Job Discussion Forums

[Ecrivain]

[RyanS]

[ghost]

Depends where you head for in S.A.

In some countries....with large indigenous populations (Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru) you will stand out much more....but in others you will stand out much less (Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay)....these last countries having a lot (or most) of people of Euro. (Italy and Spain) descent....(in Brazil this applies to the southern places.....not the middle and north)

When ghost travelled to Tumaco, Colombia, the locals there thought it was a Colombian from Pasto....which is an area with a sizeable pop. of people of Spanish-Euro. descent...and rather pale in complexion.....even though ghost measures 6.2/1.88....

The same thing in Brazil...despite being tall, ghost passed unnoticed in most Brazilian towns and cities.....and the street kids sometimes asked one if one were a Portuguese from Angola!

So, you will stand out in some locales, and blend in others.....the selection process is up to you.....

And yes, there are some tall Argentinians over 6ft in height, although 6.6 is definetely at the extreme upper end of the scale, but not ultra unusual.

ghost (6.2/163, 1.88/73kilos)

[Mattaro]

Having light coloured hair and white skin in Quito, Ecuador is the obvious sign you are a foreigner. But obviously does not apply to everyone as there are also Ecuadorians of this description. The other is your accent or ability to speak Spanish.

People that want to take advantage of ignorant non locals look for obvious signs that speak �tourist�. First they check out your shoes - hiking boots dead giveaway, any type of uncovered shoes, shorts, cargo pants with many pockets, money belt, overpriced hikers type jackets/sweaters, daypacks (especially worn on the front), woven souvenir shoulder bag you bought in Otavalo, and a guidebooks in your hand. And in all seriousness, the most obvious way to spot a female tourist is to see if their jeans are sagging around the butt! (local women wear their jeans super tight).

My tips to minimise looking like a tourist is to carry photocopies of your guidebook map, not carry around a daypack in the city if it is not essential, don�t wear hiking boots, and if you are a woman wear tight jeans! Much better if you are teaching and have nice work clothes - you will be less of a target as people assume you live here.

[naturegirl321]

[MELEE]

[Guy Courchesne]

I'm surprised to see people here thinking there is something negative about the way people dress as tourists. How else are you supposed to dress if you are tourist? You dress comfortably and for the climate you expect to experience, and as a foreigner, that certainly isn't going to be as locals dress. Who cares if you stand out? No one is going to be fooled into thinking you are Peruvian if you are an American woman that decides to scale Machu Picchu in a skin tight pair of jeans...they'll just think you're a fool and your travel companions will think the same.

It's as if there is some shame in being a tourist? Or being different? I thought we were a much more tolerant bunch than that...overall, I think it silly to think that clothing is what marks a tourist. If you are worried about being taken advantage of, then the problem is far more one of ignorance and education than simply trying to blend into the Savannah.

[MELEE]

I think it has more to do with being an easy mark. Especially in the Andean countries where crime against tourists is more prevalent.
But you are right guy. Tourists should to dress comfortably and sensibly.

[Mattaro]

Good coment Guy,
Its easy for people to live in SA to have a laugh at the tourists expense but I admit I had the same gear, made mistakes, and stood out as a target when I arrived. But I think it is legitimate to question the whole traveller adventure wear product industry, too much money is spend on clothing and gear that really isnt necessary.

[Guy Courchesne]

[Katm]

I managed to pass as Ecuadorian on occasion. Mostly when I was with Ecuadorian friends and kept my mouth shut. Apart from that, despite black hair, I was always 'gringa' or the rather more unusual argument two Ecuadorians had over whether I was Swiss or Malaysian! No idea where they got that from.

[gungediana]

I'm male, 5'7, slight with dark hair so I can fit in pretty well, From behind I probably look like a local in South America. But I have fair skin and blue eyes, so up close most of them realise I'm non-native.

I reiterate what naturegirl and others have said about clothes. Not wearing touristy clothes and in general not calling attention to yourself really helps with personal safety.

[Prof.Gringo]

[Ernie Cuba]

[eclectic]

as a 195cm/ 6ft 6' pasty white Brit with brown hair and brown eyes