On the Ground--An Ounce of Prevention

An Ounce of Prevention—In countries where there exists a large income disparity between hosts and guests, travelers might be surprised how much they are watched, and not necessarily by local officials.  There is no reason to be too upset by this—many residents are simply being attentive to the needs of their guests.  Others, however, are looking for patterns of behavior that can be exploited.  Simple questions like “Where are you from?” “Where are you staying?” and “How long will you stay here?” can be used to draw a quick economic profile of the traveler.  Learn to answer questions politely but indirectly.  In addition, change your daily routine to avoid appearing too predictable.  Good hotels have a vested interest in protecting guests, especially in this age of the Internet and TripAdvisor where bad news travels fast.  Let them know if you have any difficulties with suspicious locals, vendors, or staff.