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Step 5People
Star:
Pick up on body language. You can figure out pretty quickly what the minimum comfortable distance is for passing people on the street - it's a cultural thing, and following it is a low-level signal that you're not quite as much an outsider as you really are, or at least that you're somewhat familiar with the place you're in.
In some (usually poor) countries, people you ask for directions will guide you there and then demand a fee. You can avoid this by asking shopkeepers for directions, instead.
In Jamaica, people will stop you and accost you for not making eye contact with them as you pass them on the street. It's not that you're being demure or unobtrusive - not making eye contact means you're not acknowledging their presence, and is regarded, within Jamaican culture, as rude.
On the other hand, in Brazil, not making eye contact with anyone is a perfect way to go completely un-bothered, by anyone.
It's also the perfect way to not make any new friends.
So, be culturally sensitive, and you get to decide who you meet.
A dithered focus can work well - nobody ever gets beat up for having a "Lost in thought" expression on their face, and letting your eyes wander the streetscape or landscape ensures that you see a whole lot of what's before you.
Sunglasses can be nice, because then the eye-problem disappears entirely.
Know what you look like, you know? Don't go counting your cash while walking down the street and then casually stuff it all into your left-front pocket. Be aware of where you are, and what you look like.
Cadence is important. Let your walking pace match that of the people around you.
If you want to know what the right distance to leave between you and others on the street is, walk directly at a few people. If you want to know how far away to stand, strike up a conversation.
Tim:
Emily says appearing lesbian is great for travel, which is mostly about not paying attention to men or doing eye contact patterns.
Don't assume people will hate you for being from the U.S. They might not have as much information about why they should hate you as you do. Our agents did some really horrible things in Indonesia. Shortly after arriving there someone asked me where I was from.
Me: "Canada". He: "Is that in New York?".
Even if the streets are full of shell casings with "U.S." stamped on the bottom, the men are all missing limbs and the women are all in black, the people probably won't hold you personally responsible. They are in a situation where individuals can't do very much about what their government does. They will assume you're not as influential as you think you are.
Also, having you in their village might keep death squads away. Friends of mine had great experiences being human shields in Central America.
Dustin:
sunglasses. this tip is for the chicks traveling solo in
countries where the men stare. Wearing sunglasses is a GREAT way to
reduce the staring, they can't see what you're looking at.
Pick up on body language. You can figure out pretty quickly what the minimum comfortable distance is for passing people on the street - it's a cultural thing, and following it is a low-level signal that you're not quite as much an outsider as you really are, or at least that you're somewhat familiar with the place you're in.
In some (usually poor) countries, people you ask for directions will guide you there and then demand a fee. You can avoid this by asking shopkeepers for directions, instead.
In Jamaica, people will stop you and accost you for not making eye contact with them as you pass them on the street. It's not that you're being demure or unobtrusive - not making eye contact means you're not acknowledging their presence, and is regarded, within Jamaican culture, as rude.
On the other hand, in Brazil, not making eye contact with anyone is a perfect way to go completely un-bothered, by anyone.
It's also the perfect way to not make any new friends.
So, be culturally sensitive, and you get to decide who you meet.
A dithered focus can work well - nobody ever gets beat up for having a "Lost in thought" expression on their face, and letting your eyes wander the streetscape or landscape ensures that you see a whole lot of what's before you.
Sunglasses can be nice, because then the eye-problem disappears entirely.
Know what you look like, you know? Don't go counting your cash while walking down the street and then casually stuff it all into your left-front pocket. Be aware of where you are, and what you look like.
Cadence is important. Let your walking pace match that of the people around you.
If you want to know what the right distance to leave between you and others on the street is, walk directly at a few people. If you want to know how far away to stand, strike up a conversation.
Tim:
Emily says appearing lesbian is great for travel, which is mostly about not paying attention to men or doing eye contact patterns.
Don't assume people will hate you for being from the U.S. They might not have as much information about why they should hate you as you do. Our agents did some really horrible things in Indonesia. Shortly after arriving there someone asked me where I was from.
Me: "Canada". He: "Is that in New York?".
Even if the streets are full of shell casings with "U.S." stamped on the bottom, the men are all missing limbs and the women are all in black, the people probably won't hold you personally responsible. They are in a situation where individuals can't do very much about what their government does. They will assume you're not as influential as you think you are.
Also, having you in their village might keep death squads away. Friends of mine had great experiences being human shields in Central America.
Dustin:
sunglasses. this tip is for the chicks traveling solo in
countries where the men stare. Wearing sunglasses is a GREAT way to
reduce the staring, they can't see what you're looking at.
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Aug 5, 2008. 8:27 PMSwampdog
says:
re: pretending not to be from America - I found out inadvertently that even if people don't like America they quite likely LOVE New York or San Francisco or New Orleans or Phoenix Arizona, or some other specific place. So pick the most interesting place that you are credibly "from" and go with that. Good conversation starter too.
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