We often get a bit lost in the notion that the world is a wonderful and carefree place, overflowing with wonderful people that would never do anything to harm us. And for the most part, it’s a notion that does hold a lot of water – but it’s also always important to keep in mind that not every place in this world has good people, especially in countries where there’s a lot of poverty.
Tourists are common targets for petty thieves; they’re not clued up on the area they’re in, they often don’t speak the language, and they usually have more money than the locals. Don’t fret, though, because there are a few simple ways of staying safe while exploring your bucket list destinations.
Hide The Flashy Stuff
Nothing paints a bigger target on your back than showing off how much wealth you have. An expensive watch, a gold necklace, top-tier clothing – these are all giveaway signs that you have money, and it’s a good way to become a sore thumb. This is why it makes a lot of sense to leave all the unnecessary stuff behind at the hotel, try and wear normal, casual clothing, and don’t make it obvious that you have a new iPhone. Not everyone is a thief, but there are a lot of people in this world who simply don’t have any other choice but to steal to get by.
Don’t Go Out At Night
When you’re in a totally foreign place, there are few things quite as whimsical as exploring the local nightlife, but there are some inherent dangers here. These dangers because especially acute if you’re a single woman in an area that you don’t know, and sometimes it’s better to rather stay indoors and get a good night’s sleep. If you do want to go out, make sure you go to a well-lit area that has plenty of other people around, like a nightly food market.
Learn The Local Language
it’s fun to totally immerse yourself in a strange, new culture, but there can be some drawbacks, and they’re often not a lot of fun to deal with. This is why it pays in the long run to learn some basics of the language that you’re going to encounter in the region that you’re travelling to. This will give you some defences against anyone that’s trying to take advantage of you, while also making it significantly easier to navigate around. People are usually willing to help you out, but only if you’re able to communicate with them, even if it’s only partially.
Do Your Research
The internet is arguably the most powerful tool that we’ve ever had access to, giving us just about any information that our hearts desire, not just because it gives us access to cat videos and ausbet. And this is information that we should make use of before entering a place for the first time. This can mean doing a bit of research on the local crime rates, which areas to avoid, who targets tourists, and what scams to keep an eye out for.
Travelling is a constant adventure, and taking the right precautions is always worth that extra effort.
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