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The reason the pose in question is so offensive is that rape is a crime of opportunity and a rapist is a predator looking for a target who is vulnerable.
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Youthful beauty is certainly no protection from the crime of rape, but neither is mature "invisibility." The best defense for any solo female traveler is be alert to what is happening around her at all times.
Excellent post! Agree 100 %.
Although I don't agree with some of the statements in WCG's posts, I think she brought up valid concerns of solo female travelers: sexual harassment and rapes.
I have only traveled solo on business trips staying in big cities and nice locations. However, I never stayed out late unless being in a group.
Regarding WCG's comments on her experience in Italy, while I agree that catcalling and ogling are offensive and make women feel vulnerable, I think that it is just the local culture and habit. There are some sleazy men everywhere in the world. IMO, it is gross generalization and insulting to millions of decent and upright men in that wonderful country to state that you find them revolting!!
Cat-calling women is not as common as it once was... almost everyone in modern Europe is aware that it's unacceptable behaviour, but if it does happen to you, do what the Italian women do - nothing. Hold your head high and ignore them, and they'll ignore you from then on.
This link is about catcalling around the world including NYC
Hello:
I have traveled domestically and internationally since 1990. I am 58 now and retired last month. I am comfortable travelling solo; and also going with tour groups catering to singles. There are some groups that don't require a single supplement and trips are geared so solos are welcome and trips on two of them are small group travel. Examples.
1. Gutsy Women Travel--I traveled last November 2015 to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and South Vietnam. I also traveled with this group to Argentina and Chile; and also to Morocco. Small group travel.
2. Overseas Adventure Travel--They code share with Gutsy. I am going to Northern Vietnam, Bali, and Java with them in August 2016. Also going to China, Tibet, and a 3 day Yangtze river cruise in November-Dec 2016. Small group travel with an extensive number of trips.
3. Singles Travel International. Just returned from an escorted tour of Athens, 3 Day Greek Island Cruise, and we did stop in Kusadasi,Turkey. We stayed a week on the island of Crete at a small boutique hotel catering exclusively to singles. There were 7 women and 1 man on this trip. We joined all singles from the UK at the hotel. Had a ball.
4. In 2009, I rented an apt in Paris for two weeks and had the best time of my life exploring each arrondissment and doing cool things I planned and paid for in advance like a 1/2 day shopping and cooking with a chef, fashion show at Galleries Lafayette, bike riding trip with others in Versailles; attending a party in South Paris.
As others have said, I meet people wherever I go and I am not lonely. I get to do what I want when I want. Don't be afraid to try it. I get annoyed when people ask me--You went ALONE??? Like how could I? This comment from people who have never traveled beyond the Carribbean. The ladies I meet on these trips are fearless of traveling alone too.
I'm not putting my life on hold waiting for someone to get time off or the Money to travel.
I've been retired for 15 years, and during that time I've done several trips without my husband through Road Scholar. (Some of you may remember it as Elderhostel.)
They offer hundreds of programs in U.S. and foreign destinations, often built around themes or special interests. There are usually other women traveling solo. The couples are always friendly and welcoming.
Since I retired, I have traveled to a few places by myself. I agree that you cannot sit around waiting for someone else to go with you or to take you.
I recently joined a travel club and was surprised at how many of the women traveled solo. One traveled throughout Central America by herself as well as to the Middle East. While I have traveled to Sint Maarten and several European countries solo, I am not sure about the countries that she traveled to. However, I am a firm believer in just going.
Isn't this true for ALL single people, no matter their age or gender? Why specifically single out (no pun intended) older spinsters? I was a single man until 25 and I went on one trip alone. I hated it because of how vulnerable and alone I felt.
Isn't this true for ALL single people, no matter their age or gender? Why specifically single out (no pun intended) older spinsters? I was a single man until 25 and I went on one trip alone. I hated it because of how vulnerable and alone I felt.
In response to WildColonialGirl's completely ignorant remarks, I went to France and Italy with a group of my over 50 girlfriends who are drop dead gorgeous and we got chased by men of ALL ages all through Europe.
That you think women over a certain age are repulsive is repulsive.
That said, I love traveling solo!
I prefer traveling with my hubs because he is my bestie but solo travel is wonderful for the soul.
Isn't this true for ALL single people, no matter their age or gender? Why specifically single out (no pun intended) older spinsters? I was a single man until 25 and I went on one trip alone. I hated it because of how vulnerable and alone I felt.
Probably because this is the retirement forum.
I realize that you could have retired at 25.
I'm glad that you have someone to take care of you now.
Don't you feel more vulnerable when you're being catcalled? OK, maybe it's not correlated with physical danger in all cultures, but how can a tourist know that? Which cultures are just sleazy and not violent? Compare, say, India and Italy. In Italy the sleaze is rampant, in India it is less bad, but still pretty bad, and in India rape is very common.
I have noticed that the older I get the less revolting Italian men are, but it sounds like that might just be because I have kids with me lately? Great. I'll make sure I get my Italian travel in before they leave home.
Oh, and FYI, women in short skirts aren't sluts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tangelag
[/b]
The poster never wrote this!
TRUE! I never said women in short skirts are sluts. I was speaking of MYSELF, which was clearly stated. When I was in my 20s, I dressed to attract guys. Especially if I was ovulating! Tighter jeans, clingy t-shirt, eye catching colors, a tad low cut top...whatever. Nothing slutty. Just more provocative.
NOW...I don't care if I "attract." I don't ovulate anymore, for one thing. So the biological urge to procreate is gone. My jeans ride a bit low but are on the baggy side (I love that look...I don't have big hips, either). My t-shirts aren't baggy, but clingy doesn't suit me. I dress to look well groomed, neat, attractive, and comfortable. I wear even brighter colors now.
There was nothing slutty about my garb decades ago. But it WAS more provocative. And there's nothing wrong with that. (BTW...who wears skirts while traveling?)
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Tighter jeans, clingy t-shirt, eye catching colors, a tad low cut top...whatever. Nothing slutty. Just more provocative.
