Oh I need to add one. As someone in the hotel business Don’t be afraid to go into a hotel that you are not staying with and ask their concierge. You are lost and there is a hotel go in and and the front desk staff for directions. You have to use a restroom. Go into the nearest hotel. Ask the front desk staff. Where can I find the nearest public restroom. Or and this is my favorite, in Rome don’t go to the long line at the taxi stand. Go to any hotel and ask if the can call you a cab. It will be much faster. :)
Chris, There was an 11pm-7am shift I was working when I first started working in hospitality after high school. I had a lady from China come in who didn't speak any English. This was before everyone had a translator on their phone. I couldn't understand a word she was saying. She asked for paper and pen and even after making a drawing... I still didn't understand. I could sense she was lost. It being 1:00am I knew my options for help were pretty limited. So I called the local Chinese restaurant and the sweet waitress was able to translate for this young woman. I was able to call her a taxi and tell the taxi driver the exact location the lady needed to be dropped off at. I will always remember that experience... I felt the helplessness and fear this poor lady was feeling in a foreign country.
Jocelyn.... I made a beeline to this video. EXCELLENT advice for women, BY a woman. I don't mean to offend guys, but somethings...they just don't "get". I love watching travel vlogs. But a guy traveling alone and throwing a "it's super safe here" over his shoulder always raises my eyebrow. "Maybe for YOU. What do YOU know?" And yes, PAY/BUDGET EXTRA FOR SAFETY. I have rules and criteria for where I stay, how I transport from place to place (ex: do I get transportation even IF it's walkable due to lighting, terrain, questionable foot traffic), the order of my day/evening's itinerary/stops, and sometimes the hours I keep out in public. I have stayed in hotels nicer than I would normally pay for when alone, because they are right THERE within steps of where I'll be spending time. I hate wasting money...SPENDING ON TRAVEL SAFETY IS NEVER A WASTE!!
Great video, Jocelyn! Something I always train my Front Desk Clerks on is to never put a female solo traveler on the first floor of our hotel. Second floor or higher only!
@user crimes are more likely on lower floors due to ease of access. If you’re going to rob someone, you’re not going to the top floor. You smash your way into a bottom floor and quick grab your loot, or you quickly assault the occupant.
I would also often make a phone call (or pretend to be making one) while travelling solo in the back of a cab. I'd make sure the cabbie can hear me talk about where I got into the cab and when I expect to arrive. I've been known to conduct pretend conversations on the phone for the duration of the ride if the cabbie is even remotely sketchy--just so he knows not to do anything stupid (phone witnesses!).
Great advice! I would also add that especially if you're travelling alone, you should carry everything that you absolutely cannot lose - passport, money, keys - ON your person at all times. Either in a pocket inside your jacket, or in a special waist bag that you wear under your clothes.
Excellent tips! I have an anecdote that ties into a couple of them: my spouse and I went to a temple in Pushkar, India, where bags were not allowed. Our guide made a big show of telling us that we could put my bag in a locker, and I would have the key, so my bag would be safe. I had just over $50 USD in it. After we finished at the temple, our guide took us to the nearby waterfront and said that we really needed to give $50 to feed a meal to the entire village. It was a really hard sell and he didn't back down until my spouse finally yelled at him in frustration. We believe that there was a second key to the locker that an accomplice could have used to check how much cash I had. Bottom line -- I no longer keep a lot of money someplace where I can't keep it hidden on my person, and sometimes a polite refusal isn't enough.
@LaurasViolets It wasn't, actually. We figure the gimmick was in getting to the hard sell. They planned to get us to give them the cash we had. If I had $100 in my purse they probably would have asked for $100.
Wearing a wedding ring (real or fake) it's helpful to keep away some unwanted attention while you travel. Not wearing high heels it's a good idea as well!
Unless you want to meet someone on your travels. I've heard of it happening for both men and women. If a relationship does happen then the problems are always with immigration and visas for both countries.
Great tips! Be wary of anyone approaching you while traveling. I was in a crowded train station and I do not look like a local and someone asks me do I speak English. I just said no and walked away because the person was either going to ask for directions or help finding their train which as a tourist I'm not in a position to help with, or ask for money, or distract me while someone else tries to pick pocket me. It feels harsh because it's in our nature to help but as Jocelyn says don't be afraid to be rude.
@@UppityRib Yes indeed. The "be kind" movement mantra dumped onto women is to make us more like doormats, pushovers, and even PREY. Not just when travelling either.
Regarding social media posts: Instagramming, etc. while traveling also tells potential burglars back home that you may be away for a while and that your house might be empty and easily robbed. (And if you can afford to travel the way the Wolters family does, it means there's likely some nice stuff inside to steal!) I personally recommend waiting until you are back home to post your vacation photos and videos.
Number one tip for women and men alike: be observant and aware of your surroundings. Most people are so oblivious a three-headed space Alien could be right behind them and they wouldn't notice it.
I am a solo traveler & I wear a simple gold wedding band whenever I travel. Its a ring I found at a regular jewelry store from the estate section, meaning used, and cheaper than a new ring. This has allowed me to avoid all sorts of unwelcome interactions on the street, in cabs or restaurants and from fellow tour members.
