10 Signs You’re Becoming A Local In A Foreign Country!

From Lost Tourist to Local Insider… Here’s How You’ll Know!

You landed as a naive foreigner, but now your morning coffee appears before you even order it and tourists start asking “you” for directions. Let’s face it, you’ve gone native!The first time I ordered coffee in Tbilisi, I fumbled through my best Georgian (2 phrases)… only for the barista to reply in English.

Outsider status: confirmed.

Months later, I stumbled in half-awake, and without a word, my espresso appeared. That’s when I knew.. I had arrived.

So when do you stop being just another foreigner and start blending in?

• When you instinctively dodge the “foreigner tax”?
• When tourists ask you for directions?
• Or when your favorite café knows your order before you do?

Living abroad isn’t just a trip, it becomes real life. And when that happens, you’re no longer a visitor. You’re home.

How about you? Have you crossed over?

1. You Stop Using Google Maps for Everything

I still remember my first week in Tbilisi. I had Google Maps glued to my hand like a lifeline, desperately trying to navigate the maze of streets that seemed to fold into each other like an old Etcher Sketch.

Every detour led me deeper into a maze of wine bars and hole-in-the-wall bakeries, and somehow, no matter what direction I walked, I always ended up back at the same puri stand.

Then, one day, I didn’t need it.

I knew which alley had the best shortcut, which street corner had the guy selling fresh fruit, and most importantly, which path to take to avoid the one pothole that nearly swallowed me whole last time.

When you instinctively know which street leads to the best bakery, you’re officially in.

Resist the urge to rely on Google Maps 24/7. Walk aimlessly for an afternoon, let yourself get a little lost, and pay attention to landmarks instead of your phone screen.

2. You Have a Go-To Coffee Spot (And They Know You)

In Kyiv, I had a morning ritual: stroll into my favorite café, nod at the server, and wait exactly 30 seconds before my espresso, no sugar, landed in front of me without a single word exchanged.

That was the moment I knew I had achieved something special: I had become a regular.

We don’t talk about it enough, but that first “the usual?” from a server or barista?

That’s “expat enlightenment”.

Nothing says “local” like having a favorite café where they start making your drink before you order.

Instead of bouncing between different cafés or restaurants, pick a couple of go-to spots and stick with them.

You’ll build rapport, and before you know it, you’ll get better service, insider recommendations, and possibly even a free coffee now and then.

3. You Think in Two Currencies (or Stop Converting Altogether)

When I first moved to France, I’d mentally convert every single purchase into US dollars.

“Is this “tiny” espresso worth $1.50?”

“Would I pay this much for “steak frites” back home?”

But at some point, I stopped.

I wasn’t just calculating, I was feeling prices.

I knew, instinctively, that €1.20 for an espresso was a steal, but that €10 for a burger was outrageous.

And when I moved to Albania, my rent, when compared to life in the U.S., was an absolute joke in the best possible way.

When you no longer flinch at the price of an espresso in euros, you’re one step closer to local status.

Converting everything will drive you crazy. Let it go. Start gauging value in local terms… if locals are buying it without hesitation, you probably should too.

4. You Understand Local Humor and Inside Jokes

The first time I caught the punchline of a joke in French, I nearly threw myself a party.

After months of struggling through small talk, I finally “got” it!

The subtle sarcasm, wordplay, the kind of humor that goes beyond just speaking a language and enters “understanding a culture”.

Even better?

The first time I made a joke in a foreign language and got a genuine laugh.

Not a polite smile.

Not a confused head tilt.

But, a full, hearty and normal, “you actually belong here” laugh.

When sarcasm, slang, and cultural references finally make sense, you’re blending in.

Watch local TV, listen to stand-up comedians in your new language, and don’t be afraid to embarrass yourself trying out a joke. The more you fail, the better you get.

5. You Know How to Navigate Bureaucracy Without Panic

Every expat knows the “moment of dread” when you have to face a foreign government office.

The first time I went to a municipal office in Ukraine to register paperwork, I was convinced I’d be swallowed by bureaucracy, never to be seen again.

Now? I walk into these places like a seasoned veteran.

• I bring the right copies (and extra), I know which form they’ll “suddenly” require.
• I’ve mastered the “patient but slightly unimpressed” facial expression that seems to speed up the whole process.

When a trip to the local government office doesn’t cause an existential crisis, you’ve made it.

Always bring extra copies of everything. Accept that the process will take longer than expected, and never schedule anything important immediately after a bureaucratic appointment.

6. You Switch Between Languages Without Thinking

I knew I was making real progress in Russian when I accidentally responded ”Davai” instead of “let’s go” to my English-speaking friend. (note: Davai has several meanings in Russian)

The brain flip had happened, I wasn’t translating anymore.

It gets even weirder when you start mixing languages mid-sentence, using whichever phrase gets the point across fastest.

Welcome to full-blown expat fluency.

Fluency isn’t just about grammar, it’s about speaking without hesitation.

Surround yourself with the language as much as possible. Talk to locals, watch local news, and don’t stress about mistakes. The best learning happens when you stop overthinking.

7. You Have Local Friends (Not Just Other Expats)

It’s easy to fall into the expat bubble, your people, your language, your comfort zone.

But there’s a moment when you realize most of your texts aren’t in English anymore.

One day, you’re celebrating a holiday you didn’t even know existed before moving.

The next, you’re at a local wedding, standing in a circle, drinking homemade samogon with someone’s grandfather. That’s when you know.

Making friends outside the expat bubble means you’ve broken through.

Be proactive. Say yes to every local invitation, even if you’re not sure what you’re agreeing to. The best friendships come from embracing the unknown.

8. You Know When (and How) to Break the Rules

Rules abroad can feel either oddly flexible or unnecessarily rigid. In Georgia, my friend once walked across the street during a red light and an elderly woman scolded him, only for another guy to casually jaywalk right after.

When you start understanding “which” rules actually matter and “which” ones are just social guidelines, you’ve hit a new level of cultural awareness.

Every culture has its own unwritten rules… and when you know them, you’re in.

Observe before assuming. What looks like chaos usually has its own order.

9. You Can Order Food Like a Native

The first time I confidently ordered a steak cooked “saignant” in French, I felt like I had unlocked a life achievement.

Even better? When the waiter doesn’t automatically bring you an English menu. That’s the real test.

If the waiter doesn’t automatically bring you an English menu, you’re winning.

Skip the tourist spots, learn a few key food phrases, and order whatever the locals are having.

10. You Feel Protective of Your New Home

Nothing makes you realize you’ve adopted a place as home like hearing a fellow foreigner complain about it… and feeling personally offended.

I once heard an American grumble about how “slow” service was in France, and before I knew it, I was passionately defending “my” adopted country’s way of life.

When you stop thinking of your host country as “foreign” and start calling it “home,” you’ve officially crossed over.

Accept the bad with the good. No place is perfect, but when you love it enough to defend it, you’ve truly settled in.

You’re More Local Than You Think… Here’s the Proof!

The moment you stop feeling like an outsider and start feeling like you belong is different for everyone.

But if you’ve experienced even a few of these signs, congratulations… you’re more local than you think.

How did you know when you had finally arrived in a new country?