Real and Perceived Danger

by Heather Markel | Aug 8, 2019 | Culture Lessons, Deep Thoughts | 24 comments

Heather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business Strategist

I’ve just seen a news article about the shooting at a mall in El Paso, Texas, and it’s gotten me thinking about danger. I’ve been traveling for a year and a half in places unknown, in countries with terrible reputations and my poor mother is worried about me every day. Why? Because it’s dangerous – there is danger lurking in every corner. In Colombia, I might have seen gangs with guns and drug dealers. In Buenos Aires, someone on a motorcycle was supposed to steal the cell phone out of my hand. In Peru, I might have been kidnapped. And yet, ironically, we think America is safer? In my year and a half of travel, the only consistent news stories about danger that I’ve seen are gun shootings. All of them have been in America.

As I think about all this danger and violence in the world, I realize something. Danger, itself, is an industry. It’s a very lucrative business when you come right down to it, one that governments can profit from, as much as individuals. I’m not saying they are, but think about it. People are willing to pay for safety. Sidenote – I recently learned you can actually buy kidnapping insurance! It doesn’t help you avoid kidnapping, it gets you a person to help ask for your return.

“Danger may be a business, and safety may be a perception.”

Think about this – if a city has a dangerous reputation, you may, or you may not, go. If you do go, and you do your research and learn about potential dangers, you’re going to be more willing to pay for an expensive hotel, maybe a bodyguard, certainly taxis or tour companies that have a good reputation for safety. The threat of danger will make you invest more resources into the local economy to prevent being in danger.

Bush junior won a second term as President, in part, because we were all scared of terrorism and that fear was used to manipulate our opinion. Data breaches make us run and buy subscriptions to companies that are supposed to protect our identity, thus not only creating another potential place for a data breach, but also tons more spending. The fear of imminent danger is very lucrative and drives decision-making and money-spending.

While I have no doubt that danger exists, and, currently in Cape Town, South Africa, even the locals tell me to take an Uber and not dare to walk alone outside the radius of my hotel. Obviously I’m not going to risk my life, but they encourage me to spend money on a local taxi driver, rather than to walk, which is much cheaper. I’m not supposed to go into a Township, but there is a tour that visits a Township. Everyone I have met that’s been to Africa has talked about very horrible potential scenarios I don’t want to find myself in. I am VERY, VERY grateful that I have not encountered danger (apart from one bad experience). In part, I’m sure it’s because I’m always home by dark, or shortly thereafter, unless in the company of new friends. I don’t go to bars alone, I don’t drink alone, and I don’t go home with strangers. I take that taxi when in doubt. But, sometimes, I wonder, are there some places where danger is used to manipulate spending? And, what’s more dangerous, going to Colombia, or going to high school, or a shopping mall, in America? And if we keep sending kids to high school, and going to malls in America, why are we trying to stop other people from seeing the world?

In Rio de Janeiro, a city I was warned profusely about at night, I felt perfectly safe. My tour guide explained that it’s the nearby suburbs of Rio that have most of the problems, but everyone hears “Rio” and the danger got associated with the city itself. I think most cities have dangerous areas and that doesn’t change from one country to the next.

Perhaps the confusing thing about danger is that in America it seems random, whereas abroad, it’s quite specific; avoid certain areas known for danger, don’t take taxis for fear of kidnapping in others, and don’t walk alone at night in still other places. Ironically, I find it safer to be in places with specific threats of violence – you know what to do and where not to be to avoid it – than in a place where the violence is so random. Now there’s another shooting in America, in Dayton, Ohio. You’d think they’d make some gun control, but, my guess is, danger is a business – when people buy guns, they make gun fabricators rich, and it’s not in their best interest to have people stop buying guns. So, is the outside world really more dangerous than America? Or do we simply feel safer in the worlds we know, than those we don’t?

24 Comments

Jay Artale on October 2, 2019 at 18:47

I moved to Turkey three years ago, and we’ve heard a constant barrage of negative comments from people in other countries about how they’d never go to Turkey because it’s so unsafe. It’s the international press that paints such a grim picture, and it’s so unfair.
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- Heather Markel on October 3, 2019 at 02:47
  
  Completely unfair and I think one small problem gets exaggerated into a major issue to sell ad space.
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MICHELLE MOYER on October 2, 2019 at 19:36

Kidnapping insurance? Really? What will they think of next????
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- Heather Markel on October 3, 2019 at 02:45
  