Definitely agree that you should try to blend in and seem like a local. Walk like you know where you're going. I also try to plan my day at the hotel and know my basic directions for the day so that i don't have to pull out my phone for a map while I'm on the street.
On both of my trips to Great Britain, I went on my own. These are a few things I and others did to ensure my safety: -The owner of my bed & breakfast asked me and the other guests at breakfast what we were planning to do each day. -I got to know the employees at the local railway station, to the extent that the ticket agent and I waved at each other. -British police are very helpful, so don’t be afraid to ask them for help. -I frequented a grocery store near my B&B, so the staff became acquainted with me. -I did things that were interesting to me where there were several like-minded people present. On my first trip, I rode a steam-hauled chartered train, on which I became acquainted with three others sitting at my table. When that train arrived back at the originating station, one of the men kept an eye on me to make sure I boarded the train back to where I was staying. I waved at him to communicate that I was fine and to thank him for his consideration.
Great video as always!! Thank you, Jocelyn. Solo female travelers plan to arrive at your destination during daylight hours if at all possible. Or at the very least when public transportation is running. Make sure you know how you’re getting from the airport, bus or train station to wherever you’re staying. You do not want to be hanging out alone in the middle of the night in an unfamiliar area. This is asking for trouble. Have a travel eSIM loaded on your phone and ready to go so you have data from the second you arrive. WiFi in a lot of other countries is not as widely available as in the U.S. Exchange a small amount of cash for the local currency before you leave home so you have it. Make sure you have more than one credit card and that your card issuers know that you’re traveling so your cards don’t get blocked. Only use Uber, Lyft official taxis or pre booked shuttles. There are a lot of ride share scams.
Love the video! I usually dress and act like I am running late to a business meeting 😂 I also fake a call with a fake husband/friend/coworker to hint uber/taxi drivers that I have someone waiting for me at the destination. I make sure to say out loud that I am sharing my location with them too.
The hotels most definitely help you. Always go and ask them for assistance, I’ve met some of the most kind people in Europe and spoke little of their language.
Great advice! Thank you. Also be wary of unsolicited “help” from other travelers (men) even if they are from your own country( the castle Neuschwanstein attack) . Also , bring a door wedge alarm with you for your hotel room and never let anyone other than family know what room number you are in.
Excellent advice! I've been travelling for years and a few points still made me think. I would add: if you are checking your bag, assume it could go missing - pack any essentials into your personal item eg medication, chargers, electronics, all your documentation, the only sunscreen you're not allergic to etc.
Love this video thanks! As a natural blonde, I am used to stares, so it's actually a reason why I feel more comfortable traveling with someone. Plus I rarely travel alone anyway (at least when traveling long-distance). This has never happened to me, but when I was in college, one of my classmates got to travel abroad to India with other students and professors. Apparently the few blonde girls in their group got constantly flirted with the local guys to a point when all of the men there (my classmate included) had to be their bodyguards for they were never alone. Thank goodness when I went to Turkey, that never happened to me (still got the stares though). Speaking of that Turkey trip, the only time it got a bit nerve-wracking was when we arrived one area via plane, we had to be quickly escorted to our charter bus because it seems the local soccer team lost and angry fans were at the airport. We never saw that group (thank God), but it was tense and I felt safe again once we got to the bus.
As someone who has been traveling alone for years, this is a very good video. I so far, have never had any issues at all. I just keep a low profile and don't draw any attention to myself
i love your videos, jocelyn, and this one is a big one. a lot of people don't know basic travel safety and a lot of women are wary of traveling alone. this video is great for ways to put your mind at ease and keep in mind things that don't occur to you to think about. i do keep my passport on me at all times but it's kept in one of those neck pouches that i wear crossbody under my shirt. i have another regular crossbody bag that is visible to the outside world that has my phone and charger. something to think about, having someone take a pic of you with your phone. i'm not comfortable with handing over my phone. i kept my old phone that has a really good camera but isn't connected to anything. i use that to have others take pics of me for me. at night, i transfer the pics over to my regular phone so if someone steals the camera phone, it's only that day's pics. i went into nyc to take pics for tourists at a couple of popular spots during the christmas season. i was astounded to how many people just handed over their phones (sometimes with their credit cards attached to it) for me to take the pics. lol granted, i'm fat and they probably felt safe enough that they would be able to chase me down, but still! 🤣😂
I watch travel videos all the time. This was one of the best ones ever, even/especially for a gay guy like me. It could be called "what every woman/man/non-binary traveler needs to hear about their safety". Really good, and thank you!
