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Secondly, when travelling at night it's always best to stick close
to crowds, if caught on the subway alone and a group of young guys (typical
group of rowdy 14-35 year old males) gets on then it might be a good idea to
switch to a less empty carriage or get off and wait for the next train. This
isn't because all young men are rapists but women sitting alone tend to be
targets for conversation, even when you're definitely not in the mood.
Also, steer clear of parks and empty streets at night (duh), and
be watchful of people asking for "favors". In Stockholm it's pretty much good
manners not to approach a woman at night if she's alone (if it's not an
emergency), so just be watchful of anyone who does. Favors include asking you
what time it is, where you're headed and if you could show the way because
that's where they're heading and so on. If your gut tells you something's off
then it probably is.
Never ever ever "lend" your cell-phone to anybody. If there's been
an accident then call the police yourself, and don't fall for the "I've lost my
own phone and just need to make a quick call". However they spin it they'll
either just walk away with your phone or call a country so far away it's fallen
off the map. Just say you don't have a phone and take another route. This would
of course be an obvious lie for a Stockholmer since everybody has
a cell-phone but being a tourist has it's perks sometimes.
In general, regular "street smarts" apply. Don't go out and get
blind drunk when you're alone. Staggering home at night is just asking for
trouble. Also, don't walk longer distances than you have to at night, take a
bus/subway/cab and try to commute door to door until you've got the feel for
the city and which parts are shady.
When taking cabs, stick to the large registered companies. The
guys standing outside the club saying "taxi? Taxi?" are black market cabs and
there are a few horror stories regarding women who have taken rides and
severely regretted it later.
Lastly, it's perfectly acceptable to be a complete ice queen in
Stockholm. You don't have to look at everybody that says hi to you or wants
some of your time, and you definitely don't have to be friendly. "Icy polite"
is usually the way to go when you're not interested.
Worth mentioning is the fact that most people feel Stockholm is a
pretty safe city. We agree. Most likely you'll completely disagree with the
comments on this page after you leave, but it never hurts knowing a few obvious
pitfalls.
Now go out, have fun and be safe.
Useful information
Some legitimate cab companies:
Taxi Stockholm - #(08) 15
00 00
Taxi 020 - #020 20 20 20
Taxi kurir - #(08) 30 00 00
Women
hotline:
Kvinnojouren - #(08) 760 96 11 - they specialize in violence
against women
Websites for women travellers:
www.passionfruit.com
www.journeywoman.com
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