Some Orlando safety info

[hmp2z]

Hi! I live here in Kissimmee, and do my weekly shopping at the Four Corners Wal-Mart. Because we get a LOT of British tourists, in this area, I just wanted to point something out.

I'm guessing that the UK is a much safer place than the US, because whenever we do our weekly shopping, we notice, each and every time, British tourists prominently displaying big wads of cash when checking out at the register. This really isn't a safe thing to do, here in the US, and at Wal-Mart in particular, which isn't by any means an upscale shopping center.

So I had a few suggestions for British tourists. First, if you can pay by credit card when you're shopping, that's best. You usually get the best exchange rate that way, and it's much, much safer than carrying serious cash.

Secondly, if you do have to pay by cash, take the money out discreetly, so that no one knows how much you have. I can't tell you how many times I've seen big stacks of hundreds pulled out, so that 1 or 2 bills can be retrieved. The best thing to do is to keep the money in your wallet, and just peep in and take out 1 or 2 bills. That way, no one knows just how much you're carrying, so no one will target you as a good victim. For many of the Wal-Mart shoppers, you've got as much in your wallet as they would have to work for 3 months to earn, so it's very tempting.

Before leaving the register area, put the change away. Again, if you're walking around, wallet open, people can see how much money you have, and, by holding money out, it's easy for someone to just snatch it out of your hand.

I guess it's something that, living in the US, we just take for granted - we're used to the superabundance of criminals here Since the money handling issue is one we've seen, again and again, every single weekend, I thought it might be helpful to give a few safety tips for travelers to the US and to the Orlando area in particular.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[gaz]

thank-you for that, i think most Brits get lulled into a false sense of security on hols esp in florida as it is such a magical place

 

[Queenie]

I think one of the big problems for a lot of brits is that we struggle to see the difference between the different notes and so we end up pulling everything out to find the right ones. I know I get quite frustrated by it myself. However I've never carried the kind of quantities you're talking about, I agree totally about using cards where you can and only carrying minimum cash.

 

[UKDEB]

Thanks for taking the time to post, Heather.

 

[BingsingsWaltDisney]

Yes thank you a lot of people will take note

 

[Boo Boo Too]

I think it is a great post too

I have seen it happen a lot too. Brits don't tend to do the same thing in this country, so I guess it is a "holiday" thing.

We tend to leave the majority of our cash, most of our creidt cards and our passports locked back in the room safe.

Boo

 

[Hilary]

Thanks for the friendly reminder

 

[afcgirl]

I have lived in the US my whole life (Chicago) and although it is probably good not to flash money, I do not agree with the OP that there is a "superabundance of criminals" in the US. I have never been robbed or had money stolen from me (even in a Wal-Mart, LOL, which I doubt has any more criminals than any other store).

 

[Shane]

Thanks for the reminder.

I understand exactly what you mean, specially as everyone is friendly and kind over there, you sometimes forget

Take Care,

Shane

 

[cleo]

I have to agree there is no more chance of being robbed at Goodings than there is anywhere else in the world, and possibly less so. I've lived in America my whole life and in Orlando the past 3 years, and I would never say we have a 'superabundance of criminals' in the US.

That said, it's never a good idea to flash your cash, no matter where you are.

Common sense is the one thing tourists tend to leave locked in their hotel room, no matter which country they are visiting. I do the same thing when sorting through all those funny little coins when I'm in the UK. It isn't obvious to me what they are and I have to hold each one up and read it.

Great reminder though, since it's such a common thing to do when we're in a place we feel relatively safe. I just wanted to chime in to say you ARE generally safe, it's just never smart to tempt fate.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

The years we have been going, I have always tried to "blend in" if you get my drift, dressing in USA clothes and style.
One reason, & I know it sounds a bit strange is that I have the feeling that the crims will go for the Brit looking one, i.e. in the football shirt etc.. as they know they are tourists and easy prey.
If they think you are a fellow American, there is always a possibility that you could be armed and not so easy prey.
I remember a few years ago when the hire car companies had to change the way they identified their cars as the crims were going for the hire cars on there way from the airports. One rule from FHP was not to allow anyone to see you looking at a map and to leave a bigger space between you and the car in front at traffic lights so you could get away if needs be

 

[Minniespal]

Thanx for taking the time to post Heather.

 

[jockey]

Thanks!

 

[Haworthfamily]

thanks for the info.
I think I'm proabbly guilty of it - you just get into Holiday mode and forget about safety.

 

[carolfoy]

Thanks for the heads up, although I have to admit to getting a lot of American visitors in my shop with the huge wads of cash, trying to purchase rail tickets, very often giving the whole wad to me to work out what I need., its okay, I haven't robbed one yet

 

[gbrchill]

I think one of the big problems for a lot of brits is that we struggle to see the difference between the different notes.

At least it is getting easier with the new more colourful $20 and $10 notes.

Chris

 

[Disney owl]

Thanks Heather

Yes we've just come back from 5 days in USA & it was much easier now some of the notes are different colours. Obviously the older notes are still all green

 

[paul_sheps]

Good advice anywhere I would say, don't know about the UK being safer though, plenty of low life over here.

 

[basas]

Good advice anywhere I would say, don't know about the UK being safer though, plenty of low life over here.

I do think crime is more isolated in the US…the large majority of the bad stuff happens in poor neighborhoods, the inner city, and is gang/drug related. I know in my neighborhood we have very little crime…many people leave their stuff wide out in the open much of the time and no-one cares. I think it depends where you go…

 

[UKDEB]

It's pretty much the same here, basas. We live in a small city and the crime here is a lot worse than in rural areas, but nowhere near the levels seen in the major towns and citiies. Our news headlines this week have been focusing on the growing problem of gang-related, gun-related crime in our inner cities.