I Thought I Was Being Followed While Traveling—Here’s What Kept Me Safe

Thankfully, I will never know if the man’s intentions were bad, or if he was looking for me when he got off of the train. Regardless of what might have happened, there are some key elements I did to keep myself safe while traveling alone.

The subtle discomfort I felt from the get-go with the man meant something. The power of trusting your instinct, especially when you’re traveling alone, is essential. Whether he had bad intentions or not, or perhaps would retaliate because I didn’t tip him (even though I hadn’t asked to be helped, and he hadn’t asked if he could help)—you just never know. If you don’t feel safe, then trust that feeling.

After he helped me, I wasn’t too worried. I had dealt with plenty of unusual people in my time living in London and New York City, and I knew some people would “lend a hand” but were expected to receive money in return. However, the look on the woman’s face on the subway made me think she knew something about this guy that I didn’t. Accepting help and support when you're in a difficult situation is key to navigating when things go awry. Women helping women is a concept we should all embrace, and I’ll always be grateful to that stranger. Of course, the other side of that is when someone seems like they are helpful, but they have another agenda (like the guy who helped me with my bag). If it feels off, it probably is.

At first, I thought I should go a different direction to get the guy off my scent (if he, in fact, was following me). However, while I knew my way from the tube station to my friend's flat, I wasn’t super familiar with the area, so I was worried I’d turn down a street that was even less safe. I stuck to the most direct route to the flat, which was a crowded, well-lit area. It wasn’t so crowded that I couldn’t see him if he was following me, but enough people were walking on either side of the street that if anything were to happen, there would be plenty of witnesses.

If you are in an unfamiliar area, go into a store for a while to try to lose them, call an Uber, or get into a taxi (if you are in a city with taxis). Although I wasn’t familiar with the side streets, I was aware of the area well enough to know that the route to my friend’s flat was safe.

If you find yourself in a bind, approach a stranger who seems safe and start talking to them as if you know them. Get close enough to them and smile. While you’re smiling, softly tell them you think you're being followed, and ask them to pretend they know you. Most people will oblige.

If there is no taxi around, and you feel extremely unsafe, call emergency services. When traveling alone, before you go abroad, look up the emergency number in that country so you know what number to call.

Staying aware is key when you feel threatened. While you don’t want to take your phone out and start scrolling through social media, having it out in case you need to use it is a smart idea. I took my phone out and put it to my ear as I was walking, so it looked like I was talking to someone. Don’t call someone, because that makes you vulnerable. Knowing where you are going is key to staying aware, so if you are unfamiliar with the area, it's best to get a taxi or find a safe place to look up directions.

• Always Trust Your Gut: There is no such thing as overreacting when you are traveling alone.
• Stay Off Your Phone in Transit Zones: Being alert makes you a harder target.
• Accept Help from Trusted Locals: Especially other women or transit workers.
• Avoid Heading Directly to Your Lodging: Use public spaces to observe and plan your route.
• If Possible, get a Taxi: This will make it harder for them to follow you.
• Learn Basic Exit Strategies: Use busy places, such as shops or stations, to create a safe space.