When I was planning my trip to Italy this summer I to noticed all the pickpocket warnings. I used a money belt for my wallet and room key. At first it was annoying but I soon got used to it. I was in Rome, Florence, and Venice and the only time I felt like was being violated was by the Coliseum. There are some steps across the street we went up and I was carrying a stroller. Suddenly about 3 Gypsy girls came up to me and started to grab my arms begging for money. I am sure they were checking out my pockets. I carried all of the money when we went out, my wife left her bag and wallet in the hotel room.