No 6 – Carry a personal alarm in an easily accessible place. Hairspray is a good ‘weapon’ to carry too, as it will sting if sprayed into an attacker’s eyes.
No 7 – Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone and let them know if it changes. Also, try to check in with friends or family on a daily basis – even if it is just a Facebook or Instagram update. These digital ‘breadcrumbs’ help to put together a picture of your whereabouts.
No 8 – Exude confidence and walk purposefully with your head held high. Look as if you know where you’re going, even if you don’t. If you need to check a map, don’t do it in a public place where you’ll look like a helpless tourist – dive into a shop if you can.
No 9 – If you feel uncomfortable around someone, don’t be concerned about overreacting, being polite or making a scene – your safety is far more important than appearances. Be loud and firm, say no and use obvious body language to get your point across.
No 10 – If you’re single, sometimes wearing a fake wedding ring is enough to deter unwanted male attention in some countries. There’s no need to tell men you’re travelling alone, so feel free to invent a fake husband (and elaborate engagement/big day story, to help bore them to death).
