Speaking of McDonald's, while at the train station in Florence, witnessed some guy walking away with an old couples attache case while we were in the line. We shouted out to the guy, and he dropped the bag and walked away. When we approached the couple, the lady said that some guy pointed to some currency bills on the floor and asked her whether her husband dropped them. She started to pick up the bills from the floor which obviously distracted her, and before you know it, someone was stealing her husband's attache case.

Just be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. I wore one of those money belts that had a belt loop and stuck this under my clothes, and for my own peace of mind, sealed my front jean pocket with a giant safety pin. Rather extreme but it helped me relax When we met a couple of gypsy kids walking towards us, we just crossed the street to avoid them.