 |
|
The world is a book, and those who do not
travel read only one page. ? Anonymous Two things keep women from traveling solo. Fear for their safety and fear they won?t have a good time alone. Take a few precautions and your safety won?t be an issue. Take a gutsy-pill and you?ll have a good time. Read on for advice from women who?ve traveled from Taiwan to Tucson on their own and revel in the stories and experiences that only travel can bring. Imagine you?re a petty thief who preys on tourists and you?re looking for your next victim. Who catches your eye? Middle-Aged Woman Number One. She?s wearing Bermuda shorts and sandals, has a camera on one shoulder and a bulging tote bag on the other. You spot the diamond ring immediately, then the map in her hand. She shuffles past looking na?ve and lost. Or Middle-Aged Woman Number Two. She?s wearing slacks and a plain shirt, no jewelry and a fanny pack rests on her stomach. She?s looking around, too, but is standing tall, walking briskly and looks like she knows where she?s going. When we put it that way, it?s pretty obvious that the first woman is the tourist and that she is the likely victim. The good news is that it?s remarkably easy to put yourself in the second woman?s shoes and take yourself out of the line-of-site of a potential thief. Here are a few well-traveled tips to make an adventurer out of you. Pack It Up Travelers are notorious for packing more than they need and hauling mondo suitcases on trans-ocean flights. Not only is it just plain dumb to lug multiple pieces of luggage, it?s also risky. You should be able to pull your wheelie and carry your tote bag all by yourself and not have to rely on porters or ever be in a situation where one suitcase is sitting on the curb and the other is?.where did it go? Pare down the contents of your suitcase (see our Before You Go section of this website for packing tips) and refine your luggage to no more than one suitcase and one shoulder bag. If possible, make that suitcase a carry-on that you can hoist into the overhead compartment yourself. Not only will you avoid long waits for luggage, you?ll also be confident you and your clothes arrive together. Walk Like a Flight Attendant Think about it ? flight attendants have a ?look? that has nothing to do with grooming or appearance. That look is confidence. Their self-assured demeanor is underscored by a subtle friendliness and outlined by a ?you wouldn?t dare mess with me? attitude. Practice the flight attendant walk ? shoulders back, straight spine, composed but alert gaze, purposeful steps ? and you?ll give off strong, competent vibes that will deter assailants looking for an easy mark. Let?s Talk Purses Do you carry a 20-pound tote stuffed with all the might-needs for your day? Spill out the contents and what do we see?enough make-up for a total do-over?cell phone and address book?receipts from every ATM stop during the last six months?two hairbrushes (who knows why)?a mini- photo album of your boyfriend and you on vacation (or your husband and kids at the beach, or your grandbabies in various stages of undress)?a wallet with every credit and discount card you own..a sewing kit you got free at a hotel and haven?t used once...Band-Aids, aspirin, a toothbrush and paste? Now all this is fine when you?re rushing to the office or the grocery store, but it?s a very bad idea when you?re traveling. Never mind what all that weight does to your back and shoulders, a loaded purse is a moving target for a thief. You don?t need all that junk to sightsee in Paris anyway. Cash, passport, a tiny hairbrush and some lipstick or gloss, that?s all you really need. Two safe and easy options: Buy a fanny pack and wear it in front, preferably under your shirt. Never, never wear it in back where a thief can easily zip it open. Alternatively, use a small, lightweight purse with a strap you can wear across your body. Then make sure the purse is always in front. Table for One Sitting alone in a restaurant for breakfast and lunch aren?t nearly as intimidating as having dinner by yourself. Some women solve the problem with a big lunch and a snack in their room. Others take a book. Seasoned solo travelers just do it. What?s the worst thing that can happen if you dine alone? People will stare? Doubtful. You?ll get a lousy table and worse service? Probably not. Somebody will hit on you. Possibly, but keep reading and you?ll be prepared for that as well. Talking to Strangers If you mind your mother?s advice (and for that matter, the mantra of security personnel the world over), you won?t talk to strangers. When it comes to world travel, this will certainly keep you safer, but it will also deprive you of some of the most memorable experiences of your life. Just use your head. The elderly couple sharing your compartment on the train is unlikely to be a threat. It?s probably safe to strike up a conversation with the mother and child at the cafe table next to you. The old man in the market might prove to be delightful. But what about the nice looking man who has been staring at you for the past 15 minutes? The teenagers rousting around on the subway? Maybe, maybe not. Let your intuitive sense guide you, but don?t let paranoia rule. If you?re in a seedy part of town, if your ?gut? tells you something?s amiss, then move along. On the other hand, if things feel innocent enough, go ahead and chat up that stranger. You?ll be rewarded with a glimpse of the world and its people that no guidebook, museum tour or city stroll will ever reveal. Small Talk You are chatting with that nice woman at the table next to you in the Amsterdam caf? about children, where you live, what you do for a living. Just don?t share too much personal information and keep in mind you?re in a public place and who knows who?s listening in. The same holds true on an airplane heading for your destination. That lovely Italian man next to you is probably just a friendly traveler, but to be on the safe side, keep your conversation general. Woman Power If you do find yourself in a sticky situation ? being followed by an overly aggressive suitor or hassled by a cabbie, for instance ? enlist the help of a local woman. Preferably an elderly one. There?s an international language of gestures and expressions that women share, and all you need to do is hurry to a ?mama-san,? ask for help, and point at the pest. She?ll give the guy what for and he?ll leave with his ego dragging. Blend In The best way to avoid being the target of thieves and scam artists who prey on tourists is to disappear into the crowd. Don?t dress like a tourist, dress like a local. Find out the cultural norms and expectations and dress accordingly whether that means long pants, covered shoulders, a headscarf or a burka. Room Service A general safety rule for every traveler is to note where the exits are in your hotel. Don?t stay in a ground floor room. Use the peephole if someone knocks and don?t open the door if you?re unsure of the person on the other side. Call the front desk to confirm if the person says he is a repairman. Leave the TV or radio on when you are out of the room. Don?t use the doorknob hanger at all. ?Do Not Disturb? says you?re sleeping and ?Make Up The Room? says you?re out. A room thief can use either piece of information to their advantage. Nitty Gritty Read our suggestions in Before You Go, Travel Scams and Health on the Road. You?ll find suggestions on taking care of your documents, handling money, smart packing, health hints and more. They?re designed to help travelers of any gender stay safe and have a good time. Great Travel Sites for Women
|