Paris Personal Safety

To avoid unwanted attention, try to blend in as much as possible. Respecting local customs (in many cases, dressing more conservatively than you would at home) may ward off would-be hecklers. Check maps in shops and restaurants rather than on the street. If you are traveling alone, be sure someone at home knows your itinerary. Never tell a stranger that you’re by yourself. When walking at night, stick to busy streets. Violence in central Paris is very rare, but as in any city, it’s safest to stay where other people are around.

There is no surefire way to avoid all the threatening situations that you might encounter while traveling, but a good self-defense course will give you concrete ways to react to unwanted advances. Impact, Prepare, and Model Mugging can refer you to local self-defense courses in Australia, Canada, Switzerland, and the US. Visit www.modelmugging.org for a list of nearby chapters.

Possessions And Valuables

Travel Safety 101. Never leave your belongings unattended; crime can occur in even the most safe-looking hostel or hotel. Bring your own padlock for hostel lockers and don’t ever store valuables in a locker. Be particularly careful on overnight buses and trains; horror stories abound about determined thieves who wait for travelers to fall asleep. When traveling with others, sleep in alternate shifts. When alone, use good judgment in selecting a train compartment: use a lock to secure your pack to the luggage rack. Try to sleep on top bunks with your luggage stored above you (if not in bed with you) and keep important documents and other valuables on you at all times.

Don’T Get Robbed. There are a few steps you can take to minimize the financial risk associated with traveling. First, bring as little with you as possible. Second, buy a few combination padlocks to secure your belongings either in your pack or in a hostel. Third, carry as little cash as possible. Keep your ATM/credit cards in a money belt —not a “fanny pack,” which are as unsafe as they are uncool—along with your passport and ID cards. Fourth, keep a small cash reserve separate from your primary stash. This should be about €30 sewn into or stored in the depths of your pack, along with your traveler’s check numbers, photocopies of your passport, your birth certificate, and other important documents.

Common Cons. In large cities like Paris, con artists often work in groups and may involve children. Beware of certain classics: sob stories that require money, rolls of bills “found” on the street, mustard spilled (or saliva spit) onto your shoulder to distract you while they snatch your bag. Never let your passport and your bags out of your sight. Beware of pickpockets in city crowds, especially on public transportation and around major monuments. Be alert in public telephone booths: say or type your calling-card number discretely.

Homeowner’S Insurance. If you will be traveling with electronic devices, such as a laptop computer or a PDA, check whether your homeowner’s insurance covers loss, theft, or damage when you travel. If not, you might consider purchasing a low-cost separate insurance policy. Safeware (☎+1-800-800-1492; www.safeware.com) specializes in covering computers and charges US$90 for 90-day comprehensive international travel coverage up to US$4000.

Insurance

STA offers a range of plans that can supplement your basic coverage. Other private insurance providers in the US and Canada include: Access America (☎800-729-6021; www.acessamerica.com); Berkely Group (☎800-797-4514; www.berkely.com); CSA Travel Protection (☎800-873-9855; www.csatravelprotection.com); Travel Assistance International (☎800-821-2828; www.europ-assistance.com); and Travel Guard (☎800-826-4919; www.travelguard.com). Columbus Direct (☎0870 033 9988; www.columbusdirect.co.uk) operates in the UK.