I’d worn that same gear in plenty of other countries and it had never been a problem,but no surprise that in some places,a man with a holster buckled at his side causes alarm.
What you might wear or the gear you might use at home can land you in hot water when you’re out in the wider world.
Camouflage gear
Love the camo look? Those mottled khaki pants with multiple pockets and zippers are just the thing for a gorilla spotting trip in Uganda or birdwatching in Costa Rica,but on the streets of Oman’s Muscat,Jamaica’s Kingstown or Lusaka in Zambia,they’re going to attract the wrong sort of attention. In those countries and several more in the Caribbean,the Middle East and parts of Africa,camouflage gear says the wearer might be associated with rebels,a terrorist organisation or foreign military – and that’s a problem. That might invite questions,such as “Which military are you with? Are you an aspiring mercenary looking for employment?” Camo gear is also great for hiding stains,but that explanation is unlikely to get you out of a tight spot.
Drones
“Why do you need a drone?” That was the beginning of a recent conversation I overheard at the customs desk at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Drones are not illegal in India but they are regulated. Only Indian citizens are allowed to operate a drone,and they need to be registered with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Drones make you into an all-seeing eye god.