The Solo Traveller
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Confidence and Safety
Photographer: Sinitta Leunen | Unsplash.
Consent and communication in unfamiliar cultures
By Geoffrey Williams
Briefly …
How do we navigate consent and sexual health when travelling alone in unfamiliar cultures? This piece explores the importance of communication, boundaries, and self-trust to help solo travellers stay safe and respectful.
When we talk about confidence and safety as solo travellers, sexual health and consent often remain in the shadows – taboo topics rarely explored in the open. But solo travel, by its very nature, is about navigating the unknown, and that includes understanding how intimacy, boundaries, and communication work in cultures different from our own.
At its core, consent is a simple concept: enthusiastic, informed, and freely given agreement. But the way it’s communicated – verbally, physically, and/or socially – can vary greatly across cultures. In some places, direct communication about intimacy is welcomed, while in others, it’s considered taboo. Body language, eye contact, and gestures may be interpreted in ways we don’t expect, and what feels like a clear boundary in one country might not register the same way in another.
Consent is not a grey area – not at home, and not when you’re far from it. It's not flexible based on geography, culture, or gender. It’s your right, wherever you are. But how you navigate conversations about it takes cultural context into account. When approached with respect, empathy, and self-awareness, these conversations can be empowering, not awkward.
Consent isn’t a one-off moment or a box to be ticked. It’s a set of skills we learn and practise over time – empathy, clear communication, setting and respecting boundaries, reaching agreement, and recognising that consent can change or be withdrawn at any point. It’s an ongoing conversation, shaped by attention, care, and awareness of how another person is responding, both verbally and non-verbally.
Affirmative consent is everyone’s responsibility. It’s not about the absence of a “No”, but the presence of a genuine, unpressured “Yes”. That means checking in, paying attention to cues, and understanding that people don’t always respond clearly when they feel uncertain or unsafe. Some may freeze, comply, or agree out of fear, pressure, or a desire to avoid conflict, each of which are responses that don’t reflect true consent.
Cultural context can influence how these conversations happen, but it doesn’t change what consent is. While communication styles may vary from place to place, your boundaries remain valid wherever you are. Navigating intimacy with awareness and respect means staying attuned to cultural nuance and your own comfort, and remembering that consent, at its heart, is about mutual care, clarity, and choice.
“Navigating intimacy with awareness and respect means staying attuned to cultural nuance and your own comfort, and remembering that consent, at its heart, is about mutual care, clarity, and choice.”
Consent can also be conveyed through behavioural cues and actions, but only when they are clear, mutual, and unpressured. It is about paying attention to how the other person is responding in their words and actions. It is important to understand that some people freeze or fawn when they are afraid, or may say “Yes” due to pressure, coercion, or fear of rejection.
This doesn’t mean you need to compromise your own standards of consent. It means being even more intentional and clear in your communication, and doing the research to understand the social norms of the country you’re in. Your safety and comfort come first, but understanding context can help you navigate it with awareness and respect.
Whether it’s a casual encounter, a date with someone local, or an unexpected connection while travelling, your boundaries are your own. Reaching consent does not always have to be a stilted formal conversation. It includes reading body language, facial expressions and cues. You’re never obligated to go along with anything that makes you uncomfortable, no matter how it might be perceived culturally or socially. And remember, being in a new place doesn’t mean you need to adopt new values. You have every right to say “No” – firmly, kindly, unapologetically.
Photographer: MBI | iStock.
Travelling solo can sometimes put us in situations where we rely on others for guidance, translation, or even transport. These moments can create unspoken imbalances of power. If you feel pressured, uncertain, or uneasy, listen to your instincts. Staying safe doesn’t mean being rude, it means trusting your gut and taking action early. Move away, speak up, or seek help if you need to.
“If you feel pressured, uncertain, or uneasy, listen to your instincts. Staying safe doesn’t mean being rude, it means trusting your gut and taking action early. Move away, speak up, or seek help if you need to.”
It’s important to know how you’ll handle sexual health on the road before you may unexpectedly (as is often the case) find yourself ‘in the moment’. This might include:
• Packing your own protection, especially in countries where access is limited.
• Knowing where and how to access medical care if needed.
• Being clear with yourself about your boundaries, and how you’ll express them.
• Rehearsing key phrases in the local language that could help you communicate clearly.
Consent is a society-wide issue that many people want to talk about but don’t know where to start. Many people feel shame and fear around consent, and while most perpetrators of sexual violence are men, we also know that men are a large part of the solution. To travel solo is to trust yourself – your instincts, your values, your voice, and your right to move through the world safely, confidently, and without compromise. When it comes to your sexual health and safety, these are the boundaries and permissions that matter most.
You are not alone. If you, or anyone you know, needs support, there are organisations around the world that offer helplines where you can connect with others who can listen, advise, guide, and support. If you, or anyone you know, needs immediate support, please contact your local crisis or emergency operators.
Geoffrey Williams is The Solo Traveller Group’s Founder and Publishing Curator.