How to feel safe in a foreign country

Video: 10 TIPS TO ARRIVE SAFE IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY ALONE

Content

Steps
Tips
What do you need

Despite the fact that a trip abroad can be interesting and joyful, there is still an opportunity to meet danger there (just like in your own country). Going abroad, you should know what unpleasant situations they warn you there, and how to protect yourself from them. There is always the possibility that something will go wrong on a trip, so you need to be prepared for anything. You yourself are traveling, or with friends, first of all you need to think about your safety. Follow our advice and your trip abroad will pass without any incidents.

Steps

1 Find out as much as possible about the country you are planning to visit. The easiest and fastest way to do this is via the Internet. Use only reliable sources (for example, official websites of embassies, etc.). Learn the emergency numbers, you also need to learn the language at least a little (at least you should know how the word "help" sounds). Also find out where there are places to stay away from (most criminal areas, red light areas, etc.). Perhaps you can find the relevant information on the websites that are supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
- Learn local customs.Some of the gestures you are used to may be offensive in other countries, or they may have the opposite meaning. For example, a gesture with a raised thumb up in Western Europe means approval, but if you make this gesture, for example, in Greece, then you offend a person. Your travel agency should tell you about the most significant such differences.
- Learn how the locals dress. If in the country where you are traveling, it is not customary to flaunt your body, then you should not wear too revealing clothes. There is no need to draw unwanted attention to yourself, especially if you are in a place of worship or religion.
2 Before you set off, make three copies of all the most important documents - passport, tickets, credit cards, driver's license, etc.If you have copies, it will be easier for you to recover your documents if you lose them or if they are stolen from you. Store copies in different places, be sure to keep them safe. You can also scan documents so that later, if necessary, print them.
3 Before starting your trip, ask for the address and telephone number of your embassy in the country you are traveling to. Be sure to leave your details at the embassy (in some countries this can be done via the Internet) so that in the event of a natural disaster or the outbreak of a military conflict, the embassy knows where you are and can help you.
- Once you arrive, contact your embassy. Give them your name and address. If possible, go to the embassy or at least look on the map where it is located so that in case of a problem you know where to turn.
4 Try not to look like a tourist in a foreign country, as the tourist is a potential target for a thief. Never wear the following:
- Expensive jewelry or fakes that look real.
- Expensive sneakers (especially white) that will definitely give you a tourist. If you prefer to walk in sneakers, then let it be a pair that will not attract too much attention.
- Belt wallet, as such a wallet can be easy prey for a pickpocket, and you will not notice anything.
- Bags, caps and other things with the symbols of your travel agency.
- New clothes and shoes.
- Electronics. If you still need to take something with you, then put everything in an old and nondescript backpack that will not attract much attention.
5 Make sure tap water is safe. Most likely, the chemical composition of tap water will differ significantly from the chemical composition of the water that flows from the tap in your home, so it is quite possible to get poisoned with such water (children and the elderly are primarily at risk). If you buy bottled water, be sure to make sure the bottle is tight.
6 Be wary of sexual intercourse. Sexually transmitted infections are actively flourishing in absolutely all cities of the world, and especially among prostitutes. The only guaranteed protection against any sexually transmitted disease is the refusal to have sex with strangers or unfamiliar people. But if you still do not want to give up sex, then use condoms.
7 Do not share your personal information with anyone. No one but you should know where you are staying, where and at what time you plan to go or go. No matter how much you trust the person, there is no need for him to know everything about you. If someone asks you where you are staying, lie to him. While in the hotel, never call your apartment number very loudly, the administrator should also not say the number out loud (it is advisable that he wrote it on a piece of paper). If you realize that someone has heard which room you are being accommodated in, ask to change the number.
8 Secure your number. It is important that your room is not on the ground floor, so that it is located as far as possible from the elevator and fire escape (rooms with this arrangement are robbed more often). Place a rubber support under the door at all times at night. If someone opens your door in the middle of the night, the prop will give you time to make a noise and call for help. If you don't have a prop, block the doorknob with a chair. When you go to the rooms, always leave the Do Not Disturb sign on the door, and people will think that you are in the room. Also, when leaving, leave the TV turned on so that you can hear in the corridor that it is working, which means that someone is inside. Hide the most valuable things in a safe or disguise them in some way.
9 Be polite and non-demanding. If you are respectful and remain calm in any situation, then you will not attract attention to yourself with your behavior. However, if you are overly friendly, it can be seen as an invitation (especially if you are a woman). Do not do anything that makes you behave noisy and unusual, such as alcohol or drugs, as if you are not in control, you will become a target for a thief.
10 Don't keep all documents (passport, credit cards) and money in one place.
- Keep credit cards and cash separate to eliminate the risk of money being stolen from you.
- Always keep some cash in a secret pocket or in your shoes, in case you need cash in a taxi or to buy something to eat.
- Store the wallet close to your body - for example, in the front pockets of your trousers. You can prepare a bogus wallet in advance where you will store fake money, expired credit cards, and fake documents.
11 Use trick when you are attacked and asked for a wallet. Throw away your wallet and run yourself. By the time the thieves reach the wallet, you will already be far from them.
12 Always go to meet traffic. This is necessary so that you do not carefully drive up to you in a car or scooter from behind and grab your bag from your hands. Keep the bag close to your body on the side away from the road. This will also help keep you safe from thieves who might get close behind you.
13 Be vigilant on public transport. Use only legal taxis. The safest options are rented cars, buses and trains. On the bus, try to get as close to the driver as possible. If you are traveling by train, sit somewhere in the middle of the train, as it is still possible that the first and last carriages will stop in a poorly lit part of the platform. You can sit next to the emergency button.
14 Never get into a stranger's car, and after getting into an official taxi, ask the driver for documents and a license. Once you realize that this is an illegal taxi, get up and leave.
15 If you are taking a taxi, do not sit in the front seat (especially if you are a woman). As soon as you arrive at the place, try not to stay too long, and immediately give the money to the driver.
16 If you will be renting a car, be sure to check your local traffic regulations. In most countries of the world, traffic is right-hand, but, for example, in Japan, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand it is left-hand, so be as careful as possible while driving, and especially when cornering.

Tips

Be wary of all strangers.
Try to befriend some of your fellow travelers. There is safety in numbers.
Be extremely careful in the country where the fighting is taking place. If you hear that a shootout has begun on the streets of the city, do not leave the hotel until everything calms down.
Do not accept help from strangers (especially when you need to change money). Change currency only with legal operators.
If the country you are going to visit speaks another language, then at least learn the phrase “Does anyone here speak Russian?”. Don't be afraid if you say it with an accent, the locals will still respect you for your efforts.
Be even more cautious at night than during the day. This is the most dangerous time in any country. Walk only along well-lit streets, but it is advisable to refuse to visit bars in the evening and at night.
Immediately upon arrival at the hotel, stock up on food and water - this is necessary in case unrest breaks out in the city. If you don't need your supplies, just hand them over to the hotel and thank the staff for the wonderful welcome.
If kidnapping is rampant in the country you are going to, do not stay in the same hotel for more than one night. Do not leave your hotel at the same time. Do not use the same route.
Never give your passport to administrators. Although in some countries (for example, in Italy) it is necessary to give the passport to the administrator for safekeeping. If you feel insecure when parting with your documents, then make a certified copy of your passport.