Traveling out of the country can be a great way to gain new experiences and witness things that you can’t take advantage of within your own country. However, while there are plenty of benefits to traveling abroad, there are also a few things that you’re going to want to be careful about. Because you’re familiar with your own country and how things work there, it can be shocking to get used to how a different country runs, which can put you at risk for getting into some unsafe situations. So to help you make the most of your trip, here are three tips for staying safe while traveling out of the country.
Steer Clear of Chaos
In every country, there are people who will try to take advantage of you. Luckily, there are quite a few signs that can signal you if a sketchy situation is taking place. Norm Schriever, a contributor to the Huffington Post, shares that one thing you’re going to want to be on the lookout for is chaos. Thieves will try to get you off guard by surrounding you in chaos before they strike. Knowing this, it’s a good idea to avoid big groups of people who appear to be getting too close to passersby. Also, if someone you don’t know approaches you, make sure you keep your hand on your wallet or other valuable to keep them safe from being snatched.
Keep Your Unfamiliarity A Secret
If it’s your first time traveling somewhere, it’s only natural to be unfamiliar with the area. However, this unfamiliarity makes you a very easy target for anyone trying to take advantage of someone outside their comfort zone. So to help you keep these preying eyes off you, Heather Simmons, a contributor to Reader’s Digest, recommends doing things like planning your routes and learning a few key phrases before you get out on the street in the morning. Also, if you do need help, try to ask someone working in a store as opposed to a random stranger off the street. These tactics will help to keep you from drawing too much unwanted attention to yourself.
Party Wisely
When you’re traveling, you’re likely going to want to spend some time enjoying yourself with the occasional drink. If this is something you’re planning, keep in mind that you should be extra careful about indulging in this behavior when you’re in a new country. To party safely in a different country, Emma Butler, a contributor to BookableHolidays.com, recommends doing things like not accepting drinks from someone you don’t know, keeping your hand over your drink when in crowded areas, and drinking a lot of water to try to keep yourself from getting too drunk or hungover. By taking these precautions, you’ll be able to keep yourself safe while still having a good time.
If you plan to travel out of the country soon, use the tips mentioned above to make sure you do so in safety.