OTCers who travel a lot:

  • Thread starter Thread starter 84superchamp
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84superchamp

84superchamp

Well-known member
Not just business but also tourism and checking out areas for the first time....how do you determine the area is safe, low chance of crime, etc?
I'm amazed how quickly you can go from a safe, enjoyable ride to getting lost and ending up in ghetto-like conditions.
Using online apps? Talking to area residents? What's your method?
 
84superchamp said:
Not just business but also tourism and checking out areas for the first time....how do you determine the area is safe, low chance of crime, etc?
I'm amazed how quickly you can go from a safe, enjoyable ride to getting lost and ending up in ghetto-like conditions.
Using online apps? Talking to area residents? What's your method?
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I am consistently in a condition yellowish orange regardless of where I am. A decade in N. STL did that for me. And in my brain, just under the surface I am always considering the ooda loop.

No place is safe brother.
 
Floyd Eye said:
I am consistently in a condition yellowish orange regardless of where I am. A decade in N. STL did that for me. And in my brain, just under the surface I am always considering the ooda loop.

No place is safe brother.
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That seems to be the case, your last sentence. Even tourist-heavy areas have predators who have adapted. No way would i go into wilderness areas w/o a firearm...lots of cities don't give you that choice.
 
84superchamp said:
What's your method?
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I use observation and my gut. I kind of have that terrorist-criminal look so I can usually blend in. :LOL: Know the area you are going, and where the crap sides of town are. A lot of it will just be a factor of whether you actually belong there or not. There are areas that you will be accosted just driving through on the neighborhood streets if you don't look like you belong there....

No place is 100 percent safe. My ma got robbed at gunpoint by a carload of dudes in a driveway of a ritzy area of town. If there hadn't have been a really good witness they would've gotten away.
 
Are you going somewhere in particular?

We've been to Aruba, Mexico, other places in the Caribbean (Jamaica, Nassau, for example) and some pretty big cities in Europe including Barcelona and Athens. And then, well ...Canada. Not trying to show off or pretend I'm a big travel expert.

But generally, like Floyd is saying, it doesn't really matter. You always want to be on your toes. I usually take the mentality that I'm going to get robbed.

That said, it kind of depends. For example we went to Aruba and felt completely safe, but we didn't go 'downtown'. Ditto for Jamaica. Nassau Bahamas is getting notorious for crime just stepping 1 block off the pier area. In Mexico we stay on the resorts. But generally I like to keep my back against a wall in crowded places. I keep a small slingpack that is across my chest. I don't take more cash than I actually need. I usually do not take my passport or DL (depends). I try not to dress like a tourist - but the thieves know better. Always no your escape routes. Don't get cornered. Don't make lots of eye contact. Don't get sucked into a conversation or a pity story. Don't be afraid to raise your voice. Only take approved taxi's, especially in Europe. Good way to get your shit fucked up otherwise.

Also, for our European cruise last Fall my wife use ChatGPT a lot to figure out the best/safest places to visit.

One of the places I expected the least amount of problems but the guide kept insisting to watch out for purse snatchers and pick pocketers was The Coliseum. You've probably also heard the stories about how innocent looking thugs in France will work in teams and try to distract you or not show their true intent.

Sorry - that got kind of long....
 
84superchamp said:
Not just business but also tourism and checking out areas for the first time....how do you determine the area is safe, low chance of crime, etc?
I'm amazed how quickly you can go from a safe, enjoyable ride to getting lost and ending up in ghetto-like conditions.
Using online apps? Talking to area residents? What's your method?
Click to expand...
Wow, Americans really are scared little bitches. Like a quivering bunny rabbit, always afraid of "predators". Lol. The rest of the world just travels without fear.
 
I travel quite a lot for work and I love to travel on my freetime as well. I stay in 4 or 5 star hotels in city centers most of the time so usually the only thought about safety are the pickpockets. I use public transport in big cities and walk around a lot because that is, IMO, the best way to see new cities. Just use common sense, don't be loud and rude and, unfortunately these days, don't wear very expensive watches, jewelry etc in every place... 🤷
 
Jakem said:
I travel quite a lot for work and I love to travel on my freetime as well. I stay in 4 or 5 star hotels in city centers most of the time so usually the only thought about safety are the pickpockets. I use public transport in big cities and walk around a lot because that is, IMO, the best way to see new cities. Just use common sense, don't be loud and rude and, unfortunately these days, don't wear very expensive watches, jewelry etc in every place... 🤷
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Probably best to get a Canadian flag if you're American and traveling internationally (the world isn't too fond of Yanks at the moment.)..
 
JDs Couch said:
Probably best to get a Canadian flag if you're American and traveling internationally (the world isn't too fond of Yanks at the moment.)..
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It is always nice to see Americans abroad. 👍 I was in London couple of months ago and what a lovely discussion I had with an elderly couple from Georgia, USA.
 
JDs Couch said:
Probably best to get a Canadian flag if you're American and traveling internationally (the world isn't too fond of Yanks at the moment.)..
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You were calling Americans scared little bitches now you say they should hide their identity abroad by carrying an LGBTQ++ maple leaf flag.?
 
70 Mach 1 said:
Jerry.
I took a wrong turn out the Baltimore harbor district and experienced a solid ghetto. Just 1 block the wrong way.

They were looking at me like i was the new centerfold
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Hey, been there. Picked up 4 new cars at the harbor that we drove back to Indiana from Baltimore. Leader of our pack was in a caddy and he was really moving, going through some of the worst inner city I've ever seen.
 
Jakem said:
I travel quite a lot for work and I love to travel on my freetime as well. I stay in 4 or 5 star hotels in city centers most of the time so usually the only thought about safety are the pickpockets. I use public transport in big cities and walk around a lot because that is, IMO, the best way to see new cities. Just use common sense, don't be loud and rude and, unfortunately these days, don't wear very expensive watches, jewelry etc in every place... 🤷
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Thanks. Actually, hotels were on my short list of concerns: went to Broken Arrow Ok on business and asked my contact there about a close-by hotel with reasonable rates (should have left out that last part)...my sleep at Holiday Inn was interrupted by juveniles in the next room trashing the place in the wee hours...and I think they were friends with the night clerk.
 
Jakem said:
It is always nice to see Americans abroad. 👍 I was in London couple of months ago and what a lovely discussion I had with an elderly couple from Georgia, USA.
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Not to mention how nice it is to visit USA as well! Stayed in Dallas, TX, a few years ago for a month and the people were amazing. Truly loved it there! Off to Florida for a vacation next January. 😍
 
Jakem said:
Not to mention how nice it is to visit USA as well! Stayed in Dallas, TX, a few years ago for a month and the people were amazing. Truly loved it there! Off to Florida for a vacation next January. 😍
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New Braunfels>Dallas, Houston, or San Antonio. Where to in FL? I like St. Pete....
 
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