Don’t be afraid to ignore or come across as impolite if something doesn’t seem right. You can leave a situation, not speak to someone, or say no if you have a bad feeling.
Yes ! in deed. I was once approached by a gentleman ( in a public space ) who was supposedly lost, so he asked for directions . I believe he just wanted to be sure I was a tourist... Then , another fellow comes along and gives all his attention to me . I did what you said , I gave them a bad look and walked away ...
In those situations you can always pretend to just Not Speak The Language They're Talking At You In, if it helps for you to be able to get out of there and stop them engaging with you, too! You can even make an apologetic gibberish noise as you leave, if that's what you have to do to make yourself feel confident and able to get out of there
Yes, this! Combined with "Don't stare at your phone/guidebook too much in the street, trying to find where you need/want to go". My method usually is: memorise the main route and places beforehand at a safe place like a restaurant or your hotel, before you start walking. Locals look at their phone once in a while too, but the obvious tourist looks at it while glancing around confused. 😅
A smile and a look of a confidence goes a long way i agree DO NOT EVER LOOK AT A POSTED TRANSIT MAP USE YOUR PHONE unfortunately posted maps are just approach me and at worst harass or panhandle use your phone Learned this as a teen wear shades...not just to be healthy from the sun but also they can't see what your looking at or why that can help you from a few angles but I've avoided a lot of confrontations be it women thinking I'm staring to keeping ppl from thinking I'm lost to not looking 100% tourist when at attractions Local bag trick ive done often local brands work too buy regional water for example it works Measure everything from the nearest transit stop and to the next...this is your emergency exit you can figure out where your going on board but when the light goes on GET THE HELL OUT you can do so without looking like your running Mr Roger's law: always look for those truly helping and keep an eye out if there's trouble it can be a well attended store or vendor cart can be an official...just somewhere to go where trouble won't or where you can get advice low key without fear Look at the locals you see them mov ing follow ive missed severe issues doing this one SF all of the sudden the front of the bus crowds...I look and yes gang colors in the back...they know what to look for heed their warning
I always take a business card from the hotel I’m staying at and that way if I get lost or confused, I can show that to the driver in case he doesn’t speak English.
It's also useful to take a picture of your luggage before you leave home. If the airline loses your bag or it's stolen, you have a picture to give to the airline or police.
A tip for older people or people with chronical diseases: - have a written copy with all your diagnosis and your medication chart - written in local language (the country you are travelling to) or at least english - make sure to mention the active ingrdient next to the brand name of your medicine - keep it always in your purse or backpack - put a little post-it on your ID-card or health insurance card that says something like: you can find my medical information in.... It is of great help not only during an emergency when you are unconscious, but also with any interaction with a physician, hospital or pharmacist. Especially when you do not speak the local language. A health problem during your travel is stressing enough and such a list helps a lot to get adequate help.
Mine are: - try to find out what locals tend to wear (I don't mean traditional clothes, I mean daily fashion), and dress accordingly. This might not help a lot if you obviously look different from locals, but not dressing in shorts and hawaii shirts if the locals don't, goes a long way. - act confident, as if you live there, walk with purpose. Don't try to find the next route or place in the street, instead memorise them a bit at your hotel or at a cafe or something. - if you do have to stop to look for directions, again, act as if you live there. Find a spot out of the way, like go sit on a bench or lean against a wall, don't stand out, act nonchalantly. - don't get drunk! Have a few drinks, sure, but DON'T GET INTOXICATED
Not over packing is one of the absolute best tips you gave! I just turned 60...but still love to travel and I find it is harder as you get older to schlep luggage around, especially in Europe. Now we only do carry on luggage with an easily dealt with tote or backpack as the airline "personal item". It is so freeing and I am not a tired mess all the time!
A tip I do, when traveling to Europe, as a guy, is to wear a nice scarf. Blend in. Also, while walking around the streets, not only abroad but to those who come up here to the northeast USA, NYC/Boston/New Haven, don't walk around and smile at strangers. Gives you away as a tourist to those areas right away.
