Tips for not being a mark for pickpockets if ethnic minority in Italy or Europe

On 16 Sep 2003 20:05:37 -0700, (Lil) wrote:


Any tips will be greatly appreciated since I would hate to ruin my
mother's and my next European vacation with an unpleasant incidence
like being robbed.


look out for kids who want to sell something to you. (the old
gipsytrick)
always watch your back. Don't let anybody come close to you if
possible.

they mostly work with teams...so you are carefully selected....so be
discreet and carefull after loading in money at atm's on the street.
(avoid them)

i often use an empty wallet as distraction.

gr

Joseph Feng schrieb:

Are there any good suggestions for good decoys and booby traps for the
pickpockets? For example, I have a wallet that I just "retired", so I
plan load it with Monopoly money or cut newspapers and leave it in an
easily accessible pocket. Also, I was thinking of carrying a bag
containing a styrofoam ball studded with pins and needles.

A pickpocket (in London) many years ago went off with my handkerchief.

(borrevitsch) wrote:

i often use an empty wallet as distraction.

That's a good excuse. My wallet is empty because I have spent all my
money.

PB

1:45:37 +0200, Thomas Peel wrote:



Joseph Feng schrieb:

Are there any good suggestions for good decoys and booby traps for the
pickpockets? For example, I have a wallet that I just "retired", so I
plan load it with Monopoly money or cut newspapers and leave it in an
easily accessible pocket. Also, I was thinking of carrying a bag
containing a styrofoam ball studded with pins and needles.

A pickpocket (in London) many years ago went off with my handkerchief.

That's a snotty thing to do.

borrevitsch wrote:

i often use an empty wallet as distraction.

Do you dangle it in front of their eyes, or what?

David

--
David Horne- www.davidhorne.co.uk
davidhorne (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk

I believe that walking fast is a good way to discourage pickpockets -
they probably need you to amble slowly, stopping a lot, to get a
chance. When I do stop, e.g. to look a long time at a sight, I
purposefully lean back against a building or something to keep the area
behind me unaccessable. I also look around a lot, looking for
pickpockets. I figure a tourist who looks at a lot of peple turns away
pickpockets who need to stay unseen to do their evil acts. Looking
around a lot is also good for looking at the incredibly beautiful
Italian women.

--
Dan Stephenson
Photos and movies from my 3-month European vacation:
http://homepage.mac.com/stepheda
(remove nospam from email address if replying)

Following up to Padraig Breathnach

Decoys are fine. My wife usually carries a small handbag in
Madrid and Barcelona containing just tissues etc.

No help to you if you are in Rome at the time.

On the contrary, the Barcelona pickpockets have *no chance* then.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
UK walking "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Spain,cuisines and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Following up to Owain

I'm not sure what an 'ethnic minority' is in London these days.

Mexican, Tibetan?............
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
UK walking "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Spain,cuisines and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Following up to borrevitsch

i often use an empty wallet as distraction.

I too am often distracted by my empty wallet :-(
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
UK walking "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Spain,cuisines and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

The Reid wrote:

Decoys are fine. My wife usually carries a small handbag in
Madrid and Barcelona containing just tissues etc.

I, on the other hand, carry a large purse with so much junk in it that
even I can't find the money or the credit cards.

Barbara