Do you admit to traveling solo?
 

Background: I'm a mid-30s female traveler who stays in mid-range hotels all around the world, as opposed to hostels like I did in my youth. I've gotten spoiled in my 'old' age!

I find that nowadays, I sometimes feel uncomfortable admitting that I'm traveling alone. This is especially true if someone male asks me in a direct fashion. I tend to always have a short, simply story I've planned, which involves... well, okay, it involves lying. Something like "Oh, I'm meeting my sister tomorrow night when she gets in." Or "No, my husband's back at the hotel, he's feeling sick today."

Sometimes I do tell people the truth. It just depends on the vibes I get from them, I suppose.

What about other solo travelers? Females especially?

I have lied also for safety reasons..
So what if you have an imaginary friend/relative waiting at the hotel....

In europe I don't often chat with strangers, so the question does not come up. Honestly, in many solo trips I can't think of a single time that a man has asked directly if I was traveling alone (other than in mexico, where all the boys/men ask all the time -lol!)

I've never had someone that I felt uncomfortable around or anyone at the hotel I'm staying at ask me if I'm traveling alone. Usually, the subject comes up if I'm doing a tour and I've befriended someoneone (or someones). In those cases, I don't bother lying since they don't know where I'm staying, etc.

It's funny, I just discussed this with my 14 year old niece yesterday. I told her that you should use common sense and if you feel uncomfortable, don't tell that you're alone. I also said that if you're asked that, say yes, and then the person asks if you want to go someplace else with them, that you need to take stock of the situation. I also told her not to tell people where she's staying - just make it a casual reference if they ask (I'm staying downtown I don't remember the name of it, etc.). I always think of my hotel as my protection - as long as I don't tell them, I don't risk being targeted later on.

If your gut tells you to "lie" and say you are not traveling alone, trust your gut and lie. Those vibes you get mean something.

It only doesn't work if you are staying in the same place for a length of time. I used to lie in Mexico, saying my husband was back at the hotel, but you see the same locals on the streets all the time... one guy finally said "Funny I've never seen him!"
:-)

You know I can't ever recall the need to do such.
I ran into some really cute guys in Germany after a few drinks,but they were way too young. I'm a little too aggressive for anyone to mess with me so I don't feel like I need to be overly cautious in this area.
Now if I'm walking about at night,I'm super cautious and aware of my surroundings but I try not to look as if I don't belong and funny enough I have been mistaken for a local. A black woman native to Ireland,I so loved that. I guess I looked super comfortable in my skin there. :)

I have never felt the need or been in a situation where I have had to resort to lying. I avoid situations where I might have to do that in order to feel more safe.

I suppose it would entirely depend on what country I was in and what the situation was.

I kinda get a kick out of peoples reaction when I tell them I am traveling solo. It ranges from amuzement to them being appalled that anyone would be so brazen to do that.

I recently told a woman in my office that I took a f week solo trip and she acted as if I told her I had leprosy! She barely looks at me anymore as if she might "catch" whatever disease would cause me to do such a thing! :-d

LMFAO! at the story above. :D
What is wrong with people?

Oops! that would be "five" week, not "f week".

I walked by her today and I sear she picked up her pace and moved towards the wall when she passed me. :-))

well it IS "catching"
;-)
(the travel bug that is -lol!)

My typos are horrendous! That would be "swear" instead of "sear".

Maybe it is because it is celebration time! ((D)). I am so excited because I just booked my trip to Argentina for Oct/November!!! Yippeeee!

I am actually taking my boyfriend with me but I booked my ticket so that I arrive 4 days early and stay one extra day so I can spend some time exploring on my own.

Cheers!

People think it's really strange that I travel alone, especially because I'm married. But the reasons are simple: a) My husband doesn't have nearly as much vacation time as I have and b) he doesn't have the passion for travel I have. I feel very lucky to be married to someone who understands my love of travel, even though he doesn't share it.

My 2-cents worth.... I have been to several countries by myself - and I am regarded by my friends as being very adventurous. I plan my trips very carefully and try to avoid potentially dangerous situations without sacrificing my desire to explore. I tend to follow my gut, but mostly I admit to travelling alone. Sometimes I feel that i am overly cautious because I don't mingle - it just doesn't feel safe. But it takes away the pleasure of interacting with the "locals"! Which I would very much enjoy. For my next trip (Spain, in a month), I'm working on a compromise. Chatting up people in certain circumstances where it feels OK.

ttt

I totally share my opinion with louanne. I also plan my trips very carefully and always avoid situations in which i could find myself in a difficult situation. Say a plain and simple NO, kindly or agressively, depending on how you are being approached. Nothing wrong about lying for safety. I've been travelling alone for almost 40 years: India, Thailand, Egypt, Mexico, just to mention a few places where you have good "chances" of being harrassed. One important tip: RESPECT the local culture, i.e., do not go on walking almost "naked" (short shorts, tiny tops, etc) - i'm talking about women travelling alone, specially in islamic countries. Learn a little about their culture and habits b4 travelling.

The only people that need to know I'm traveling alone are family and friends at home. They have my itinerary,and know that I will be in touch regularly. If I'm out and about, I do mingle with locals in certain situations, pubs, etc. But if I'm asked if I'm traveling alone, I say no, my friend (Mom, sister, husband)popped into a shop up the road and will be here soon. I change the gender and relationship depending on the situation. I've also answered my cell phone and pretended to receive a call to extricate myself from situations that were not to my liking.....Oh! I've been waiting for you all....I'm leaving now, yes, I'm right here...(once i get outside, I wave as though I've located my people.) And then I keep stepping. Once, I felt rather threatened, and left the building, flipped open my phone, waved at no one in particular, and started walking to a more crowded area. I stopped a small group of women, told them the situation as they watched behind me. They hugged me, laughed, and arm in arm, we wandered down the street as though we were all old friends, until we felt it was safe for me to leave on my own. Never under-estimate the power of women in small (or large) groups.....we are very protective of our own. I'd rather err on the side of safety. I do the same thing back at home if I'm alone. I live in a very large city, and women on their own can't be too careful.