  I know! I was amazed. And then chuckled because it’s not insurance against kidnapping it’s basically getting a negotiator to get you back. Oy…
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Sarah Wilson on October 3, 2019 at 02:40

I’ve travelled extensively around the world. I always pay attention to where I am and have never felt in danger. With all the stories about Rio, I thought I’d be mugged the moment I got off the plane. To be honest, the only time I’ve felt nervous as a traveler is when I’ve been in the States. Their love of guns and open carry terrifies me.
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- Heather Markel on October 3, 2019 at 02:44
  
  Sarah I’m finding that so strange! I had all the same concerns in Rio and just loved it! The gun problem is so upsetting.
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Ann on October 3, 2019 at 02:49

There are dangers everywhere you go nowadays. That doesnt mean you shouldnt go, theres probobly danger in your local surroundings aswell 🙂
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- Heather Markel on October 3, 2019 at 02:53
  
  So true!
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Sharon on October 3, 2019 at 11:20

There is danger everywhere, we just have to be careful, for if it’s not a shooting, its a mugging, or kidnapping or robbing and the list goes on and on. All we can do is enjoy the pros of the places we visit and be extra cautious on the cons.
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- Heather Markel on October 3, 2019 at 11:45
  
  Well said!
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Agnese on October 3, 2019 at 13:29

Before living to a year and a half in South America people were so concern about my choice. Maybe I’ve been so lucky but nothing never happened. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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- Heather Markel on October 3, 2019 at 13:31
  
  Oh I’m jealous! I was only there for 6 months. It was nothing but delightful. I happen to think it’s more than luck! Glad you also had good experiences.
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Nancy Williams on October 3, 2019 at 13:57

While random acts of violence obviously happen, I also think in the US there are areas you know to avoid when you are familiar with the area. Avoiding them significantly decreases your odds of being a victim. I have been held up at gun point in an area which is considered safe (in broad daylight) which we all know violence can happen anywhere.
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- Heather Markel on October 3, 2019 at 14:05
  
  I’m so sorry to hear this happened to you. Also glad you survived that. Agree that avoiding known danger greatly reduces risk.
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Melissa Harrower on October 3, 2019 at 14:12

Really interesting read, and great information for all long term travellers to take into account! Thank you!
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becki rendell on October 3, 2019 at 15:30

This is constatnly on my mind when im traveling anywhere. Mostly I am find until someone from my home country says ‘is it safe’ or ‘it’s dagerous’. ALL countries have dangerous elements, if i go to London and im in the wrong place at the wrong time then that would be classed as dangerous. True that some places need more caution than others, but the media has a lot of pay for , for making people think so many safe places are no-go zones.
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- Heather Markel on October 3, 2019 at 16:27
  
  That’s I think what gets me – like you said all countries have safety and danger yet the media makes us think some countries are more dangerous than safe…
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Georgina on October 3, 2019 at 18:06

There is danger everywhere, regardless of where we go. We can only take all the precautions we can take and be sensible. A good read, thanks for sharing
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Natalie Klein on October 3, 2019 at 18:49

It’s so sad that we have to worry when we travel! There are so many places to explore – I guess we just have to be sensible in what we do and how we do it! It shouldn’t stop us!
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- Heather Markel on October 4, 2019 at 03:11
  
  Not being stopped is the key!
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Sharon on October 3, 2019 at 22:25

We’ve traveled to Europe several times and always hear people express fear. Yet in the US, we have random shootings all over the country. I try to be careful, but I’m not staying home!
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- Heather Markel on October 4, 2019 at 03:12
  
  Great minds think alike! ?
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Chelsea Messina on October 4, 2019 at 08:44

I agree with you. Safety is an extremely lucrative business, and it will only grow further. I have my degree in occupational health and safety. I’ve worked for the same Fortune 500 company since I graduated…and head hunters/other companies reach out to me DAILY about safety job opportunities with their companies. I graduated 8 years ago, and the demand for this field has only skyrocketed even further. Partly because there isn’t enough people with the degree to fill the jobs, MOSTLY litigation reasons. Companies have laws and regulations that protect workers, and most do not adhere to them so they get fined by OSHA and other government agencies when they injure or KILL their employees. Only then will they bring in a safety professional…essentially to “clean up their mess”, and sort through the fines/violations to create a corrective action plan. Everything you said is true, and its unfortunate 🙁
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- Heather Markel on October 4, 2019 at 09:19
  
  Ugh you know I thought I was just being conspiracy theorist…sad to know so much is true and that loss of life has to be the catalyst for change. ? Thanks for sharing.
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