Ryvyan

Oh definitely, I wasn't trying to make it out to sound that way, sorry! It is more like we operate on a different mode of caution than men in general.

marion10

I second JJ Bittenbinder- he did a couple of shows on PBS in Chicago and I thought he was great. I am not overly fearful when I travel- I've only had one problem in a US cab- I was sharing a cab to the Minneapolis airport with a colleague and the cab driver asked a lot of questions that made me uneasy- we were supposed to get out at different terminals- but he just didn't feel right, so I got out with her. I love my i-phone because I can put in directions and track where the cab driver is going. If I have any questions about whether a particular area is safe, I ask the front desk at the hotel. Also, in cities that have it- I love the Uber app which will call a car or taxi for you. It's been very reliable. I travel all over the US for business and still go out in the evening, I just use the same precautions that I would in Chicago.

freecia

Have you seen VoxOx iphone app which allows you to send faxes via an iphone?

http://www.voxox.com/index/call/call-iphone/

flyquiet

App looks interesting. I have the phone call capabilities disabled on my phone though, since ALL voice calls are wrong numbers. I have only data and SMS. I'll have to ask The Brother, who's a cell technology person, which resource the app uses. The blurb mentions "no data" so it seems to use the voice/phone resource.
Thanks for having the eye out!

njvj

I think the comments about walking with a purpose and dressing in line with the area are the best.Also, even before I was married I wore a simple gold band when I was in "macho" cultures. It was amazing how much less attention I got wearing that ( which I suppose had it's down side but it was safer;-) )

Pup7

I don't walk around with a big foldy map either (I'm sure someone's mentioned this already) although you can get away with a street map A-Z book in some places, London being one of them. I see locals (my cousin in law, who is a solicitor there, among them) walking around with them, worn and tabbed up, because the streets are insane. Smartphones help now, but of course don't flash one if it would make you conspicuous.

And I'd stay away from white sneakers if you don't want to stand out. Something about that labels you a tourist.

I've done the ring thing too, prior to a Mr Pup7. I have a very nice diamond ring from him that I've left at home in favor of a very pretty sterling silver cheapie, or I just wear a plain band, if I'm some place where it would be out of place. In fact, most of the jewelry I take are very nice sterling fakes.

lyrastar

You know, until I read this thread I never considered that I was more cautious traveling alone because I am a woman, just more cautious because I am alone. Now I'm not sure which is true!

I am very careful about maps in particular. I learn where I need to go and either write down the directions myself in a notebook or look it up on my phone. I don't make eye contact and I definitely walk with purpose, even if it means I head the wrong direction out of the subway at first. When I traveled to Europe in a group we were advised to avoid t-shirts with English as to avoid obviously being a tourist-not sure how true that is now since that was ten years ago, but it seems like okay advice.

JenFree2013

Wow, I'm new here but I think I will learn from the responses here. I am planning to travel and kind of worry to do it alone.

Thanks for all the advices here. Now, I got tips from the expert!

PhyllisStoller

Look for women's tours that are guaranteed by an industry group, take a credit card, belong to IATAN and answer the phone with a human being.

jerseygirl

I would never travel to UAEmirates after what happened to Alicia Gallipoli, she was drugged, gang raped and then jailed for 8 months when she reported rape, she was charged with 'adultery'!!!!!

Primitive judicial and social system and as a woman will not succumb to the advertised luxury of Dubai and the UAE airline, outrageous

fleef

Yes. Regular guys usually don't approach strange women to offer unsolicited advice. They respect them and leave them alone unless specifically asked.

Advice for women: Walk briskly to/from places like you're on your way to an important appointment. I learned this trick from a nurse. She says she never gets accosted

Here's why:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/crime/201...e_victims.html

. Another "trick": make eye contact. It's assertive. To avoid eye contact is submissive and that's how women are "marked"- they appear victimize-able.

I used to wonder why every weirdo, creep, and ex-convict always chose ME out of a crowd. I read that article and said "Ooooohhhh.. THAT's why" I since changed my attitude and walk while out and it's completely changed my life.

Oh- forgot one more thing: Are you American? American women put themselves in danger because they feel it necessary to be polite. Don't do that. We think the French are "rude" because they don't smile and say hi to every stranger they meet, like we do. Many women have been victimized because they didn't leave a situation for fear of "I didn't want him to think I was racist/rude/abrupt" if in a situation where you feel "funny" leave immediately! Don't worry what some nobody thinks of you. And don't smile at strangers. In Europe, and many parts (all?) of Asia its considered a "come on".

sanclementeviajera

After all the press last year about easy it was (is) to compromise hotel room key cards, I now always throw a cheap plastic doorstop in my bag and wedge it under the hotel room door at night. Helps me sleep better.

CDTraveler

Ridiculous, just utterly and totally ridiculous. Decent human beings are capable of offering to help others without ulterior motives.

I don't get accosted, either. A brief conversation does not count as being "accosted" in my world.

You changed your life based on a blog that admits the study it discusses may well be BS?

From your link:One person's "intuitive" may be another person's rubbish.

Stereotypes? Is that the best justification you can offer for living in fear of other people?

JenFree2013

Thanks for all the tips you shared. Now I know better what to do when I travel alone. Please share more of your experiences so I can learn more.

dj506

I disagree with the whole "make eye contact" theory. It seems to me that if I make eye contact with a guy, he seems to take it as an invitation to approach. Instead of assertiveness, it seems to be taken more as a "hey, I see you and I've looked at you, come talk to me."

I prefer the walk with a purpose, notice people, but not engage with eye contact approach. If someone approaches or speaks to me, then I think eye contact is appropriate along with body language that says, "yes, how can I help you?" rather than "Hey, glad you came over."