For most people, traveling abroad never goes by without giving an extra thought to safety. With so many vivid stereotypes created in the movies of terrible Russian Borises and Natashas (thank you, Hollywood!), there is no wonder so many foreigners are so tentative about traveling to the countries of the former USSR to meet Russian girls. However, if you call on your common sense to guide you and take note of a few of our tips, you will not find any disturbances during your trip.
1. Keep a Low Profile. You may be a super patriot of your own country, but just because you are abroad does not mean you have to take a stand and prove it to everyone around you. Many foreigners I know have come to Ukraine and Russia, for instance, expecting everything and everyone to fall at their feet. They made a point of showing they are a foreigner and letting everyone know they don't give a damn about the culture of the country they were in. Results were quite disappointing: the least harmful being that they alienated the Russian girls they had traveled to meet and ended up ruining their own trip; the worst - running into some trouble with local hooligans or having cash stolen. When you go out on the streets, the best thing to do is to try to fit in the crowd. It will give you the advantage of being able to observe people from within the crowd. Do not try to make a statement that you are a foreigner. If you do this you will avoid becoming a potential victim of thieves, cheaters and people looking for someone to take advantage of.
2. Be Selective. If you decide to get acquainted with Russian girls in night clubs or on the streets, you run a chance of setting yourself up for disappointment. For one, girls in the clubs are rarely looking for lasting relationships. Secondly, by meeting a Russian girl in such a way you are simply exposing yourself to more opportunities for people to take advantage of you and scam you. Whatever you decide to do, sharpen your people sensors and don't blindly follow every chance or instinct to get acquainted or communicate with Russian girls.
3. Use Common Sense When Pursuing Russian Girls. It is impossible to predict the outcome of every situation you might find yourself in. But using common sense will get you a long way even if you don't know the language of the country you are in. Be attentive, make use of reading body language and relying on your sixth sense. If you feel that a situation is getting uncomfortable or a Russian girl you are with is getting a little weird, don't feel awkward about leaving. It's better to be safe than sorry. And don't worry about what others will think: your comfort and safety are above all.
4. Get a Russian Girl to Help You. Getting to know someone local to the area you are in will save you time, keep you safer and help you make the most of your stay. If you get advice from a girl about places to visit and things to do, you will most likely be warned of what to avoid in order not to get in trouble. You are likely to be directed to places that will be safe to visit and given pointers on how to make the most of your visits, shopping, etc. If you can get a local girl to shop with you for souvenirs, gifts, etc. you have a better chance of getting a good deal and keeping thieves and cheaters away.
5. Keep Your Money In Several Places. Since most Russian stores do not take credit cards or accept traveler's cheques, you will have to carry cash everywhere during your trip. It is best to keep it secreted in several places. That way if something goes wrong and you lose you wallet or it gets stolen, you will have a reserve to fall back on.
6. Put Away Valuables. If you are renting an apartment, the chances of your belongings being safe are much higher than if you are staying in a hotel. Cases of theft from hotels have lessened over the recent years, but still it is best to put away your valuables from plain sight.
7. Money Exchange. To avoid being cheated or ripped off, use banks for money exchange instead of the booths in the market or on the street. They may offer a little bit higher rate, but the guarantees of accuracy and honesty are next to nil. Exchange rates are higher at the airports or hotels, so if you have to use the latter, exchange only the smallest amount possible.
8. Documents. Those of you who have traveled overseas know that the process of getting from one place to another is always full of the unexpected. For this very reason, we recommend that you pay extra attention to your documents. Aside from the fact that you should always keep them close by while traveling, it is a good idea to make a copy of your passport, ticket, visa, etc. Get the copies notarized, in case you have to use them should something happen to the originals while you are abroad.
|
