Quote:
Originally Posted by widenine  Don't assume that a lingering glance or a close hug from a guy means you're having a gay moment. The concept of space is different in each of those countries. They may just be intrigued because you are foreign. |
Well... if you find yourself getting brushed up against, or hugged... you might just be getting your pocket picked.
To foil pickpockets...Keep your wallet in your FRONT pants pocket and wear fairly fitting pants ( it is nearly impossible to pick a front pants pocket in a fitted pair of jeans) , or in a shirt front pocket that BUTTONS DOWN.
Food hints... like widenine says... but also.. don't EVER take ice in any drink, don't eat salads or take lettuce or tomato on your food not eat any other foods that may have only been rinsed... rather than cooked.
Don't drink water from any source... stick to fermented, filtered and canned drinks. Remember... alcohol was mankind's first effective water treatment system...
To avoid being stamped as a Gringo... DO NOT WEAR knit shirts and shorts everydamn place you go... do not walk into cathedrals in shorts or flip flops.
Wear collared shirts that fit well and if you HAVE to go out in a T-shirt... make sure it has a maple leaf or something on it.
Get hep immunizations before you go... my Brother in Law just had to have a liver transplant because he was careless on a trip to Latin America... and didn't realize he even HAD hepatitis for 14 years....