How to Not Look Like a Tourist in Europe

Alright, so you're going to be hanging out in Europe for a while, good for you. Too bad you stick out like a sore thumb and have been pick-pocketed . Oh, sure, you were "smart" and carrying travelers checks. Now, just try finding an open place to get those replaced. Blending in while in Europe is not just about avoiding looking like a "stupid" American, it can be a helpful safety measure, as well as a boon to your experience as a whole. Europe is like any other place in the world where tourists gather in copius amounts; the vast majority are not there to rip you off, however, there is quite the business of not only stealing from tourists, but also taking advantage of people when it comes to markets and the such. One of my good friends worked in the leather market of Florence, where her main job was "ripping off" tourists. She could tell where you were from just by your shoes.