Mavica

Nothing wrong with it in the USA.

The linked article doesn't provide many facts to back up the safety risk assertions. Local residents typically know where the safe / unsafe areas are, though. Not always, but usually. I was in Rio, maybe 15 years ago, when tourists waiting for a 'Bondinho de Santa Teresa' were at times, being beaten-up/robbed. I was sitting in the sand under an umbrella at Praia Ipanema not long after or maybe it was before the 'Bondinho' muggings period when a gang of young people from one of the favelas arrived and started hitting many people with clubs/bats, stealing personal belongings before running-off. And for decades, I'm recalling, hotel staff's in Cop.a have been warning guests leaving to visit parts of the city to leave valuables, cameras, bags, etc., behind because they thought there were dangers. Is the situation worse today than in years past, is this just another cycle of criminal activity that comes and goes? None of us is going to know that.

I think you're right.

Wrong place at the wrong time. Crimes of opportunity. In Rio, waiting for a bus, a man standing near me was beaten and robbed as I boarded the bus. I've been mugged in Mexico City several times. Once in Chicago. If you walk a lot, move atound a lot ... the chances of being victimized increase.

Keep it real. Which you're not doing.

I think it's been acknowledged by all but Netanyahu that there was an intelligence failure, or failure to act on the intelligence by Netanyahu.

Follow the link below to learn which of the movies had intermissions: https://tinyurl.com/mrxbazj3

From Human Rights Watch on Nov. 26, 2023: "Gaza: Findings on October 17 al-Ahli Hospital Explosion The explosion that killed and injured many civilians at al-Ahli Hrab Hospital in Gaza on October 17, 2023, resulted from an apparent rocket-propelled munition, such as those commonly used by Palestinian armed groups, that hit the hospital grounds, Human Rights Watch said today."

Obviously, you haven't noticed that discussion threads as old as 5 years old are still being commented on, in this particular forum .... and on others. Have nothing to add? Fine. Then just move-on.

Seems as if the purveyors of Thai news have forgotten about the Thai hostages that have been released by Hamas.

In my teens, I'd frequent a very busy paperback book / magazine store Downtown Chicago to thumb through the muscle magazines seeking a glimpse of guys as naked as they could be. The store was owned / staffed by two older gay guys (which it took me some time to understand, who / what they were) who, obviously, spotted me hanging around the store for an hour or two every now and then ... as I attempted not to be conspicuous. One day, one of the men said to me, "Young man, the magazine you ordered is here, behind the counter." "Come over here." Surprised, and not knowing what to do - I went behind the counter where the man lifted some magazines and underneath were gay, nude photo magazines. The men, on many occasions, allowed me behind the counter to discretely thumb through the magazines - without making a purchase. I don't remember the name of any of the magazines. These were my first gay magazine experiences and 60+ years later I've never forgotten the kindness and "wink, wink" relationship with these men (who never attempted to touch me or invite me to have sex). Many times in my adult life I've met young men on their "coming out" journey and have sought to assist in the journey to whatever extent I can/could - remembering the kindnesses shown me (no jokes, please! 😉).

No, don’t do it.

Emotions can run high on some issues. And then there are the trolls whose purpose / intent is to incite - without 'skin' in the game. And, yes, for some participants, posting is considered a game - such is life on social media. In the grand scheme of things what we post doesn't change anything; most of us have our minds made-up. Personally targeted, named attacks are something the site moderator(s) warn against, for good reason. We participate here because we agree on far more than we disagree. We share a common bond. For the most part, I express my opinions by using one of the emojis. Though, I'm not perfect.

I don't often peel / eat shrimp or want to clean the vein, take-off the feet, etc. I do it, from time to time, though - when the mood / circumstances move me. 😊Honestly, though, most of the shrimp I eat are already cooked, with tail on. Finger food? Dip the fingers in broth, etc? Bring it on!

I like the tail shell on but remove it before eating the shrimp.

As I've said previously, "For someone to suggest or insinuate taking security measures is classist is accurate ... and that concern transcends classes. Not to understand this illustrates a lack of travel experience and a lack of knowledge of the destinations and peoples being discussed."

Just because someone is from someplace doesn't necessarily equate to the individual seeing / understanding their or the broader geographical environment.

What we see in the photograph is not atypical in Mexico, where I've spent a lot of time. The building pictured could be a residence / condo or apartment building spanning multiple socioeconomic levels. Locals take security precautions because there's almost certainly been instances of home robberies or physical assault. It's commonplace in many countries to see barred outer doors, barred windows ... even in some neighborhoods in the USA. What about the broken glass bottles that are sticking out of cement at the top of property or balcony walls? They're commonplace in many countries. For someone to suggest or insinuate taking security measures is classist is accurate ... and that concern transcends classes. Not to understand this illustrates a lack of travel experience and a lack of knowledge of the destinations and peoples being discussed.

Yes, spewing hate ... and clearly siding with those solely responsible for the unnecessary deaths.

Well, you don't provide the source you're relying on. Let's have a look at a link to that. A photo of a graphic? One of the links I provided has Colombia at #5 and the other provides statistics one could consider making the same claim. In what context are you asking? Are you concerned about safety there?