Are your summer plans taking you out of your home town and to a place where you’ll be a tourist?

Are you REALLY hoping to avoid looking like a tourist?

There’s definitely a lot to be said for blending in to your surroundings, whether you are visiting Paris, Texas or Paris, France. Nobody likes to stick out like a sore thumb, and if you are visiting a larger city, it’s important to remember that there are people who make their living by pickpocketing or stealing your belongings when you put them down for just a second. So you don’t want to draw attention to yourself and become their next target.

(the vineyards of Versailles, November 2007)

When I visited Europe, for example, I was advised to avoid wearing jeans and especially avoid wearing sneakers. I packed every pair of black pants I owned and managed to find some black flats that had surprisingly good arch support so that I could walk a lot in them.

But who am I kidding? I doubt I passed for a native European for even a second! What is probably more likely, though, is that most folks failed to notice me at all. I blended in just enough.

I also got the advice to NEVER EVER EVER wear a backpack. That’s a dead giveaway that you are a tourist. I managed to carry what I needed in my purse during that trip, but I also didn’t have any kids at that point in time.

If you asked me now to do some serious traveling without a backpack to carry all my kids’ accouterments, I’d tell you to forget about it. It just isn’t possible!

If you are like me, and you know that your cover will likely be blown by having to carry around a backpack as you see the sights at your vacation destination, there’s still a way that you can quickly get the targets off your back from would-be thieves. PLEASE get a lock for your backpack! I’m a fan of this one from Master Lock, and it retails for just $6.71. That’s precious little to pay for peace of mind! It has a combination lock so you don’t have to fumble with keys. And if someone is thinking about trying to steal or get into your backpack, once they see that lock, they’ll move on to easier prey.

That doesn’t mean you should be foolish and leave your backpack laying around, though! Try not to take it off your body until you are back at your lodging, safe and sound.

While you may not pass for a native of whatever locale you choose to visit this summer, you can still be a smart tourist that will likely be left alone by the folks who want to steal your stuff.

Disclosure: I’m a member of the Live Secure Master Lock Safety Squad. As part of my participation in this program, I do receive complimentary products for review and giveaway. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.