money belt question

Old Aug 26th, 2005, 12:43 PM
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money belt question

If one is wearing a money belt to keep most cash and credit cards safe, where is a good place to keep the cash or credit card you will need for the day? Is carrying either in the front pocket of your jeans safe?

Thanks

Karen
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 12:48 PM
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If you wear your jeans fashionably tight (so it takes some force to get a hand into your front pockets), your stash should be perfectly safe. Pickpockets won't risk going for anything that will attract your attention.
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 12:53 PM
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Yes i keep my wallet in my front pocket with a little cash to use and in crowded suspect areas (i.e. Paris metro) i keep my hand in the pocket as well. Foolproof i think unless mugged - highly unlikely except in Madrid and Barcelona in my experience.
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 12:56 PM
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Hi karen,

Why not your purse?

Keep it slung across your body, flap toward you and don't take your hand off it if there is anyone close to you.

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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 01:06 PM
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No a purse is not a good idea in dicey situations - i once again relate the experience of my sister-in-law in Madrid at 8am on a Sunday morning by Atocha station - she had a day pack and a drug-addict type tried to wrestle it off her and she tried to get it off and give it to him because there was little of value in it - but she couldn't get it off and a struggle ensued - she ended up bruised in the gutter - stories about mopeds grabbing bags and purses are too numerous to be dismissed - it's not that you'd have little money in the purse but a thief may think you do and try to wrestle it off you, wrenching your neck. now if you're hiking in Switzerland no but in dicey areas you could do a neck pouch that is hidden under your clothes but i think avoid purses.
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 03:13 PM
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Keep you day's worth of stuff however you like... in your pocket, in a coin purse, in your day pack, in a normal pocketbook.

I always travel with a purse and that's where I keep my money. I am not sure where you'll be visiting, but no one has tried to rob me in Switzerland, Amsterdam, Venice, Paris, etc.

Karen, See a current thread titled what do you carry in your day pack? (or something like that) for an indepth discussion that will better answer your question.
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 03:44 PM
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I've used a purse for the last 40 years with several trips a year and have never had a problem. Mt extra cash and credit cards are in the zippered compartment inside of another safety pinned zippered cosmetic bag. My wallet is chained by the zipper to the zipper on the inside compartment. Crap..even I have trouble getting to my money!
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 04:29 PM
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I always use a money belt for everything - plane tickets, credit cards, money, passport, etc. I then carry only my ATM card, one credit card and a very small amount of cash in a purse strung across my chest. On entering a tube/metro I just hang onto the purse. Never had a problem anywhere.

My sister insisted upon wearing a small backpack and some guy tried to get into it on the Paris metro. I kept telling her to swing it around front on the metro. Oh, well, I foiled the robber and she then took my advice

Everyone is not out there to rip you off. You just have to use common sense, such as making sure the taxi meter is reset before you get in! Did blow that a couple of times in Rome.
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 04:48 PM
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No everyone is not out there to rip you off - but many people i talk to - mainly novice Euro travelers do get pickpocketed - mainly out of naivety - the possibility is very real and all protection measures should be taken - what a pain to cancel your cards, replace your passport, tr checks, etc. It does happen - not unusual in places like Paris metro, Amsterdam, Rome, Barcelona and Madrid seem to be worst. yet most of Europe has little or no problem. Just know my sister-in-law got bruised and battered in Madrid because she had something around her neck a thief thought had valuables in it. But as Madrid and Barcelona are only two cities that muggings seem to happen may not be a factor elsewhere. I too have traveled annually since 1969 in Europe and never been pickpocketed or robbed - but i'm vigilant and leery of anyone coming up to me in a place like Rome.
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 06:11 PM
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Will reproduce entries from other posts currently - note about purses!
Author: edhodge
Date: 08/25/2005, 06:17 pm
The only country in Europe that I have had the pleasure to visit was Ireland. I never worried about pickpockets in Ireland but the next trip is to Italy. Reading the hot thread about backpacks and what people take with them every day has me thinking... are pickpockets that big a problem in Italy? Do we really need a moneybelt? DH travel in cargo pants with zippered pockets on the legs. Is that sufficient to prevent pick pocketry? (Hey, I think I just made up a new word!).



