Traveling alone as a woman can often be a scary experience and sometimes you have to think carefully about how to protect yourself.
An American travel influencer has revealed the three lies she uses as a solo backpacker that she believes others should use too.
@monicaroams’s TikTok has been viewed by over 376,000 people and saved by another 4,000.
The influencer explained: “You should never lie, but as a solo woman you should. It’s really crazy how often I have to use these lies, so this will help.”
An American travel influencer revealed the three lies she uses as a solo backpacker that she believes others should use too
Always say you have a friend no matter what
Monica’s first tip is to always say you have a boyfriend, even if you don’t.
She explained: “First of all, when people ask you if you have a boyfriend, you do it no matter what. Unless it’s someone you’re really interested in.
“If you’re a lesbian, literally say you have a boyfriend too, because I feel like men will always think it’s great to be a lesbian and that will only make them feel more confident “being attracted to you .”
“So no matter what happens, just say you have a boyfriend or a husband, even better.”
She added: “Let’s be honest, it’s usually old men who ask you this question just to see if you’re single so they can probably hit you up.”
“I made the mistake of being honest and saying no, I don’t have a boyfriend, but that makes the interaction even scarier because now they’re trying to hang out with me.
“It also works if someone asks for your number and you don’t want to give it out, just act like I have a boyfriend.”
Always say that your friend is waiting for you…
She then advises to always lie when you are alone:
“If anyone ever asks you if you’re alone, you’re never alone, baby, even if you’re alone.
“You never know what their plan is or who they are, so it’s best not to give out this type of information to random people.”
“While I was eating alone, random older men asked me this question. I think: Oh no, my friends at the hostel, she’s just waiting for me.
“No matter what happens, you have a friend somewhere, okay?”
She explained: “If anyone ever asks you if you’re alone, even if you’re alone, you’re never alone, baby. You never know what their plan is or who they are, so it is best not to give out such information to random people.
READ MORE: I am a woman traveling alone and will never travel to Egypt alone after a horror incident in the Cairo bazaar
And… you don’t know where you live
Finally, the traveler says, even if it is not credible, that one should never reveal where one lives.
She advised: “Don’t tell anyone where you live because usually they’ll say, ‘Oh my God, are you traveling alone?’ Or something like “Oh my God, where are you?”
“I understand it’s part of a conversation, but you also don’t know what their intentions are, so you have to stay calm and not give away too much information.”
“Especially when I feel a strange mood and it’s someone who doesn’t want to talk to me, I think, oh, I forgot, I don’t know where my dorm is, that’s probably it.”
The influencer added: “An alternative answer would be ‘I’m currently traveling with my parents and we’re on holiday’.”
“Don’t be afraid to be creative, this is your time to develop an entire character story.”
She ended the clip telling her viewers, “These are definitely three lies that you have to tell constantly when you’re a solo female traveler because let’s face it, when you’re a young solo female traveler, there are many older Men who just randomly come up to you and start talking to you.
“I like to talk, but sometimes it can be very scary, so these are lies that will help you in your endeavours.”
Commenters joined the conversation by sharing their own tips – one user wrote: “I used to wear a really cheap ‘wedding ring’ when I was traveling alone.”
Another added: “Let’s just say dear man, they can still hold out if it’s a ‘boyfriend’. I made the mistake of saying where I was and was followed in India.”
Someone else advised: “Buy a fake wedding ring.” It helps with the language barrier, you just have to point, to which Monica replied: “Oooh, I love it.”
Others who swore by the advice said, “I used it all.” Not even all my friends know where I live, let alone anyone I meet while traveling,’ and ‘It’s all instinct!’
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
