When going travelling, being a male has some distinct advantages. For example, some cultures are more accepting of a man travelling alone than a woman. And being able to pee standing up is a definite bonus, particularly when hiking through unknown foliage.
Women innately have some greater challenges than men when travelling alone (when was the last time you read a section on "Men's Safety" in a travel book?). However, while guys traditionally tend to under-pack, one thing we like to bring with us when we travel is an air of invincibility. Especially when travelling solo, it's important to remember that guys have to watch out for perils as well.
In many countries, being a traveller automatically equates to being rich, even more so in countries with large amounts of poverty, where many people can only dream of an international flight for vacation. Pickpockets and muggers abound and foolhardy guys are a prime target due to the very fact that we don't feel vulnerable. There are some ways to help avoid these problems:
Give up the illusion of localness. Many travellers - both men and women - agree that looking like a tourist ups the odds of being pickpocketed or robbed, and so they will go to great lengths to not appear like they are foreigners. They hide maps and don't bring cameras. One fellow traveller told me he would buy a local newspaper to carry with him, in order to blend in. Creative!
However, this strategy can only ever be moderately effective. As the saying goes, "The Romans are the ones who don't turn their heads when you pass the Coliseum." Which is to say, no matter how hard you try, whether it's your clothes, your language, or your demeanour, something will likely give you away as a tourist. Accept it! Thinking you have blended in with the locals gives you a false sense of security, and most likely you haven't blended in at all.
Act like you know what you're doing. The sun's gone down, you've been walking for miles, there are no taxis anywhere and you realize you're not necessarily in the best part of town. You're lost and, as a guy, you've refused to bring a map. Basically, you're a mugger's fantasy.
Once you realize you're in a bit of a tough spot, walk with purpose, even if you're not sure where you're walking to. Glancing around in confusion will alert people that you're not where you should be. However, a quick, purposeful stride might make potential muggers more wary. Even if that walk takes you in the wrong direction, just enter the first restaurant or store you see and call a cab. "Taxi" is a pretty universal word and the cost of one is a lot less than that of losing your wallet and passport.
Just be sensible. At a hostel in Rio de Janeiro, I met two separate male travellers who lamented being mugged. The big cities in Brazil have a lot of issues with crime, so two people being mugged on different occasions was unfortunately not a surprise. However, when pressed, it turned out that each of them had decided after a night on the town to stumble back to the hostel, along unlit Copacabana beach, at around 4am. While I don't believe anyone deserves to be mugged, there are sure better ways to ensure that it doesn't happen to you.
As a traveller, I'm also likely to have a beer or two after a day of wandering. I'm on vacation, after all! And as a foolhardy male, I, too, am probably more likely to believe it's ok to have those beers and I'll be totally fine to make my way home alone. Be smart. Grab a taxi. Or, even better, make some friends at your hostel or hotel and go out with them in the first place. Meet up with other travellers using discussion boards like Thorn Tree. You'll be safer and end up having more fun. A lost passport means a couple of days at your embassy - not exactly the most fun way to spend your vacation!
Interesting article and one I can now relate to.
I travel a lot internationally...no problems over the years..until last month in Addis Ababa.
I was in a restaurant feeling smugly cosmopolitan..after ordering local food. Paid my bill and started to walk back to my hotel about 1/2 km away along a dark but main road...I had done it many times before. Halfway there a very young boy appeared crying his eyes out - my Amharic is nil...his English seemed the same as I stopped to ask him what was wrong...soon we were joined by a slightly older boy who kept saying 'brother' and patting the little boy and patting me saying good, good...they walked off... I kept going and when I got to the hotel looked for my wallet...and you have guessed it...gone! Luckily I had been smart enough to leave all my credit cards, other cards and passport in the hotel safe...so the 'lads' got an old wallet about $CAD 30 and two pictures of my daughter...
You can be sure I will be less likely to offer help to crying small children in the future...and I will certainly not be so smug!
