In which cities should one be especially aware of pickpockets?
Jan 14, 2011 | 6:35 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 570
In which cities should one be especially aware of pickpockets?
Of course, it's always better to be safe than sorry. But it could be useful to know in which cities one has to be extra careful.
Based on the experiences of colleagues and friends: I'd say Barcelona is a true 5 star opportunity to lose your wallet.
4 stars: Paris metro, Milano train station and Rome in general.
Based on the experiences of colleagues and friends: I'd say Barcelona is a true 5 star opportunity to lose your wallet.
4 stars: Paris metro, Milano train station and Rome in general.
Jan 14, 2011 | 6:48 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA 2MM - UA 1P / Hyatt Diamond - SPG Plat / Hertz 5* - Avis 1st
Posts: 3,933
Whatever city you are currently visiting?
I mean, if you are not actually in a particular city, then it doesn't matter how aware you are of pickpockets in that particular city, as they are unlikely to target someone who isn't in that city.
It's the ones in the city that you ARE in that you have to watch.
(This message brought to you from Captain Obvious.)
I mean, if you are not actually in a particular city, then it doesn't matter how aware you are of pickpockets in that particular city, as they are unlikely to target someone who isn't in that city.
It's the ones in the city that you ARE in that you have to watch.
(This message brought to you from Captain Obvious.)
Last edited by Wilbur; Jan 14, 2011 at 6:49 am Reason: Sponsors are key
Jan 14, 2011 | 7:24 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 570
obviously
Whatever city you are currently visiting?
I mean, if you are not actually in a particular city, then it doesn't matter how aware you are of pickpockets in that particular city, as they are unlikely to target someone who isn't in that city.
It's the ones in the city that you ARE in that you have to watch.
(This message brought to you from Captain Obvious.)
I mean, if you are not actually in a particular city, then it doesn't matter how aware you are of pickpockets in that particular city, as they are unlikely to target someone who isn't in that city.
It's the ones in the city that you ARE in that you have to watch.
(This message brought to you from Captain Obvious.)
Jan 14, 2011 | 7:51 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Toronto, NYC, somewhere on planet Earth
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Posts: 8,291
Jan 14, 2011 | 9:08 am
#12
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
Tripadvisors top ten list, pulled in a hardly scientific method, says
Barcelona
Rome
Paris
Madrid
Athens
Prague
Costa Brava in Spain
Lisbon
Tenerife in the Canary Islands
London
Barcelona
Rome
Paris
Madrid
Athens
Prague
Costa Brava in Spain
Lisbon
Tenerife in the Canary Islands
London
Jan 14, 2011 | 9:14 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,456
I've been to Barcelona several times, as well as Rome, and have never been the victim of pickpocketing. And, yes, the area around the Rome Termini Station, as well as Las Ramblas and Sagrada Familia in Barcelona are known pickpocket-rich areas. Similarly, the area around Notre Dame in Paris is well known.
They have signs up warning people about pickpockets. Great. Everyone seeing the sign just pats their wallet, thus signaling to the criminals exactly where to look.
I play it smart. My wallet and passport are under my clothes. Most people carry a security wallet (neck or waist) but I just use my bra. No pickpocket in the world can get into my bra without me knowing about it.
Stuff in my purse is stuff I can lose: sunglasses, lip balm, travel guide, metro map, small bills and change.
There's a really good book that addresses the subject of pickpockets, particularly those in Barcelona and Rome: Travel Advisory! How to Avoid Thefts, Cons, and Street Scams While Traveling. The authors are Bambi Vincent and Bob Arno. I recommend that book to everyone traveling with a passport.
They have signs up warning people about pickpockets. Great. Everyone seeing the sign just pats their wallet, thus signaling to the criminals exactly where to look.
I play it smart. My wallet and passport are under my clothes. Most people carry a security wallet (neck or waist) but I just use my bra. No pickpocket in the world can get into my bra without me knowing about it.
Stuff in my purse is stuff I can lose: sunglasses, lip balm, travel guide, metro map, small bills and change.
There's a really good book that addresses the subject of pickpockets, particularly those in Barcelona and Rome: Travel Advisory! How to Avoid Thefts, Cons, and Street Scams While Traveling. The authors are Bambi Vincent and Bob Arno. I recommend that book to everyone traveling with a passport.
Jan 14, 2011 | 11:22 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MCO
Posts: 867
Yes, a friend of mine was almost pickpocketed on it. Some guy reached into his pocket when stepping off the train. But my friend grabbed his wrist and he didn't succeed.
I suspect we had been targeted partly because we were chatting somewhat loudly in English during the metro ride, thus marking ourselves for the tourists we were.
I suspect we had been targeted partly because we were chatting somewhat loudly in English during the metro ride, thus marking ourselves for the tourists we were.