 I have to agree with the I Love NY shirt.. even John Lennon rocked it. I have to agree with the I Love NY shirt.. even John Lennon rocked it.

]]> By: Willhttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/four-ways-to-avoid-being-a-tourist/#comment-47697 Will Sun, 04 Apr 2010 06:29:54 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=168#comment-47697 Whoops -- forgot one other thing. You forgot to add, "Don't stand out in the open, pointing at street signs/landmarks/random directions, with a completely puzzled look on your face."I found this particularly useful in South Africa a couple years ago. Even if I was lost, I would just keep walking -- even if I was only to double back down the road, or to go around in circles (obviously, stick to main roads). Eventually, I found my way every time, plus I got the added benefits of seeing other parts to the city, as well as getting some extra exercise. Whoops — forgot one other thing. You forgot to add, “Don’t stand out in the open, pointing at street signs/landmarks/random directions, with a completely puzzled look on your face.”

I found this particularly useful in South Africa a couple years ago. Even if I was lost, I would just keep walking — even if I was only to double back down the road, or to go around in circles (obviously, stick to main roads). Eventually, I found my way every time, plus I got the added benefits of seeing other parts to the city, as well as getting some extra exercise.

]]> By: Willhttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/four-ways-to-avoid-being-a-tourist/#comment-47696 Will Sun, 04 Apr 2010 06:26:45 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=168#comment-47696 While the fanny pack rule should probably be followed for fashion reasons, every rule has its exception. Though not necessarily "common," it's far from unusual for a local Singaporean to be using a fanny pack to carry whatever it is they need to be carried (in fact, it seems like it's standard attire for the P.E. teachers I work with).Disclaimer: In writing this comment, I am in no way advocating the usage by anybody of fanny packs. While the fanny pack rule should probably be followed for fashion reasons, every rule has its exception. Though not necessarily “common,” it’s far from unusual for a local Singaporean to be using a fanny pack to carry whatever it is they need to be carried (in fact, it seems like it’s standard attire for the P.E. teachers I work with).

Disclaimer: In writing this comment, I am in no way advocating the usage by anybody of fanny packs.

]]> By: Mercedeshttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/four-ways-to-avoid-being-a-tourist/#comment-38167 Mercedes Wed, 30 Dec 2009 05:40:21 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=168#comment-38167 The “The Wrong Way Backpack” and fanny pack(guys only) are actually really common in Brazil from what I saw/heard. Especially in higher crime and downtown in the cities, and at bus terminals I rarely saw people with the backpack on the back. But I've never seen anywhere else where you can pull that off! The “The Wrong Way Backpack” and fanny pack(guys only) are actually really common in Brazil from what I saw/heard. Especially in higher crime and downtown in the cities, and at bus terminals I rarely saw people with the backpack on the back. But I’ve never seen anywhere else where you can pull that off!

]]> By: Talia Clarehttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/four-ways-to-avoid-being-a-tourist/#comment-6517 Talia Clare Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:09:22 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=168#comment-6517 I totally agree with this and want to add one little thing...about taking appropriate baggage. A couple years ago, I got my family to go to Europe with me. I specifically told my aunt to buy a backpack for traveling since we were going to be visiting several countries. She ignored my advice and bought a huge, hard shelled bag on wheels which she then proceeded to pack full with more than 50 pounds of clothing and jewelry. She thought it would be really easy to get from the airport to the hotel. Little did she comprehend that we were taking the subways to the hotels and that many of the smaller, older hotels we were staying at did not have elevators. My uncle complained every time they had to tote that bag anywhere, and by the time it got home, it weighed 80 pounds with all the additional souvenirs. Although she tells my uncle she will never take anywhere again, she secretly admits that she WILL bring them again if she can.BTW, she also takes a fanny pack with her. :-) I totally agree with this and want to add one little thing…about taking appropriate baggage. A couple years ago, I got my family to go to Europe with me. I specifically told my aunt to buy a backpack for traveling since we were going to be visiting several countries. She ignored my advice and bought a huge, hard shelled bag on wheels which she then proceeded to pack full with more than 50 pounds of clothing and jewelry. She thought it would be really easy to get from the airport to the hotel. Little did she comprehend that we were taking the subways to the hotels and that many of the smaller, older hotels we were staying at did not have elevators. My uncle complained every time they had to tote that bag anywhere, and by the time it got home, it weighed 80 pounds with all the additional souvenirs. Although she tells my uncle she will never take anywhere again, she secretly admits that she WILL bring them again if she can.

