How to be a Tourist When You Can't Pretend You Aren't

One of these is not like the others.

• Moving to a new country can lead to being thrown into an entirely new and unfamiliar culture, one in which you are clearly an outsider. Take me in Tanzania for instance!
• Here are some tips for the best ways to avoid being "the annoying tourist" even when it may be nearly impossible to ever truly fit in.

Everyone has a desire to ‘become’ a local when traveling in a foreign country; we strive to learn their language, navigate their streets without a map, and find a little local restaurant not listed in the travel guidebooks that we can claim we discovered. In some places, it’s easier to pull off the local look. But what happens if you really can't? Sometimes, simply being more discreet with your camera isn’t going to fool anyone into thinking you’re a local- and there’s nothing wrong with that!

Traipsing around Tanzania with my study abroad group, there inevitably comes a time during every outing when someone would pull out their camera to take a picture of a smiling child, a wild animal, or an elderly woman balancing a basket on her head. And, just as inevitably, one of my fellow classmates would quickly whisper, "Don't be so obvious, you look like SUCH a tourist right now!"

In the tiny village where I am staying, I am one of the only foreigners of any race for miles around. My study abroad group is often greeted with cries of "Mzungu!" (Swahili for "white person") by all of the children. Our skin and hair, plus our wardrobes of quick-dry khaki sip-offs, immediately make obvious what we were trying to hide: we were outsiders. In reality, the people here are just trying to welcome and make us feel comfortable in their home; they are celebrating the very thing that I am trying to avoid. Being different, in their eyes, is intriguing.

The kids are always amused by our differences.

Despite never fooling anyone into thinking we're a local, there are still many "good will practices" that are generally well received by the local people. Here are some ideas of ways to respect both yourself and the people around you, ultimately keeping a lower profile and avoiding being that "annoying tourist."

Hint: These are also great ideas for those studying in countries where you can actually pretend you're a local!

#1. Learn a bit about the city's layout, neighborhoods, streets, etc.

By familiarizing yourself with the local geography, you are less likely to 1) rely on a map, 2) ask for directors, or 3) get lost. The longer you live in a new place, the easier it will become to know your surroundings, which will result in a feeling of "belonging" that will ultimately influence your behavior anyway.

#2. Acknowledge and adhere to local culture in public places.

Be it dressing modestly (your tank tops may be offensive), using local table manners (such as chopsticks instead of a fork and knife), learning basic conversational phrases in the local language (even if you feel silly, the attempt is likely to be appreciated), or introducing yourself properly (in some places a handshake is disrespectful), a little effort goes a long way in convincing people you regard and esteem their way of life, and are not just passing through.

#3. Be discreet.

By not carrying your camera on your neck or avoiding keeping your nose in your guide book, locals will see you as someone who is not treating their lifestyle like a zoo exhibit. Additionally, pay close attention to the dynamic between friends - it is not uncommon to find the energetic and boisterous style of American conversations are slightly overwhelming and out of place in foreign cultures. Recognize and change your behavior to better accommodate the local culture.

#4. Make friends with the locals!

By making the effort to interact with the locals outside of public transit or the market, you make clear your interest in creating a long lasting connection with your new home.

Don't feel ashamed of being an American in your new country. Accept yourself and realize the impossibility of truly being "one of them," but do not let it get you down. Instead of giving yourself an excuse to act out, use this unique opportunity to teach others positive things about the American culture. Instead of identifying yourself as an intruder, participate in and learn about the local scene.

No harm in TRYING to fit in.

Now that I have been in Tanzania for a month and a half, it's sometimes easy to forget that I am still just as conspicuous, even though I feel like the town is my home now. Realizing that no amount of dress and mannerism changes my study abroad group could make would mask our foreignness, we have since moved forward to a happier place, where American culture and the local culture both flourish. Now, whenever a friendly townsperson asks where we are from, we reply "Nina toka Amerikani!" with gusto and pride.

Additional Resources:

Explore study abroad programs in Tanzania and Kenya
Related article by Hayley Boyle: How to Expect the Unexpected While Abroad
Related article by Rachael Cullins: Impressions of Africa
Related article by Ava Apollo: 10 Hang-ups to Hang Up When Traveling Abroad