Practical Travel Safety Issues - beggars at Gare du Nord - Paris

keep forgetting to post this as information.
At Paris' Gare du Nord, getting off the trains beggars may approach and ask "do you speak English?" It's a sucker question. Don't answer and keep walking. Those that answer yes are then hounded for donations and in some instances threatened. The beggars (women and their children who are dressed like Gypsies) can be very aggressive. I've seen them take food off of peoples' plates and simply laugh and walk away. Also I notice they seem to zero-in on Americans:mad: Once they know you're an American, you can't shake them loose. Initially, this was an annoyance but now has become a major irritant. I wish police would come in and clear the station of them. Until they do, make sure you don't answer and keep walking. Adieu!

The Gare du Nord is no worse in this regard than any other large European train station, and much better than some (tried Florence or Barcelona Sants lately?).

Just keep alert and look like you know what you're doing and there's no problem at all.

The Gare du Nord is no worse in this regard than any other large European train station, and much better than some (tried Florence or Barcelona Sants lately?).


Fortunately doesn't seem to have spread to the UK...yet. Large British railway stations feel far safer as a result.

Fortunately doesn't seem to have spread to the UK...yet. Large British railway stations feel far safer as a result.

Sorry, fell into the usual British trap of using "Europe" to mean continental Europe, excluding the UK & Ireland!

Oddly true that the big railway stations in the UK are one of the very few public spaces that are better than those on the continent.

my trips (Eurostar) are London/Paris.
odd, never thought London could be in a similar situation as i know London and her people are way above this disgusting behavior.

Sorry, fell into the usual British trap of using "Europe" to mean continental Europe, excluding the UK & Ireland!

Oddly true that the big railway stations in the UK are one of the very few public spaces that are better than those on the continent.

The trains themselves, too. I'll happily leave a laptop or other items on the luggage rack on a British long-distance train and visit the toilet or buffet car, perhaps asking someone who looks respectable to keep an eye out, so long as there isn't going to be a stop in between. I can't think of any European railway where I would happily do that, and I've heard of lots of reports of theft of such things from trains throughout Europe, yet it seems almost unheard of in the UK.

It is an odd difference.

The trains themselves, too. I'll happily leave a laptop or other items on the luggage rack on a British long-distance train and visit the toilet or buffet car, perhaps asking someone who looks respectable to keep an eye out, so long as there isn't going to be a stop in between. I can't think of any European railway where I would happily do that, and I've heard of lots of reports of theft of such things from trains throughout Europe, yet it seems almost unheard of in the UK.

It is an odd difference.

Cameras watch everyone in the UK.

I managed to avoid the beggars at Gare du Nord. However, I did witness one make an ungodly screetch every time someone said no. The "do you speak english" scam was pretty widespread around Paris when I was there. I found it was best countered with a stupid and silent "I don't understand" look while continuing to walk.

Nothing new. I recall an interaction with these ambassadors of Paris in 1982.

One thing to watch out for is the cardboard with something written on it. This is used to distract you while their partner reaches into your pocket.

Learn some cuss words in an Eastern European or South Asian language. It'll scare them off like a charm!

Edited to add that I am suprised that SNCF would let Gare du Nord have this problem given the money that they spent to renovate and expand the station. It's much nicer now than it was in 1982!

I don't like ignoring people because it's rude and I'm happy to help someone who is lost or something like that (it's certainly helpful to find someone who speaks the same language as you when you've got a problem), but I dislike being harassed by people who tricked me into talking to them with the "do you speak English" question.