It is said that in your hometown, you are most comfortable and tend to let your guard down. You stay out later, are aware which neighborhoods to avoid, and know where petty thieves may be lurking. Following this logic, is it fair to conclude that because my purse was robbed on Monday, Dublin has become a true 2nd home to me?
Cafe in Dubrovnik, Croatia
And now, that all the damage control has been done: new accounts, new cards, new keys, I thought it may be best to revisit a few travel safety procedures that I’ve learned during my time abroad.
1. Choose Wisely: When sitting down at a cafe or restaurant, especially if you’re alone, choose your table wisely. If at all possible, the perfect table is one where it isn’t possible for someone to approach you from behind without your noticing. The perfect table faces the door of the cafe, or the street. Beware of the distances between tables: it is possible for someone sitting close to you to nip a bag without drawing your attention. Make this a habit and it will become second nature.
2. Safety First, Guard Down Second: Be conscious of where you place your bag. It is never a particularly good idea to hang it off the back of a chair, behind you, out of your vision. Keep it close to you at all times and in sight. If you must put it under your chair, it isn’t a bad idea to hook the strap around your ankle or leg. You can relax and enjoy your cappuccino even more knowing you won’t be a target for thieves.
3. Leave Valuables at Home: Only carry your passport when it is an absolute necessity. Beware of your passport, and when arriving in a new destination, store it somewhere safe. If a thief really wants your bag, no amount of precaution is going to stop him. It is much better to have your passport, an emergency credit card, and ATM card back in the hotel in case of emergency.
Outdoor Cafes in Hvar, Croatia
4. Don’t Trust Based on Appearance: One of the best thieves I ever encountered was a good looking, young, Spanish man. It is easy to be flattered and let your guard down in these situations, but it is better to be safe than sorry. My purse was stolen this week by a blonde woman, who didn’t raise any doubts in my mind when she sat near me in a cafe.
5. Crime Happens Everywhere: I happened to be in a busy, upscale neighborhood of Dublin when this crime occurred. It was lunchtime, on a sunny day, at an outdoor cafe. Thieves are aware that many business people will be grabbing lunch at this time, and they have a better chance of finding the perfect target. Don’t think that crime only happens in sketchy neighborhoods.
Dublin has taught me an old lesson this week. Although I’ve found a comfort in my new hometown, although I now know the public transportation schedules and have favorite cafes, I am still just as likely to be robbed as when I was traveling the continent with a backpack. There’s one more tip, be aware of your backpack. Keep it locked, keep it against a wall or window on public transportation.
Crime can happen in the middle of the day, in front of hundreds of people. No one saw this platinum blonde woman take my purse and walk off with it. For the first time in two years of European travels, I was successfully duped. I just wish it happened on a day when there was nothing but spare change in my wallet.
