gerrmack

Will be travelling to Italy and Spain next week. I have read most posts about these areas and one common theme is the idea of pickpockets etc. I was thinking of bringing pepper spray with us to be used as a deterrent. Actually I think it would be more for a feeling of security for us. Any comments?Is it legal to carry these little sprays. The one I have is the size of an asthma inhaler and has only 5 shots on it.

Bruce Lee

Well, after you spray the mugger make sure you punch him in the solar plexus winding him, then give him a reverse roundhouse kick to floor him. When he is on the floor, strike with a chop to his adam's apple choking him and to finish him, jab his eyes out. If you just spray him, he'll just get agitated and kill you.

Dan

Pickpockets are so good that you won't even know that they are there until the deed has been done. No offense, but anyone who asks such a paranoid question is probably so easily spooked that he or she will end up spraying his or her own eyes, and the pickpocket will be able to pry your wedding ring off while your wiggling on the ground.

Leslie

I don't suggest you bring the pepper spray -- you most likely will not make it through security at the airport with it. A few weeks ago at Logan Airport a woman trying to board a British Airways flight was found with pepper spray. It was taken from her, she was cited for having a weapon and needs to appear in court. She was only detained briefly. However, the security guard that retrieved the pepper spray accidentally sprayed it and the whole international terminal was evacuated. Hazmat was brought in. Flights were delayed for hours.<BR><BR>Might I suggest either a money belt to be worn around the waist or one that can be worn around your neck, both under your clothes. Otherwise keep your wallet and passport in your front pants pocket. Women who carry shoulder bags, should wear the strap across their body instead of just on the shoulder. Same for camera cases. Also leave the valuable jewelry at home. Lastly, make copies of your passport, credit card #s and travelers' check #s and leave the copies in a locked safe either in your room or at the front desk of the hotel.

roger

Don't try to take it on the plane! I have been to Europe so many times and I have never needed to carry a weapon..why don't you just try sticking to the safer areas in the towns you are in, maybe staying with other people late at night, take taxis instead of walking in dark unsafe areas, that might be the better way to go.In Spain, from what I have been hearing, mace,guns,whatever won't help you if someone picks your pocket or knocks you down and steals your purse, so try traveling like the rest of us, take some good sense.

Liam

Yes. By all means bring your pepper spray. Have fun explaining to the local constabulary and judge why it was you committed an assault in their country.

gerrmack

Thanks Leslie and Roger for serious replies. Actually I have travelled quite a bit and have usually carried my pepper spray for many reasons. Last December I was on a Panama Canal cruise and was way off in the boonies in Barbados for the day. We were stopped by 2 locals who tried to shake us down. I do believe they were only after our money (or so they said) but when they jumped into our jeep type vehicle after jumping from the bushes, I wasn't ready to discuss it with them. They wouldn't get out without our $ so I just pointed the spray bottle at them and they took off. <BR>I have never even fired the thing but it is nice to have. This was a serious question as I was interested in the airport security question. <BR>One of the things I enjoy doing while travelling is going off the usual routes and seeing the other part of the country. Maybe I will have to curtail that a bit now. Thanks again for the serious replies and for the others--get a life.

Joanne

You can't take weapons in your carryon, and you can't check aerosols (officially, at least), so the question really is moot, isn''t it?<BR><BR>And how would pepper spray deter pickpockets, who by definition commit a crime of which you're unaware until after it happens??<BR><BR>Furthermore, 99 percent of muggings happen so fast that you wouldn't have time to get the pepper spray out, unless you kept it in your pocket, in your hand as you walked along. IMHO, you're better-off spending that energy just being more aware of your surrpoundings.

peter

you had best check the laws of the copuntry you plan to carry pepper spray in. several countries or portions thereof consider this a wweapon and it it therefore controlled by permitt. failure to carry this permitt can result in some nasty legal problems. remember ignorance of the local laws is no excuse and sometimes they could get really nasty aboaut violations-escecially now

tom

gerrmack: You can't take it in carry-on, you can't take it in checked bags, you can't use it in most countries (HIGHLY illegal in many). In other words - no. Besides, the vast majority of pick pocket victims don't know they've been picked until they can't find a credit card or some money hours later. So pepper spray is basically useless and can only get you into trouble.<BR><BR>Just relax - most European central cities are safer and more secure than cities in the US. (Muggers and pickpockets in Europe don't carry guns)

gerrmack

Thanks again for the comments. You all make good sense so I will leave it here and just be observant.

Bob Brown

You are not going to very successful being observant for pickpockets!<BR>If they could be observed, the would not be in business!!<BR>Put your folding money, credit cards, passport, and driver's license under your clothes where they cannot get at it without assaulting you. <BR><BR>I got targeted and bypassed on the Metro in Paris.<BR>I never knew it until another American passenger who had a ringside seat for the event told me about it.<BR>The guy saw me coming, bumped me as he exited the car just as the door shut. He could have lifted my billfold had he wanted it. I guess it was so skinny it was not worth the effort. Beneath his dignity.<BR>

Jo

Bob, sometimes being observant does pay off and I have found that some pickpockets can be obvious. In Florence not far from the Ponte Vecchio my friend and I spotted two girls across the road carrying the infamous cardboard signs and they were trying it on with tourists, but not having much luck. Then they crossed to our side and we moved well out of their way. On buses and trains all over Italy (and other parts of Europe) we just kept viligant, though not to the point of not enjoying ourselves.

Bob Brown

I am not familiar first hand with pickpockets Italian style, so I yield on that point and concede the value of being alert under those circumstances.<BR>If they use a sign or a paper to mask your vision, they are to me just gentile muggers. Better that than a strangle hold I suppose. Nothing too subtle about it. <BR><BR>I guess my personal definition of a pickpocket is a light fingered artist who can surreptitiously lift your billfold, watch, or what-have-you without your feeling a thing. These sign carriers are not very subtle; they are just one step short of being violent!!<BR>And sometimes they take that extra step!!