Good talk. Here's another tip. Situational awareness is very important. I see it as a learned and a practiced skill. I learned it when I was studying tracking. I had to learn to pay attention to the smallest things in front of me (animal tracks) while at the same time listening to my environment, the sound of the forrest suddenly going quiet for example telling me a predator is nearby. I agree that it is important to learn self defense, but not always for the reasons you think. Probably the most important thing is it gives you confidence enough to be able to get out of a situation, sometimes before it fully develops. I once was shown this by a man I was speaking to about his Aikido practice. He was a very expert Aikido master that I was considering studying with at the time. He explained the importance of Aikido in this way. He said he and his wife were walking along a street in a city in the evening and he became aware that a man was starting to follow them both from behind. The man began to quickly close the distance and he sensed it would not be a good situation to be in very soon. He suddenly turned around and walked quickly toward the man and he asked him, excuse me, can you tell me what time it is? The attacker was confused as he stammered out the current time. The man thanked him and continued on his way with his wife. Because he had been paying attention to his surroundings, and because he already knew well how to defend himself and his wife if he needed to, he instead decided to deescalate the situation. None of it would have been possible of course if he had not been practicing good situational awareness. PS: Obviously this was one guy against a martial arts expert. If three guys or more are coming up behind you, use your situational awareness to 1) get the heck out of there and, 2) walk down a different street next time. Overall this is probably good advice for a woman if she tends to be really agreeable even when she really should be setting a clear boundary with a stranger. Meditating on wide angle vision or, good situational awareness means that you can be just as loving and agreeable as you have ever been, but at the same time you have to learn when to show your teeth, snap, growl, say NO firmly (go ahead and hurt their feelings) and then without apology just walk away, remembering to at least pretend kindness to show that you and the attacker are both still human beings so he will see you less as a target (like the Aikido master did by humanizing the interaction in an unexpected way). But, do it without negotiating, just leave.
Great advice that women should apply even when not travelling. I have had "incidents" in what seemed like pretty innocuous, middle classed/wealthier areas in touristy cities that I have lived in. I say don't be paranoid but always be aware of what's going on around you. I love to hike,but never go it alone. I did learn some good things from you, and will heed your suggestions. Other suggestions: keep your nose out of your phone and be aware of your surroundings carry a "dummy" wallet with a little cash and expired cards or gift cards with low limits
I know a doctor who travels the world. She always carries "mugger money" - 1 or 2 expired credit cards with a few bucks cash. If she were being mugged, that is what she would hand over.
Lots of good advice that sometimes is not thought about. I definitely think people drink in unfamiliar places, far from home. Thanks for sharing, Jocelyn 👌😊
A few months ago we were wondering around London and found ourselves in Trafalgar Square in the middle of a protest. VERY quickly walked a few blocks away
Tips every woman and MAN shoud be aware of. Great video, but there's something to consider when visiting certain countries when it comes to safety and this is maybe not going to certain countries in the first place if it'll take you a lot of precautions in order to keep people from doing you harm. But every individual is unique and it is up to each individual to weigh the pros and cons of visiting certain places. And now there's the internet and a lot of vloggers showing us many countries around the globe, it is impossible not to be aware of a thing or two about any country, so it is always good to do a research about safety in these countries one is considering traveling.
Last comment is definitely not least to not social media post from your travel location. I loved Spain this past fall and I waited to review restaurants and post photos when i was back home.
As a woman who travels alone, whatever hotel i'm staying in, i always put a "do not disturb" sign on my door unless i'm not there (to allow the cleaning staff in). And when i'm not there, i always put every valuable hidden in my suitcase and close it, and i try to remember where EVERYTHING is. Always take advice from the hotel reception, and i also try not to stay at hostels cause i'm just always scared for safety. However, if you're a young student who can't afford hotels, try to travel with exchange programs like AISEC and similar things, it's cheaper and at least, you're being looked after, and even if something happens, you always have someone to reach to!
Great advice that also could be good for men. One little things thought. Heving a weding band (no stones or flashy things) could sometimes stop you from getting unwanted attention.
Thanks for the video! I have a funny story. I was in Paris walking by Norte Dame. A random stranger came up and we started a conversation. He was very nice. At the end of the conversation, wanting “to blend in” and not use a map to look like a tourist, I asked the stranger for directions to Luxembourg Garden. His response was “don’t you have a map?” Long story short, he did give me directions and they were correct.
Great tips. Thank you! s women, we always have to be concerned about safety. The word "no" is universal and usually works. I've said, in English, "leave me alone!" and people get the hint. I own a slash-proof purse and I'm constantly on guard.
Have the number for your country’s embassy in your phone contacts. A trusted person back home needs to have your itinerary and a photocopy of your passport, just in case. If they have a copy, they can easily help replace it if you lose it. Walk like you’re at home and you know this place like the back of your hand. I have always done this, head in the air, haughty as hell, and I have never been bothered. You need to do your homework before you leave home. How are you getting from the airport to your accommodation? How long will it take? KNOW THAT. Don’t land at night. You need to land in broad daylight when going to a new place. I’d rather leave an airport in daylight hours than nightfall. Don’t stare at your phone 24/7. Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t be scared to stop walking if you feel like someone is too close behind you. Practice being loud. We are taught to be quiet and demure. Practice yelling NO in the language of where you’re going.
Hi, i and my wife met You in sears tower and I start learning English from Your films. I hope that when I learn English, I will be able to meet You again and talk with You.
All very sound advice for everyone, Jocelyn. I could add know at least two different emergency routes out if your accommodation in the event of fire or natural disaster Research the weather where you are going,e g.Hurricane/Typhoon/Cyclone season so you can see what is coming. Check your medical cover as well, particularly for the US and some places where trearmebt is not free. Always have back up travel plans in the event of a strike or other problems. Lastly be aware of local driving laws if you hire. Efxaristo poli.
