I think we can all agree that a beautiful setting immediately makes good food taste even better and leaves you feeling satisfied and completely reset.

Unfortunately, the very reasons why dining alfresco appeals to many of us are the same reasons thieves may like it just as much.

While the entire point of outdoor dining is to provide a leisurely experience, it can be easy to get so lost in the moment that you could lose situational awareness, even more so when you are having a blast with friends.

A petty thief will only need a few seconds to snatch your wallet or phone left sitting out on the table. Similarly, if your purse or bag is sitting on an empty seat, a seasoned pickpocket can easily dip inside and grab your valuables the moment you are distracted.

Since open-air setups often lack physical boundaries, they make stealing a breeze. Do note that the thief is not always a sketchy person in a hood doing a sidewalk grab-and-go. Sometimes, the culprit could be the person sitting right behind you or at the next table.

So, by all means, please enjoy your al fresco dining and romanticize your life all you want, but never leave your valuables unattended.

Tips:

• Keep your wallet, phone, and other valuables within your line of sight. Never leave your bag or purse unattended, even for a few seconds while taking photos.

• It is safer to bring your bag when you need to make a quick trip to the restroom if you don’t have a friend who could watch your belongings or a staff member isn’t available to assist you.

• Don’t be too trusting of strangers, and stay aware of distractions around you. Some pickpockets operate in groups and deliberately distract diners by attempting to start a casual conversation, asking for directions, or creating a sudden commotion while another person steals.

• It helps to insert a GPS Air Tracking Card inside your wallet. While the tracker can’t prevent theft, it can help you quickly locate a misplaced or stolen wallet the moment it leaves your immediate area.

To others, being able to have casual chitchats with passersby or with fellow diners is one of the lively perks of dining alfresco. Honestly, these conversations are a great way to unwind in a fast-paced city.

Unfortunately, being seated outdoors also makes you an easy target for aggressive pranksters or influencers who shove their cameras in your face for clout.

And if you are already dealing with a stalker, it is easy for him to watch your habits, figure out your favorites, and see who you hang out with.

If the restaurant doesn't have any staff or security keeping an eye on the patio, you can end up feeling really exposed and unsafe.

Tips:

• Try to grab a table where the staff can see you and vice versa. Ideally, you want to be seated within reach of the surveillance camera if there is any.

• Refrain from posting photos or updates on social media in real-time, as this could reveal your location.

• Keep an eye out for anyone acting weird. If you feel like someone may be following you, don’t head to your car or your next destination by yourself.

• It is never a bad idea to mix up your routine every now and then to confuse your stalker.

• Carry self-defense keychains for added protection and peace of mind. While no tool can replace situational awareness, being prepared for sketchy situations can help you respond with a lot more confidence.

Car Crashing Into Outdoor Seating

Not all restaurants and cafés have lush gardens or scenic courtyards. In busy and densely populated cities like the Big Apple, many establishments extended into sidewalks and curbside spaces, often using large flower planters, waist-high metal railings, or wooden dividers to separate diners from vehicles and pedestrians.

Some restaurateurs are so incredibly creative when styling these spaces that you would almost forget you are sitting only a few feet away from the street. The problem, however, is that many of these enclosures prioritize aesthetics over real protection.

Since the roadside dining boom, dozens of highly publicized vehicular accidents have occurred, with New York and Houston having documented some of the highest frequencies regarding cars crashing into outdoor dining areas due to a variety of causes, including distracted driving, vehicle malfunctions, reckless behavior, and human error.

In the event of a car slamming into a restaurant’s outdoor dining area, those lightweight dividers offer very little resistance against the force of impact.

Tips:

• Sometimes it is wiser to choose indoor seating if the only available tables sit directly beside passing vehicles or heavy pedestrian traffic. Sitting right beside the divider or perimeter barrier can be dangerous, as it is often the most vulnerable spot in a sidewalk café or curbside dining area.

• If you do decide to dine outdoors, try to select a seat positioned farthest from the street, and look outward toward traffic so you can remain more aware of your surroundings and notice any unusual movement, signs of reckless driving, or suspicious activity.

Final Words

Alfresco dining remains one of life’s simple pleasures, but its laid-back nature can sometimes cause us to let our guard down and miss potential risks.

So whether you want to enjoy a meal at a garden restaurant or sip coffee at a bustling sidewalk café, we hope that you will follow the tips we suggested above.

Carry self-defense tools, stay aware of your surroundings, and avoid sharing sensitive information within earshot of strangers.