BTW, she also takes a fanny pack with her. :-)

]]> By: jdubhttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/four-ways-to-avoid-being-a-tourist/#comment-4542 jdub Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:34:33 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=168#comment-4542 Another Nomadic Matt Classic... Super Funny! I just can't decide which is worse :o) Another Nomadic Matt Classic… Super Funny! I just can’t decide which is worse :o )

]]> By: C Khttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/four-ways-to-avoid-being-a-tourist/#comment-4218 C K Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:34:40 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=168#comment-4218 Over here in London, especially at Westminster and Tower of London area, tourists usually throng the area with a Lonely Planet 'London'. Don't ask me why, but it's always Lonely Planet.... never fails. Over here in London, especially at Westminster and Tower of London area, tourists usually throng the area with a Lonely Planet ‘London’. Don’t ask me why, but it’s always Lonely Planet…. never fails.

]]> By: Talenhttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/four-ways-to-avoid-being-a-tourist/#comment-4191 Talen Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:44:48 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=168#comment-4191 Excellent list. The fanny packs always make me laugh.Another thing to consider is keeping all the flashy jewelry at home. I always see tourists wearing things like Rolex's and huge diamond earrings in SEA ...I don't know if it makes them feel superior or they just want to show off but it surely makes them a target to locals. Excellent list. The fanny packs always make me laugh.

Another thing to consider is keeping all the flashy jewelry at home. I always see tourists wearing things like Rolex’s and huge diamond earrings in SEA …I don’t know if it makes them feel superior or they just want to show off but it surely makes them a target to locals.

]]> By: Craighttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/four-ways-to-avoid-being-a-tourist/#comment-4172 Craig Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:58:48 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=168#comment-4172 @ "I really think the whole ‘tourist’ vs ‘traveller’ thing is elitist and opinionated."I have to agree. I used to get uptight about this and say "I'm a traveller!" but it's such a false and unhelpful terminology. It does promote travel snobbery. As much as I appreciate laughing at the American tourist stereotype and almost crying when I see it manifested (couple of times a week, every week) it's also a poor strawman.It'd be nice to move beyond these into examining travel philosophies more fully; there are certainly differences in travel styles...and some are worse for the world than others. @ “I really think the whole ‘tourist’ vs ‘traveller’ thing is elitist and opinionated.”

I have to agree. I used to get uptight about this and say “I’m a traveller!” but it’s such a false and unhelpful terminology. It does promote travel snobbery. As much as I appreciate laughing at the American tourist stereotype and almost crying when I see it manifested (couple of times a week, every week) it’s also a poor strawman.

It’d be nice to move beyond these into examining travel philosophies more fully; there are certainly differences in travel styles…and some are worse for the world than others.

]]> By: NewWrldYankeehttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/four-ways-to-avoid-being-a-tourist/#comment-4154 NewWrldYankee Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:38:32 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=168#comment-4154 Good Lord, I so want the I love Fanny Packs t shirt! In the whole fanny pack v. bum bag discussion - I once asked a brit friend what he thought a fanny pack was, and he thought it was a maxi pad! I love it! =) Good Lord, I so want the I love Fanny Packs t shirt! In the whole fanny pack v. bum bag discussion – I once asked a brit friend what he thought a fanny pack was, and he thought it was a maxi pad! I love it! =)

]]>