Everyone fears a Mr. Wolf, no? He's big, he's bad, he's hairy . . . and scary. And he looks kind of like this.
Scary, indeed. :)
If you're a female traveler, like me, there are definitely more things to be wary of. If you have done your research like I did, you would know that the most-emphasized topic would be men. If you're a male, most likely you would not encounter any problems. You might even enjoy the attention you get while strolling down the Reeperbahn!
Well, every city has its bad areas, of course, just like any city anywhere in the world. Don’t hang around outside train stations or in parks after dark, and take all the crime-prevention steps you would take at home if you go out at night. When I arrive in a town I always ask at the tourist office in the train station if there’s any place to avoid. As far as whole regions . . . I suppose there’s more crime in Eastern Europe than Western Europe, and a lot of Italy is notorious for theft, but then again there are any place that is notoriously famous for tourists will have someone or two there ready to rob. You just have to take care of your things and yourself.
For women, you should know that each year, hundreds and thousands of females take the European trains and most are under the age of 22. Almost all of them have no problem at all. (Source)
First and foremost, never trust anyone. Even if they are your friend's brother's friend, you can never be too sure. Never trust anyone on first sight, that is, but when you learn more about the person, feel free to trust your instincts.
Don't accept free candy. Nothing is free in this world. If you are offered a walk to where you want to go, if you think it is safe because it is a populous place, very well. Always be alert. You have to be a master of body language and social behavior at this point. Mentally note the stranger's ways. Is he always looking at you other than your face? Maybe you caught him glancing at your backpack a few times like he's studying the zippers. You may just spot a creep!
If you are in the middle of the Vatican City and you're surrounded by people, always make sure your bag is in front of you.
Don't let anyone bump it you. The next thing you know, your wallet might be gone. If you are a girl, your best bet is to keep your money and cards close to your chest with a moneybelt or a hanging-from-the-neck money pack. Keep it under all your layers of clothing, even if the summer heat is making you sweat. You can't be sure to avoid anyone. You'd be swerving like a race car, looking like a maniac or an antisocial who's afraid of touch. Just be alert. Commonly, pickpockets would apologize and you'd overlook their cruel intentions because they seem so polite. During those seconds, they can easily reach into your bag!
Carry a sling bag instead of a backpack. Or put the backpack in front of you (and half the time you'll look pregnant. With the over-the-shoulder sling bag, you can easily put your bag in front. It's easier to look after it, being right under your nose.
Don't keep money or cards in your pockets or exposed pockets in your bags. Always, always keep them in money belts close to your skin. However, do put some money in your front pocket if you know you're going to have to go in and out of your money belt during the day. Be smart and know how much you would need. Estimate well. You don't want to be digging under your clothing awkwardly in front of the gelato stall in front of a queue of Italians. If you need to, leave your cards and most of your money back at the hostel which you are sure has safe safekeeping. Ask for a receipt or some note claiming you kept your things with them.
Crime is rife on the train, at tourist spots, festivals, hostels, and even the bathroom. You can never be too sure of the people around you. Just always be alert.
If you're female, you should know by know that men are mostly evil (hah!). Just kidding. No offense to men. But if you're female, avoid looking at men at all costs unless they're doing something really attractive like taking photographs of the scenery or busking. Or they're really cute! No, kidding. Staring at men who look at you straight in the eye is inviting them to come and talk to you. I don't want that, and I know neither do you.
Don't agree to let anyone look after your things when you need to go to the bathroom on the train. Don't trust your hostel mates too easily. When you couchsurf, you should also not let your iPod lie around without your eyes on them. You are, after all, in someone else's country. You are at a disadvantage. Don't let your guard down.
Don't agree to go to anyone's house, and really do NOT get drunk when you're alone. Your "friends" may not be so friendly after all. Also, don't accept gifts, especially drinks, from strangers. It's never normal to get free things, like I said!
Let me go through again, these are what you should do:
Day's worth of money — cheap wallet in your (hopefully) front pocket
Week's worth of money — money wallet or deep down in your backpack or bag
Credit and ATM cards — money wallet or deep down in your backpack or bag, or back at the hostel
Passport — back at the hostel when sightseeing
Some common tactics:
London — slitting bottom of bags open (at busy markets)
Rome — old women throwing plastic babies when you catch, little children will steal from you
Bangkok — being offered some smokes, you're escorted to a gang and they threaten you for money
Do go here and read the comments below for many different scenarios of being robbed and mugged all over the world. It was very insightful for me!