Posted by: John Brooks | 08/15/2011 at 02:42 AM
A couple tips I have heard was to try avoiding touristy places (more likely to be targeted there than in more local areas..) and to try avoid going to bars if possible (they said that even if you didn't have a drink of alcohol, people would still expect you to be an easy target if they see you coming out).
the bank one's tricky... I had to make a big withdrawal when in Mexico which made me nervous as I left, but I kept it hidden. thankfully nothing happened :) it was a nice small city I was in..
as for the act like I know what I'm doing, I can advocate that one. Got lost in the Mexican city I was in, stupidly enough that I shouldn't have considering I was only two streets from where my base was (somehow I successfully took the completely wrong path). Wandered in circles, attempted to ask for directions, wandered some more... Nothing happened :) Eventually found my way back, after going back to where I was leaving from.
Posted by: Kedi | 08/14/2011 at 10:21 PM
I'm a big, with it, guy(XL)in reasonable shape, but I've survived 3 strokes & a brain anuerism and 72 years...never think you're indispensable...use common sense,don't flash your valuables, stay in, watch TV/read/get a good rest at night, play the local guy,dress comfortably, leave your jewels at home...watch who you talk to...enjoy our country(Canada)...there's tons to see, from coast to coast.
Posted by: Guy B Reaume Jr. | 08/14/2011 at 07:47 PM
The second you step on an international plane you are a foreigner. And nothing will change that! Second your plane land in a foreign country, especially poor countries you are # 1 target for anything to happen. "Good or Bad" Take it from me... First time I entered Philippines I was staying Peninsula Hotel and got held up outside in front of hotel. Having a large butcher knife stuck in your chest is not what you expect. Not just Philippines, but Japan as well. I been held up for dating the wrong women. Having a gang of guys beaten me so bad and taken my money. Lucky for me I did think to travel smart and had passport and ID at hotel safe. I learn if you going to walk around and staying at hotel take only hotel business card and little money. You must always keep your guard up when travel in an international country! The japanese women was well worth the beating! You live one time in this life Live it to the fullest?
Posted by: Tupparooo | 08/14/2011 at 05:47 PM
I used to live in Amsterdam. Cheap drugs !! Lets get stoned. Mind you there are gangs just waiting for you in the same bar.They follow you on the way out. You are too stoned to even know what the hell is going on. They push you in a dark alley, rifle through your pockets. End of story.
Seen it happen.
Posted by: André | 08/14/2011 at 02:01 PM
Great comments, all (I am the author of the article, so it's great to have feedback and additional insight from fellow travellers).
Jono - I agree entirely. In the adage, "Take only photos, leave only footprints" I more than make up for my share of photo taking. I love it!
Dave & Marvin - really good points. Everywhere out there, there are a number of shakedowns to worry about, particularly in places with a lot of poverty which, sadly, is much of the world! (and cab drivers around the world have their fair of tricks, too, including in North America!)
And James - I agree with you, too. Canada - or wherever one lives - is great to visit, too! My articles just have to be under Sympatico's "Off The Beaten Path" section ;)
Posted by: Noah Wheelock | 08/14/2011 at 11:29 AM
stay at home and enjoy the beauty of your own country
Posted by: James | 08/14/2011 at 10:05 AM
Do NOT rent a car- locals can purposely run into you to try to shake you down for cash. Take a cab.
Posted by: marvin | 08/14/2011 at 07:11 AM
UHM MAYBE JUST BRING A SMALLER SIZED CAMERA YOU CAN KEEP IN YOUR POCKET OR SOMETHING?! JEEZ ITS NOT A BIG DEAL HOOOLY !
Posted by: ant1h0r3 | 08/14/2011 at 01:56 AM
dont flash your cash -they know you have it and if you dont speak the language they can be ploting your dimise right in front of you in thier shop or cantina-also rent a car where possible and dont go off the regular touristy trails -you dont wander where the tiger shits in the jungle -view him from a distance with respect
Posted by: dave mcmaster | 05/21/2011 at 01:24 AM
Very much agreed that in many parts of the world its pure illusion that the locals aren't noticing you as a 'foreigner'.
But not bringing a camera (to stay on the down low), seems like missing out on what I consider an important aspect of any vacation, picture taking. Be sensible, but don't become a prisoner to paranoia and miss out on memories from your vacation.
Posted by: jono | 05/20/2011 at 05:32 PM
Further to the point, trying to blend in is a lot of work! The sooner you embrace the fact that it's okay to be a tourist the sooner you'll be having fun.
Posted by: Jiggins | 05/13/2011 at 04:58 PM