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where to g, firstly to passport control
and customs, don’t stand in the first
queue that you find. Be patient when
you meet an unpleasant civil servant;
be educated and respectful since
any discussion will make you waste
time unnecessarily. Be sure to have
all your documents in order and have
them ready when they ask for them.
Avoid using the services of a luggage
carrier and keep your suitcases with
you at all times.
•
At your destination:
always have the
batteries of your cell phone charged
and with the emergency telephone
numbers recorded. Keep alert and
careful with attempts at distraction if
someone asks you how to go some-
place and they come too close to you
or if somebody gives you the shoulder
while his accomplice is at the other
side. Plan your itinerary and be sure
you know where you’re going and
walk with self-assurance since op-
portunistic delinquents select people
who seem to be lost. When on the
road, walk at the opposite direction
of traffic. If you have to take a laptop,
carry it in a discreet bag hanging from
your shoulder as far away as possible
from the road.
•
Armed robbery or aggression:
YES.-
keep calm and do what they
say. Don’t look threatening and lean
back a bit, lowering your eyes and
showing the palms of your hands.
Give them what they want. Tell them
what you are going to do before you
do it. Always keep in mind that the
other person may not be able to rea-
son.
DON’T.-
ask for mercy or try to start
a conversation. The robber wants
your money, not to have a chat with
you. Don’t try to be a hero; you can
always recover your money. Don’t put
up resistance or try to fight. Don’t
challenge the sensation that he is in
control. Don’t make any sudden mo-
vements.
•
Legal arrests:
in some countries
where salaries are low and corruption
is widespread, some government
public servants, such as the police,
could try to extort bribes and make it
difficult for you to enter until you pay
commissions or bribes for an inven-
ted reason.
You will have to consider the situa-
tion in each case depending on your
knowledge of the country before
knowing how to proceed.
If the fine is high or if the public ser-
vants go overboard and could jeopar-
dise your trip, insist on finding advise
and call the embassy or International
SOS.
.
•
Violent car robbery:
frequent in
some parts of the world. It is advisa-
ble that you don’t drive and opt for
renting a discreet car with an expe-
rienced driver. Robbers usually act at
traffic lights or street crossings where
you have to make a stop or reduce
speed. Keep a safety distance so that
you are able to manoeuvre; at office
or hotel entries; at garages and crow-
ded parking lots. One of the most
used techniques is to try to bump into
your car or to make signs to make
you believe that there is something
wrong so that you stop and open the
door. They can even make believe
g u e s t
c o l u m n