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Author: Grandma
Date: 08/25/2005, 06:35 pm
Re cargo pants: No.
After my husband lost his wallet on the bus to the Vatican (and he WAS warned.. and we have visited Italy molto times...)we met a Swedish couple. Husband had cargo pants with zippers..but somebody got all his stuff on the subway and he was totally unaware of any intrusion.



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Author: TexasAggie
Date: 08/25/2005, 06:54 pm
Your vulnerability greatly depends on where you will be in Italy. Small towns = very low probability of being pickpocketed. Big tourist sights like the Trevi Fountain in Rome - yes, keep your money in a neck wallet or moneybelt. Also, you are more subject to being pickpocketed when you ride crowded buses and trains where it is easy for thiefs to bump up against you and not be noticed.

In Naples, a city I love, I recommend wearing a moneybelt or neck wallet at all times (major sights or not). Rome - use your discretion and be aware. Same for Florence and Venice.



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Author: ira
Date: 08/25/2005, 06:58 pm
Good advice from TA.

Keep in mind that of the millions of visitors to Italy only a few thousand are actually robbed.





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Author: wondering
Date: 08/25/2005, 07:01 pm
The bus to the Vatican is nicknamed "The Pickpocket Express." We saw the same characters (one who really was quite blatant about cheking out purses) riding it all day long. I think the driver must take a cut. Oh, and yes, he WAS wearing cargo pants!!!!



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Author: nytraveler
Date: 08/25/2005, 09:10 pm
You don;t really need money belts or neck pouches or any other odd garment!

But you do need to be very aware of where you are, what you're doing, who is around you at any moment and have eyes in the back of your head. If you're from a big city this is second nature - you do it automatically - and you should have no problems.

If you are not used to crowded places - or constantly being aware of every nuance of your surroundings - stay out of the center of crowds and keep you money/cards somewhere safe (and no cargo pants are not at all safe). Put them in a zippered compartment inside a shoulder bag you wear bandolier style with your arm holding it against your chest.

In the middle of the crowd never wear anything on your shoulder, your arm, your back or heaven forbid your fanny/waist - it's just asking for someone to take the contents.

Another option - don;t ride the most crowded public transport - and it you feel you are being pushed or brushed against- push back as hard as you can and yell. (It really doesn;t matter if it's a thief or a groper - the purpose is to embarass him.)



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Author: TripleSecDelay
Date: 08/25/2005, 09:51 pm
Just saw the replay of the Pickpocket Safety Instructor Guy on Travel Ch last evening. Nothing stops him. Same guy that removes watches and neckties.

Have you seen this?

Zippers don't stop him. There are others like him. In any case, a razor or boxknife easily slices a victim's pocket for easy access.



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Author: saraallison11
Date: 08/25/2005, 09:53 pm
I would say something in which you can carry around your passport, money, etc. and feel fairly secure about it is a good idea. I always wear a flat leather pouch with a strap around my neck UNDER my clothes, tucked into my pants.
I made the mistake of leaving it out on top of my clothes one day when we were walking into Vatican City, and a beggar woman with a screaming baby came up to me. Before I knew at all what she was doing, I heard the velcro on the top flap of my pouch crackling, and immediately put my hand down over it and got away from her. She didn't get anything (there was a zipper under that) but it scared me badly enough that I wore the pouch under my shirt and tucked in my jeans for the rest of the trip!



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Author: TexasAggie
Date: 08/25/2005, 09:53 pm
If you are a woman I recommend buying a purse that straps across your chest as an alternative to money belts and neck wallets. I have a black purse from Fossil that zippers closed and straps across my chest. When I wear it I make sure the bag is pulled around to the front of my hip and I keep my hand on it when in a crowd. Have never had a problem.

Being and appearing aware of your belongings and surroundings is half the battle. You distinguish yourself from the easy targets.



