Posts: 19
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2010
Reputation:
0
Are you guys worried about being targetted when you travel?
10-03-2010, 07:55 PM
My family is really hesitant about my want to travel and visit many different countries. They are worried ill be kidnapped or killed. Obviously I would do as much research as possible before i go off to some far off country and try to be prepared if anything were to happen.
To those who have prior travel experience, what measures do you take to make sure you arent killed
Posts: 5,325
Threads: 0
Joined: Aug 2009
Reputation:
144
Are you guys worried about being targetted when you travel?
10-03-2010, 08:08 PM
You should get some of those bulletproof cars and ride around in them. You should also have someone else take bites of your food before you so you know it's not poisonous.
Aloha!
Posts: 19
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2010
Reputation:
0
Are you guys worried about being targetted when you travel?
10-03-2010, 08:16 PM
So say you ask someone to take a bite of food for you and they decline, whatsa good way to get the hell out of dodge
Posts: 181
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2009
Reputation:
0
Are you guys worried about being targetted when you travel?
10-03-2010, 08:20 PM
definitile not!
if something will ever happen to any of us, it will, no point of playing dodging, meanwhile, just enjoy and shut your ears to those cautionary cries about travelling.
All right, that doesn't mean you had to travel to Bagdad and bang Hussein's daughters just before the war broke..some common sence.
Posts: 19
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2010
Reputation:
0
Are you guys worried about being targetted when you travel?
10-03-2010, 08:37 PM
haha yea my parents are hugely old fashioned, lean to the far right, and have a strong belief that every single country in teh world hates americans. I blame glenn beck
Posts: 632
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2010
Reputation:
20
Are you guys worried about being targetted when you travel?
10-03-2010, 09:56 PM
You must be American. It amazes me the amount of paranoia about traveling Americans have and the paranoia about the rest of the world. I'm in Thailand now, and even the Canadians have told me, "I was so worried at how unsafe it was going to be here." Really?!?! It's fucking Thailand!
Anyway... as someone who has lived and hung out in a bunch of so-called "dangerous" countries, and been the rich white guy all over the third world, I can tell you that if you're respectful, courteous, and ESPECIALLY if you take the time to learn a few words in the local language, 99.9999% of people treat you with respect.
So those are your precautions: be courteous, learn a little about the local culture, don't walk in back alleys at 4AM by yourself.
Honestly, I've felt less safe walking around Brooklyn and Boston than a lot of these countries.
Posts: 1,406
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2010
Reputation:
11
Are you guys worried about being targetted when you travel?
10-03-2010, 10:16 PM
Well if you are in a poor country and show your wealth, of course you are a target. Don't be flashy, look like a poor backpacker or student and you will be fine. But each city does have its higher end areas,, just stick to those areas and act shooter-like if you desire to do so. I am also hesitant to going to Brazil etc,,, but,, go with a buddy or 2 and you should be fine,, i hope!
Posts: 3,303
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2010
Reputation:
52
Are you guys worried about being targetted when you travel?
10-03-2010, 11:00 PM
You are targetted by people hocking junk jewelry. You are targetted by taxi drivers who will charge you $4 instead of $3 for a taxi ride. You are targeted by pushy club promoters or beggers.
Are you travelling to a war zone? Unless you're in Caracas or Baghdad or Kabul or something you're not going to be kidnapped or killed. You may be mugged if you walk around alone late at night.
I was in México from August-December 2009. No one I met hated me because I was American. Plenty of people thought that the U.S. government and powerful corporations in the U.S. were terrible, but no one blamed ME for any of that. One friday night I was drunk and got the bright idea to walk home alone. I was mugged. Just get a cab to your place, it won't cost more than a few dollars.
I have been in Bogotá, Colombia for about a month now, and the same thing. Lots of people have severe problems with our government, but in no way does that translate to their treatment of you. In fact Colombians are eager to show me the good side of their country and help me navigate between taxi drivers and other people who want to scam me. It's amazing how pissed someone will get that a taxista charged me an extra dollar and got away with it...
Learning the local language, even a little, is a great help. You don't want to be somewhere where you can't communicate with people. Even if you sound funny and speak improperly, it's better to be able to communicate than to be completely lost. That's probably when people get really scared...
Posts: 915
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2009
Reputation:
11
Are you guys worried about being targetted when you travel?
10-03-2010, 11:26 PM
Seek out and befriend the local mafia. If you're going to Colombia, look for FARC, as they will protect you from kidnappers and sex predators. The leaders of FARC and I are facebook friends.
Posts: 1,996
Threads: 0
Joined: Aug 2008
Reputation:
9
Are you guys worried about being targetted when you travel?
10-04-2010, 12:04 AM
Obvious troll post
Also obviously from an american woman