Walk around and smile at people in NEW HAVEN?? 😂 I grew up in CT I did some smiling at the music store and pizza shops. And got outta there before dark!!
I would say an exception to the jersey is a NON soccer jersey. When I was in Prague I wore an NHL jersey a couple of times. Those nights I never had to buy a beer. Every Czech walked up to me to tell me the Czechs that played for them. So yea rivalry jerseys probably not a good idea. Obscure ones...will get people talking to you. Also I wore an Orioles jersey in Ireland and quite a few people told me that they had family back in Maryland.
@@counterfit5 actually no...I wore a Blackhawks and a Caps jersey. This was in 98 when he was with the Pens. Had I known it would have resulted in free beers. I would have packed more. 😉
Good list Mark. I do all of those, plus: Take a picture of my bags and the contents before I leave, Air Tags for the inside, printout of reservations in case of dead or stolen phone, two days of cash in the currency of the country I'm going to in case of lost credit card, and a Pac Safe bag with straps that cannot be cut and locking zippers.
Hi Walter, regarding scammers taking payment from you mobile phone nfc. I’ve used both Google Pay and Apple Pay and no scammer could get a payment from my phone just by tapping e.g, my pocket hosting my phone because I have my phone setup where you have to momentarily double click the power button to activate the default card to appear on screen before tapping the card reader. Once transaction is complete, the payment method is no longer active unless you double click again for a new transaction. Also, I have to FaceID my phone before I can use Apple Pay so if you set your phone up right, shouldn’t be a problem 👍🏾
@@esioanniannaho5939 Hi, the Android phone in question was a Google Pixel so you should Google “how to activate Google Pay by double clicking the Power Button” . For iPhone, I assume it’s a moot point if you have FaceID otherwise Google the same “how to activate Apple Pay by double tapping the power button. 👍🏾 Edit Google is your friend to learn any tech tip and so is this very platform RU-vid, chances are someone has already made a video on how to do this !
@@DrVVVinK I'm 43 and still do dumb shit while drunk. Like, really dumb shit. Been sober now for 8 months but still struggling a little. Some of us make bad decisions well into our later years ... esp when you don't have a family to be a role model to.
I once knew a high roller gambler when I worked at a casino and he dressed slightly above homeless and almost always had a shopping bag because he was obviously expecting to get robbed but never was. Smart dude. 😂
Get a thin 6+ foot (2 meters) long steel cord and two carabiners. Attach one end to your backpack and the other to your wheel bag. This way no one can run up to you and grab your wheel bag from your hand while you're in a train station or the metro. Great for if you need to use both hands also. Thieves can be stealthy, but most are the grab and go type.
I read one time that if you rent a car, purchase a couple of local newspapers and leave them either on the back seat or somewhere in view. This is a visual clue to potential thieves that the car owner is a local and not a tourist.
I use my backpack everywhere to carry water, umbrella, store purchases but i also have a small purse, just big enough for wallet, phone and documents that i always adjust the strap for it to be hanging in front of me, so if someone opens my backpack nothing of value can be taken.
A twist on the "football jersey" rule: I have found that wearing a NATIONAL team jersey actually gives you stat points from the locals and can be helpful. I was recently in Chile and Uruguay and I wore a national team jersey in both countries (not all the time), and I got a decent amount of recognition for it. Also, if you are in a city that has only ONE league team, wearing that team jersey can also be a good thing. That being said, I wouldn't wear an Arsenal jersey near Stamford Bridge.
Love your videos! Here's another safety tip: We always pack a nightlight. It weighs nothing and is easy to pack. But when you get up at night in a strange place to go to the bathroom, a nightlight can help keep you safe by saving you from stumbling over something and / or falling. Just an idea!
