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| No international travel is risk-free, but you must keep possible threats to your safety in perspective. As a foreigner in another country you are vulnerable and could be the subject of special attention by the locals. You should bear in mind in poor countries the clothes you stand in can give the impression you are rich. To avoid becoming a victim of crime you should be alert and vigilant without being paranoid. Personal safety is about being sensible, taking practical precautions and not taking unnecessary risks. BEING STREETWISE Avoid crowds where you have to slow down. If you are within a large crowd every time you slow down, you become an easier target. Be wary if someone slows you down, it maybe a pretext for an attack by an accomplice behind you. Try and be aware of who is behind who. Be suspicious if the same person is constantly behind you. Try and walk fast all the time. Every time you stop, to take a picture for example, try and stay alert to what's going on around you. Be on your guard when talking to strangers. Anybody who approaches you should make you suspicious. Once they lead you into behaving in a friendly manner, they have the upper hand. Don't keep all your money in one place. Keep your passport and air ticket separate. Use taxis that are recommended by your hotel or hostel. Never use an unlicensed taxi and always agree on the fare before you depart. If you are female never respond to strangers. The appropriate behaviour is cold silence and uninterested. Even a 'no' can be seen as starting a conversation and never smile this is the worse course of action. The attention given to a single female traveller can be very off-putting, try and do things with other travellers. Don't wear expensive clothes or jewellery, this will always make you stand in a crowd. Try to dress in a similar style to the locals and give the impression that you live in the country. Try not to look like a tourist who is lost. Hold yourself as if you live around the area. Getting out a map in the street is a sure sign you are lost and vulnerable. If you are attacked, take a moment to recover from the shock. Most attacks will be for money, so let the attacker have it and don't put up a fight. Only fight back if the attacker is clearly disorientated by drugs or drink, otherwise you could be risking serious injury to yourself. Highly populated areas such as airports, railways and bus stations are favoured soft spots for thefts and conmen. In airports get through customs as soon as possible, as this is a controlled space. TERRORISM Anyone can become a victim of terrorism there is no foolproof way to make yourself immune to the threat. It is essential you research your destination and your route for known risks. Be vigilant and look for suspicious people in areas preferred by Westerners. Show respect for people, their beliefs and sacred places. Do not become opinionated or overbearing with the local people. |
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