**EDIT
Thanks for all the comments, wasn't expecting such a response, but they have been helpful is calming me down a bit. As a person who always expects the worst, I am still a bit spooked out, but am trying not to let it ruin the rest of my trip, but easier said than done. Luckily, taxis are quite cheap so I will be relying on these mostly. There is likely some parts where I will still have to walk but I will be sticking to main areas. I actually wore my headphones today which might have been why he thought I was an easy target, even though I still keep my senses about me when I have them on.
I'm hoping his intentions were nothing more than theft. I actually probably would have gotten over it quite quickly had he backed off when he knew I was onto him. It was the fact that he was persistent and seemed to have no shame that made me scared of what he could do. But in the end I was okay, so I will try to take this as a positive thing.
**End of edit
Hi folks,
On a trip in Portugal, second day here and I've just been followed in broad daylight.
Google maps took me up a side street which was quite narrow and hilly. Two people were behind me and I sensed something was off. I went into a shop and let them go ahead, but one guy was going quite slow. Once he was ahead, he kept looking back at me every two seconds. I let him reach the top of the hill and I stopped beside some people. He stood at the top and literally just stared at me as if he was waiting for me. I went on the phone to a friend and he started to walk towards me so I went past him, and he kept walking as if he was going back down the hill.
I kept walking and kept looking back and about a minute later he had turned the corner so he had came back up the hill again towards me. I again stood beside some people and just called a taxi, and he sort of lurked around ahead of me before I couldn't see him anymore, so he either left or went into a shop.
I don't understand what his intentions were? It's quiet being January but there are still people around, it's broad daylight and he knew I was onto him.
Not sure what to do now, quite scared to go out. For context, I am female and I do look quite young for my age.
Hopefully it won't happen again. Just look confident while walking, don't have your phone out and have your money secure and hidden. Don't let this one encounter ruin your trip. You did all of the right things when it happened.
Nobody knows this werido's intentions.
These situations are always frustrating and get to your head, its annoying and it takes a while to calm down again. I feel for you.
In this case we dont know what was going on, maybe wanted to sell something maybe got confused what you were doing but there is rarely a good reason to follow someone so yeah… annoying
Dont let it get to you is easy said in words and wont comfort you at all; maybe a nice safe restaurant tonight to compensate it? Happy food happy mind
I had 2 incidents in Portugal. One by an aggressive man trying to sell me weed (I don't smoke weed), who followed me after I said no. Another from a guy that tried to rob me late at night.
I'm a 6'2 guy, was in my 30s, well seasoned traveller. Portugal isn't particularly unsafe, this was a combination of stupidity and bad luck. The point is it can happen to anyone.
It happens to women way more than to 6,2 guys
No shit.
It’s good it just shows that you have your wits about you & that you’re extremely sharp with your sensory alarm going off.
Hi! I teach self defense. You did all the right things and listened to your instincts, but I can understand why you’re shaken up! I like to prepare a few little things to say in case they engage in conversation.
Try to pretend you aren’t traveling solo. “I’m sorry I can’t stop to chat. I’m late to meet up with my friend.”
Imagining a friend helps me feel less alone in that moment, and also lets the person know someone is expecting me. hope this helps even a little! Stay confident and enjoy your trip!
If your intuition says you’re in danger, always listen! You handled it correctly! If you want to tour around, look at Viator or whatever tour groups are available in your current destination. Join a small group of other tourists with a guide.
I’ve also been followed on vacation and it also freaked me out.
Sadly, we will never understand why men are like this. Hell, even the rare normal men can't answer this. As women we just need to constantly be on guard 24/7, whether they are just checking you out or something more sinister we can never be sure. Good thing to fake a phone call and walk into a store or if people are in the area, just scream at them, it'll spook them and they'll run away.
Note: Are you asking for travel advice about Portugal? Read what the Solo Travel community had to say in the weekly destination thread for Portugal.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
Be careful. Ive solo traveled Latin America+ South America(“dangerous places”) and Lisbon was where my drink got spiked.
Do you wannna tell the street name and how did they look? I have an idea...
What's your idea?
Racism
[removed]
Well, I am glad you are ok
[removed]
Learn English first