#1 When I'm on a street and need to check my phone for one reason or another (usually Google Maps) I will stand so I have a building, a big wall or something right behind me. Lowers the risk of someone sneaking up. #2 Don't put all your eggs in one basket, IE your phone. It's very convenient but if you've got your hotel reservation there, if it's your only payment option etc it might leave you completely stranded if it's stolen. #3 Gmail and other e-mail services might rely on your phone for secure login. Even if you know your password by hart or has it written down it might not be possible to login to your account from a public computer without your phone. Make sure to have a backup plan if your phone is stolen and you can't use the regular two-factor authentication.
I use Google maps walking directions, but I keep my phone tucked away and listen through one earbud. It looks as though I know where I'm going. Using just one earbud ensures I can still hear what's happening around me. I never leave the hotel without a backup charger. They're so inexpensive & small, it's tremendous peace of mind. I also pack my old phone & a push pin to swap sim cards, just in case I crack my screen. Also...Google Fi is my phone service & I have fast data in most every country (50 gb 5G). And great advice re: foot care! My most recent trip, I brought a pair of shoes that I'd only worn once before. On my first day, I ended up with a pressure wound so deep & painful that it sort of ruined my trip. I struggled to find wound care supplies, even in pharmacies. It was a daily battle to prevent infection & manage the pain. Now I know to always bring a supply of thick bandages & Neosporin.
I travel with a short, heavy flashlight (easily carried in purse) to defend myself, and light up dark streets. Mine has beveled metal rims around the lamp, extra effective.
Totally agree on these!! Mine is I wear my clothes! That is, I don’t buy a new wardrobe or, if I do, I make sure to wear and use them ahead of time. There’s just a different vibe to a person if they’re in a new place AND all new clothes (vs a local with a new dress etc). Plus you don’t want to have to figure out a brand new bag on the go and can’t remember which pocket is what.
Because of the Flipper, I keep wifi, bluetooth, and data off in public, not just payment option... but I remeber life before smartphones and can function without. Also, Clothing Arts clothes for pants with zippers inside zippers.
Not all cultures accept that you travel alone. If people start bugging you, tell them that your spouse died. That happens in all cultures and is respected.
Great, practical tips for the traveler -particularly those visiting tourist-infested locales in high season. Tip #7? Travel off-season and don't forget tips 1-6. Thank You and Bon Voyage ... And One More Thing: Situational Awareness -Don't leave home without it.
In this age where everything is digital and every info could be found on your smartphone screen, printing physical copies of tickets, reservations, insurance, as well as passport has now become low-key. Because I only use a cheap Chinese smartphone less than $200, it's no surprise that it's gonna mysteriously die when I need it the most. Or I may drop and destroy it because I an always clumsy and careless. A paper backup always helps in this case
One safety tip is that, even if you plan to wander in the city, make sure you can orient yourself and know where you are approximately, even if you are suddenly lost or end up in a bad part of town.
I make scans of all my credit and debit cards, and assemble them all in a grid, on a page with the bank contact phone numbers typed below each one. This one page has everything I need if my wallet goes missing. I print it out, and keep several copies when traveling, along with my passport photocopy. Important - Make sure to block out the cards' CVV codes, otherwise anyone who steals the paper will have everything needed to commit fraud! Also, don't rely on a phone for these things. Phones can be stolen. They are also a house of cards, depending on battery, network, and your app logins. I work in a high tech field, and know enough to *not* depend on technology.
Indeed. I still print everything (reservations, tickets,...) so I have a hard copy in case I have issues. I keep a copy on my phone of course and a copy I mailed to myself (so I can access it from any computer), but hardcopy is still the best backup. Also put those not in your wallet but somewhere else, so if your wallet gets stolen, you still have those documents. I also sort the folder I keep those in by date I need them. So the airline confirmation is the first, then car reservation, the hotel reservation, then the return ticket (whatever you have on your holiday). When I use one, I just add it to the back of the folder and the next one is at the front, so when I'm at my next location I need a hard copy, it's the first one and I don't have to search. Makes the process a lot quicker too.
