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If you go walking in the countryside, beware of the national obsession with shooting and trapping birds - the little stone shacks that pepper the cliff tops are shooters' hides. You will hear the popping of shotguns before you see the shooters - and they're not at all welcoming. The season for shooting is from late May to August (the shortest in Europe), but even these dates are routinely ignored by hunters, and the law is poorly enforced. If you do encounter hunters, greet them and keep walking - certainly don't confront them if you disapprove of their activities.
Beware of locals short-changing or overcharging those unfamiliar with the currency, especially in restaurants without menus and at kiosks that do not post their prices. In the past, there have been complaints of taxi drivers ripping off travellers, but the authorities have attempted to remedy this - official taxis were fitted with meters in mid-2006. On the island of Malta, there are kiosks at the airport and port where you pay the set taxi tariff up front.
Much of the road network is in need of repair, so driving is often an uncomfortably bumpy experience. Road rules are rarely observed, especially during rush hour around Sliema and St Julian's on Malta. There's something of a macho culture among young male drivers, and the accident rate is correspondingly high. This attitude extends to bus drivers too.
Incidents involving pickpockets and purse-snatchers are uncommon, but there have recently been reports of thieves breaking into cars parked in quiet areas like Marfa and Delimara Point on Malta. Don't leave anything of value on display. Although Valletta is far safer than most European capitals, it's sensible to exercise caution, especially in quieter streets late at night.
Simple things like a change of water, food or climate can cause stomach upsets. If you develop diarrhoea, make sure to drink plenty of fluids, preferably with an oral rehydration solution (eg dioralyte). If diarrhoea is bloody, persists for more than 72 hours or is accompanied by fever, shaking, chills or severe abdominal pain you should seek medical attention.
Take care in the fierce heat of a Maltese summer. Heat exhaustion follows excessive fluid loss with inadequate replacement of fluids and salt. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness and tiredness. Dehydration is already in play by the time you feel thirsty - aim to drink sufficient water to produce pale, diluted urine. To treat heat exhaustion, replace lost fluids by drinking water and/or fruit juice, and cool the body with cold water and fans.
Heatstroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion, resulting in irrational and hyperactive behaviour, and eventually loss of consciousness and death. Rapid cooling by spraying the body with water and fanning is ideal. Emergency fluid and electrolyte replacement by intravenous drip is recommended.