The most important bit of safety advice, for both men and women, traveling or not: trust your instincts. If anything about a location or situation seems a bit off, even if you can't quite articulate what that is, stay away.
That's not the Souvenir I need lol! Friend and I were in New Orleans. There was a shady dude in front of the grocery store. We were with two bug dudes (our hubbies) so he left us alone. We went in the store and about 5 minutes later, we were all coughing and our eyes were watering...turned out...dude lunged at a solo lady and she peppered him rigjt in the front of the door and the ac of the store pulled it in and got all of us in there. We didnt know right away what happened and were were all coughing and this lady was freaking out..."you have covid!"...lol no. Fun story to tell but not to experience
The social media one is huge. I cannot tell you how many times someone will share a post or Story on Instagram with the geotag. They'll be walking the street & it'll say that they're in Rome or Miami or wherever. Granted, maybe they post that a few hours or even days ahead, but it just makes me cringe. Even if I'm at home or somewhere local, I don't put a geotag somewhere unless I've left the area a long time ago.
What a GREAT video and I;ve only watched 57 seconds! I'd love to see more videos from a lady's prespective! Thanks, Jocelyn and I hope I spelled your name right!!! I'd love to know what's appropriate to wear in Egypt or other predominanty Muslim countries?
Leave passports and other valuables in hotel safe/locker if you don't need them. If lost or feel someone is following you, cross the street and walk into any store or cafe. Never park rental cars on streets, use valet or garages even if they are expensive. Do NOT get drunk when solo, as things don't end well when you are too happy or tipsy. Keep family back home updated about your plan for the week and the names of the hotels and flight numbers. Just in case.
If I'm wearing shoes I always have emergency money inside the lining of my shoes. Enough for a cab. I lived in Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan where I learned that trick and it's saved me on several occasions. I also keep money and a card in my bra. I call it my "burse."
Traveling with others is one of the safest things from a self-defense standpoint. Even the most competent fighter is going to struggle against someone with a weapon or a group of attackers.
Pack outfits that are complementary(only a couple color schemes), do laundry in the hotel sink or the laundromat, bring a few hangers and clothes pins, bring fast drying fabrics. No high heels. @@fluttergrrl
I'd add that If you have to ask for directions, ask inside a store to a salesperson or receptionist instead of random strangers on the street.
I usually ask police officers on the street.
Oh I need to add one. As someone in the hotel business Don’t be afraid to go into a hotel that you are not staying with and ask their concierge. You are lost and there is a hotel go in and and the front desk staff for directions. You have to use a restroom. Go into the nearest hotel. Ask the front desk staff. Where can I find the nearest public restroom. Or and this is my favorite, in Rome don’t go to the long line at the taxi stand. Go to any hotel and ask if the can call you a cab. It will be much faster. :)
Chris, There was an 11pm-7am shift I was working when I first started working in hospitality after high school. I had a lady from China come in who didn't speak any English. This was before everyone had a translator on their phone. I couldn't understand a word she was saying. She asked for paper and pen and even after making a drawing... I still didn't understand. I could sense she was lost. It being 1:00am I knew my options for help were pretty limited. So I called the local Chinese restaurant and the sweet waitress was able to translate for this young woman. I was able to call her a taxi and tell the taxi driver the exact location the lady needed to be dropped off at. I will always remember that experience... I felt the helplessness and fear this poor lady was feeling in a foreign country.
You were so kind to find a way to help the woman. 😊
Smart advice.
Oh I’ve done this. In my own country. The concierge at the Randolph Hotel Oxford was most kind.
Yes, I do this often
Jocelyn.... I made a beeline to this video. EXCELLENT advice for women, BY a woman. I don't mean to offend guys, but somethings...they just don't "get". I love watching travel vlogs. But a guy traveling alone and throwing a "it's super safe here" over his shoulder always raises my eyebrow. "Maybe for YOU. What do YOU know?"
And yes, PAY/BUDGET EXTRA FOR SAFETY. I have rules and criteria for where I stay, how I transport from place to place (ex: do I get transportation even IF it's walkable due to lighting, terrain, questionable foot traffic), the order of my day/evening's itinerary/stops, and sometimes the hours I keep out in public. I have stayed in hotels nicer than I would normally pay for when alone, because they are right THERE within steps of where I'll be spending time. I hate wasting money...SPENDING ON TRAVEL SAFETY IS NEVER A WASTE!!
The only men who would be offended by this advice are not worth your’s or Jocelyn’s time anyway.
@@ElatenlFeel free to make a SAFETY TIPS FOR MEN BEING DRAFTED video. It will be very much appreciated.
EXACTLY, I notice the same things too, when men talk about a 'safe' place or how 'friendly' people are.
Great video, Jocelyn! Something I always train my Front Desk Clerks on is to never put a female solo traveler on the first floor of our hotel. Second floor or higher only!
I love that. Safety first
Why is that?
