Sometimes it is in our best interest not to look like an Australian, or anyone from a particularly prominent country. Australia has a very good reputation, but it is important to remember Australia is involved in several wars around the world and seen as a high-profile partner of the United States. There are more people out there who do not like us than you think. Here are some tips to keep yourself camouflaged while travelling. Whenever you go on holiday make sure you have good travel insurance – you never know what is going to happen.

• Dress for the weather. Not wearing the right clothes for the climate you are in will make you look like a tourist. You might be somewhere a little colder than you are used to, and are wearing too much compared to the locals. Over or under-dressing to cope with the local temperature is a common mistake. Try to eat more of the right foods to adjust to the local temperatures, instead of using clothing.
• Dress better than usual. Casual clothing is an obvious sign of a tourist. You will fit in better if you are wearing clothes that you would on a normal day. People in most countries do not dress as casually as Australians. Wearing clothing at the same level of ‘casual-ness’ as the people around you will really help you blend in. Adapting yourself to the finer points of dressing similar to the locals will keep you undercover. If you are tempted to wear shorts and a t-shirt, a light shirt and cotton pants might be a better choice, for example. Athletic looking clothing is a big mistake. ‘Casual Friday’ type clothing is probably better in most countries.
• Behaviour. There is one easy way to spot a tourist. They always look around a lot more than locals. They also tend to look up more. This is a big give-away. Depending on the situation you are in, change your behaviour to suit. Looking natural and not over-cautious is also important. Keeping your voice down is also suggested because your language will also let everyone know you are not from where you are at. Try to learn some basic local language. Raising your voice will not make anyone understand you better.
• Map. This must be the biggest give-away. If you are referring to a map on a smart-phone there are fewer  chances other people will notice. You could just be sending a message. Smart-phones normally have better and more current maps available. Printed ones can get out of date fast.
• ID. There are a number of companies that supply ‘fake’ travel documents online. You might be on a plane when a high-jacking erupts. Keep these items within easy reach and your real documents hidden. Choose a country that is not involved in any major conflicts or has any religious associations. Obviously, you should be careful when using these, and not try to use them in any wrong situations – such as attempting to use them to fly.
• Bags. ‘bum bags’ and backpacks scream ‘I am a tourist waiting to have all my belongings stolen’. Use bags in moderation and never carry items you don’t need to, or keep all of your important items in one place. Under-clothing bags are best for passports and the like.
• Local accessories. These are great for looking like a local. Look at what they are wearing, and you can probably pick up some similar items for a few dollars. It is often only the small things that can distract a prying eye.

Insure yourself. There is nothing worse than being in a situation, and you do not have the coverage. Small problems can turn into very expensive problems, very fast. Good cheap travel insurance is always available. Look online and make sure you read the policy