How Not to Be That Tourist

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We’ve all seen them. The loud group in the piazza, conducting their conversation at full volume as if the locals were hard of hearing. The person at the table in the restaurant frustrated that the waiter has yet to bring them their check. Or the traveler who blocks an entire sidewalk with their giant suitcases, utterly oblivious to the flow of the city around them.

I’ll admit, on my first trip abroad, I had a few “oops” moments that veered dangerously close to tourist-gone-wrong territory. I once ordered gelato in Italy, confidently asking for “fragole” (strawberry) only to mispronounce it so badly the server handed me “fagioli”—beans. My friends laughed for hours. It was humbling, but also a reminder that trying—no matter how clumsy—is better than expecting the world to revolve around me.

The truth is, travel is a privilege. Stepping into someone else’s country, their culture, their daily rhythm—it’s like being invited into someone’s home. And just like you’d take off your shoes if asked at a friend’s doorstep, being a respectful traveler often comes down to small gestures of awareness. Learning a few polite phrases, watching how locals navigate daily life, lowering your voice a notch in a quiet cathedral—these are the things that say, I see you. I respect this space.

One of my favorite memories from Paris wasn’t the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, but a simple exchange at a bakery. I stumbled through “Bonjour” and “Un pain au chocolat, s’il vous plaît,” and the woman behind the counter smiled warmly. She switched to English when she realized my French was shaky, but I could tell she appreciated that I’d made the effort. That tiny bit of connection felt so much richer than if I’d just barked out, “Chocolate croissant, please.”

Of course, being a good traveler isn’t about perfection. You’ll still make mistakes, mispronounce words, and maybe even trip over an unfamiliar custom. But the difference between being a tourist and being that tourist is all in the attitude. A little humility, a little curiosity, and a willingness to laugh at yourself go a long way.

When I think back on my travels, the moments that feel most magical aren’t the ones where I had everything planned or perfectly executed. They’re the ones where I felt part of the place—even if only for a heartbeat. Sharing a bench with locals at a tram stop. Wandering through a neighborhood market. Smiling at someone’s dog as they strolled past. That’s the kind of traveler I want to be, and the kind of traveler people are glad to welcome.

So the next time you zip up your suitcase, tuck this reminder in with your passport: don’t be that tourist. Be the one who looks up, listens, and remembers you’re a guest. Because in the end, the best souvenirs you’ll carry home aren’t trinkets or photos—they’re the connections you make along the way.

8 Tips on How to Be a Good Tourist

1. Learn a Few Local Phrases

  Even a simple “hello,” “thank you,” or “please” goes a long way. Locals notice the effort, and it often earns you a smile (or better service!).

2. Respect Local Customs and Dress Codes

 Whether it’s covering your shoulders in a church or taking off your shoes before entering a home, small gestures show big respect.

3. Lower the Volume 

   What feels like normal speaking volume at home may come across as loud abroad. Blending in often starts with lowering your voice just a notch.

4. Support Local Businesses

 Skip the big chains and spend your money where it matters—at family-run restaurants, local markets, and artisan shops.

5. Be Mindful of Photos

   Not every moment is meant to be captured. Ask before photographing people, and avoid blocking paths or crowding spaces just to get the shot.

   
   

6. Practice Patience 

   Things won’t always run on your schedule. Trains may be late, restaurants may move at a slower pace. Go with the flow—you’re on their time now.

   
   

7. Leave No Trace

   Whether you’re hiking a trail or wandering city streets, clean up after yourself. A good tourist leaves a place just as lovely as they found it.

8. Stay Curious and Humble 

   Approach each day with an open heart. Be willing to make mistakes, laugh at yourself, and learn as you go—that’s when real travel magic happens.