I LOVE this. I've always laughed a bit at those "I'm not a tourist, I'm a traveller" type of people. Famous landmarks are famous for a reason, and making a Whole Thing out of avoiding them seems so try-hard. And don't get me started on the "avoid looking American" style tips. You are American (or whatever nationality you are), why would you want to pretend you're not? Why try looking like a local when...you aren't? Better to embrace who you are: an American (or whatever nationality) TOURIST in a country where you are not a local.
Yes! The whole “avoid looking American” advice always cracks me up too. Locals always know who’s not from there, no matter what shoes you’re wearing. Like you said, why not just own it? You’re a visitor, so lean into the joy of discovering somewhere new instead of trying to cosplay as a local!
It's so funny how we, as humans, are always able to remove ourselves from the equation when it's so obvious that we are usually a part of it. I remind myself of this when I am sitting in traffice complaining about all of the cars on the road when there is for sure a person in the car next to me doign the exact same thing. We are not IN traffic. We ARE the traffic. We are not SURROUNDED by tourists. We ARE the tourists. Thanks for the reminder that it's OK, as long as we are also being responsible and not exploitative in our approach.
Exceptional read. You definitely called me out!!! This is exactly how I used to travel, and I think with an era of Instagram travel, mania, a lot of us got caught up in that. This reminds me of a piece I recently wrote about tourism on my substack about being a “real traveler” in the era of mass culture, and attaching morality to how we travel.
Right-on. One thing that always fascinates me, going to well trodden places, is “what is it about them that draws people?” I find that observing that lets you be the tourist and yourself at the same time, and often gets you to enjoy things about the familiar you never would have imagined or expected.
I LOVE this. I've always laughed a bit at those "I'm not a tourist, I'm a traveller" type of people. Famous landmarks are famous for a reason, and making a Whole Thing out of avoiding them seems so try-hard. And don't get me started on the "avoid looking American" style tips. You are American (or whatever nationality you are), why would you want to pretend you're not? Why try looking like a local when...you aren't? Better to embrace who you are: an American (or whatever nationality) TOURIST in a country where you are not a local.
Yes! The whole “avoid looking American” advice always cracks me up too. Locals always know who’s not from there, no matter what shoes you’re wearing. Like you said, why not just own it? You’re a visitor, so lean into the joy of discovering somewhere new instead of trying to cosplay as a local!
but nowadays I prefer to pretend I’m Canadian
🤣🤣
It's so funny how we, as humans, are always able to remove ourselves from the equation when it's so obvious that we are usually a part of it. I remind myself of this when I am sitting in traffice complaining about all of the cars on the road when there is for sure a person in the car next to me doign the exact same thing. We are not IN traffic. We ARE the traffic. We are not SURROUNDED by tourists. We ARE the tourists. Thanks for the reminder that it's OK, as long as we are also being responsible and not exploitative in our approach.
I love being a tourist and doing touristy shit
Exceptional read. You definitely called me out!!! This is exactly how I used to travel, and I think with an era of Instagram travel, mania, a lot of us got caught up in that. This reminds me of a piece I recently wrote about tourism on my substack about being a “real traveler” in the era of mass culture, and attaching morality to how we travel.
Another great article. Nailed it, Carmen!
Right-on. One thing that always fascinates me, going to well trodden places, is “what is it about them that draws people?” I find that observing that lets you be the tourist and yourself at the same time, and often gets you to enjoy things about the familiar you never would have imagined or expected.