It was late at night and a guy approached me in the Galleries de St. Hubert right by the Grand Place. I was walking home from across town and about half way someone asked me for a lighter. In French I told him that I did not have one. I kept walking and about 2 minutes later in the Galleries he came up to me and started talking about Football. Then, I though to myself that it was kind of odd that he kept asking me what hotel I was staying at- I told him I did not have a hotel here and I was a study abroad student. About 30 seconds after getting away from him, I noticed that my phone, money, metro pass, and keys were gone from my left front pocket.

I went back to ask the guy if he "knew" where my cell phone was since I was sure he had just stolen it. He insisted that he did not know and miraculously it appeared on the ground a few feet away from him. I then asked about my keys and his friend pretended to pick them up from the ground and hand them to me when in fact he was simply setting them down from his pocket. Then I asked for my money which he insisted that he did not have. I told him in French that I knew that he knew where it was. He insisted that he did not. At that point I had to realize that there were two of them and one of me and nobody around to help me. I had to cut my losses and walk away from the situation because any more talk may not work to my benefit.

Based on this, I suggest the following:

1. If you are comfortable approaching your pickpocketer- do it. It is extremely rare that they are armed since guns are illegal in Europe. If they are armed, if you simply walk away and let them have your money you should not have a problem.

2. Don't be afraid to negotiate if you feel comfortable. They do not want your keys/ credit card/ phone. They just want cash! The rest they will give back to you. Why? Everything else can be tracked, but cash cannot. They only want cash.

3. If for some reason you have a lot of cash on you, put it in your shoe if you are alone late at night.

4. It is really easy to get pickpocketed... they are good! From a 2 minute conversation with someone your wallet can be gone.

5. Carrying a knife or pepper spray is a great idea. Do it!

6. People in Brussels are peaceful- the chances that they will hurt you physically or pull a knife/ gun on you are practically none. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself ans your wallet.

If you have any questions about this stuff, I have lots of study-abroad friends over here who have been pickpocketed and I can share advice and stories.

Brussels is AMAZING! ENJOY!