ChickSpeak

Strategies for being a smart tourist are invaluable regardless of whether you’re traveling with a group, friends or solo. It’s also crucial to point out that the same tips also apply to your daily life as you travel from classes to home, work to social events, etc…

When I was an undergraduate at Towson University, I went on a road trip to New Orleans. The city appealed to me on so many levels. As an English major I had fallen in love with the rich history, cultural diversity, mystery and magic described in the work of 19^th century writers like Kate Chopin and George Washington Cable. As a young, adventurous woman, I craved the 24-hour vitality—great music, spicy food, crazy mixed drinks, and endless people watching.

When night hit, my boyfriend and I walked along the Mississippi, looking at the boats and enjoying a break from the bright lights of the French Quarter. At some point one of the locals approached us, and in a friendly voice with a twinkle in his eye said, “I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes.” “Where?” I asked. He chucked, “On your feet, by the Mississippi in New Orleans.”

Wanting to be a good sport, I forgave the got vs. have transgression and laughed. “I won the bet,” he said. “Give me $10.” “That was a good one,” I answered, still up-beat, “Good night.” At that moment, his expression changed, and he replied, “I could have put a knife to your throat and taken all your money, but I didn’t.” Too late I looked around and realized we had wandered too far. There was no one else around. We gave him the $10. We got lucky.

In retrospect, it sounds absurd. We were savvy urbanites from Baltimore, and never would have responded to this guy at home, but we wanted to be open to new experiences and the guy seemed old and harmless. Fun and adventure should be our top priorities when traveling, but we can’t forget safety. Here are a few tips:

 Before you go anywhere, do research (on-line travel guides and blogs, government travel websites, departments of tourism, friends who are well traveled).

Look for the following information:

• Local laws (you don’t want to litter and find yourself getting flogged in town square).
• Cultural differences in customs and gestures (eye contact and a firm handshake are routine in
  America but considered aggressive and disrespectful in some Asian countries).
• Safe areas for travelers (in cities internationally, one block can literally make all of the difference).
• Common tourist cons (our hotel staff knew of the notorious “shoe con” and told us of several others).

• Current political and health conditions (up-to-date international information can be found on travel.state.gov)

Once you reach your destination, don’t look like a tourist!

• Communicate confidence through body language (domestically or internationally, “good victims” are first identified through body language. Keep your eyes up, shoulders back, and stride confident, even if you don’t know where you are).
• Dress to blend in with the locals.
• Be aware of your surroundings (video cameras and cell phones can be just the distraction predators need).
• Take only what you need on any particular outing (predators will watch potential marks make purchases to see how much money they are carrying.)
• Identify the closest police station, embassy, etc., in case you need help.