I'm proud of the honesty here. ElQueso, Gringoboy and others did a great job. For my part, my purse is a decoy. If they speed onto the sidewalk and grab it, I'll be sad to see my $30 purse go but I will also laugh. But it's happened to a lot of people that I know. In the case of one friend, she was knocked down on the sidewalk and her shoes taken, leaving her to walk home barefooted. Since then I have shoes I don't wear unless I'm getting in a taxi and arriving at my destination.
The advice to dress down--but not TOO down is good. I have a good Argentina friend that I really listen to. It is true the women in my area go out looking good. If I see shorts or sloppy dress I can usually bet it is a gringo (warning warning). Many of the locals wear heels, scarves are popular, and most of them look sharp in my neighborhood. I mentioned to my friend I'm going to buy me some of those high-heeled boots and upgrade a bit. He advised me not to. He said you already dress middle class, you speak with an english accent and you are an older lady. Don't make yourself more a target.
Dressing down could do the same if it is TOO "down." If I have people try to hand me tourist stuff I go home and look in the mirror to figure out why! (Hasn't happened for several years). Also walk like you know where you're going. Try to look at the map before you leave your hotel.
For my part I wouldn't pass up seeing B.A. but I would abide by the warnings. Also about jewelry. I had two new people here for immigration and told her not to wear anything gold. She assured me she is from an area where she has to be careful so she knows. So what does she do? Wears a gold chain with a ring on it that her husband gave her and then was ready to leave the country when it got snatched. I said, "I told you not to wear gold." She said, "But it was such a little chain I didn't think anyone would notice" As one person said here, if losing it would really mess you up, then don't wear it. That's my two cents.
I've lived in B.A. for four years and haven't had any personal threats, though my wallet was stolen in the subway and there have been at least two other failed attempts. Otherwise, all is well.
The advice to dress down--but not TOO down is good. I have a good Argentina friend that I really listen to. It is true the women in my area go out looking good. If I see shorts or sloppy dress I can usually bet it is a gringo (warning warning). Many of the locals wear heels, scarves are popular, and most of them look sharp in my neighborhood. I mentioned to my friend I'm going to buy me some of those high-heeled boots and upgrade a bit. He advised me not to. He said you already dress middle class, you speak with an english accent and you are an older lady. Don't make yourself more a target.
Dressing down could do the same if it is TOO "down." If I have people try to hand me tourist stuff I go home and look in the mirror to figure out why! (Hasn't happened for several years). Also walk like you know where you're going. Try to look at the map before you leave your hotel.
For my part I wouldn't pass up seeing B.A. but I would abide by the warnings. Also about jewelry. I had two new people here for immigration and told her not to wear anything gold. She assured me she is from an area where she has to be careful so she knows. So what does she do? Wears a gold chain with a ring on it that her husband gave her and then was ready to leave the country when it got snatched. I said, "I told you not to wear gold." She said, "But it was such a little chain I didn't think anyone would notice" As one person said here, if losing it would really mess you up, then don't wear it. That's my two cents.
I've lived in B.A. for four years and haven't had any personal threats, though my wallet was stolen in the subway and there have been at least two other failed attempts. Otherwise, all is well.
Anyone with me????? come onnnn it'll be funnn!!!
