Blend in with locals when you travel

From USA TODAY Blend in with locals when you travel No man is an island, but sometimes when you're traveling, it can feel like it. Mannerisms, timing and dress can set you apart from the local population, making it difficult to successfully immerse yourself in a new place. Yet with a bit of research and some strategic adjustments, you can easily find ways to blend in, rub shoulders with locals, and become a true piece of the continent you're exploring. Dress the part To blend in, you'll need to look the part. Before you pack, have a bit of fun scouting online for current dress norms and styles in your destination. Find local street-style blogs, search photo sites like Flickr using location tags, and browse country etiquette guides, which usually mention dress codes. Even when you can't quite pull off local dress, say because you don't have a salwar kameez on hand, you can make sure to dress in the spirit of the destination. Is modesty prized above all? Then leave the shorts at home. Do people take a lot of pride in their appearance? Up the formality quotient. http://usat.ly/1kwy5S5 Get USA TODAY on your mobile device: http://www.usatoday.com/mobile-apps