Travel books recommend that you keep you wallet in your front pocket to avoid the danger pickpockets and muggers. Sure this seems like good advice, but isn’t it interersting that our behavior changes only when we leave our comfort zone? Isn’t this good advice for anyone living in a city?
Living in or visiting a foreign environment presents its set of challenges. Perhaps keeping your wallet in your front pocket allows you to have one less thing to worry about allowing you to focus your attention on other issues. Even so , it’s interesting that one must derive safety advice from a travel guide instead of the school of life.
We all have that favorite shirt or outfit so something we like to wear. We save it for special occasions and are sure to pack it when we travel because it will make us look even better in a new land. I’ve also learned it makes you a target.
I’m currently in Spain with my family on vacation. It’s nice because the Spaniards truly do dress nicer than Americans with regards to style. It’s fun to watch the people and notice the new styles, but it must be even more fun for them to watch foreigners. It’s like a game of where’s Waldo except I’d call it “find the American”. This makes the job of pickpockets and thieves a lot easier.
I suppose the same is true for me back in the US but we always notice the subtle differences more when we are out of our comfort zone.
