Monday Manners: When in Rome

Back in April, I used this column to encourage you to be nice to tourists. I still absolutely stand by that column, but this week, I'd like to address the other side of the coin: how not to be an obnoxious tourist that the locals want to be rude to.

Do not stop in the middle of the sidewalk.
You are not the only person using it. Beyond that, not only tourists need to use it. Bear in mind that while you're on vacation and have all the time in the world to stop and smell the roses, there are people around you who need to get places, and you're standing in the way. If you need to stop while you're walking (to check a map, find your wallet, answer your phone, etc.), try to move as far to the inside of the sidewalk as possible. Do what you need to do, and then keep moving.

Keep the pace.
If you're a tourist in Savannah, you can stroll. If you're a tourist in New York City, that's a luxury you can't afford. Bear in mind that different cities--and different places within those cities--move at a different pace. Few things are ruder than ignoring the social norms around you and moving at your own pace, natives be damned.

Remember: people take up room.
If you're walking on a sidewalk--a real sidewalk, with automobile traffic on one side of you--do not walk more than two abreast. Tourists tend to travel in packs, which is fine, but you need to keep in mind that it's not possible for people to walk through you: leave room for people behind you to pass, as well as people moving in the opposite direction from you to get through. Nobody should ever have to step into the street because he's trying to get around you.

It's the Twenty-first Century.
Unless you're traveling through a third world country, chances are, a multitude of modern conveniences are available to you around the next corner, should you decide you need something. So unless you're traveling with very small children or you're headed to or from the place where you're spending the night, you don't need to carry luggage. Backpacks increase the general area that you occupy when you're walking around, large bags can bang into people you pass, and people can trip on your rolling suitcase. Don't carry a ton of crap for "just in case." You probably won't need that first aid kit - and if it turns out that you do, there's probably a CVS nearby.

Take your picture and keep moving.
Of course you should be able to take pictures on your vacation to memorialize the trip. There's nothing wrong with being a tourist. But don't stand in the middle of the street and take a ton of pictures. Be happy with what you do get and keep moving. If you want the perfect shot of the Washington Monument or the Golden Gate Bridge or the Eiffel Tower, buy a postcard. You're taking the picture to remember your experience, not to be an artiste.

Don't be afraid to ask for directions.
But don't take up too much time, either. "Which direction is 30th Street?" is a fine question. "Ummm, could you tell me where I'm going and then recommend a restaurant nearby it that's not too expensive, but still not too cheap, because I want it to still be good?" is not. Do your research before you go and try to find out approximately where you're going and what's around it. Then, if you get turned around, ask somebody who looks helpful, thank him, and walk away.

Image via Flickr user gadl.