Marion Smart

Help -- we are headed for Italy in September. Although we will be with a tour group, there is time for individual exploration. Have just read about the pick-pockets and -- even more scary for me, since our generation was taught to respect police (we are in our 60s) -- the fake "drug police". Any suggestions on how to best protect ourselves when not with the group? We have been to England, Holland and Paris with no problems, but the number of stories about Italy really worries me. <BR> <BR>

Sal

<BR>Been to Italy 3 times.Twice with my students.Going back with my wife (trip #4) in two weeks.I have never had a problem nor do I anticipate one. Safer than most U.S. cities! Only advise I can give is avoid gypsies,especially children and have a great time.

Richard

Marion, I think the two most common scams in Italy are Gypsy kids and the slow count. Gypsy Kids: A group of kids will surround you, begging,showing very soulful eyes while others in the group are going thru your pockets, purse, whatever. If they even start to approach, say in a very stern voice GET OUTTA HERE, swinging an umbrella also helps. Slow Count: Anyplace they sell tickets, Metro, museums, whatever, you wait on line, get to the window, the clerk pretends you're a pain, and there are people waiting, issues the ticket and then sloooowly counts the change. You think the first time he stops (a lot like a piano recital) thats it and you move on. OK, know what the cost is, its posted, know what you'll use and figure what you should get back. The abundance of zeros is confusing but be steadfast, stop and count your change at the window. Not all respondents will agree, but I've been victim to these scams, from Alberobello to Rome. Sorry I can't respond to the 'Drug Police'. Anyway, Italy is our favoritest country, a lovely place. <BR>

kam

The gypsy kids are a problem----just scream and yell at them whenever a 11 or so year old girl comes up to you. Would never wear a fanny pack in Italy. Men should keep wallets in their front pockets if they have them at all. <BR>

Lori

<BR>Everyone mentions the gypsy children and the pickpockets in Rome as being the worst. I was their in March, and had no problem with either. Of course, one must be on their guard as in any major city, especially with pickpockets. Ladies - I cannot understand why anyone feels they MUST carry a pocketbook. Leave it home. A pouch that goes around your neck will do the trick. Men - never, and I mean never carry your wallet in your back pocket. That holds true for any city in the world. Watch your pockets when on the very crowded buses, where you can definitely be picked. As for gypsy kids, in my opinion they were more prevelant in Paris than in Rome, but that doesn't mean that they're not around. Be careful taking pictures, they will try to get in the shot and then hound you to be paid.

kam

Just wanted to pass this along for what it's worth. I'm not sure why Italy always gets the bad press for pickpockets and scams. The only time we were ever picked was in Dublin!! We visit Italy on an average of once a year and never have a problem. The last time I was there, we were in a small Tuscan town---can't really remember which it was, but we had lunch and I left my fairly expensive Minolta camera with good lens on the ground next to the table. About 5 minutes later came an employee of the restaurant yelling "Senora, senora!!!" They didn't have to do that---most of the Italiians are honest hardworking folks who live in the tourist industry and try to make our visits to their beautiful country wonderful so we will return again. The gypsies are not Italians and the Italiians dislike them and their presence in their cities as much as we tourists do. In fact, in many areas of Rome there are signs warning us about them <BR>

francesca

We just spent our honeymoon in Italy- 3 weeks, including 1 in Rome. I was VERY concerned about petty crime and had heard all kinds of horror stories. Well, we never had a single problem, and saw very few "gypsies". We did take care to carry 1 small backpack, keep cash and 1 credit card only on our person and take only disposable cameras. If you stick out and look like typical tourist (see the ongoing Forum thread about this...), you will attract more attention from sordid people. Blend, and you'll have a wonderful trip. <BR>

Monica

I have read many postings on this site about gypsies but never saw any on our trip to Italy in May. We felt very safe, but we traveled smart. My husband carried his wallet in his front pocket and only our money for the day. I had a daybag and kept my camera inside.

Lisa

Just got back from Italy and had a wonderful time! I, too, had no trouble with pick pockets. I agree with the post about pocketbooks. Leave them at home. I used the pouch that you wear under your clothes. As for scams...watch for the guys dressed as gladiators as the colloseum. You can get in a picture with them...but expect to pay. I am not sure if this is told to people up front.

Joann

I was in Italy for a little over two weeks in late March-April - travelled by myself on the trains from Rome to Naples and then through Sicily. Had NO problems! I carried my belongings in my pockets (in my jacket and pants and shirt) and one security pocket under my clothing. Carried only US cash, Lire, two credit cards, and my passport. The cash was divided among many pockets. To have gotten anything from me, one person would have had to hold me down while another unzipped and unbuttoned pockets - that just doesn't seem to happen in Italy! I didn't see any gypsies on this trip although I have seen them in Rome in the past.

