Some tips to avoid problems when travelling

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The world we discover on our travels is not as dangerous and cruel as you might think. But some tips are better than nasty surprises!

I assure you that the world is not full of murderers and thieves hiding on every street corner, just waiting to kill you or (and?) steal all your savings. My country, rich and civilised though it may be, is no safer than Bangkok or Lima. Wherever you are, it is up to you alone to be careful. Avoiding trouble is not so complicated as you will see, it is mainly a matter of common sense. When abroad, you have to adapt and awaken the chameleon in you. 

I keep saying that 99% of the people I meet are like you and me. They are harmless people, not necessarily nice, but definitely neither dangerous nor evil. Most of them will offer you their help if you ask them nicely. Avoiding the 1% vicious people of this world depends mainly on you.

In poor countries, if travellers and tourists are a wallet on legs, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they necessarily want to rip you off and/or steal from you. Yes, they will try to sell you more than the locals, yes, they will try to rip you off, yes, they will ask YOU and not their compatriots for money, a meal… But this should not make you paranoid and stop you from discovering the world.

1 – Above all, be enlightened and sensible

If you follow a few simple rules, you should be fine. Be polite and show a certain amount of restraint. Just because you’re abroad doesn’t mean you can afford everything, no matter how cool life seems there. Always ask yourself the question: in my home country, will I behave like this? And above all: listen carefully to what your instincts whisper to you and think twice!

2 – Adopt the right attitude: nice, but not too much


smile! Be cordial to the people you meet! It’s not a magic formula, but it can be very helpful. Approach people, ask them questions, show interest in them. People are less likely to want to take things that are shared: An open and caring attitude may stop a crook from ripping you off. 
Be careful not to look like a beginner who is too easy to rip off by just being too nice. It’s all about balance! 
Show that you are not afraid and are ready to fight back if necessary. Smell like trouble? Smile and pull out the magic sentence “I’ll think about it! ” and run away.

3 – Don’t do stupid things… (while travelling as well as at home)
There are many such stupid things, too many to list here. As an example: buy drugs! Travellers, tourists often want to buy grass or mushrooms, but rarely to make an omelette. In Asia, as we all know, you can find some on every street corner and the policemen are sooo cool! What is even better known is the number of years in prison you get if you get caught. So, spending part of your life in a Burmese prison for buying drugs is, frankly, stupid!

4 – Respect the dress code
You don’t walk around the streets of Bombay, Manila or Istanbul in short or even very short dress or top. You shock the locals and send a message that can be misunderstood by the inhabitants of the countries you are visiting. In some countries there is no sex education and male supremacy is very real. So be careful to adapt to the customs and habits.

5 – Beware of outward signs of wealth
In Delhi or Bogota, avoid ostentatious signs of wealth. The poorer the country, the more likely it is that a luxury smartphone or a well-stocked wallet will attract covetousness. 

  • Wear your camera over your shoulder during the day or stow it in a backpack and take it out only when you need it.
  • Don’t take your bag out of sight.
  • Use hotel lockers. If none are available, leave your valuables with the hotel staff.
  • Carry a minimum amount of cash when going out.
  • Carry your city backpack at the front of the crowd.
  • Prefer a smartphone that doesn’t look like expansive, or even an old one that doesn’t attract attention.
  • Leave the big camera, credit card, passport and big banknotes at the hotel when you go out in the evening.
6 – Who am I going out with tonight?
Try to find out who you are dealing with before you go out with strangers, even if they look nice at first sight. Without getting paranoid, ask your instincts what they think of these new friends. Some people change completely when they are drunk, and if and when they become violent, you are in the middle of it! But it is not only the fight you have to fear: You will be held responsible for these people: if he does any damage, you will certainly be asked to pay for him or take care of him.
 
7 – How do I get back to the hotel, who do I call if there is a problem, where is the bar, the restaurant?
Find out before you go to a party. It makes sense or? Unfortunately not!  But it’s better to know beforehand, isn’t it?
 

8 – Hey, taxi! Beware of transport scams

Use an official taxi or an Uber. Taxis are the masters of travel fraud. 
Demand that they turn on the barmeter or negotiate the fare before you get in. Pay attention to the pronunciation of English numbers. Fifteen (15) sounds like fifty (50), especially with a Thai accent. This is a common scam and once you get to your destination, all you have to do is to pay. Look the driver straight in the eye, with a clear look, take the time to rephrase: “So, if I understand correctly, the price for the ride is $15? 1-5 ? ” and mime with your fingers if you have to.
 

9 – Anticipate, plan, project!

Listen to the advice of other travellers, locals, your favourite guidebook. The best way to avoid problems is to know roughly what to expect, so you don’t get roughed up like a beginner.
As far as possible, try not to arrive in cities or countries late at night or in the evening. If this is the case and you can’t avoid it, plan your route to the hotel (which you have booked in advance) and leave nothing to chance. A simple email to the hotel should be enough to get the right information (e.g. the usual taxi fare). Register the address of your accomodation and the route from the train station or airport on your GPS. MapsMe is a free app that can be consulted in all countries without a connection. Don’t forget to download the map before you set off.
Take the time to check it out, it could save you from a scam.
 

10 – A local phone number is ideal

With a local phone it is very easy to make a call to get help, information or to call the hotel if needed.
Scams like “Your hotel is closed, I’ll put you in another one” suddenly become less easy if you start with “Really? Wait, I’ll call them“. SIM cards are available at almost every airport.
 

11 – Learn to say NO

Travelling is the perfect opportunity to learn to say no and feel obliged to say yes for fear of displeasing.
I meet many tourists and travellers who complain that they paid full price or bought under pressure something they didn’t want to buy. Is the seller guilty? Why a hasty decision, why do they feel oppressed? Avoiding problems starts like this: Know how to get your way!
 

Walk calmly and confidently, but not naively or arrogantly

If, like any wise traveller, you don’t carry all your cash savings in your jeans pocket, you’re not drunk, walking around half naked, and you’re in a busy area, what can happen? Keep smiling and say NO if you are not interested or smell a scam. Of course you have to be careful, but that’s what your instinct is for, isn’t it? 
Be careful not to walk around with a mask of suspicion on your face. It is generally better to appear relaxed and confident than to put yourself in a defensive mode that clearly shows you are afraid.
 

One bad experience or all the talk should not put you off

I was robbed in the safest of places. Private room with double lock, security guard at the entrance and the owner’s assurance “don’t worry, no one has ever stolen here” . So there is no panacea to protect yourself from the problems that can arise when travelling. However, this mishap is not enough to convince me that evil always exists everywhere. I have crossed many countries: only one steal from the total of my travels, not enough to shake my certainties.

Also to read if you are afraid of bad encounters while travelling

You have been warned: the world is dangerous, full of thieves and murderers

You will be disappointed, bad guys and crooks, there are much less than you think! To avoid meeting this rare breed, here’s my recipe!

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