5 Tips for Men Traveling Solo

[Sophie Andersen]

People like to travel alone for a number of different reasons. While some prefer the intimacy coupled with freedom of traveling all by themselves, others simply travel solo because they couldn't find the right partner or a friend to go along with them. More often than not, people make plans with their friends only to have those friends cancel at the last possible moment. Traveling alone can result in much-needed introspection and self-discovery, only with drinks, food and the prospect of meeting new and exciting people. Having that in mind, let's go over some of the tips guys should definitely check out while traveling alone.

Be Confident

Being completely confident no matter where you are and what situation you find yourself in is an effective tactic to deter trouble. Even if feeling confident is the last thing on your mind, don’t show it and keep up the confident facade. Quiet confidence tells people around you that you’re not the one to be messed with and that any attempt to cause trouble could place those people in a lot of trouble. That does not mean you have to act like a complete jerk towards people you don’t know, but rather that you don’t ooze fear and distrust.

But Don’t Get too Cocky

Confidence should never be mistaken for arrogance. Being brash and loud is simply not necessary and flexing your muscles every time you get annoyed can only make things a lot worse than they normally would be. Confidence can get you out of trouble, but arrogance can only get you in one. This is further emphasized by the fact that you are a man and men are generally thought of as the ones using violence to settle disputes. Instead of calming down the situation, arrogance can only make it worse, so the best option is to remain calm and centered no matter what situation you end up finding yourself in.

Try to be Less Intimidating

Men are often far less approachable than they think they are. This is particularly true for the loud-mouth type of guys, as well as those who simply look scary even though they are absolute sweethearts. When traveling abroad, have in mind that Western culture is far more open and easy-going and that other cultures might not be as relaxed as you’d imagine. If you’re a large bloke with excessive facial hair or even bald, have in mind that you might look somewhat scary to people who haven’t had the chance to get to know you properly.

Be as Friendly and Outgoing as You Can

As we already mentioned, western culture tends to be more laid back when it comes to interaction with people around you. Other cultures might be a little more conservative and closed off to foreigners. This is why it’s so important to smile and always be the one to introduce yourself first. Greet the people you meet politely, shake their hands firmly and smile. They say that smile can open a heart faster than a key can open a door, so have that in mind whenever you’re traveling or visiting a foreign country.

Work on Your Bike and Car Repair Skills

Whether you’re taking your car or you’ve rented out one at your travel destination, driving is far more socially acceptable than hitchhiking. The same can be said for biking, as most people tend to look positively on those who ride bikes as a healthy means of transportation across the world. If you're driving a car, make sure you've checked that everything is in working order before you start your travels.

Since traveling, especially around Australia, is known to quickly lighten up a pocket, consider investing in affordable tyres in Blacktown before you go, and make sure you have at least one spare in the back. You may never know when you might need it and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Alternatively, you can always help someone fix a flat tire and ask if they could give you a ride in return.

These are just some of the most useful tips for guys going alone on a vacation. It’s important to remain confident in yourself no matter how dire the situation, but avoid being arrogant and cocky. Be friendly, smile a lot and be genuine when talking to people you don’t know. Avoid projecting certain tough-guy traits and simply be yourself. That way you can form a connection much quicker than you would by maintaining a bad-boy image and behaving like someone people don’t want to mess

[Ed Wetschler]

Good to read a woman's point of view on this, because you're right on target. I'll tweet a link to this. (But fixing a flat tire? Oh, God, I'll never be good at that.)