How not to look like a tourist??

**abbygirl** · April 22nd, 2005, 07:19 PM

So I hear and read that you don't want to look like a tourist. I know this may be a stupid question to those who live in NYC, but,

1) (Top 10 ways) How not look like a tourist?
2) AND: (Top 10 ways) How can you spot a tourist?

If this question has already been answered, can you give me the link to where this is? Thank you

**Edward** · April 22nd, 2005, 07:53 PM

What's the problem with looking like a tourist?

How to spot a tourist: 99.9% of people in Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Empire State Building, and Rockefeller Center are tourists.

**TLOZ Link5** · April 23rd, 2005, 02:35 AM

Tourists often have a look of apprehension or confusion when they're doing things that New Yorkers consider routine, like riding the subway. The more obvious ones carry maps.

Sometimes it's almost a spider sense; you can just tell.

**junglizt1210** · April 23rd, 2005, 04:36 AM

wearing black when travelling outside Manhattan I would say is a good idea to blend in.

I don't mean go like a goth with chains and tattos and bl;ack everything, jsut that I was in NY recently, and wearing a red coat, really sticks out.

And don't wear an NYPD or FDNY hat or clothes when travelling outside the main tourist areas. New York Yankees hats etc... are generally worn around NY, so they're better....

You can travel around the subway without a map, or needing to look at one, if you have a good sense of direction, or a good memory.

**NewYorkYankee** · April 23rd, 2005, 02:11 PM

What about looking at the maps in the subway stations that are posted up? Not having one of your own all folded out? I mean, Im sure even NY'ers have to look at the subway map sometimes.

**junglizt1210** · April 23rd, 2005, 02:46 PM

that's a little different

**kmistic** · April 23rd, 2005, 07:59 PM

I wouldn't worry too much about looking like a tourist. You might get some offers for sunglasses, handbags and rolex watches, but other than that you will be alright.

**abbygirl** · April 25th, 2005, 06:51 PM

THank you for your replies.

Joyce

**sirhcman** · April 25th, 2005, 08:04 PM

If you dont want to look or act like a tourist then what is the fun of going to visit New York?!? Thats how I look at it

When I went last May the locals were very nice and helped us out alot..You should be fine.

**Deimos** · April 26th, 2005, 04:13 AM

Tourists unfold a subway map, or read the maps in the general areas of the stations. The maps on the platforms or in the trains get read by all. Also when walking, tourists look around for a bit when leaving subway stations, while those of us from NYC just walk to where we're going. Just start walking when you leave the station and figure out where you're going while on your feet... if you have to make 3 left turns instead of 1 right turn, nobody will know but you. If you must stop for any reason, just make sure that you're not in a choke point for traffic flow (ie: staircases to subway stations, exits from buildings).

There is nothing wrong with being a tourist... just please try to keep the city moving while you're here. (ok, so the fact that my office is across the street from Grand Central, and every day while on cigarette breaks, I'm giving directions to visitors probably has skewed my feelings a little).

Oh, and belt bags and cameras around your neck both make tourists stand out from the crowd.

**Schadenfrau** · April 26th, 2005, 11:18 AM

Don't take up more than your fair share of space on the subway like the tourists I saw this morning. There were two of them so sprawled out that they were taking up three seats and wondering why people were glaring.

**ryan** · April 26th, 2005, 11:29 AM

Don't wear matching outfits with your traveling companions. I work next to St. Patricks, and I'm continually amazed/impressed by this phenomenon. I should take pics. I also once saw a tourist walk up to a bus and ask the driver for directions in a strong drawl. She didn't walk up to the door, though - she stood in the middle of 5th ave and stopped both the bus and a lane of traffic.

That said, I wouldn't worry about looking like a tourist. There are massive numbers around all the tourist areas, so no one will judge.

**BrooklynRider** · April 27th, 2005, 10:28 AM

If you need to stop and look at a map or want to stop to chat to friends or strangers, GET OUT OF THE WAY!! The sidewalks are our expressways. Step to the side and get out of the way. Don't screw with a New Yorker's momentum. All of our walking and street crossing is based on trajectories. One out of tune tourist can throw a whole day out of whack!

**Schadenfrau** · April 27th, 2005, 11:10 AM

What is with the people wearing matching outfits? That seems to have really taken off recently.

**ryan** · April 27th, 2005, 11:45 AM

Seems to be two varieties of matching tourists - one is the tour group with matching t-shirts, uniforms or jackets. Conformity is foisted on teenagers all the time anyway, so why not keep it practical for their wranglers?

The other, much more exciting version is the matching couple. Like city-going squares partners, often the woman's skirt/pants/skort(?) matches the man's shirt. I've even seen a band of plaid from the woman's skirt used on the man's straw had. Sometimes you'll see matching representive sweatshirts, or puffy-paint-customized "smith trip 2005" sweathirts/t-shirts.