Being a Better Tourist
Being a tourist is perfectly okay. If you're most comfortable around other tourists and want to document every sight with your camera, go ahead, but you may find that making a bit of an effort to blend in will earn you some respect from locals. Leave your white sneakers -- the tell-tale sign of the American tourist -- at home and research the way locals dress, then pack accordingly. Don't let your guidebook dictate your schedule; find some English-speaking locals and ask them for advice on what sights you should see. You may discover a new favorite spot you'd never find in a book. Walk the area on foot or travel by the local transportation to experience the place as the locals do instead of taking guided tours or tour buses.