Alright, let me tell you how I handle my stuff when I’m out traveling. It’s not rocket science, mostly just stuff I’ve picked up over the years, trying to avoid headaches.
My Routine Before Stepping Out
First thing I do, even before I leave my hotel or Airbnb, is empty my pockets and wallet of junk I don’t need for the day. Why carry every single card I own? I just take one, maybe two, plus some cash. Not a huge wad, just enough for what I think I’ll need. Everything else? It stays behind, locked in my bag or the room safe if there is one. Same goes for flashy watches or jewelry – I just leave that stuff at home. Less tempting stuff on me, the better.
I also make sure I’ve got copies of my passport and ID somewhere separate from the originals. Like, a photo on my phone and maybe a paper copy tucked deep in my luggage back in the room. Lost my wallet once years ago, wasn’t fun trying to prove who I was.
Choosing and Handling My Gear
Then, the bag I carry. For daytime wandering, I usually grab a small crossbody bag or something similar. The key is that I can wear it in front of me, not dangling on my back where I can’t see it. Backpacks are fine for hiking, but in a crowded city street or market? No way. Too easy for someone to dip into.
- Keep it close: I wear my bag strapped across my body, with the bag itself resting in front or on my hip where I can physically feel it or rest my hand on it.
- Zippers closed: Always. Double-check them. An open bag is an invitation.
- Valuables deep inside: Wallet, phone – they go into the main compartment, maybe an inner zipped pocket, not the easy-access outer pockets.
Staying Aware When Out and About
This is probably the most important bit: just pay attention to what’s going on around you. Especially in busy places like train stations, tourist hotspots, or packed markets. It’s easy to get distracted taking pictures or staring at your phone map. I try really hard to just take a moment, stand aside if I need to check something, and generally look like I know where I’m going, even if I’m totally lost.
I also try not to flash cash around. When I pay for something, I take out just what I need, not my whole wallet. And I put my change away properly before walking off.
Specific Spots Where I’m Extra Careful
Restaurants and Cafes: Never hang your bag on the back of your chair. Seriously, it’s gone in a second. I put it on my lap, or on the floor looped around my foot or the chair leg in front of me where I can feel it.
Public Transport: Buses and trains can get really crowded. I make sure my bag is in front of me, zipped, and often I’ll just rest my hand on it naturally. I avoid standing right by the doors if possible when it’s super packed, as that’s often where snatch-and-run stuff happens just before the doors close.
ATMs: Just basic stuff here. Cover the keypad when I put in my PIN. Give the machine a quick look-over, make sure nothing looks weird or loosely attached around the card slot. And I try to use ATMs inside banks rather than random ones on the street, especially at night.
Simple Habits That Help
I don’t keep everything in one place. Maybe a bit of cash in my front pants pocket, wallet in my zipped bag, phone in another secure pocket. Spreading it out means if one thing gets targeted, I hopefully don’t lose everything.
Honestly, a lot of it is just making yourself less of an easy target. If you look alert and like you’re paying attention to your belongings, often thieves will just move on to someone who looks easier.
It’s not about being paranoid, just practical. Doing these little things becomes automatic after a while, and it lets me relax and actually enjoy the trip more, knowing I’ve done what I can to keep my stuff safe. Touch wood, it’s worked out okay for me so far.