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Author: djkbooks
Date: 08/25/2005, 10:45 pm
<<Just saw the replay of the Pickpocket Safety Instructor Guy on Travel Ch last evening. Nothing stops him. Same guy that removes watches and neckties.

Have you seen this?

Zippers don't stop him. There are others like him. In any case, a razor or boxknife easily slices a victim's pocket for easy access. >>

Well, typically, professional "pickpockets" go after obviously easily accessible valuables. And, there are few, I would just guess, who razor or boxknife a victim's pockets for easy access...unless they're wearing an obviously expensive watch with a big fat wallet apparent in that pocket! Probably quite unusual - a pickpocket with a knife going after neckties?

For one thing, everyone is well advised to leave the big fat wallet (with nearly nothing you really need for the day or during your visit) at home.

To wander about Europe with an obviously expensive watch, or lots of jewelry and diamonds, is just silly.

Fabulous travel clothing with zippered security pockets is available (jackets, slacks...) even a slip for the ladies with zippered security pockets. If all you carry in same is one or two cards, and just a bit of cash for the day, all that would be virtually invisible and not a "target" of a pickpocket - as they go for what's far more obvious and more easily accessible.

While there may be the odd "pro" who delights in grabbing watches and neckties, you are far more likely to be relieved of your wallet and cash.

Of course, obviously, you would be well advised not to be wearing appealing watches or neckties...






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Author: Worktowander
Date: 08/26/2005, 02:07 am
I think you should buy and use the money belt. Here's why:

1) They're cheap insurance.
2) They leave you to enjoy your vacation instead of lookng over your shoulder, keeping your hand on your purse, avoiding public transportation, watching the crowds instead of the sights, pushing back and yelling at a pickpocket, viewing everyone with suspicion, etc.

Whew! What a way to spend a vacation.

I don't think money belts are the accessory of the paranoid. I think they help prevent the condition.

Just my 1/5th of a dime.



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Author: victoria_reynolds
Date: 08/26/2005, 05:38 am
I agree with WorktoWander. Wear the money belt, at least in the "high risk" areas like Rome, Naples...No, the Italians may not need them, but they probably aren't carrying around passports and other valuables AND are not as likely to seem like favorable targets as we tourists. The odds may be in your favor, but why take the chance? Better to take the some precautions than to spend your precious trip preoccupied with being victimized and/or dealing with the aftermath.



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Author: ira
Date: 08/26/2005, 08:15 am
>...there are few, I would just guess, who razor or boxknife a victim's pockets for easy access...<

Since I am in a pedantic mood, I feel compellled to point out that these persons are "cutpurses" not "picpockets".





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Author: kjosker
Date: 08/26/2005, 08:41 am
Cutpurses, pickpockets, all trivializing terms to me. They are CRIMINAL THIEVES and should be regarded and treated as such.



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Author: PJI
Date: 08/26/2005, 09:31 am
Spend the 10 bucks on a money belt. Why risk it?



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Author: edhodge
Date: 08/26/2005, 07:05 pm
You guys have been very helpful! Thank you. I now need to rethink my wardrobe. Sad to know that I can't wear my Disney fanny pack and my Goofy tie with my bright white tennies and pink windsuit...



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Author: Surfergirl
Date: 08/26/2005, 09:49 pm
Funny, I was also picked clean on the Pickpocket Express! Lesson learned. Last time to Italy we took public transport only when I was wearing tight jeans. Believe me, know one could get my money out of them without me knowing about it.
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Old Aug 27th, 2005, 08:05 AM
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Karen, I'm not a big fan of sticking loose stuff in your jean pockets (unless this is what you would normally do at home). My theory is it's best to use a method that you are used to. Fear is you yourself could easily drop a charge card for instance when you pulling out cash or whatever.

Most people feel the need to tote along some stuff for a day of sight-seeing. Would you be likely to carry a small day pack for your camera, and other incidentals? If yes then a small coin purse inside the main zippered pouch would be a good place for cash or credit card you need for the day.
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