@@user-rp9rb5bl8jthere has been reports of people breaking in thru first floor rooms. It hasn't happened at any of our hotels, but many cases.
@user crimes are more likely on lower floors due to ease of access. If you’re going to rob someone, you’re not going to the top floor. You smash your way into a bottom floor and quick grab your loot, or you quickly assault the occupant.
Totally the blending in! But using a local bag is a major pro tip. I'm absolutely using that next time. This was a great list!
Yes. I am a believer I walking with a purpose. Not gawking. Just walk like the locals
And never share that you're a solo traveler....I always tell the taxi driver I'm meeting my husband or that my family is waiting for me.
I would also often make a phone call (or pretend to be making one) while travelling solo in the back of a cab. I'd make sure the cabbie can hear me talk about where I got into the cab and when I expect to arrive. I've been known to conduct pretend conversations on the phone for the duration of the ride if the cabbie is even remotely sketchy--just so he knows not to do anything stupid (phone witnesses!).
Be careful. If you make a point of it they know it’s fake. Just say “we”.
Great advice! I would also add that especially if you're travelling alone, you should carry everything that you absolutely cannot lose - passport, money, keys - ON your person at all times. Either in a pocket inside your jacket, or in a special waist bag that you wear under your clothes.
Excellent tips! I have an anecdote that ties into a couple of them: my spouse and I went to a temple in Pushkar, India, where bags were not allowed. Our guide made a big show of telling us that we could put my bag in a locker, and I would have the key, so my bag would be safe. I had just over $50 USD in it. After we finished at the temple, our guide took us to the nearby waterfront and said that we really needed to give $50 to feed a meal to the entire village. It was a really hard sell and he didn't back down until my spouse finally yelled at him in frustration. We believe that there was a second key to the locker that an accomplice could have used to check how much cash I had. Bottom line -- I no longer keep a lot of money someplace where I can't keep it hidden on my person, and sometimes a polite refusal isn't enough.
@LaurasViolets It wasn't, actually. We figure the gimmick was in getting to the hard sell. They planned to get us to give them the cash we had. If I had $100 in my purse they probably would have asked for $100.
Wearing a wedding ring (real or fake) it's helpful to keep away some unwanted attention while you travel. Not wearing high heels it's a good idea as well!
Unless you want to meet someone on your travels. I've heard of it happening for both men and women. If a relationship does happen then the problems are always with immigration and visas for both countries.
Thank you, Jocelyn.
Wise words from a very experienced traveller, appreciate your good advice.
I could not have said this better!
Great tips! Be wary of anyone approaching you while traveling. I was in a crowded train station and I do not look like a local and someone asks me do I speak English. I just said no and walked away because the person was either going to ask for directions or help finding their train which as a tourist I'm not in a position to help with, or ask for money, or distract me while someone else tries to pick pocket me. It feels harsh because it's in our nature to help but as Jocelyn says don't be afraid to be rude.
Totally agree with this tip. We women need to get over our fear of being "rude" if we want to travel.
@@UppityRib Yes indeed. The "be kind" movement mantra dumped onto women is to make us more like doormats, pushovers, and even PREY. Not just when travelling either.
Regarding social media posts: Instagramming, etc. while traveling also tells potential burglars back home that you may be away for a while and that your house might be empty and easily robbed. (And if you can afford to travel the way the Wolters family does, it means there's likely some nice stuff inside to steal!) I personally recommend waiting until you are back home to post your vacation photos and videos.
Number one tip for women and men alike: be observant and aware of your surroundings. Most people are so oblivious a three-headed space Alien could be right behind them and they wouldn't notice it.
I am a solo traveler & I wear a simple gold wedding band whenever I travel. Its a ring I found at a regular jewelry store from the estate section, meaning used, and cheaper than a new ring. This has allowed me to avoid all sorts of unwelcome interactions on the street, in cabs or restaurants and from fellow tour members.
Definitely agree that you should try to blend in and seem like a local. Walk like you know where you're going. I also try to plan my day at the hotel and know my basic directions for the day so that i don't have to pull out my phone for a map while I'm on the street.
On both of my trips to Great Britain, I went on my own. These are a few things I and others did to ensure my safety:
-The owner of my bed & breakfast asked me and the other guests at breakfast what we were planning to do each day.
-I got to know the employees at the local railway station, to the extent that the ticket agent and I waved at each other.
-British police are very helpful, so don’t be afraid to ask them for help.
-I frequented a grocery store near my B&B, so the staff became acquainted with me.
-I did things that were interesting to me where there were several like-minded people present. On my first trip, I rode a steam-hauled chartered train, on which I became acquainted with three others sitting at my table. When that train arrived back at the originating station, one of the men kept an eye on me to make sure I boarded the train back to where I was staying. I waved at him to communicate that I was fine and to thank him for his consideration.
