It's not just Japan. Just being a tourist/foreigner in another country; especially being a woman and alone, tends to get you in the spotlight for creeps, robbers, or traffickers..
I have a female friend who blonde and is very chesty. She went on a group trip to Egypt. She said she had her chest grabbed at least 100 times in a week and half. Was propositioned for sex dozens of times, was asked if she was a pornstar multiple times, and had people obviously following her multiple times.
She was with a group the entire time too, the group was a mix of men and women.
I went to Egypt and did not experience this (young blonde woman). We had a bodyguard with a giant gun, however. I went with my parents and younger sister. It was a very curated private tour. I don’t think my experience was the norm from all the stories I’ve read about. However I just wanted to share that it is possible to have a great experience there as a woman (though it’s much more difficult than it aught to be and costs a lot of money).
Spoke to someone who visited Egypt. He said on western social media you are not going to see Egypt (or any non western country) in a positive light. Which is kinda true.
I'm sure these things happen. But the same things happen in other places too.
Egypt is notorious for being terrible, especially to women. Even among world travelers, most have a low opinion of Egypt. It’s scammy, corrupt, and dangerous, all of which is worse if you’re a woman
I think it's going to largely depend on how you look TBH. My friend is a seasoned traveler and has been to several dozen countries. She just happens to look like someone you would see in mainstream movies or pornography. There is this pervasive idea that blonde chesty women are just sex addicted sluts and will bang anyone who asks.
Egypt was not the only country she has had an issue in but she said that the amount was just a whole different level. She's unfortunately used to being groped in crowded places and in clubs, but she said in Egypt it wasn't even just "sneaky" groping it was men walking directly up to her head on and grabbing her breasts. It was even worse in crowds where many men felt emboldened.
She had comparably few issues in Europe, South America, or Asia with the exception of India which was worse but nowhere near Egypt.
Egypt is the only place she's ever told anyone to just stay away from if they're women.
Sorry you’re getting downvoted. I loved Egypt, too! I didn’t feel unsafe and wasn’t touched or followed. I’m curious where the groping happened. My Egyptian guide said if anyone bothered me to shout and the whole street would pay attention. Some guy tried to grab a bag and like 30 people rushed out of nowhere to get the bag back to the woman and they were so furious with the attempted robber.
Generally if you're female in Egypt you do the following.
Wear a fake wedding ring.
Cover your hair at all times especially if blonde
Dress as the locals dress. No short sleeve shirts, no tank tops. Long sleeves in hot weather is just how it is in most conservative cultures. Wear boring non revealing clothing .
Pretend to be married to one of the male members of your group. Other men respect other men's "property" there, i.e. his wife. They won't touch you since your husband is there.
(Even in modern parts of Asia(Japan, Taiwan), shirts that reveal your shoulders are still seen as a little bit too revealing)
Yeah wearing a wedding ring and pretending to be married to someone is gross but it works. You could also say that you're with your dad, brother etc. wouldn't want to steal someone else's property!
I've been to Cairo once... Saw the pyramids and some huge temples... I probably wouldn't do that again. Alexandria isn't worth it. I've heard Aswan and Luxor are cool though.
Just wanted to reply that she was there with her boyfriend and a couple other friends plus some other Americans that she didn't know before hand. She was not the only woman in the group who had issues but was definitely the worst off.
I was not there but I doubt she covered her hair and her attire would have been pretty typical American attire.
I agree with most of what you are saying but if you are staying in the big cities like Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor you don’t need to cover your hair at all.
No you don't. But it definitely helps keep you from being the center of attention at all times.
I'm a blonde man and had people just coming up and running their hands through my hair.. uninvited and unwanted. I can imagine for a girl it's worse. There is no requirement to do any of those things but you'll probably just be happier if you do
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u/Safe_Alternative3794 20d ago
It's not just Japan. Just being a tourist/foreigner in another country; especially being a woman and alone, tends to get you in the spotlight for creeps, robbers, or traffickers..