Safety First: Tips for Women Traveling Solo
Dress Appropriately
Not only should you dress for the weather and for the activities you’ll be doing (leave those high heels at home!), but also you should dress for the culture if you want to blend in and avoid being hassled. Look to the locals and try to emulate how other women dress. If you don’t see any women with their shoulders, legs or cleavage showing, then it’s probably best to follow suit. It’s never a bad idea to err on the side of modesty no matter where you go.
In some countries like Egypt, many female travelers choose to cover up their hair. It’s not necessarily expected of foreigners, but hair is considered to be quite provocative in Egyptian culture and it may warrant you some uncomfortable attention and perhaps even some unwanted head stroking, especially if you’re fair-haired.
In some cultures making eye contact with a man is seen as an invitation. However staring at the ground doesn’t exactly exude the confidence that’s necessary when traveling alone. Wear dark sunglasses and you can stare back to your heart’s content.
Advertisement