Great video as always!! Thank you, Jocelyn. Solo female travelers plan to arrive at your destination during daylight hours if at all possible. Or at the very least when public transportation is running. Make sure you know how you’re getting from the airport, bus or train station to wherever you’re staying. You do not want to be hanging out alone in the middle of the night in an unfamiliar area. This is asking for trouble. Have a travel eSIM loaded on your phone and ready to go so you have data from the second you arrive. WiFi in a lot of other countries is not as widely available as in the U.S. Exchange a small amount of cash for the local currency before you leave home so you have it. Make sure you have more than one credit card and that your card issuers know that you’re traveling so your cards don’t get blocked. Only use Uber, Lyft official taxis or pre booked shuttles. There are a lot of ride share scams.
thank you Sarah
Love the video! I usually dress and act like I am running late to a business meeting 😂 I also fake a call with a fake husband/friend/coworker to hint uber/taxi drivers that I have someone waiting for me at the destination. I make sure to say out loud that I am sharing my location with them too.
The hotels most definitely help you. Always go and ask them for assistance, I’ve met some of the most kind people in Europe and spoke little of their language.
Great advice! Thank you. Also be wary of unsolicited “help” from other travelers (men) even if they are from your own country( the castle Neuschwanstein attack) .
Also , bring a door wedge alarm with you for your hotel room and never let anyone other than family know what room number you are in.
Excellent advice! I've been travelling for years and a few points still made me think. I would add: if you are checking your bag, assume it could go missing - pack any essentials into your personal item eg medication, chargers, electronics, all your documentation, the only sunscreen you're not allergic to etc.
Love this video thanks! As a natural blonde, I am used to stares, so it's actually a reason why I feel more comfortable traveling with someone. Plus I rarely travel alone anyway (at least when traveling long-distance). This has never happened to me, but when I was in college, one of my classmates got to travel abroad to India with other students and professors. Apparently the few blonde girls in their group got constantly flirted with the local guys to a point when all of the men there (my classmate included) had to be their bodyguards for they were never alone. Thank goodness when I went to Turkey, that never happened to me (still got the stares though). Speaking of that Turkey trip, the only time it got a bit nerve-wracking was when we arrived one area via plane, we had to be quickly escorted to our charter bus because it seems the local soccer team lost and angry fans were at the airport. We never saw that group (thank God), but it was tense and I felt safe again once we got to the bus.
I received stares when travelling i Germany/Austria as a darker skinned brunette. It truly depends on where you travel.
I love your guy’s life. Amazing inspiration
As someone who has been traveling alone for years, this is a very good video. I so far, have never had any issues at all. I just keep a low profile and don't draw any attention to myself
i love your videos, jocelyn, and this one is a big one. a lot of people don't know basic travel safety and a lot of women are wary of traveling alone. this video is great for ways to put your mind at ease and keep in mind things that don't occur to you to think about. i do keep my passport on me at all times but it's kept in one of those neck pouches that i wear crossbody under my shirt. i have another regular crossbody bag that is visible to the outside world that has my phone and charger. something to think about, having someone take a pic of you with your phone. i'm not comfortable with handing over my phone. i kept my old phone that has a really good camera but isn't connected to anything. i use that to have others take pics of me for me. at night, i transfer the pics over to my regular phone so if someone steals the camera phone, it's only that day's pics. i went into nyc to take pics for tourists at a couple of popular spots during the christmas season. i was astounded to how many people just handed over their phones (sometimes with their credit cards attached to it) for me to take the pics. lol granted, i'm fat and they probably felt safe enough that they would be able to chase me down, but still! 🤣😂
I watch travel videos all the time. This was one of the best ones ever, even/especially for a gay guy like me. It could be called "what every woman/man/non-binary traveler needs to hear about their safety". Really good, and thank you!
Fantastic tips. These are also good for men!
Tell that to the men in the comments who are throwing temper tantrums because they think advice for women couldn’t possibly apply to them.
Good talk. Here's another tip. Situational awareness is very important. I see it as a learned and a practiced skill. I learned it when I was studying tracking. I had to learn to pay attention to the smallest things in front of me (animal tracks) while at the same time listening to my environment, the sound of the forrest suddenly going quiet for example telling me a predator is nearby. I agree that it is important to learn self defense, but not always for the reasons you think. Probably the most important thing is it gives you confidence enough to be able to get out of a situation, sometimes before it fully develops. I once was shown this by a man I was speaking to about his Aikido practice. He was a very expert Aikido master that I was considering studying with at the time. He explained the importance of Aikido in this way. He said he and his wife were walking along a street in a city in the evening and he became aware that a man was starting to follow them both from behind. The man began to quickly close the distance and he sensed it would not be a good situation to be in very soon. He suddenly turned around and walked quickly toward the man and he asked him, excuse me, can you tell me what time it is? The attacker was confused as he stammered out the current time. The man thanked him and continued on his way with his wife. Because he had been paying attention to his surroundings, and because he already knew well how to defend himself and his wife if he needed to, he instead decided to deescalate the situation. None of it would have been possible of course if he had not been practicing good situational awareness. PS: Obviously this was one guy against a martial arts expert. If three guys or more are coming up behind you, use your situational awareness to 1) get the heck out of there and, 2) walk down a different street next time. Overall this is probably good advice for a woman if she tends to be really agreeable even when she really should be setting a clear boundary with a stranger. Meditating on wide angle vision or, good situational awareness means that you can be just as loving and agreeable as you have ever been, but at the same time you have to learn when to show your teeth, snap, growl, say NO firmly (go ahead and hurt their feelings) and then without apology just walk away, remembering to at least pretend kindness to show that you and the attacker are both still human beings so he will see you less as a target (like the Aikido master did by humanizing the interaction in an unexpected way). But, do it without negotiating, just leave.
