The world is not dangerous at all, quite the contrary. There are not very pleasant places and people everywhere, even in your hometown, but there are much fewer of them than good ones. And more often than not, the percentage that you will get into trouble is much higher at home than when traveling. But we have put together a selection of tips that you should not forget about if you go on a trip.
1. Look back
Get into the habit of looking back when leaving a public place. Traveling is very distracting, and due to the large flow of information, the likelihood that you will forget a jacket or something else in a cafe is much higher, no matter how attentive a person you are.
2. Don’t keep money in one place
Most often, at home you keep all the cards in one place, right? Don’t do this when you travel. If you suddenly lose all your cards and are left without money somewhere in Timbuktu, it won’t be much fun.
3. Don’t carry your wallet in your back pocket
Carry your wallet in your front pocket, or even better, in the inside pocket of your jacket.
There are also a lot of options with belt bags if we are talking about warm countries. It is better if the pocket is waterproof.
4. Make a copy of all important documents
…and send them to your email. Previously, they always made copies and hid them in another part of the luggage, but this is already outdated. Nothing will definitely get lost from the mailbox, unlike suitcases.
5. Be careful with strangers
It’s not easy to understand at first glance who you can trust and who you can’t. But take basic precautions: you should not go to an unfamiliar area, give money in advance for services, or accept food and drinks from strangers if they do not consume it themselves.
6. Make insurance
You won’t regret it if you get sick while traveling. Hospital care will cost a fortune if you don’t have insurance.
7. Get the necessary vaccinations
Go to the doctor, find out about diseases in the country you are traveling to, and get the necessary vaccinations. Also know the precautions.
8. Don’t show off your well-being
There is an opinion that there are no poor tourists, so there is no need to wear expensive jewelry or leave an expensive camera around your neck. Do not attract attention, it may become a bait for thieves and pickpockets.
9. Some things are better done at home
This may seem like nonsense, but you shouldn’t learn, for example, to ride a bike or jet ski abroad. In Thailand, 38 people die a day in bike accidents. Some insurance companies do not cover any accidents, please check before traveling.
10. Check license and certificates
If you do take some courses, check the instructors’ certificates and read what is written in the fine print. There will always be reasons why one school is more expensive than another.
11. Don’t leave your belongings with strangers or unattended
It’s obvious, but many people do it all the time. Be especially careful in cafes, restaurants, airports and other public places.
12. Release
If you get into trouble and someone takes your phone or wallet, give it back. It is not more expensive than your life.
13. Don’t give alms to the poor
This rule may have exceptions (monks, for example),
but still don’t give money to people on the street. This is not the best way to give to charity. It’s better to take part in some volunteer project or donate money to a charity foundation.
14. Try not to use a credit card in an internet cafe
Computers in public places can remember your passwords and personal information, which can later be used by scammers. One way to cheat is to enter incorrect data several times if you still need to use the computer.
15. Do not pet stray dogs and cats
They may be sick, may have rabies, or be carriers of some other infection.
Also, you should not feed wild animals, even if you really want to.
16. Be prepared for the fact that your enemy may be your traveling companion
Sometimes fellow travelers act rashly and riskily, asking for help from those you would not turn to, aggravating the situation with arrogance, or doing something else that goes against your guidelines. Don’t put pressure on them, resolve conflicts calmly, and if that doesn’t work out, then offer to travel separately.
Translation: www.lonelyplanet.com