Scary, indeed. :)
If you're a female traveler, like me, there are definitely more things to be wary of. If you have done your research like I did, you would know that the most-emphasized topic would be men. If you're a male, most likely you would not encounter any problems. You might even enjoy the attention you get while strolling down the Reeperbahn!
Well, every city has its bad areas, of course, just like any city anywhere in the world. Don’t hang around outside train stations or in parks after dark, and take all the crime-prevention steps you would take at home if you go out at night. When I arrive in a town I always ask at the tourist office in the train station if there’s any place to avoid. As far as whole regions . . . I suppose there’s more crime in Eastern Europe than Western Europe, and a lot of Italy is notorious for theft, but then again there are any place that is notoriously famous for tourists will have someone or two there ready to rob. You just have to take care of your things and yourself.
For women, you should know that each year, hundreds and thousands of females take the European trains and most are under the age of 22. Almost all of them have no problem at all. (Source)
First and foremost, never trust anyone. Even if they are your friend's brother's friend, you can never be too sure. Never trust anyone on first sight, that is, but when you learn more about the person, feel free to trust your instincts.
Don't accept free candy. Nothing is free in this world. If you are offered a walk to where you want to go, if you think it is safe because it is a populous place, very well. Always be alert. You have to be a master of body language and social behavior at this point. Mentally note the stranger's ways. Is he always looking at you other than your face? Maybe you caught him glancing at your backpack a few times like he's studying the zippers. You may just spot a creep!
If you are in the middle of the Vatican City and you're surrounded by people, always make sure your bag is in front of you.
Don't let anyone bump it you. The next thing you know, your wallet might be gone. If you are a girl, your best bet is to keep your money and cards close to your chest with a moneybelt or a hanging-from-the-neck money pack. Keep it under all your layers of clothing, even if the summer heat is making you sweat. You can't be sure to avoid anyone. You'd be swerving like a race car, looking like a maniac or an antisocial who's afraid of touch. Just be alert. Commonly, pickpockets would apologize and you'd overlook their cruel intentions because they seem so polite. During those seconds, they can easily reach into your bag!
Carry a sling bag instead of a backpack. Or put the backpack in front of you (and half the time you'll look pregnant. With the over-the-shoulder sling bag, you can easily put your bag in front. It's easier to look after it, being right under your nose.
Don't keep money or cards in your pockets or exposed pockets in your bags. Always, always keep them in money belts close to your skin. However, do put some money in your front pocket if you know you're going to have to go in and out of your money belt during the day. Be smart and know how much you would need. Estimate well. You don't want to be digging under your clothing awkwardly in front of the gelato stall in front of a queue of Italians. If you need to, leave your cards and most of your money back at the hostel which you are sure has safe safekeeping. Ask for a receipt or some note claiming you kept your things with them.
Crime is rife on the train, at tourist spots, festivals, hostels, and even the bathroom. You can never be too sure of the people around you. Just always be alert.
If you're female, you should know by know that men are mostly evil (hah!). Just kidding. No offense to men. But if you're female, avoid looking at men at all costs unless they're doing something really attractive like taking photographs of the scenery or busking. Or they're really cute! No, kidding. Staring at men who look at you straight in the eye is inviting them to come and talk to you. I don't want that, and I know neither do you.
Don't agree to let anyone look after your things when you need to go to the bathroom on the train. Don't trust your hostel mates too easily. When you couchsurf, you should also not let your iPod lie around without your eyes on them. You are, after all, in someone else's country. You are at a disadvantage. Don't let your guard down.
Don't agree to go to anyone's house, and really do NOT get drunk when you're alone. Your "friends" may not be so friendly after all. Also, don't accept gifts, especially drinks, from strangers. It's never normal to get free things, like I said!
Let me go through again, these are what you should do:
Day's worth of money — cheap wallet in your (hopefully) front pocket
Week's worth of money — money wallet or deep down in your backpack or bag
Credit and ATM cards — money wallet or deep down in your backpack or bag, or back at the hostel
Passport — back at the hostel when sightseeing
Some common tactics:
London — slitting bottom of bags open (at busy markets)
Rome — old women throwing plastic babies when you catch, little children will steal from you
Bangkok — being offered some smokes, you're escorted to a gang and they threaten you for money
Do go here and read the comments below for many different scenarios of being robbed and mugged all over the world. It was very insightful for me!