Great advice that women should apply even when not travelling. I have had "incidents" in what seemed like pretty innocuous, middle classed/wealthier areas in touristy cities that I have lived in. I say don't be paranoid but always be aware of what's going on around you. I love to hike,but never go it alone. I did learn some good things from you, and will heed your suggestions.
Other suggestions:
keep your nose out of your phone and be aware of your surroundings
carry a "dummy" wallet with a little cash and expired cards or gift cards with low limits
The nose in the phone is a great one!
I know a doctor who travels the world. She always carries "mugger money" - 1 or 2 expired credit cards with a few bucks cash. If she were being mugged, that is what she would hand over.
That's absolutely brilliant. Your very wise
Lots of good advice that sometimes is not thought about. I definitely think people drink in unfamiliar places, far from home. Thanks for sharing, Jocelyn 👌😊
Thanks for making this one Jocelyn! I’m starting long-term solo travel starting in May. This is helpful!
A few months ago we were wondering around London and found ourselves in Trafalgar Square in the middle of a protest. VERY quickly walked a few blocks away
Thanks Jocelyn. This is THE BEST video that Wolters World has put out.
Wonderful tips, Jocelyn. Thank you so much for providing these for us all!
Thanks for the reminder.
Tips every woman and MAN shoud be aware of. Great video, but there's something to consider when visiting certain countries when it comes to safety and this is maybe not going to certain countries in the first place if it'll take you a lot of precautions in order to keep people from doing you harm. But every individual is unique and it is up to each individual to weigh the pros and cons of visiting certain places. And now there's the internet and a lot of vloggers showing us many countries around the globe, it is impossible not to be aware of a thing or two about any country, so it is always good to do a research about safety in these countries one is considering traveling.
Last comment is definitely not least to not social media post from your travel location. I loved Spain this past fall and I waited to review restaurants and post photos when i was back home.
Great advice, thank you. Would love a video from you on picking clothes for travel 😊
Great advice from Jocelyn, most if not all of this advice however should be followed by men as well.
Just common sense but I love that one !
Thank you !
Excellent video! Could you do a list of the most and least friendly places for women to travel?
Thanks Jocelyn. These are great tips as I am a single female traveler. 😊
As a woman who travels alone, whatever hotel i'm staying in, i always put a "do not disturb" sign on my door unless i'm not there (to allow the cleaning staff in). And when i'm not there, i always put every valuable hidden in my suitcase and close it, and i try to remember where EVERYTHING is.
Always take advice from the hotel reception, and i also try not to stay at hostels cause i'm just always scared for safety. However, if you're a young student who can't afford hotels, try to travel with exchange programs like AISEC and similar things, it's cheaper and at least, you're being looked after, and even if something happens, you always have someone to reach to!
Great advice that also could be good for men. One little things thought. Heving a weding band (no stones or flashy things) could sometimes stop you from getting unwanted attention.
Thanks for the video!
I have a funny story. I was in Paris walking by Norte Dame. A random stranger came up and we started a conversation. He was very nice. At the end of the conversation, wanting “to blend in” and not use a map to look like a tourist, I asked the stranger for directions to Luxembourg Garden. His response was “don’t you have a map?” Long story short, he did give me directions and they were correct.
Great tips. Thank you! s women, we always have to be concerned about safety. The word "no" is universal and usually works. I've said, in English, "leave me alone!" and people get the hint. I own a slash-proof purse and I'm constantly on guard.
So many great tips, thanks Jocelyn! And love your ring! 😊
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you.
As a solo female traveller I love this! Please do more 🙏
Have the number for your country’s embassy in your phone contacts.
A trusted person back home needs to have your itinerary and a photocopy of your passport, just in case. If they have a copy, they can easily help replace it if you lose it.
Walk like you’re at home and you know this place like the back of your hand. I have always done this, head in the air, haughty as hell, and I have never been bothered.
You need to do your homework before you leave home. How are you getting from the airport to your accommodation? How long will it take? KNOW THAT.
Don’t land at night. You need to land in broad daylight when going to a new place. I’d rather leave an airport in daylight hours than nightfall.
Don’t stare at your phone 24/7. Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t be scared to stop walking if you feel like someone is too close behind you.
Practice being loud. We are taught to be quiet and demure. Practice yelling NO in the language of where you’re going.
Hi, i and my wife met You in sears tower and I start learning English from Your films. I hope that when I learn English, I will be able to meet You again and talk with You.
All very sound advice for everyone, Jocelyn.
I could add know at least two different emergency routes out if your accommodation in the event of fire or natural disaster
Research the weather where you are going,e g.Hurricane/Typhoon/Cyclone season so you can see what is coming.
Check your medical cover as well, particularly for the US and some places where trearmebt is not free.
Always have back up travel plans in the event of a strike or other problems.
Lastly be aware of local driving laws if you hire.
Efxaristo poli.
