5 ways NOT to look like a tourist in London

 

Under cover in London ?

I wouldn’t say that I’m a prolific tourist but in my travels to England last year, I managed to catch some culture and in the process, got some insights on the art of ‘gelling in with the crowd’. I guess this ability to blend comes in handy when you want to avoid too much attention from those nasty pickpockets and muggers who consider tourists as easy and precious prey. Of course, the task is near impossible when you’re going to a country where the national language is not English. But even in an English-speaking nation like England, it takes considerable effort to pass yourself off as ‘one of them’. Here are some of my findings:

(1) Muck up an accent
Contrary to the common belief that your accent will the be the number one give-away,I came to realize that England has a rich variety of accents. Sure, the nationals are hardcore but having an ‘asianized’ accent doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a tourist because there are plenty of foreign-born British citizens faking accents in their own unique manner. What will help is that you listen to a national (or BBC) and try to mimic him/her. Just make sure you don’t sound like the Hulk while you’re at it.

(2) Pick the lingo
Every culture has it’s own characteristic jargon and the English are no different. A smiling ‘Cheers’ instead of the more common ‘Thanks’ is the way to go when you want to show gratitude to anyone on the streets. ‘How are you?’ is sometimes replaced with a quizzically-toned ‘Alright?’ and if someone asks you for the time, then instead of saying 5:20 pm, use the phrase ‘20 past 5′. Of course, there will be many more nuisances and it’s important you keep on including them in your tourist vocabulary as you interact with the locals.

(3) Tune your attire
If you want to brandish your love for London, please think of other ways than wearing a “I <Heart> London” T-shirt. It’s critical to keep your attire neutral and in compliance with the weather. Sparkling bermuda shorts and army bandanas will definitely stand out. Casual jeans, decent tees or collar shirts will do the trick. And in case your in the mood of looking like a professional, a smart crisp suit wouldn’t be too wrong either.

And yes, the youth of England has a very typical hairstyle – short, spiked and gelled. Of course, I can’t do much about that due to the rapid deforestation of my hair, but if you boast long curls, then a haircut is something you might want to consider before you head out.

(4) Sanitize your Touristy material
Everyone wants to take pictures when their in a new place but can that expose you as an international tourist ? In London, I wouldn’t say so. This is because there are a lot of nationals (and even locals) that are roaming in the outdoors snapping away pics with their friends and family. A key pointer here is to take out your camera only when needed. Avoid flaunting it like an Olympic gold medal. And if you’re traveling alone, ask other people with cameras to shoot your snaps. Then, pocket your camera as soon as the pic is taken.

Also, if you have to carry a bag pack (preferably a schoolbag or a cross-over) then, again, make sure it doesn’t have any UK souvenirs dangling from its zippers. Take care that you don’t over-pack; carrying a bag that looks like one made for a ten-day hike will kill your cover

(5) Avoid the ‘The Tourist Syndrome’
It’s always a good practice to plan a day’s trip the night before by looking up directions, transportation fares and chalking up complicated itineraries. So let’s say you’ve done your homework and are set to make the trip without much external guidance. That’s all good but the biggest give-away can simply be what I like to call the ‘tourist syndrome’ namely: frequently referring to maps, carrying printouts of itineraries, holding a deck of tickets in your hand, restless behavior on the train, constantly looking at what stop the bus has stopped at and walking like you have no clue where you’re headed. The resolution ?  Memorize the itinerary as much as you can and whenever needed, use your reference materials in a casual manner (don’t be frantic). When on the bus or train, “glance” at the station signs and keep a keen ear for station announcements on every stop rather than looking abnormally alert. Reading a newspaper always helps. Look chilled out and indifferent. Act as if it’s ‘like any other day’.

Of course, these are just guidelines that will help you look a little less alien. Some locals might be more perceptive than others and will see right through you but that’s expected – you would have to live a few years in London to thoroughly complete the assimilation process.

In case you’re visiting abroad some time soon, do check out the following link for other handy tips: http://www.focusonstyle.com/touristfashionmistakes.htm