Is the security situation of your country oftentimes also misunderstood abroad?

I work with americans pretty often, and they always comment about how mexico is pretty much madmax land everywhere. I know the stuff that happens in some places is really fucked up but....cmon. Most of the country exist in a realitively okish situation. You can get mugged if walking in the wrong places at night time on your own. Is it the same in your countries?