It will happen to you eventually, but getting robbed of your possessions when you’re travelling can be a complete pain in the ass. If you have reasonable travel insurance, at least getting reimbursed is less of a drama (usually just requires a police report which can be easier said than done). But what will strike you after having been robbed, is exactly how you got into that position to begin with. One of these things probably happened.
Bling – If you were wearing a Rolex while chatting on your iPhone with your Armani wallet hanging out of your back pocket, well… you were really asking for it. Travel security is not about not being a target, it’s about being less of a target than the next guy. If you need to carry a load of expensive gear with you, then at least be discreet and know that even discretion won’t save you some times.
Shiny Backpack – This kind of goes along with the bling, but nothing says naive and easily robbable young foreigner like a backpack that looks like a fruit salad. Again, try to be a little discreet and not draw so much attention to yourself and read our guide on choosing a backpack.
Self Awareness – You were too busy with your head buried in your Lonely Planet to notice that the pack you had put down behind you was going walk-about. When you part with an item (which usually happens to be a pack), remember where it is and keep an eye on it. I usually stand with my foot through the strap. Remember that travel insurance companies won’t pay out if you weren’t keeping a good eye on your pack when it got stolen.
You Trusted Your Fellow Travellers – Sure, that guy you met in the hostel bar was a fantastic bloke last night, but now you just woke up in the dorm and your iPod is gone and so is he. Happens a lot. Put your valuables in a safe when you are staying in shared accommodation. Most places have one.
You Got Drunk – When you’re drunk, you make poor decisions. When you’re drunk, bad guys know that you will make poor decisions. We’re not saying don’t get drunk, but you do need to be prepared when you get drunk overseas.
You Fell for a Scam – There are hundreds of scams in every country. From the gems scam in Thailand to the carpet scams in Morocco and about a million others. The way to avoid these ones is to do a little research before you go to a country. Simply typing in the country name + scam into Google will throw up a heap of information that you would be best advised to read before heading overseas.
Bad Luck – Sometimes, you’re just in the wrong place at the wrong time. You can do everything, but it does happen to the best travellers. Being prepared hopefully means it won’t happen that often to you though.
The best way to avoid getting robbed is simply be prepared and be careful of your habits. Don’t be ostentatious in how you dress or what you carry. Leave your accommodation at different times each day and avoid having a predictable routine. Carry a false wallet full of worthless currency and keep your real one hidden. Just taking a little time to think about things can save you a lot of heartache.
Similar Posts:
- The 7 Immutable Laws of Getting Drunk Overseas
- What to Do When You Get Robbed while Traveling
- 5 Travel Scams That Will Probably Happen to You
- How to Choose a Backpack
- 7 Unconventional Pieces of Gear for the Photographic Nomad
I dont think that guy got robbed, I think he got murdered!
lol – yeah, I reckon it left a mark.
I wrote a post a few days ago detailing how I got mugged in Belgium. It’s worth a look: http://www.driftingfocus.com/blogs/?p=6185
That’s a good post Kelsey – thanks for sharing. i left a comment.