5 Quick & Dirty Tips: How to avoid looking like a tourist

Being an obvious tourist can make you an easy target for thieves, con artists and 'tourist prices', so it can pay to blend in. Of course you can always do what you want, and on some occasions, like in a heavily tourist populated area it would be futile and pointless to try and blend in with locals, but if you want to avoid unwanted attention on other, more risky occasions, here are some tips.

1. Pack appropriate shoes.
Shoes can be biggest give away that you're a tourist so plan to pack shoes that are appropriate for the location and the weather of your destination. The no sport sneaker/sports sandals/hiking boots rule in cities should point you in the right direction.
2. Keep the map/guidebook out of sight.
It's an obvious one but an easy rule to break. Rather than engrossing yourself in your map or book in a public place, study it before you leave your hotel... or at least step into a shop, restaurant or any other place less public. This tip is not just to help you look local, for safety, you always need to be aware of your surroundings and it's hard to do that when all your attention is on a book or map.
3. Don't be loud, showy or obnoxious.
It's easy to be full of life when you're a tourist on holidays, and wanting to share your vitality with the rest of the world is natural. However you're always better off being more reserved and quite to avoid making the wrong impression and attracting attention to yourself.
4. Dress appropriately for the culture and the weather.
In some parts of the world this might mean dressing a little nicer than you might casually in your home country, and in other parts, it might mean dressing more conservatively. It always pays to do a littler research and planning with your packing. Also be sure to avoid dressing head-to-toe in obvious 'travel clothes', while they may be quick drying and practical, they do stand out. These days you can find 'non travel' clothing in high tech fabrics so you can easily dress just as practically without looking like you've just had a makeover by a travel clothes shop.
5. Be careful with how you "accessorise".
Don't wear your money belts/pouches over your jeans, they need to be concealed under your clothing at all times and if you need to get at them, go to a bathroom.
Don't wear your camera around your neck. Don't wear obvious travel bags out and about... generally, locals don't wear backpacks out to dinner.