The best way to avoid being pick-pocketed, ripped off, abused even more by taxi drivers etc is, conventional wisdom would have it, not to look too much like a tourist. How do you achieve this? According to Dave Hall (aka Pepino) in a must read forum post on the subject:
“Avoid the absolute worst fashion crimes below, and you’ll be well on your way.
- Dress for the season you’re in
- Don’t have too much flesh on show (unless you’re on the beach)
- Bikini tops are for the beach only (not for walking around shopping centres)
- Wear subtle jewellery or single pieces of funky large accessories (not dripping in gold)
- Try to avoid the typical British "combats/trainers/white socks/vest top†look (although, one individual part combined with something else can be absolutely fine)
- Be careful with Burberry checks. Burberry’s still a great brand, but their famous check pattern has been hijacked by Chavs, so don’t touch it.
- If you’re American, avoid the "nautical†look and DO NOT wear a plastic sun visor…. Ever! jeje
- At the moment, big sunglasses are still very cool (Posh Spice’s are bigger than her head these days!)
- No cheesewire knickers on show.”
What’s your top tip for blending in whilst in Spain?
Enrique
15 Mar 07 at 1:57 am
I can always spot the Spaniards here in New York. The women are wearing tight jeans or khakis with brown leather shoes, and (chavs notwithstanding) there’s usually some Burberry on display. The men will be wearing a checked or striped oxford shirt under a crew neck jumper. It’s likely they’ll have nice leather shoes as well. Their jackets are typically burgundy, mustard, or loden green.
Gabriella Opaz
15 Mar 07 at 6:13 am
I have four suggestions for those interested:
1. Don’t put your train pass in your wallet! When I first arrived to Spain, I was oblivious to the the cultural habit of placing your pass in a hip and trendy little carrying case, far away from anything resembling money. Tourists tend to be unaware of this, flash their wallets, and watch their money fly out the door with the thief. And, if your level of Spanish was where mine was two years ago when my wallet was stolen in the metro, “Socorro” or “Ladron”wasn’t even an option. Instead, I screamed the ever so effective, “bolsa! ya! hombre! adios!” Needless to say, no one helped me.
2. Never have your electronic gear outside of a bag, which should always be in front of you, and if possible, strapped to your body with chains Crowds are the ideal place for thieves to snake their hands gently into your bag, or un-clipping an accessory bag, without you ever having the slightest clue!
3. Look Purposeful. The minute you look lost or find yourself inches away from any map, your a tourist! If your not carrying anything on you at the time, who cares, peruse the map at your heart’s content, but if you have anything of value on you, I suggest walking as if you know where your going and reserving your mapping for a less obvious location.
4. At the very least, learn “excuse me”, “please” and “thank you” in Spanish. It’s a sure fire way to find out if someone has just gotten of the boat, train or plane.
5. Sport a mullet. You can’t go wrong here in Spain!
Ben
15 Mar 07 at 7:55 am
Gabriella – that last one is sadly still so true – when oh when will someone tell the Spanish to ditch the mullet! Same goes for the Oxford shirt and crew necked jumper Enrique!
Charles Butler
15 Mar 07 at 10:24 am
The joke about tourists is always about ‘sandals with socks’. Regardless, there’s hardly a remedy given the body language, postural, physical differences between Iberians and the rest.
Good, Enrique, about the Spanish upper middle class tourist in America. Can be spotted at 300 yards visiting the best stores and only the most iconic of attractions. In Toronto that was: Spadina Ave. to buy a fur coat, up the CN Tower and on to Niagara Falls.
Edith
15 Mar 07 at 3:10 pm
No matter what you wear, there will always be some kind of a giveaway. In my case it’s my stature (1,77 m). I’m dark-haired but very few Spanish women are that tall.
ValenciaSon
17 Mar 07 at 12:07 am
Does anybody still wear espargatas?
Shuchetana
21 Mar 07 at 3:51 am
Good post. One of the most important would be to definitely learn some of the language before going to a new place. And knowing a bit about the culture helps too.