Safety - The Definitive Guide to Moving to Southeast Asia: Cambodia - page 25

Safety
Since moving to Cambodia almost two years ago, I've never felt threatened, unsafe, or en-
dangered in any way. I walk everywhere, explore neighbourhoods, and travel around the
country on buses and motorbikes. Having said that, however, it's a place where you do need
to exercise caution as the cities (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, in particular) possess an edgi-
ness that can turn unpleasant if you don't handle yourself correctly.
ThesearesomeofthethingsI'dsuggest not doing:drinkingadozenbeersandtryingtofind
your way home at 3am; walking alone as a woman late at night; expressing anger or show-
ing aggression to a Cambodian native (everything, even confrontations, are handled with
smiles); getting into a traffic accident or physical incident and sticking around (we've heard
of foreigners who are blamed, no matter what, when in confrontation with a local); using an
ATM at night; carrying a bag over your shoulder; carrying anything valuable; riding on the
back of a motodop (motorcycle taxi).
A few months after moving here, I had my bag snatched from my shoulder by a moto driver
on the street where I live one night while walking home from dinner with my husband. It