30 Street Smarts Every Traveler Should Know

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30 Street Smarts Every Traveler Should Know

Advice to help you stay safe in new places.

Published 4 years ago in Wow

Big as it may seem, the world grows smaller with each passing day. With the advent of modern air travel, you can pretty much be anywhere on the planet you really want to be in a matter of hours. This has allowed many a traveler to broaden their horizons with wonderful new experiences.

Experiences like being mugged in a dimly lit street in a city where you don't speak the language in a neighborhood you had no idea was a thriving criminal paradise. Or learning what the transition from paved city streets to hidden-away dirt roads sounds like from the trunk of a taxi cab.

To help keep your horizons broadened in the direction you want them to go, here are some tips you should keep in your back pocket (instead of your wallet!) whenever you travel someplace new.

1
When it comes to knife fights: The loser dies in the street; the winner dies in the hospital.

2
you might be "correct" when you have the right of way, but you're still the one that's going to be dead when you get whacked by the car if you're walking or on your bike.

3
Wear shoes you can run the f**k away in.

4
Street smarts to give your kids: if you get lost, find the the closest adult with kids. I saw this in action once at Disneyland when a 4 year old kid approached me and my kiddos while we were eating. She joined us very calmly, introduced herself, and said her parents gave her the above advice. I heard her parents shouting her name not long after, and the relief on their faces was a sight.

5
adults DO NOT ask children for help.

6
If it sounds too good to be true it is

7
If you're walking and someone approaches, don't break stride. You can carry on a conversation while walking, but people who are looking to proselytize, sell you something, or mug you will want you to slow or stop to address them. If they want to chat, make them keep up with you. You can even tell them that you're in a rush but would love to talk and walk. They'll likely find someone more stationary, because if you can make a person slow, you can make them stop. If you can make them stop, you've already adjusted their priorities and placed yourself at the top. It's a subtle power game. Keep going where you're going, and you retain your power. Stop and cat, and you've given it up and opened yourself to possible problems.

8
Do not trust taxi drivers if you are a tourist

9
You won’t get mugged if you look like you’re going to mug someone.

10
Before using any ATM, tug hard on the plastic card reader. Scammers often put a fake one on top that steals your info.

11
If the situation doesn't feel right, it's not right. Trust your spidey sense.

12
If I'm in an unfamiliar city, I'll explore freely every neighbourhood as long as there are women and kids around. Most mums don't hang outside with their kids if the street/area is unsafe. This worked very well for most throughout Latin America, Europe and Asia.

13
If a group of people suddenly get down, so do you.

14
Never flash your whole wad of cash in a public place while paying for something. Keep a few bucks loose in one pocket for spending. Keep the majority of your cash in a separate pocket. Don’t open a wallet full of all your money where other people can see you.

15
Walk fast and look pissed off.

16
Don’t ever tell the cab driver you don’t know where you’re going.

17
Having good manners, and speaking with respect, will keep you from getting in trouble you didn't know was there.

18
Lock your doors as soon as you’re in your car

19
If you’re going to be away on holiday or somewhere you’re unfamiliar with for any length of time, it’s a good idea to try to always make sure that someone knows roughly where you’re going to be and what you’re going to be doing on a given day. Even if you’re like me and you don’t like to plan out a full itinerary, a rough indication of what your plans might be can help work out your movements if ever there is an issue.

20
Be aware of surroundings, look like you belong either through body language, attire, or occupation (without being oblivious to things around you). The moment you look lost, out of place, or unsure is the moment you can look like a good target. If someone is looking at you with an expression questioning why you are there, be prepared to answer it with confidence and give an answer they would accept, or be prepared to leave before they can ask.

21
Always ask for only one scoop of ice cream first because they make single scoops bigger, then act like you changed your mind and ask for a second scoop. They will be pressured to match the size of the first scoop, providing you with a massive amount of ice cream.

22
You should always be afraid of secondary locations

23
Always know where the exits are in any place that you enter so that you don’t get lost in an emergency. Also, never place yourself in a “hole” in public where there is only one entrance and exit and no other people around. These are often crime hotspots

24
If you are in any sort of confrontation and someone balls their fist and looks away for a second, or even just looks away for a second, you should be prepared for the possibility of a sucker punch.

25
If somebody asks you your name, have a fake generic name and use it all the time. Mike, Dave, and John will do.

26
Eye contact. A lone assailant will often use the element of surprise to their advantage. If you’re walking alone and someone is following you, make eye contact to let them know that you are aware of them. This will often dissuade them from attacking. This tactic has worked for me in the past.

27
Look up and notice if street lights have been shot out or smashed. If so, avoid those areas at night - there's a reason they've been disabled . . .

28
Carry an extra wallet with $50 in it and throw it if someone tries to rob you. STREET SMARTS!

29
Here are a few of street smarts that makes it harder for pickpockets to steal your stuff: Do not keep your wallet in the backpocket of your jeans. This is a super easy place for pickpocket to take it from. When in crowed touristy areas it sometimes is better to wear your backpacks or purses to the front of your body. If you sit down in a restaurant, keep your backpack in front of your feet. Be especially aware of your belongings when there is a bit of pushing, like when entering a subway or metro wagon. Be alert in situations where a potential group of thieves try to distract you for example by asking you for directions on a map. While you are distracted by showing the person the directions another thief will open your bags and take your stuff without noticing. Edit: Another thing to lookout are people in European cities asking for cash donations for the blind, deaf or handicapped. The huge majority of them are not for real charities but just to A) get some money from me and B) more importantly for an accomplice to see where you store your wallet.