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Solo Traveler

Posted on January 2, 2010 - by Janice

Solo Travel Safety: safe answers to common questions.

Solo travel safety

Keep them guessing.

I was sitting in a pub a month ago and someone asked where I was staying. I told them without telling them anything specific. That was that.

Later they asked how I could feel safe traveling alone. Well, I said, “I have developed certain skills. For example, I keep important information to myself.”

They looked at me quizzically. I continued: “Earlier, you asked me where I am staying. I answered. Were you happy with the answer?”

They all responded: “yes”.

“Do you know where I’m staying?,” I asked. They were all surprised to realize that they didn’t and understood completely that I do have a few skills up my sleeve to keep me safe.

Polite yet vague answers to common questions.
Most people who ask questions of me as I travel are simply curious. Their questions are innocent. But, because in the rare case they may not be, and, my answers could be overheard by the wrong person, when I travel solo I play it safe.

Some people put up a shield when they travel solo by wearing a wedding ring or carrying a picture of a brother to substitute for a husband. But, I’m a really bad liar. So, instead, I’ve developed the ability to answer common questions with truthful, vague and safe answers. Here are a few examples…

Where are you staying?

Answer:

  • At a B&B in the ____ district.
  • You want to give an answer that doesn’t sound evasive but also doesn’t give people any specific information. You can also elaborate about how the owner has taken you under their wing.

Can I drive/walk you to your hotel?

Answer:

  • Thanks but I’ve already called a cab.
  • I always take a bathroom run and call a cab before anyone is making a move to leave. That way I can honestly express gratitude but not accept the ride. Don’t accept a ride or even share a taxi. By doing either you are putting yourself out of control and revealing where you are staying.

    Are you really traveling alone?

    Answer:

  • Yes, but I check in with home every day, sometimes more often. I have lots of support to keep me safe.
  • Give people the impression that should you go missing for a minute, people would know.

    What are you up to this evening?

  • I have plans.
  • To spend the evening without this person keep your response as vague as that. If you wouldn’t mind spending the evening with them, meet in a public place away from your hotel and return to your hotel via taxi so that they don’t feel obliged to get you home.

    How old are you? (or some more subtle variation)

    Answer:

  • Old enough not to tell you. (ha, ha, ha)
  • Very young and older travelers can be targets for con artists so try to present yourself as if you are in your 30s, 40s or 50s.

    If a simple, pleasant response to an apparently innocent query doesn’t work, if a person digs deeper for information, you really should question whether you want that person to have any information at all. Then it is time to be assertive and say that you don’t reveal that information to people you have just met.

    Travel safe everyone.


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    This entry was posted on Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 at 9:23 am and is filed under Solo travel safety. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

    3 Comments

    We'd love to hear yours!



    1. Visit My Website

      February 5, 2010

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      admin said:


      When I was younger I did let my guard down and got into a sticky situation. Fortunately it ended well. It’s nice to now have a forum where I can share a bit of what I have learned about traveling solo.

      Also, when you practice this, it doesn’t feel like living with your guard up. It just comes naturally keeping you safe but letting you have fun as well.



    2. Visit My Website

      February 5, 2010

      Permalink

      Tiffany said:


      Excellent information! All to often we let our guard down. Thank you for this great article.



    3. Visit My Website

      January 2, 2010

      Permalink

      Evelyn Hannon said:


      YES! Agree with your tips. When people start asking me too many personal questions and want to know what I do for a living, I always say, “I’m a policewoman on holiday’ or I’m a Canadian policewoman, in town for an International Conference. They back off right away. Evelyn (@journeywoman).




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