@@koenven7012 You and I think alike, my friend. I do the same thing! I print 2X of each: One copy goes on a plastic folder in my carry-on, and the other goes into my passport folio that stays in the hotel safe! Paper is King!
Be aware of your surroundings. Especially anyone in your 6 foot bubble. This is especially important in crowds or pickpocket hot zones like big tourist sites or on public transportation . Keep your belongings, especially your cellphone, put away. Cellphones are the most commonly stolen thing in the world. Do not leave your phone on the table or unattended anywhere. Make sure it has a lock on it. Set it up so you can track it and make it erase itself after someone enters an incorrect password too many times. Tourists are much more likely to be robbed or scammed than locals. Try to blend in. Don't wear fancy clothes, carry expensive bags or wear expensive (or even expensive lookkng) jewelery. Don't keep all your cash or credit cards in one place. If your purse/wallet is stolen you don't want to be stranded with nothing. Keep your belongings in front of you where they're easier to watch. Preferably in an inside pocket or for women in a crossbody bag. Belt pouches are dorky but one of the best things for travel ever. If you're American, consider getting a passport card with your book. Its much smaller, easiee to carry and you can leave your book secured at your accommodation and only carry it when you need it.
Please use caution when someone approaches you and offers to show you where something is. Do not follow them! My husband and I ended up being cornered in an isolated area. Luckily, we were unharmed but it could have turned out badly.
A very good tip, though it might be a solicitation. In Vietnam, I was lining up to enter the grounds of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. One local guy came up and told me of a second, less busy entrance, just up the street. I was skeptical, but I checked it out, and he was right! But why did he tell me, and not everyone else? 🤔 Many hours later, when I was leaving, there was the same guy on his motorcycle taxi, offering me a lift. Very smart. (I still chose to walk.)
Ask local people at your hotel or elsewhere about which neighborhoods or areas are safe to venture out in to. Avoid going out at night alone if you can.
If you are a lone traveler: - Never say you are alone! Always say you are with friends, or you're meeting your friends later today. (Criminals will realise someone will notice if you go missing.)
When I'm walking alone and I get that unsafe feeling, I get close to a group of people going the same direction. Sometimes I can even tell them what I'm doing and they're always happy to have me tag along
I've said this below other videos already but... one of my top safety tip is: don't wear jewels or other valuable accessories, like expensive watches, branded bags, ecc. don't put your phone/wallet on the pockets of your trousers (especially the rear ones) Also, and this is a counter-intuitive one: don't wear your bag in front of you! I know it's a tip most people give, but to me it's so obvious you are a tourist when you do that! Just... don't put anything valuable in your rear bag so you don't have to worry about it and you can wear it the standard way.
I would never do this because who knows what the person asking for it will use it for after you're gone. But if you must, only take a picture of the side of your credit card which doesn't contain the CVC code.
Oh my god! We were just there! It's my favorite city from all of Andalusia! What a magic! I'm definitely coming back to Cordoba! Best BD celebration ever!!!!
Spot on Mark 👍🙌🎯 Photocopy your passport,leave the real one in the hotel safe,similarly for your driving licence. Research you destination country & area well. Always plan all travel from the safety of the hotel. Actually the best one is just do not look like or act like a visitor,dressing in appropriate clothing for the weather as well as possible cultural reasons. Finally if you are going out actually mix with the locals where they eat,have coffee etc, Others will think you are a local and either leave you alone or just politely ask where you come from. Canadians are famous for that particularly.
I'll put research first. I say that because some countries, Austria being one, requires everyone, including tourists, to carry ID on them at all times. They also don't except copies as a legal form of ID, nor do they accept any form of US driver license, since those are given at the state level. So, in case you do need to show any form of ID to the police in Austria make sure you have your passport, or passport card on you.
@DrVVVinK Agreed although when I was working there I never had that asked of me anywhere I went. However i did have my work ID on my person at all times. Austria 🇦🇹 though is a very safe country and welcoming of foreigners.
