I insinuated nothing by quoting two posters in the same thread.

You yourself admitted that you made yourself a target in a popular tourist destination by engaging. I have been to many popular tourist destinations in France, and am rarely approached as a target. If I am (and I cannot recall the last time I was) I simply don't engage at all.

Those who appear more obviously to be tourists, and to be tourists from a country known to be generally friendly and open are more likely to be targetted because they are easier prey.

But you are correct - not all Americans are friendly, and nowhere did I state that was the case (nor did I say that I believed that to be the case) My personal feeling don't matter; what does matter is the mindset of the petty thief who is going to seek out the easiest target, and that is often the unaware tourist who is willing to engage.