Glad you put this out now. My wife is thinking about taking a trip alone.
Fantastic video! Very thorough, including the final point on social media posts. I’m always shocked at friends who post too many details!
Wonderful video! Thank you!
Thank you Jocelyn for your perspective on this. Lots of great tips!
This is a great video. I really enjoyed hearing all of your tips and your forthright delivery. Learned a few things! Thank you.
Jocelyn, thank you! And can you share more details about your ring? I love that idea!
Great advice! I didn’t even think about knowing the emergency numbers.
Appreciate the tips! Thank you!
Outstanding tips, thanks a bunch Jocelyn!! Sharing with my daughter 🙌
My hotel in New Orleans (Hyatt) had 24-hour desk service BEFORE getting on the elevators. Nice.
The most important bit of safety advice, for both men and women, traveling or not: trust your instincts. If anything about a location or situation seems a bit off, even if you can't quite articulate what that is, stay away.
Good stuff!
I could listen to you all day. ❤
Thank you Jocelyn!!!! ☺️☺️☺️
Brilliant advice Jocelyn.
Great advice! Sending this to my daughter.
Thanks Jocelyn!
That's not the Souvenir I need lol!
Friend and I were in New Orleans. There was a shady dude in front of the grocery store. We were with two bug dudes (our hubbies) so he left us alone. We went in the store and about 5 minutes later, we were all coughing and our eyes were watering...turned out...dude lunged at a solo lady and she peppered him rigjt in the front of the door and the ac of the store pulled it in and got all of us in there. We didnt know right away what happened and were were all coughing and this lady was freaking out..."you have covid!"...lol no. Fun story to tell but not to experience
Thanks for the advice hoping to go to south Africa this year.
❤ great information for everyone
Great tips!!! Loved the video
In Germany where I'm from you should always be careful, especially if it's dark outside...
Great Tips as always. Hope you are doing well Jocelyn 😍 Harriet, Jim and Yuki
I knocked on the top of my own hand and that did hurt.
Yeah I was going to try it when she said it really hurt I had decided against it hahaha😂
Great video, a lot of useful information
I am a man and I did not feel safe in Paris!
The social media one is huge. I cannot tell you how many times someone will share a post or Story on Instagram with the geotag. They'll be walking the street & it'll say that they're in Rome or Miami or wherever. Granted, maybe they post that a few hours or even days ahead, but it just makes me cringe.
Even if I'm at home or somewhere local, I don't put a geotag somewhere unless I've left the area a long time ago.
Important and useful video.
What a GREAT video and I;ve only watched 57 seconds! I'd love to see more videos from a lady's prespective! Thanks, Jocelyn and I hope I spelled your name right!!!
I'd love to know what's appropriate to wear in Egypt or other predominanty Muslim countries?
Leave passports and other valuables in hotel safe/locker if you don't need them.
If lost or feel someone is following you, cross the street and walk into any store or cafe.
Never park rental cars on streets, use valet or garages even if they are expensive.
Do NOT get drunk when solo, as things don't end well when you are too happy or tipsy.
Keep family back home updated about your plan for the week and the names of the hotels and flight numbers. Just in case.
Great tips
Lots of good points. I don't like the way you were carrying your purse so loosely in Rome. I keep my purse under my arm and keep it secure
If I'm wearing shoes I always have emergency money inside the lining of my shoes. Enough for a cab. I lived in Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan where I learned that trick and it's saved me on several occasions. I also keep money and a card in my bra. I call it my "burse."
❤❤❤❤
Traveling with others is one of the safest things from a self-defense standpoint. Even the most competent fighter is going to struggle against someone with a weapon or a group of attackers.
Hello, where did you get the brown backpack I see popping up in this video? Thank you ❤
Do you have a link for your backpack in the video? Thank you!😊
I need to know where you got the lovely sleeveless olive-green dress!
She will have to answer that one
@@woltersworld Yes! It looks like a nice merino wool!
Pet the kitty in the background, dammit! I can hear him miaowing ❤
Silicone rings are what we wear when we travel. No reason for anyone to suspect we have something valuable.
I tend to over pack. Do you think its realistic to spend 10 days in Europe with only a carry on?
Jocelyn does it for 2 months in 1 carry on.
That's top level planning & packing! @@woltersworld
Pack outfits that are complementary(only a couple color schemes), do laundry in the hotel sink or the laundromat, bring a few hangers and clothes pins, bring fast drying fabrics. No high heels. @@fluttergrrl
I flagged your scammer...
I posted George Carlin's Religion is BS routine in his comments, now I'll flag him.
While obviously this is much more important for women, much if this is also useful for all other genders.
I dress like a bum. Works every time to be under the radar. Lol
In some dangerous places, dressing and acting like an expat= sitting duck
Cheers
#truth
Step 1; don't go to India.
Or you could carry a .357 in your purse like my grandma did lol
Most of the world isn't as gun happy as the US.
@@timmmahhhh Oh they're all just as gun happy, just only the governments and criminals get them.
@@timmmahhhh Oh they're all just as as gun happy, it's just that the governments and criminals are the only ones who can have them.
Sadly we can‘t do that in most countries