@@seanmcerlean I love it. Going there for a few weeks for filmfest. I try to every few years. Thanks to Before Sunrise. I love all there museums too. How long did you live there for? I would love to live there for a long period if I could, even if it is a few months for study, PhD?
@DrVVVinK I was based there for a year with an airline in operations just outside Vienna. If I had not been made redundant in a company takeover followed by that pandemic I'm certain I would have settled there. I am actually half 🇨🇭 from the Graubunden so felt right at home there. Not sure about studying there but you can always do your research and see what turns up. I still have many friends there from my job and miss it a lot.
Don’t carry a lot of valuables. Don’t dress in expensive clothes or jewelry. My mom and I were visiting Brazil. Both of us were wearing very simple costume necklaces. A family approached us and suggested that we not wear them for safety purposes.
I always take a screenshot of the route Google maps tell me to take to get from point A to point B. That wat if I don't have internet connection I can still know which station to get off at or where to switch etc
I use zipper pocket pants to make it a tad harder to pick pocket me. Also I wear a fanny pack with the clasp around the waste "locked " with a simple paper clip that will keep it from opening. With two zippers at the pouch I use a paperclip to keep them together. A good pick pocket always goes for the easiest target, not the slightly difficult one. I don't have to have bullet proof technology, I just have to be harder to pick pocket than you.
Interesting shot at 5:13 - the guys laying out sheets on the floor with bags and other stuff to sell. You see how the sheet has string tied to all four corners? That’s because they’re selling illegal knock-off merch, and if the police come they can just grab the string, the sheet collects up their merch and they run off. Avoid buying this stuff!
Use a cross-body bag for your phone, passport, and wallet. I used it while wandering Barcelona and London and had no issues with pickpockets at all. Also, there are battery packs that can magnetically hook up to your phone and start charging it wirelessly. For instance, the MagSafe chargers are compatible with the latest iPhones.
Always use the safe in your room or if there isn’t one, ask the front desk if they have one. Breaking in new shoes and bringing comfortable ones is also key, not just for safety but for enjoyment of your trip, nothing worse than getting a ton of blisters on your first day. PS bring some bandages as well.
Def research what the locals wear and you will blend in. I had locals in Paris come up to me and start speaking French, not sure if I blended in or they just assume everyone speaks French 😂
re: shopping bags. but how many locals are actually walking around with plastic bags from shops? where i live it is super rare because almost everyone uses their canvas bag for groceries. someone carrying an supermarket bag actually stands out
I've learned 90% of the time, if you are going to a high traffic tourist area, it's much safer and less crowded to knock out the "big ticket" items in the morning. Check to see wherever you're traveling if they do siestas. Wake up early. See one of the big sights and check it off of your list. Take a nap and beat the heat during the hot afternoon. Stay hydrated!
Great advice! As an aside, love to see Cordoba again. I was only able to see a bit for one day, so it was cool to spot a few cool other places to look into (i.e. need to go back!)
You can wear a soccer jersey but just be prepared for people to be talking crap to you. I wore my Napoli jersey throughout Italy and got berated in the north and in Rome, nothing bad, it was more so fun to have conversations with locals, but I got some serious love when I was in the south.
I never thought about an RFID Wallet-this after travelling to 13 different countries, half the states in the US and every Provence and Territory in Canada. Wow, have I been lucky.
Love all your videos and have been watching them for YEARS ; ….about the pedicure: I, in fact, avoid having pedicures right before a sightseeing (lots of walking) vacation, because the skin is then tender and smooth and more prone to blisters …. This especially applies to women… but if it’s a beach vacation where one is simply lying on a beach and splashing about in a pool, then it’s not an issue. You have some terrific tips!
When traveling with a backpack it may be safer to keep it in front of you where it is now a “front pack.” Some thieves are known to slash a backpack from behind and make off with the goodies within reach. Also a good idea to keep your wallet in a front pocket. Wallets in rear pockets are easy pickings.
