Personal Safety Tips for International Living and Retirement Abroad
Living abroad places you in new and different cultural and social environments. While many of the differences will provide exciting experiences, some of those other differences can create risks for you. These risks are less associated with higher crime rates in a foreign country – instead they are more associated with your lack of cultural and social knowledge of your new surroundings. Adopting a few personal safety tips can make your retirement abroad a safer and more enjoyable one.
We all live in a world of risks, and over time we develop an awareness and understanding of these risks. Conciously or unconsciously we internalize a set of rules that enable us to minimize our exposure to risks at home. We know which neighborhoods are safe or not. We develop mental ‘profiles’ of potential criminals so have a general feel for who the good guys and the bad guys are. We know when it is safe to be out and when it is not.
When you move abroad, these rules may no longer apply. The slate may be wiped completely clean and you will have to develop a new set of rules to minimize your exposure to risks. These personal safety tips can help you make an adjustment to living abroad.
Safety Tips #1: Trust No One – At First
We are not recommending that you live in a permanent state of paranoia. But we are recommending that you develop your circle of friends and contacts slowly and avoid jumping into financial dealings too quickly. This safety tip applies to the locals AND the expatriate population in your new overseas home.
The sad reality is there will be a small number of people who target new residents and tourists. Many times, they will attempt ingratiate themselves into your life. Be open to friendships but careful. Make a distinction between an acquaintance and a true friend. A smiling face from a local or a familiar accent from an expatriate are not adequate screens from the criminal element out there. Over time, let your walls down but keep in mind that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is something you should walk away from.
Safety Tips #2: Blending Into the Crowd
a. Quiet and Demure: To the greatest extent possible, another practical safety tip is to try to blend into the crowd. Of course, depending on your retirement destination this may not be entirely possible. Nevertheless, it is still possible to ‘tone it down’.
Americans have the tendency to be loud and confrontational. When living abroad, it’s a good idea to get a feel for what is ‘normal behavior’ by the locals. Of course as your circle of friends widen, more likely than not they will feel comfortable with who you are and what you consider to be normal behavior. But there is little point in drawing more attention to yourself – particularly in public places where criminals are looking for an easy mark. A initial quiet and demure approach may be a good strategy until you get to know the lay of the land and develop confidence in your new circle of friends.
b. Don’t Flaunt It: It is also a good idea not to flaunt your wealth when abroad. Flashing a lot of cash, wearing expensive jewelry, carrying around a big bag with cameras and laptops make you an easy mark. The risk to you is particularly great in public places where professional thieves are looking for easy targets. It’s a good idea to walk around with a minimum of cash that you will need.
c. Don’t Look Like a Tourist: In general, tourists are good targets for criminals. More often than not, tourists go home and don’t press charges or follow up on investigations. Robbing tourists is one way for criminals to reduce their ‘risk’. Don’t help them. What does a tourist look and act like. Sit in the lobby of your hotel for a while and observe people coming and going. Vulnerable tourists have a way of standing out.
d. Do Look Like You Know What You’re Doing: if there’s anything that says ‘newbie’ it’s how you carry yourself in public. Try to look straight ahead, have an air of confidence, and look like you know what you’re doing.
Safety Tips #3: Increase Your Cultural and Social IQ
a. Become Familiar With the Country: develop an understanding of political issues (political unrest, violence, demonstrations, elections, etc.) and economic issues in your new home. This is the framework that shapes, drives and moves the people in your residence abroad. Be aware and prepared for critical events breaking events.
b. Understand Mother Nature Abroad: Be familiar with the natural hazards of your country (seasonal weather conditions, earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding, landslides, etc.). If you are considering the purchase of real estate, it would probably be a good idea not to buy a home in a flood zone that has a major disaster once every ten years or so.
c. Become Familiar With Your City: try to develop a feel for the city or town that you live in. What are the safe and dangerous places in the city? What is the level of police protection available? How do you get emergency services? Where do the locals shop and where do the foreigners shop? Where is the best hospital? What are the major transportation networks available for your use?
Safety Tips #4: Develop Your Security
a. Develop an Appropriate Level of Home Security: evaluate your neighborhood and the level of risks involved. The amount of security system required may vary depending on your circumstances, your neighborhood, and the frequency of crime. It could be as complicated as a complex security system and bodyguards to something as simple as bars on the windows, good locks on the door, and a barking dog. Within the home, you should have a place to secure your valuable documents and property.
b. Evaluate Your Helpers: many expatriates find it financially possible and desirable to hire helpers when living abroad. Try to evaluate each helper as a potential security risk. In many instances, helpers (nanny, maid, cook, garderner, driver, etc.) were the inside person who made a crime possible.
Sometimes it was an intentional ‘inside job’ where the helper was an accomplice. In other instances, the helper may have unwittingly given out ‘inside information’ to a thief about your security arrangements.
c. Make Your Home Your Fortress: be wary of anyone trying to get access to your home (e.g. free home walk through to evaluate …). Don’t provide personal or inside information to strangers (in person or over the phone).
d. Do Be Unpredictable: criminals will often try to evaluate your daily routines. Try not to make your daily activities overly predictable (e.g. when you go for your walk, go out shopping, etc.).
Summary of Personal Safety Tips
It is not possible for the typical expatriate to have 100% security. However, with a little awareness and simple adjustments to one’s behavior, following a few personal safety tips may make you a harder target for the common criminal when living abroad.
(photo by: Tex Texin)
References and Bibliography
Safety Tips for International Travellers, Smart Money
Tips for Travelling Abroad, Dept of State
Travel Safety and Security Tips, Travel Safety and Security
Category: Household Management Abroad
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