How to Totally Fail at Blending in Abroad

Talking Loudly

It's not even the use of English that immediately gives you away as an American—it's the loud volume at which you're speaking … and you might not even be aware you're doing it. (Seriously, just Google: "Americans talking loudly" to see thousands of articles about this phenomenon.) Remember to watch the level of your conversations, especially in enclosed spaces like subways or restaurants.

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(Photo: Group of people annoyed with person on phone via Shutterstock)

Not Following Local Customs

SmarterTravel's Jamie Ditaranto, who often travels to Brazil to visit family says, "This only applies to women, but if you go to the beach in Brazil in an 'American' bikini, people will notice. My cousins have even gone so far as to refer to American bikinis as pajamas." Likewise, if you visit somewhere more conservative, like Egypt, you'll want to dress in a far more modestly than you might at home.

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(Photo: shankar s. via flickr/CC Attribution)

Blocking the Sidewalk

You're walking down the sidewalk when all of the sudden the urge strikes: you need to snap a photo of what's in front of you, consult your map, or check your destination app to decide where to go next. So instead of pulling over, like you would if you were driving down a street, you come to a dead halt, impeding the flow of pedestrian traffic behind you. Locals in busy cities know—if you need to stop, get out of the way.

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(Photo: Tourists Visting And Having Lunch At Outdoor Restaurant via Radu Bercan/Shutterstock.com)

Wearing Workout/Hiking Clothes and Sneakers

Zip-off pants, cargo shorts, any kind of technical clothing—you're walking around a city, not summiting a mountain, so why are you wearing workout or hiking clothing? If you want to blend in, wear pieces that are both comfortable and stylish. Yoga pants may be great to wear at home as you run errands around town, but in the majority of cities around the world, workout clothes are never worn on the street. The same goes for shoes—if you'd wear what's on your feet to go for a run, don't rock them in a new city. Instead, pack a pair of travel-friendly shoes that still look stylish.

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(Photo: Man wearing hiking attire via Shutterstock)

Comparing Everything to Home

"Oh, that's so weird/cool/interesting! Where I'm from, we ... " Or, "In America, you would never see that." The whole point of traveling is to experience new cultures, and if you're stopping to compare everything to what it's like back home, you're kind of missing the point.

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(Photo: The LEAF Project via flickr/CC Attribution)

Not Attempting to Figure Out the Local Currency

We've actually witnessed tourists just holding out their money for cashiers to select the right amount, because these vacationers can't be bothered to learn the local currency. Not only are you WAY too trusting, but you'll likely irritate the shopkeeper and definitely out yourself as a tourist. Try downloading a conversion app, and checking out photos of the local currency before you leave, so that you'll be more familiar with it when it comes time to pay.

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(Photo: Woman takes money for paying via Shutterstock)

Wearing Your Home Team's Gear

C'mon, is your entire wardrobe really made up of gear from your local sports team? (If you're from New England, we can kind of believe this, actually.) But let's be honest, wearing an NFL jersey or a baseball hat from your alma mater is going to brand you as an American pretty fast. Along the same lines, please do not trade in your American sports gear for that of the local soccer team wherever you go, unless you really are a fan. No one likes a poser and you'll be unmasked pretty quickly once another supporter strikes up a conversation with you.

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Reading a Guidebook

The most obvious, tell-tale sign of being a tourist is definitely reading a guidebook in public. That's why we love e-readers—read a guidebook, check a map, or read 50 Shades of Grey wherever you go, and no one will know your secret shame.

What do tourists do in your hometown that make them stand out? Tell us in the comments.

More from SmarterTravel:

• Seven Signs You're an Annoying American Tourist
• 10 Tourist Traps We Secretly Love
• 10 Fashion Faux Pas for Travelers

Caroline Morse hopes she blends in while traveling. Follow her adventures around the globe on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline and on Twitter @CarolineMorse1.

(Photo: Couple reading guidebook via Shutterstock)