Or, unless you are going to say the beach, just don't wear a backpack. And who the hell keeps their wallet in their front pocket? Even when I'm at home, in the States, I never do that. First, it is not comfortable to sit, and as you say, someone can grab it out of your back pocket. Keep in your front with your hand in that pocket at all times.
This is the absolute best way to have you targeted as a tourist. The best thing is not to have a backpack at all. Even with keeping your pack in front, if you get jostled by a group of pickpockets, they'll slash it anyways.
would like to say yes, but when I was in Rome some gypsies were able to open my front bag zips while I was looking her in the eye. She only needed two secs to get near me to open the zips, don't ever never ever underestimate them,, they are better, faster and bolder than you can't even imagine.
I have two phones because of my work. I always leave one of them in the hotel safe along with a second credit card. I travel a lot and not always in safe places. Nothing ever happened, but I’ve heard enough of stories to appreciate that little extra feeling of safety. Also, if a thug tells you to hand over your wallet or purse, don’t try to be a hero. It sucks but nothing is worth your dear life.
Good tip is to carry one big piece of luggage instead of 2 so I agree. I was once the target of a failed theft. I believe the bad guys were after just my small bag . I now keep everything in one . Heavy so the bandits can not leave too quickly
For valuables I discovered an under-the-axle wallet I first used on a trip to India about ten years ago. Unlike wallets hanging from your neck, it is like a gun holster at a much less conspicuous place. With most shirts cut a little wider, it is not noticeable at all from the outside. When sleeping on public transport for example, it is almost impossible to be stolen. Also, it does not sit on your skin as much as wallets around the neck, so it is nicer to wear in hot climates. I keep most of the valuables there when in crowded locations, only take out some smaller amounts of money needed for that day into a second wallet.
I always have a copy of all of my travel documents, reservations, identification, visa, etc. on my DropBox account so I can access them from anywhere if needed.
Backpack safety for crowds and public transit: I get a few cheap carabiners from eBay, the kind that can be locked and unlocked by twisting a little locking nut. (It has no key, you just spin it in the right direction.) These can be threaded through the double-zipper tabs on your backpack, and screwed shut to make it slightly harder for criminals to quickly open it: Opening the locking nuts takes extra time, is hard with 1 hand, and criminals won't instantly know how to do it. Criminals depending on speed and stealth will have a hard time!
I have my phone and travel wallet on cords which are tethered to the inside of my crossbody bag. Then I won’t put them down accidentally. As a female, I carry a travel alarm and a small powerful whistle,also tethered. Moneybelt ALWAYS! And always carry my passport in it at all times. Wear your moneybelt in the small of your back, way more comfy.
Great tips! I would say do not confront problem situations or engage them if possible. If transit police want money- like you don’t have the right stamped ticket on the metro - pay it and move on. Not worth the money or time or culture shocks. All the best, happy travels per usu! ! ☀️😎
Invest in a travel card. Its easy to open up an e.g. Revolut account and use that card with small amounts of money in e.g. $150. If i lose that, it'll be less traumatic than losing the main card i use in my home country
Also key to stop completely detaching from common sense, see it all the time where people will go full on vacation mode between the ears & let the stupid take over, that's where you wind up "losing" stuff or getting into trouble - you may be on vacation, but the scumbags aren't! Can't agree more on the football jerseys though, there are some places in this world which are very friendly & the nicest place right up until you're wearing the wrong "colours" in the wrong part of town.
You can blend in in Greece by dressing at least partly in black. Black is quite common there, especially amongst Greek women. Public smartphone charging stations are more and more common... quite common in Taiwan, for example.
NEVER leave your phone (or other valuables) sitting on the table at cafes - even if you're sitting next to it. Put it back in your pocket or purse if you're not actually holding it. I like to tuck the strap of my purse or shopping bag under the chair leg if I'm at a café and can't manage holding and eating and drinking. They'll have to pull the chair out from under me if they really want my stuff! LOL! 😂🍷
