Bucharest Expat » safety http://bucharestexpat.com Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:06:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 Female Safety on Public Transportation With New Video http://bucharestexpat.com/2010/05/female-safety-on-public-transportation/ http://bucharestexpat.com/2010/05/female-safety-on-public-transportation/#comments Mon, 24 May 2010 15:11:03 +0000 Bucharest Expat http://bucharestexpat.com/?p=918
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    • ]]>     I have heard from my wife and many other people over and over the “horror” stories of what may and sometimes does transpire regarding males vs. females on public transportation in Bucharest. On a local news program (a subsidiary of PRO TV) there was a spot on the growing dangers of “attractive” females taking the bus. Why? Apparently some Romanian guys have been and are becoming more and more forceful on women whom they deem appropriate for their next “sexual” encounter. This works? Not likely. So here’s the deal… these Romanian males have every right to take public transportation as the next person, but where they are crossing the line is when they make lewd comments to women, and become “offended” when they don’t respond in a way the “pleases” them. Then the aggressiveness and the groping begins. In the US we would call this attempted rape, or at the very least, assault. These Romanian men have been quoted as calling it “quite normal”, “the girls love it”, and “they do it in the US”. Where on earth do they get that from….rap videos? Here are some links that may help you learn more about this, or at least shed some light on the subject:

    http://forum.softpedia.com/lofiversion/index.php/t491534-0.html

    http://forum.softpedia.com/lofiversion/index.php/t491534-25.html

    http://life.hotnews.ro/stiri-prin_oras-4729173-mitocanul-care-simte-nevoia-pipaie-urle-fese.htm

    So should you be concerned about your safety? Well, you should always be concerned about your safety! Carry pepper spray at the very least. I nor my wife have any real first hand experience with this issue, however she has had passing comments and whistles, but no touching or aggressiveness.

    Before anyone sees this as an attack on Romanian guys it is most assuredly not. A friend of mine who is Romanian also is aware of this situation, and simply put “It is shameful that groups of people feel this is appropriate, and gives a bad impression about everyone else out there”. Point well put.

    UPDATE:

    Just recently the news programs around Bucharest have been airing many stories on this, as it has been getting worse. These incidents have spread like wildfires around busy local areas even during broad daylight. There have been reports of this even in high end areas and tourist hot spots… so although this isn’t strange stuff for cities in general (NYC and LA have their fair share too, dont get me wrong) but it can happen and does happen to anyone, anyplace, anytime here. That is what makes it so dangerous. I have included a video in here for the “proof” that we aren’t a little bit over the edge here. Don’t let it discourage you from going out, however keep in mind some simple tips:

    If you have the opportunity to travel in a group or with some friends, then do so. You stand out when you are alone.

    When alone, act is if you are “with” certain groups of people walking… keep pace with them.

    Watch out for small groups of people that are just “staying” or “sitting” and watching people go by. With a keen eye one can spot the people who look suspicious. More often then not you can even see these same “people” whistling and making what are clearly lewd comments. Walk the other direction.

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    ]]>     http://bucharestexpat.com/2010/05/female-safety-on-public-transportation/feed/ 16     Stuck In A Communist Elevator… http://bucharestexpat.com/2010/01/stuck-in-a-communist-elevator/ http://bucharestexpat.com/2010/01/stuck-in-a-communist-elevator/#comments Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:54:57 +0000 Bucharest Expat http://bucharestexpat.com/?p=785
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    • ]]>     Elevator

    One of the things I hear people say over and over again in Bucharest is “wow… can this elevator be safe?” Well, you never really think too much about taking the stairs until the day you get STUCK in the elevator… for real.

    It happened to us today. It also sounds like the punch line of a joke….”how many morons does it take to stop a lift?” well in this case apparently 5. Three Americans, one Brit, and a Romanian.

    Our blatant disregard for the capacity of 3 people cost us all a half hour of our lives today. The elevator made its way down to the ground level, at which point absolutely nothing happened. The LED readout read zero with a line through it. Never seen that before.

    The guard heard us press the bell, walked up to the elevator doors and acknowledged that we were indeed stuck in the lift. The only way out was with a key from the outside, as there was no release on the inside. Ofcourse. So we asked him to call the elevator company to let us out. He had no minutes on his phone. We get no reception on our phones inside the lift.

    So…. after instructing the security guard to walk next door to the coffee shop, ask an employee to use the phone to call the service company to come out and let us out of the elevator at their earliest convenience, and one group iphone movie later…the doors opened. We now take the stairs. Enjoy the elevators everyone!

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    ]]>     http://bucharestexpat.com/2010/01/stuck-in-a-communist-elevator/feed/ 1     The Pickpockets Have Arrived http://bucharestexpat.com/2009/12/the-pickpockets-have-arrived/ http://bucharestexpat.com/2009/12/the-pickpockets-have-arrived/#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:54:47 +0000 Bucharest Expat http://bucharestexpat.com/?p=656
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    • ]]>     Pickpocket

    Happy Holidays. To all the “five finger discount” shoppers out there. We at the Bucharest Expat wish to remind you of a prior post… about a friend of ours who lost his very, very expensive camera to a thief. Well, just recently another friend of ours had his wallet pulled from his coat pocket while it was resting on a chair. Not only is there a possibility that this could happen to you, but it WILL if you are not careful

    It has been on the news quite a lot recently as well as in the newspaper. The petty criminals are TARGETING Romania this holiday season due to the growing (which is in question) expat population in Bucharest, especially during the holiday season. It is almost dead-on accurate in the assumption that expats carry more cash and valuables on them. Stop doing this! At least for now. Simple rules again that we all know:

    Wallets in front pockets

    Purses in front or on your lap

    Keep an eye on your goods when dining or sitting

    If you have to wear your Rolex, understand that you are just advertising

    Don’t keep ANYthing into your vehicle. Period. If you have a removable face on your stereo.. it’s better for you to remove it than the fellow that just smashed your window.

    Keep an eye on your housekeeper, property manager, anyone with access to your apartment or hotel. Or call us and see what we have available to help.

    Be Smart! Live. Learn. Bucharest.

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    ]]>     http://bucharestexpat.com/2009/12/the-pickpockets-have-arrived/feed/ 1     Who Let The Dogs Out? http://bucharestexpat.com/2009/09/who-let-the-dogs-out/ http://bucharestexpat.com/2009/09/who-let-the-dogs-out/#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:15:55 +0000 Bucharest Expat http://bucharestexpat.com/?p=22 I was just asked this question, and couldn’t help but crack a smile, as I believe I asked the same question about 2 days into my arrival a couple years ago; OMG what’s with all the stray dogs? Are they dangerous?

    Here’s the deal with the dogs. People here like to own dogs, just like anyone I suppose. The difference here is they prioritize the pedigree and bloodline of the dog(s) that they own. Well, a lot of people that own dogs, also like to let their dogs “out” of the house to go to the bathroom or get some air … etc. If people own a dog with a pedigree here, they are, as result, reluctant to spay or neuter their animals as well, because, well, who knows… there may be some money in puppies down the road. When these dogs are “let out” they do what dogs like to do. The result is quite a few “un-pedigreed” dogs wandering around.

    Will they attack? No. More than likely not, however once in a while there is an occurrence, usually through provocation or from a large group of dogs where “pack mentality” can set in. I am not saying don’t be careful, but of all things, don’t lose sleep over it. In the case of the dogs, just enjoy watching them look both ways before crossing the street at a “walk” sign!

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