It is important to know the difference between
- Structured Europe
- Unstructured Europe
Structured Europe is the of Europe that, over the past 60 years, has developed a commong legal body and strengthen economic and cultural ties.
We are talking about the European Union and its area of influence (EU + Norway + Switzerland + Iceland)
You can think of the European Union as an equivalent to the USA:
- There are no borders between countries, so you will not find any border control while travelling accross the EU
- Countries share the same currency, so you will not need to be constantly looking at the exchange rate
- Countries share same standards of safety (health, food, traffic signs, etc.), measures (weight, distance, etc.)
- Countries share police and judicial records, and gun ownership is not allowed in Europe, making it a really safe area in comparison to the USA
- Countries are political and military allies, therefore there is cooperation between them and 0 risk of war
You can see in the link below a map comprising the list of countries included in this category
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_in...
Unstructured Europe is composed of the different European countries who have not yet achieved the required levels of political stability, economic development, public saftey, etc, that are required to join the European Union. We are talking about Russia, Ukraine, Serbia.... (countries in grey in the previous link)
My personal recommendation is to avoid them, for the time being.
Russia is currently at war with Ukraine
Serbia was at war with Kosovo as recently as 15 years ago
Assuming you you are asking for a comparison between the USA and Europe then in most ways it's about the same. The murder rate is lower in Europe, but in the USA nearly all of the murders and shootings happen between criminals who kill each other over things like drug territory competition. Almost all the rest in the USA are domestic disputes. Stay away from drug dealers and crazy spouses/lovers to avoid being murdered/shot/stabbed in the USA.
You don't need to worry about terrorism as an individual. Yes, lightning can strike but it's not something you can do anything about. The only place in Europe where there is currently a "war" is eastern Ukraine.
Some cities in Europe are more dangerous than equivalent American cities. For example, London's violent crime rate is almost double that of NYC. Less shootings, yes - but more violent crime like robberies. Crimes like pick pocketing and purse snatching are almost epidemic in high-tourism parts of some cities (ex. in London and Paris). Scams targeting tourists are also a huge problem.
However, all you need to do is use basic common sense. That includes not walking through dark, deserted places late at night. Take a taxi, and ask the staff at the club/restaurant/hotel to call the taxi for you.
Don't give money to panhandlers. If you feel you MUST give some money than donate a few coins IF you can get to them without showing where you keep your cash. A variation is for a person to approach you trying to sell a "gold ring" for a small amount of money. Their actual objective is to get you to show where you keep your money so you can be targeted for pick pocket or purse/wallet snatching.
Pub/bar/club violence can be a problem in some places, and apparently especially in Ireland and the UK. Just LEAVE (after paying) if someone tries to confront you. Knocking out someone's teeth seems to be a sport among a certain level of the population in a few countries.
Ethnic and/or islamic neighborhoods: Ask your hotel if there are parts of the city to avoid. They can usually identify them by public transit stops ("Don't get off at ____ metro stop unless you have business there.").
Don't keep "everything" in a purse or backpack. I keep my passport, most of my credit cards and most of my cash in an under-clothing security belt like this:
http://www.travelsmith.com/eagle-creek-m...
I only have daily ID (ex. driving license or passport card), one credit card, and a little cash in my wallet.
Check with your health insurance to find out if it covers you in Europe and pays for medical evacuation to home (should that be necessary). If yes then take proof of coverage with you. If no or not sure then get trip medical insurance, which is cheap and sold by airlines & travel agents. Having travel medical insurance is a requirement to enter some countries (ex. Lithuania & Slovakia). Even if it's not, PLEASE do not skimp on this as an otherwise-silly accident could turn into a crisis if you don't have medical insurance.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw...
Finally, don't be overly paranoid. Most of the people who have a problem are people who never thought about the issue. The fact you have asked means you are unlikely to have a problem.
Compared to what? It's all relative. Compared to Syria? The Ukraine? West Africa. And safe from what? Violence? Disease? Government oppression? And what part of Europe. It isn't exactly small you know and parts differ greatly. Be more specific.
Well, I would say that the 740 million people in somewhere over 50 countries are all shaking in their beds with fear. I haven't noticed it, but presumably they are putting on a brave face or something... What do you think?
In general a lot more saver than the US.
(way lower murder rate) but as said europe is a continet with a lot of different countries.
We can't buy guns with a bottle of coke at the corner shop, so we are a lot safer than the US.
We run from cover to cover.
Still far safer than any city in the US.
if they kill cartoonist, you should be fine
