American travelers — at least those of the cautious variety — might be familiar with the US State Department’s travel advisories.
The agency monitors the world for potential trouble and issues warnings from “Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions” to “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” alerting would-be visitors to terrorism threats, war, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, high crime rates and other personal security issues.
But have you ever wondered how other countries’ governments caution their citizens about coming to the United States? What kind of reputation does America have?
After all, the rate of gun-related deaths in the United States is going up. And mass shootings in America — 610 as of November 25, according to Gun Violence Archive — have become commonplace and make headlines around the world.
Would-be visitors aren’t being warned off entirely as if America is an active war zone. Each nation has its own approach, but a general theme boils down to this: The United States is more violent than what you’re used to. Learn to take precautions there that you might not have to take at home.
The other takeaway: Violent crime rarely involves tourists.
I – Word Understanding
Arbitrary – unpredictable / random
Takeaway – a keypoint to remember
II – Have Your Say
1, Have you ever been to the US? What was your experience like? What do you think about the issue of safety in the US? What are your main concerns should you visit there?
2, Japan also has its own warning to Japanese nationals visiting the US. What can you say about it? It says “one of the main security concerns in the United States is gun crime” and offers a lot of advice for getting out of or hunkering down in possible active shooter situations, including:
• Find security exits in a new place and have an evacuation plan
• Escape regardless of whether others agree or not
• Hide in a room and barricade the door using heavy furniture
• Keep quiet and mute cell phones
If a Japanese tourist can’t escape or hide, they’re advised to “throw things close to the criminal, use them as weapons; scream; act with all your might.”
3, What other countries do you personally think are not safe to travel? What counties would you rather visit?
925 What travel warnings do other nations give their citizens about US violence?
