Everyone loves to travel. Even I do myself. But being a tourist is not easy. Sometimes, we travel and wonder around till we forget our own safety.

Now, I want to list down top ten tips for you to ponder about when you are traveling. It is all about your personal effects and valuables.

So here goes.

1) Travel Simple
This really depends on different people. Some would want to travel in style with all the LV or Gucci or Prada on hand. Hello! You are traveling! You don’t need to flaunt all those items around and open an invitation “Look! I’m rich. Rob me!“. Just go and travel and relax. The rich are the easy prey for those who wants to steal.

2) Make Your Mark!
I do get this sometimes. When you travel, you are in foreign land. In every of your personal belongings, make sure you mark them. I’ve got once nearly wanted to take a luggage bag which is not mine, but looks like mine. Same brand, same size and even same colour. Luckily I remembered mine had a pink ribbon on the handle. So, there ya go, one hassle taken care of with just a simple mark, a ribbon!

3) Keep em near!

When you are traveling alone, even with anyone else, don’t leave your things behind. I had a friend who thought airport is safe and secure. Think twice now, it’s not. He left his huge luggage outside a duty free shop to make a quick purchase. Next thing, it was gone!… *poof* Also, your passports, cash and other vital documents must be near you all the time.

4) Privacy! Privacy! Privacy!
Make sure when you are using your credit card, or giving any personal information for official usage. Keep it discreet. Peeping toms are always all around to catch a glimpse of the information and use it for their benefits. Simple example, when you are staying in a hotel, normally the restaurant bills can be charged to your room. Imagine if your room number is revealed to a bystander nearby and your name is being made known, that fella can just use both your name and room number to have a nice Italian date at the hotel restaurant, ON YOUR BILL.

5) Language!
When you are in foreign land, at least learn some local lingual. I know! I know! Vulgar words are the most common must learn but, at least learn some words that can save your ass while you’re in distress. Imagine you just got rob in the middle of Paris and you are shouting “MERDE! MERDE”. People think you are crazy instead.

6) Smile!
Oh Yes! SMILE! is the best body language. You won’t go wrong with a SMILE. You kinda like hurt somebody in a bar, SMILE. You hit someone while walking, SMILE back and say “Sorry!“. But, remember, SMILE also must got technique. It’s the sincere SMILE I’m talking about here. Don’t smile in an intimidating manner. You might end up going to psycho hospital.

7) Watch your alcohol!
Some idiot will go out and get drunk and end up in trouble. Trouble could be either you miss your flight, waking up next to someone who is BIG, FAT and UGLY, walking out of a bar as a pirate, losing all your belongings or being held back in Jail for being a ruckus! There are more which could be beyond anyone’s imagination.

8) Where’s the exit??
You must always be prepared to know your surroundings. Should any emergency happen, run to the nearest exit and save yourself. Must always study the building emergency exit route when you are in one. Just a mental note on where you can from will really help.

9) Money Don’t Come Easy!
$$$$$. Yes, the phrase above kinda sums it all so take care of your wallet/purse/handbag. Pickpockets are known to have the universal access. Carry your money preferably in a money-belt under your clothes. Ladies must keep their money tucked close to their body. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money around! In your socks, your bra, your underwear, fanny packs, your luggage bag, all your pocket or anywhere else you think is safe. This is when the plastic comes handy. Credit or Debit Card definitely save all the hassle of carrying huge amount of cash around.

10) Don’t Speak to Strangers
Lastly, remember that even if it is the safest place on earth, thieves can be on the prowl. So remember the old caution your mom used to tell you back in your childhood – “Don’t speak to strangers.” Unless you are needed to, else, seek advice from police, shop owners, hoteliers, or any taxi drivers. But, strangers on the streets, to my believe, its only 10% of them are trustworthy.

So there you go! YapThomas’ Top 10 Security Tips for Tourists!

This is the start of a regular Sunday Travel collumn here at YapThomas dot com.