Bee

I just got back from Italy. I had no problems with pickpockets or thieves in Rome, Venice and other cities but I (and the rest of my group) did encounter them in Florence! 3 times in 1 day!!! Nothing was stolen though! <BR> <BR>The thieves were bold - 2 of them went into the hotel we we staying in. One tried to steal a suitcase (!!!!) and the other grabbed a pouch that someone had just put down on a table. They got chased out of the hotel before they could take off with anything though. As for the pickpockets, two women approached a man in our group -- one showed him a piece of cardboard with writing on it and as he stopped to read it, the other one was rifling through his fanny pack. He managed to push them both away and wave them off. The thing is, both of them looked like any other "normal" person (one lady was pregnant and dressed in a jumper and the other was in jeans and walking shoes). <BR> <BR>My advice: Don't worry too much .. just be alert and watch your belongings and surroundings. Do not have anything obvious "hanging out" like fanny packs, large purses, etc. Use a money belt or neck pouch - I found them very handy!!! If you do carry a purse or other such item, do not put it down in front of you while you stop to take a picture of some wonderful sight. Chances are, it will be gone by the time you try and retrieve it. <BR> <BR>Have a nice trip!

Ann

It's really not that bad... no worse than any big city in the U.S., but tourists often get rattled because they don't know the language and local customs. Try to look as "urban" as you can... dark clothes, NO shorts, running shoes, sweats, etc. The "slow count" described above is standard in Rome, so yes, figure out ahead of time what change you should expect. In Florence, watch out for anyone (kids especially) waving cardboard signs, newspapers, etc. in your face. A loud, indignant reaction seems to work best... "get lost" is understood in any language. Drug police? Say "yeah, right" and keep walking. If they're legitimate police, don't worry... they'll convince you eventually. One thing that is definitely NOT a scam but people often get upset about it... in taxis, there are legitimate extra charges, on top of what the meter shows, for night-time travel, Sundays, to/from the airport, etc. There should be a rate card explaining the extra charges. Don't be surprised if the driver asks for (somewhat) more than what's on the meter (eg. 70,000 lire from the airport when the meter shows 60,000) ... just ask for an explanation if it seems too high.

Bob

Earlier this year my wife and I spent a week in Italy. We experienced no problems with pickpockets or other scams by taking simple precautions. <BR> <BR>Firstly, leave expensive cmaeras and other items at home. Buy a security pouch that can be worn under clothing to keep money, credit cards and passports. Don't carry a purse or handbag. Simple good sense is all you need to enjoy Italy and her wonderful people. <BR> <BR>Have a good trip.

kam

I do bring an expensive camera because the photos are worth it. However, I keep valuables in a small bag around my neck and keep the camera in my hand---don't let it dangle. The pickpockets are not as interested in cameras as they are cash. A relative of our who is in the Tuscan govt. says they are very aware of the problems and are taking rigorous steps to make it better for tourists in Tuscany. From the above posts, it seems to be working--I have seen worse pickpocketing on the cable cars here in SF---that's where you really don't want to have a shoulder bag!! Just be aware and have a good trip. <BR>

Joe Lomax

Not all taxi 'misunderstandings' WRT taxis are as innocent as Ann has <BR>found. I have been saved by the daring exploits of Roman taxi drivers, <BR>but they have also tried to cheat me. I asked specifically about all <BR>charges: radio call, four bags, night rate, four people. And at the <BR>end of it all, we both agreed that 30K was generous. I gave him a 50K <BR>bill and got back 2K. I am sure many a foreign visitor to Manhattan has <BR>had the same thing happen to them, but to think it was 'defininate NOT a <BR>scam' never occurred to me. By the way, I grabbed my 50K bill back and waited <BR>for my change before I gave it back. Lesson: carry a bit of small change any time you need a taxi. <BR>

Don Stadler

I was pickpocketed my first time in Roma just outside the tourist office near the main train station. Teenage Gypsies. They are SO good you don';t know what hit you! Four days later we were surrounded by a gang of gypsy children near thre Colesseum. Fortunately we had learned by then and lost nothing. Everything valuable was out of reach! <BR> <BR>I wouldn't sweat it too much, however. I saw Gypsies in Rome, Florence, and even Milan. But by leaving my wallet at home and substituting a neck pouch which I kept well down under my shirt (for passports, credit cards, and paper money) I neve had a problem again. I suggest that anyone entering Rome through the airport or the main train station pack any fancy camera equipment in the luggage rather than wearing it. Theives in these areas know how to fence cameras. Otherwise I think you'd be alright, as street theives are mostly looking for cash.

Don Stadler

I lived in Italy for 18 months ending at the end of 1996 and cannot remember being short-changed even once. Not even in Rome. I spent most of my time in Trento (in the north) and my most memorable experience is being chased down the street by a waiter "Signore, you left too much money!" I had left a tip for what I considered extraordinary service, and told him so. <BR> <BR>But this also happened in tourist-weary Venice (on the island of Burano) once. And I have never been shortchanged at a restaurant once. I may help that I learned to speak Italian, especially in the touristy places like Roman, Firenze, and Venice. Also, we prefer to eat at neighborhood places rather than the tourist joints.... <BR> <BR>Some Italians can be surly, will not serve you or even ignore you. Though warm charm is MUCH more usual! One February in Naples we stopped in a small restaurant, and I SWEAR they brought a sample of everything on the menu! Making much of us because we were AMERICAN! They aren't dishonest.