Honed to perfection by yours truly throughout Europe, and proven to work in at least one city in South America, following the following strategy will allow you to blend in seamlessly with the local population…at least until you open your mouth. Note: Your mileage may vary based on age, gender, ethnicity, fashion sense, etc.
1) When walking, take long confident strides. Strive to appear like you both know where you’re going, and have to be there at a certain time. Don’t overdo this, you shouldn’t run like you’re about to miss your train.
2) Read street signs, not maps.
3) Don’t wear a backpack. Somehow, people who live someplace never need to carry things. I haven’t fully figured this one out, but trust me: backpacks are a dead giveaway.
4) Never take out your camera. Don’t stop to look at the impossibly beautiful castle/church/cathedral/bridge/Roman amphitheater. Yawn.
5) Look slightly irritated at all times. This one is pretty clutch. Remember, tourists are excited and happy to be someplace. Everyone else on that bus is kind of pissed off to be going to work.
Reverse directions to look like a stranger in your own city.
But don’t look too much like a local otherwise within the span of a few weeks, you will be mistaken for:
A) a mugger
B) a burglary suspect
C) a homeless person
I think I’ve told you all these anecdotes before, at least they made me feel like a local…
On the backpacks thing, I think it’s just big, fully-stuffed backpacks- I think if it’s smaller you look more like a student? I’m not sure, though…
~Steve
What about a shoulder bag / messenger bag vs. a backpack?