Avoid graphics, including logos, and wild patterns on your clothing. Unless you are hanging out with a group of fashionistas, those busy leggings and rapper-designed sneakers will attract attention, and a lot of it! Limit accessories to 1 or 2, and keep them small and tasteful. Leave the expensive handbag or watch at home.
Avoid wearing hobby or job related gear out of context. A fishing vest should only be worn when fishing. Also leave the camo at home unless you are actually hunting. Bring appropriate gear for the weather. Walking around in the pouring rain without an umbrella or jacket will attract attention from others, much like wearing shorts in a snowstorm.
If you are planning to get some (or more) body art, make sure it is on a part of your body you can hide easily without having to wearing odd clothing. A tattoo on your upper arm that can be hidden under a short sleeve shirt will help you be invisible, while a full arm sleeve requiring long sleeves in hot temperatures will draw attention. When removing a piercing, use a spacer to prevent the hole closing. You can get one at jewelry stores or piercing shops.
Your hair doesn’t have to be your natural shade, but blue or green will create the opposite effect of what you want! Trendy hair colors like gray and pale pink will also garner lots of attention.
There’s no need to engage in a detailed conversation with everyone you meet, but saying thank you to the cashier or bank teller will make them less likely to remember you than looking at your feet and not saying a word. If you have an issue with someone, address it with them in person. Talking negatively about someone brings more attention to you than to them. A good rule of thumb is to treat others like you would like to be treated if in their shoes.
Sit at a table near other people instead of a dark corner alone. You will look less like an outsider than just another person in the room. Avoid sitting in the back or front rows in class. The teacher is more likely to call on you if you look like you are trying to hide in the back.
Look up normal temperatures during the month of your visit and the rest of the year. Compare these to those where you live to get an idea of how local people might dress for the weather. Wear a neutral or modest outfit the first day or two until you have observed what most people in the area are wearing. Wearing graphic leggings and trendy shapes might make you stick out in a rural setting, for example.
Keep accessories simple. Unless you are attending a special event, leave most of your jewelry at home. Use good judgment. Louis Vuitton luggage might look perfectly natural in L. A. , but will be a flashing sign of wealth in a small town.
Use your smartphone’s map application instead of a physical map. They usually have GPS features too, so are easy to follow. Carry a nice camera if you have one, but your phone probably has a good camera on it already, and is sufficient for most outings.
In Muslim countries, wear pants instead of shorts. Avoid sleeveless shirts and low collars. Look in travel guides and on travel sites online to see what is commonly acceptable for men, women and teens to do. You don’t have to act like a native by missing out on fun experiences, but do them with the humbleness of a guest. Ask friends or family who have visited the same place for advice on cultural differences.
Speak clearly and at a normal pace. Take time to pronounce words correctly. If someone doesn’t understand you, try different words or thank them and find someone who speaks your language. If traveling within your own country, people may know you are from out of town by your accent. If you cannot avoid being noticed for speaking differently, you can shift their attention to detail by being polite and respectful.
Never pull out a map on the street or in a busy public space. If you don’t see an official you can ask for help, like a policeman or guard, go inside a business or tourist site nearby and ask for directions. Asking multiple passers-by on the street will bring all eyes to you. If you are confused about where you are, try to keep your gaze ahead of you. Looking forward makes you appear to know where you are going. Try not to look all around you as you walk.
