Tom Morse

There's been alot of discussion about spain having problems with thieves. Today the New York Times states that theft in Paris is up 7% from 2000, violent theft up 42%, and subway crime in general up 25%.

Lori

I read the article in the NY Times about the pickpockets in Paris. The article stated that one woman put her open purse down on the ground to take a picture of the Eiffel Tower. I'm sorry, but that is cardinal rule number one, never leave your pocketbook unattended no matter what city you are in!

PatD

there was a long thread on this topic recently. I was pickpocketed on the metro in Paris a few weeks ago, and a friend just returned and had her purse stolen on the shuttle at the CDG. Fortunately for her, it was found and returned to them several days later. It is a major problem. The Parisians seem to carry large, deep, tote bags - the harder to reach into, and don't seem to worry. When I travel NYC or Orlando - prime tourist areas, I never give it much thought and have never had a problem The lesson is - look "at home", think about how easy you are making it for a thief in how you carry your belongings, and keep your eyes open.

marsha

We just returned from Paris. Before we went I read all the comments here about pickpockets, so we carried passports, ATM cards, etc in a "shoulster". My husband carried a very thin wallet in his front (and very deep) pants pocket -it was not at all visible. But he still got pickpocketed on the Metro. Since even he had trouble getting his wallet out of his pocket, we can't fathom how the pickpocket did. <BR>Moral 1:These pickpockets are very good at what they do. There were no crowds, no jostling, no one with a jacket over his arm - all the usual warnings. <BR>Moral 2: Even though it's unlikely you'll ever get anything back, report the loss to the police anyway, because they were surprisingly helpful. They immediately put me in touch with an English-speaking person from an emergency credit card company who cancelled the Visa card that was in the wallet and was very helpful about getting a replacement. They gave my husband a form that would let him drive in France legally for the next 7 days (helpful since he now had no license - although we had brought a copy just in case - and we were renting a car in 2 days). He'd also lost his museum pass, but the police report plus my museum pass worked fine for the next 3 days to get him in to museums.

how

I was just in Paris too, and had read all the info here before going and was really on guard checking everyone out while I was there. I saw nothing. No one tried with us and I thought we would be a target since traveling with a small child. <BR> <BR>Marsha mentioned it wasn't crowded <BR>and that no one jostled them, and I just can't imagine how in the world someone was able to do that to your husband and he didn't realize it. <BR> <BR>I wonder if people think about it and then get distracted or forget about it a few seconds later and then become victims. <BR>If you have your stuff in your pocket, why wouldn't you keep your hand over it as a precaution? <BR>I really hated that my husband carried all his stuff in a belly pouch, and though he is from Rome and thinks he is use to it, I didn't trust him. I kept and eye on anyone getting any where near both of us. <BR>

ps

am not criticiziny you, I am just curious.

No

How/PS: <BR>When riding the buses and metro you have to use your hands to hold onto the handrails. It's impossible to do that and keep you hand over your pocket at the same time. <BR>I too had my wallet taken from my front pocket(in Rome) and didn't even know it was missing until after I got to my destination.

Freddy

Quite simple folks. Never carry anything you can not lose in any of your pockets that are easily accessible. An inside zippered pocket in a jacker that is also zipped or buttoned shut MIGHT protect it, but far better to wear a pouch that hangs inside clothing, either around neck, or from the belt down inside trousers. If someone is taking your pants down to get you stuff I am sure you might notice that. <BR> <BR>However, on another note, remember that at least the pickpockets do not normally pose any physical threat. Just think, when you are in the States, the worry about pickpockets is low. Why should they pick your pocket? In the States they just place a gun to your head and demand everything and then blow your brains out as a thank you. Thank God that we have a pawn of the NRA in the White House so that we can continue to have the HIGH LEVELS of gun violence in the States. Yes we all NEED guns so we can kill each other over such things as minor traffic offenses, etc. Bless you Dubya and may your daughters continue to have a few beers and party on.....

abc

Alleluyah!!!!!! <BR>

Karen

We were in Paris for 10 days in May and took the Metro everywhere. I had one of those purses from Magellan Travel that had many hidden pockerts. I was careful and nobody tried anything. I do live in a city (San Francisco) so I practice the same caution here. I tried not to look like a tourist--must have worked cause people would ask me questions in French about metro stops, etc. I think that if you don't look like a tourist, then they leave you alone more.

bettyk

Freddy, until you can assure me that the bad guys would give up their guns as well as the good guys, I say thank goodness for Dubya.

Danna

Freddy - I find it difficult to imagine the level of intellect necessary to believe that CRIMINALS would obey gun LAWS. That seems to defy the definition of criminal. <BR> <BR>Keep up the good work W. and thanks for the $300. I used it to buy a small, leather backpack for my Paris trip. Good idea or pickpocket bait? <BR> <BR>

Capo

Re: Freddy's comment: "Quite simple folks. Never carry anything you can not lose in any of your pockets that are easily accessible." <BR> <BR>Yep, that's my rule and, so far, it's worked.

carmen

Depending on the kind of backpack you got, it may well be a good idea. I bought a leather backpack in Paris that was pickpocket-proof. It was a bit of a pain even for me to get into, but it kept my hands free and my wallet safe. Also, fashion be damned, LOTS of people in Paris wear their backpacks in front--especially on the Metro. <BR> <BR>Good Luck!

David

Had my front jeans pocket picked going on the tram outside the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. The tram stop didn't appear to be overly crowded, but when the tram arrived, I was swept and jostled inside by a rush of people. As a veteran of the NYC subway system I took it in stride. Later in the hotel I noticed the loss.

Charlton Heston

Yes GOD BLESS my buddy George, my pawn in the White House. I plan to use my tax rebate to but a nice new pistol and some ammo. Then if I see anyone that even remotely looks like a mugger, pick pocket, etc. I will be ready (they are quite easy to spot - any black person, any Mexican, any Asian, any Middle Eastern tint to their skin, anyone that isn't a WASP like me). Let one of those suckers look cross eyed at me and I will blow them away.

tiptop

top

bettyk

Oh Mr. Heston, if you pay close attention to the news, I think you will see that most of the shootings of minorities are done by other minorities, not WASP's like youself. No prejudice here, just the facts.

Kathy

I would not have been so sensitize to the pickpocket threat if I had not been frequenting this web site! I went to Paris in December, 1996 and just took the normal precautions I would take anywhere. This time (August, 2001) I carried a microfiber purse which rested across my midsection and my husband carried his (small) wallet in his front pocket. I carried a larger tote for cameras, tour books, sunglasses, etc. In my purse I carried our passports, credit cards and money. We had no problem with pickpockets; not even a close call. I should also add that I travel to NYC on business very frequently with no particular percautions. I think the most important thing is to be alert and take resonable care!