Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MA_TESOL]

I thought I would start a thread on being safe while traveling. Much of it is common sense, but I have seen problems where tourists were not acting wise and had problems. Most of my travel has been in S.E. Asia, but I think this would apply anywhere. Please add to the list

1. Don't be too friendly to strangers. As a tourist we want to be polite and were happy because we are on holiday and this is exactly what predators are looking for. While walking down the street if someone says hi and tries to engage you in some friendly conversation, it is probably a scam that they are up to, or they are trying to get close enough to pick pocket you. Oh, this can also be done by other tourists, not just locals. Stay away from them and don't engage in conversation.

2. Watch your belongings. I was in Pattaya once in McDonalds and a young kid had his bag right by his leg. He was reading a Harry Potter book and suddenly he yelled, "where's my bag?" In a crowded place someone had managed to steal his bag that was inches from his leg and no one saw.

3. If you go drinking at night, make it close to your hotel and don't get too drunk.

4. Don't keep all your credit cards and money in the same place.

5. Spend a little extra money for a more secure hotel where there is a room safe or safe in the lobby.

6. Make a copy of your airline ticket and credit cards, or record there numbers somewhere.

7. If 2 people or more approach you and engage in conversation, they may be trying to pickpocket you.

8. If a Tuk Tuk driver or taxi want to take you somewhere that you did not request, don't go!

9. Be very careful about passport holders worn around the neck-better to put in a concealed place-I always wear cargo shorts and carry stuff in my front deep pockets.

10. At ATM's check the slot and be sure a reader wasn't inserted. Also, when you input your PIN number be sure no one is watching and cover with hand. In Thailand, there was a scam where people placed small video cameras to record ppl putting in their PINS.

11. If locals argue over money for a service or goods, don't get too emotional and know when to just give them the extra money and don't go back there.

12. Sometimes tourists will come up to you and tell you they lost all their money and passport and can you help them out. While this may be true at times, it is better to not believe it and walk away.

13. Be careful in crowds-watch your back.

14. Don't leave anything laying around; your bag, your camera etc.

15. If with a friend and your taking photos and some kind stranger comes and offers to take your photo, don't do it, they may run with your camera.

16. Beggars: once in the Philippines 2 children in dirty clothes came up to beg money and I made the mistake of giving them some change-suddenly there were about 20 people around me and I escaped into a bar.

We all like to be kind and friendly, unfortunately this is what gets tourists into a lot of trouble when traveling.

Please add to this thread any advice or experiences

[Mr. BlackCat]

When I go out in a new city I keep three seperate stocks of cash on me. First is just a few bills in my front pocket so if I am mugged or hassled I can just throw this at them and get away. Second is the money I intend to use for the day/night, which I keep in a safer spot, maybe a money belt or something. Last, I keep a small amount somewhere really, really safe (i.e. in my sock) that'll pay for a cab back to the hotel if necessary.

Along the lines of conversing with strangers, try to keep personal details to a minimum and always mention that someone is expecting you somewhere soon-ish. Even if you're alone, talk about the group of rugby players you're with. Also, exaggerating the time you've been in the country is smart.

[chapter]

Yeah I never say I just arrived in a country. i often use the line of "I'm not a tourist I live here and teach English." Works well with getting a discount at a market too.

[crazy tigger]

Don't be too paranoid though, half the experience of travelling is getting to know local people. As a girl travelling on my own I lost count of the number of kind gestures from strangers whom I often met in the street. Yes, be sensible, don't go anywhere deserted with them, give out too much information and trust your gut instinct, but don't cut yourself off from people either.

Also with beggars, keep seperate change to give to them, but they are generally not to be seen as a danger and although it is often a nuisance remember they are generally just trying to survive. No matter how much of a budget you are travelling on compared to these peole you are a millionaire. Whether you choose to give money is a personal decision with many pros and cons however don't be too paranoid.

[Faunaki]

As a woman - Don't get too drunk around American or Canadian men. They will totally take advantage of you. British men are safer to be around when drunk.

[RufusW]

Take a photocopy of everything (passport, airline tickets, visa stamps etc) one copy in your bag, one copy with the valuables you always have with you.

[Stormy]

Don't automatically trust other tourists/backpackers, I've met 2 on my travels that quite openly boasted to me (after many drinks) that they bankrolled their travels by ripping off fellow travellers. Scum.

[R-Seoul]

[Bigfeet]

[the boy next door]

Always use condoms... You too, ladies.

[shaggy]

[Faunaki]

[Lekker]

[Faunaki]

[Bryan]

I found some parts of SEA to be safer than my small city in Canada. I would leave my newly purchased goods in my motorbike basket in the middle of Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai while I used the internet cafe for a couple hours and nobody would touch a thing. I remember I accidentally handed a woman a 1000 baht note for some fruit and she ran after me trying to return it.

Crime is all about where you go. Go to the drug, gang, and prostitute infested city of Pattaya and you're bound to find more crime, just like if you headed from Irvine, California into Compton, or The Hamptons into Harlem.