So you tell your over protected loving parents that you want to visit Cambodia, with or without their blessings. Their mouth drops.

Now here it comes.

"Son, don't you know Cambodia is lawless and unsafe?" calmly utters your mom.

"Oh, the road conditions are horrendous! Aren't you afraid of accidents?

"At night locals will rob you because you are a foreigner."

"I am sure you heard stories about motodop drivers putting a spell or drugging you, then rob every penny in your pocket."

"And don't talk to any girls there. Most of them are prostitutes and their only intent is to get you drunk so they can steal your money!"

A deep sigh erupts.

By no means are my testimony an accurate reality of Cambodia, but this is common from a typical Khmerican parent.

Though it's only my fifteenth day here, I want to share you my thoughts and observations to the above concerns. Hopefully, this clears a few misunderstanding and grossly exaggerated stereotypes.

• Lawlessness. Yes, much of Cambodia may seem a bit 'lawless.' But lawlessness in my view implies "anarchy." Surely, not here in good old Phnom Penh. You can piss outside and you won't get whipped like Singaporeans or ticketed for indecent exposure like in the Land of Uncle Sam. If you get in a car accident, no police will "come to your rescue." No claim adjusters. No car insurance, no problem. Cash settles all here.
• Dubious motodops. Motodops drivers are the friendliest people I have met so far. Many know that I am not a local and are curious to chat about America. I never once felt uncomfortable or in danger when riding with them.
• Though land mines are synonymous with Cambodia, much of the heavy hit regions are remote and uninhabited. Of course Phnom Penh does not have that problem and surprisingly, I have not seen a local (yet) who has suffered these weapons of war.
• As for Khmer women? Well, I have not met any new faces to put judgment, but of course, the reality is not what my mom stated above.

The issue of one's safety and security is a matter of common sense. Trouble comes when you put yourself at risk by making dumb choices. At night, walk in a small group. Do not carry backpacks as that just screams, "get me, I am a tourist and I have money!" Familiarize yourself with a trusted motodop driver if you are to take one back home at night. Ask for his number. If you hear loud screaming and shouting, of course, veer away from the scene.

All said, I want to be clear that the reality of Cambodia is not a fraction of your parent's paranoiac views. Come with no doubt that the country has progressed since peace was formalized in 1997. Most of the region is safe to explore and most people here are genuinely hospitable.