How to avoid getting mugged in Buenos Aires
If you know me well, you know that I tend to be a cautious person and have certain fears. Like the possibility of getting assaulted as a female in New Delhi.
Another one of my fears? Getting mugged in Buenos Aires.
Buenos Aires, similar to other large South American cities like Rio, has a high crime rate. You can blame the unstable economy and high inflation rates that caused a wide gap between the wealthy and poor. It's sad really that these criminals are so desperate they resort to attacking foreigners. While violent crimes like murders are uncommon, you will find that there's a lot of what they call "petty crimes" here like muggings and burglaries in the Paris of Latin America.
On the Buenos Aires Expat Hub facebook group for expats and foreigners living in BsAs, you'll find thread after thread about mugging and theft incidents.
On top of that...
Brian (yes, my husband and co-author of this blog) was mugged during his first trip to Argentina in broad daylight. Brian was distracted by some random young kid who claimed that birds pooped on his pants. It turned out to be a burglary scam. They had squirted mustard on Brian's pants and then the kid's accomplice ran off with Brian's briefcase that had all of his valuables inside! Thankfully, a Good Samaritan chased after the burglars and handed Brian back his briefcase. Brian has been vigilant and alert ever since then, and suspicious of any strange behaviors when strangers approach us.
Our friend Neema who lived in BsAs for 6 months, was mugged at gun point! Scary stuff. Thankfully Neema was prepared, and handed over his "dummy" wallet.
Our friend Steve from SF was also mugged on his visit here. I don't know the details about what happened, but when I did hear about it, it was like, "of course he did! Everyone gets mugged in BsAs!"
The scariest incident I heard was of a friend of mine in Spanish school who was attacked in broad daylight by the Retiro station. The burglar grabbed her throat to try to yank off her necklace, and also tried to steal her purse. Thankfully, 2 vendors nearby heard her screaming and came to her rescue.
Muggings are so common here, that I was told before coming to Buenos Aires to just "expect getting mugged."
Believe it or not, there were 3 times I felt threatened in Buenos Aires.
Once in San Telmo barrio when I was walking in broad daylight, and these 2 guys with backpacks walked right behind me and got waaaay too close. I just had that "gut" feeling they were up to no good. So I turned around, looked them straight in the eye, and gave them a "don't mess with me!" glare. They eventually went away.
Another time Brian and I were walking down a large road only blocks away from our home in Palermo SoHo when 2 guys on a motochorro (motorcycle) drove up right next to me. Brian right away pushed me over to the other side of the sidewalk, and said he was certain they were about to yank my purse.
A final time was when my dear friend Esther visited. Esther and I were walking in Palermo SoHo on a busy night, when suddenly this woman in a business suit and her accomplice accidentally "bumped" into me. I didn't think much of it first because she didn't seem suspicious, but when I looked down she had opened my purse zipper! She must have been a burglar dressed as a business woman to trick her victims. Thankfully she didn't steal anything because I conceal all of my valuables in tucked away places.
Here are some precautions I've taken to avoid being mugged in Buenos Aires:
1. I dress down. Meaning I wear super casual clothes like jeans, plain colored t shirts, and yoga pants. Some of my fashionable friends back home may be disappointed that I've stopped dressing up here, but it's unfortunately what I have to do to draw less attention to myself. I'd rather be safe and unfashionable, than a fashionable target.
2. I don't carry any valuables. Meaning I leave all of my jewelry and fancy designer bags at home. I left my engagement ring back home with my parents, and wear a simple wedding band. I also never carry more than $500 ARG pesos with me, which is the equivalent of $35 US dollars on any given day. Just in case the unthinkable were to happen.
3. I don't flash my tech products. Tech equipment and Apple products are highly taxed in Argentina (meaning 100%+ taxes,) and exorbitantly priced. Most burglars go after your iPhones / iPads / Macbooks. Brian and I avoid using our iPhones in public. When I need to use Google maps on the street to get directions, I'll usually hide at an entrance of a building or street corner so I'm not flashing my iPhone in public. And I only use my Macbook at safe neighborhood wifi cafes.
4. I walk with a purpose. Meaning I always walk fast with my head up, look straight ahead, and walk as if I know where I'm going (even if I don't.) The minute a mugger senses that you are insecure or lost, you become an instant target.
5. I make bold eye contact. Every time I sense that someone is getting too close to me or approaching me, I look them boldly in the eye and make sure they know that I've seen them. The minute you make eye contact with confidence, it ruins their game. I'm sure I've given some innocent bystanders "the look," but hey, better safe than sorry.
6. I watch my purse at all times. I never leave my purse anywhere unattended, and I always have it close to me when I walk. Thank goodness for body crossover bags!
It restores my faith in humanity that most muggings are intercepted by Good Samaritans like the ones that helped Brian and my Spanish school friend. You'll find more Argentinians running to the rescue of victims and angrily warding off the burglars. Most Argentinians look out for each other. I'd like to think optimistically that most people in this world are good at heart.
I hope to keep this track record of being mugging - free throughout our tenure in South America.