pickpocketed in Barcelona
#16
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 140
All you have to do is google "Barcelona pickpocket" and there are rampant pages full of information. There are sites that even tell you how they target you. Good information to read before traveling anywhere, especially in high prone pickpocket areas like Barcelona.
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SMF
Programs: Hilton Diamond-Marriott Platinum-life
Posts: 1,015
All you have to do is google "Barcelona pickpocket" and there are rampant pages full of information. There are sites that even tell you how they target you. Good information to read before traveling anywhere, especially in high prone pickpocket areas like Barcelona.
#18
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, AmEx, NorthWest WorldPerks, Jelly of the Month. S&H Green Stamps, Subway sub club
Posts: 1,754
Anyone ever get pick pocketed in Barcelona? I did a few days ago on the Metro L3 heading towards Diagonal, wallet was in front zipped pants pocket. He got 30 euro and I had to cancel a couple credit cards. Seems it's quite the problem there the courts apparently only prosecute for thefts of more than 600 euros in value.
Last edited by DaveBlaine; Jun 18, 2015 at 9:08 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SMF
Programs: Hilton Diamond-Marriott Platinum-life
Posts: 1,015
Quote:
Originally Posted by mike2200
Anyone ever get pick pocketed in Barcelona? I did a few days ago on the Metro L3 heading towards Diagonal, wallet was in front zipped pants pocket. He got 30 euro and I had to cancel a couple credit cards. Seems it's quite the problem there the courts apparently only prosecute for thefts of more than 600 euros in value.
The front middle pocket?
Sorry, bad joke. But no, I've never been pickpocketed. Too bad to hear that. Hope it all worked out for you.
Originally Posted by mike2200
Anyone ever get pick pocketed in Barcelona? I did a few days ago on the Metro L3 heading towards Diagonal, wallet was in front zipped pants pocket. He got 30 euro and I had to cancel a couple credit cards. Seems it's quite the problem there the courts apparently only prosecute for thefts of more than 600 euros in value.
The front middle pocket?
Sorry, bad joke. But no, I've never been pickpocketed. Too bad to hear that. Hope it all worked out for you.
OP was to make others aware of the problem in Barcelona
Last edited by mike2200; Jul 28, 2015 at 6:26 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, AmEx, NorthWest WorldPerks, Jelly of the Month. S&H Green Stamps, Subway sub club
Posts: 1,754
#21
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Spain
Posts: 169
I've lived in Spain for five years. The only place where I've ever seen anyone in my party targeted by a pickpocket was on the Barcelona metro. (Was there for a visit -- I spend most of my time in another often-visited city in the south.) In all my time here, though, I've never had anything stolen. Helps to keep a hand on your purse, if you carry one. I could see that getting awkward if you carry your wallet in a pants pocket, though.
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SMF
Programs: Hilton Diamond-Marriott Platinum-life
Posts: 1,015
I've lived in Spain for five years. The only place where I've ever seen anyone in my party targeted by a pickpocket was on the Barcelona metro. (Was there for a visit -- I spend most of my time in another often-visited city in the south.) In all my time here, though, I've never had anything stolen. Helps to keep a hand on your purse, if you carry one. I could see that getting awkward if you carry your wallet in a pants pocket, though.
#23
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Spain
Posts: 169
The question's totally genuine... maybe I've just been in southern Europe too long
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SMF
Programs: Hilton Diamond-Marriott Platinum-life
Posts: 1,015
Quote:
Originally Posted by mike2200
Yes being on guard would certainly help, but then you have to be aware of the pickpocket problem
Does that mean there are big cities in the world that attract lots of tourists and don't have a lot of pickpockets?
The question's totally genuine... maybe I've just been in southern Europe too long
Originally Posted by mike2200
Yes being on guard would certainly help, but then you have to be aware of the pickpocket problem
Does that mean there are big cities in the world that attract lots of tourists and don't have a lot of pickpockets?
The question's totally genuine... maybe I've just been in southern Europe too long
1. Barcelona, Spain
2. Rome, Italy
3. Prague, Czech Republic
4. Madrid, Spain
5. Paris, France
6. Florence, Italy
7. Buenos Aires, Argentina
8. Amsterdam, Netherlands
9. Athens, Greece
10. Hanoi, Vietnam
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/01/worst-cities-for-pickpockets_n_746918.html#s148366title=1_Barcelona
#25
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 234
Most pickpockets bump into you 'accidentially'. In this very moment you are barely able to feel if anybody reaches for your pocket or not.
Get into the habit of checking all your pockets for missing items after somebody bumps into you. Even if you slightly touch another person while walking!
This will create a habit so you naturally will check your items each time and you won't have to think about it actively anymore.
Get into the habit of checking all your pockets for missing items after somebody bumps into you. Even if you slightly touch another person while walking!
This will create a habit so you naturally will check your items each time and you won't have to think about it actively anymore.
#26
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 861
Our daughter had her wallet and passport taken on Las Ramblas (unzipped the bag without her noticing) and made it to the airport before she realized it was missing.
She went back to the Consulate and had a new passport a few hours later. And she wasn't alone that very day.
Later that year, we were in Barcelona with a guide and I noticed her giving a man
a very decided glare. She told me that he was a pickpocket known to the guides and that they knew most of them in the area. That should also mean that the police could, theoretically, know who they are but alas....
She went back to the Consulate and had a new passport a few hours later. And she wasn't alone that very day.
Later that year, we were in Barcelona with a guide and I noticed her giving a man
a very decided glare. She told me that he was a pickpocket known to the guides and that they knew most of them in the area. That should also mean that the police could, theoretically, know who they are but alas....
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SMF
Programs: Hilton Diamond-Marriott Platinum-life
Posts: 1,015
#28
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 775
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
I have a trip to Madrid and Barcelona coming up in the autumn. From reading various online forums, I'm getting the impression that reading an ebook on my phone/Kindle at a café or restaurant is asking to be robbed? That is, if those items aren't stolen by the time I arrive there?
#30
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Nth Coast NSW Aust
Programs: qantas airnz
Posts: 150
I have a trip to Madrid and Barcelona coming up in the autumn. From reading various online forums, I'm getting the impression that reading an ebook on my phone/Kindle at a café or restaurant is asking to be robbed? That is, if those items aren't stolen by the time I arrive there?