by Claire Chock

Created on: February 19, 2009

10 ways to not look like a tourist in Florida

1. Do NOT buy a Mickey or Minnie Mouse hat! Even for the kids, it is a dead giveaway that you're tourists. If you must buy one, at the very least do not get your name embroidered on it!

2. Actually, forget all novelties, or at the very least go minimal. Half the stuff sold at amusement parks are things we would only wear the once. Are you really ever going to wear that Florida Gators stovepipe hat ever again? I didn't think so.

3. Wear sunscreen. After all, Florida is " The Sunshine State". I am pretty sure those people walking around looking like just cooked lobster are tourists. Stock up well on it before you go but only bring little bottles of it on your day trips and lube up in the car.

4. Take pictures with your cell phone, NOT an actual camera. Tourists can always be picked out by the hefty Nikon swinging from their neck or disposable camera they're clicking away on. It's less conspicuous and easier to carry around than a camera. Besides, who doesn't have a cell phone these days?

5. Forget the video camera too. Do you see any locals taping a trip to Disney world? (Note the name difference, Cali has Disneyland, Florida has Disney world)

6. Wear a bandanna instead of a baseball cap or wear the cap with the bill backward. You don't want to look too prepared for sun. Sunglasses are OK though. On the clothing line, you might want to dress for the weather too, kind of a good idea. Long pants in Florida are another dead giveaway for tourists and they're hot.

7. Nothing says " I'm a tourist" like a fanny pack. Ditch it for a small backpack or even better yet, a purse. Bring along only what you'll really need. You don't need to drag along a backpack of stuff wherever you're going.

8. Don't be offended if someone walks by you and mutters "tourist" while shaking their head as you stare around wide-eyed. Locals have seen it all before so things around them don't enthuse them as much as someone from out of state.

9. Nice wristband there, You must be a tourist. Take off any wrist bands you might acquire asap. Disney world uses cards but other places might use wristbands.

10. Get a tan before you go, you might scare someone if you go to Florida white as a ghost. You'll certainly stick out among all the tanned people down there by looking all pasty and pale. Or maybe you're going for the Gothic look? That might be scarier.

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