Spain pickpockets and safety
Dec 21st, 2016, 06:16 PM
#1
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Spain pickpockets and safety
Hi everyone
My friend and I will be traveling through Spain in the spring, which includes Barcelona and Madrid. I've been reading about issues on pickpockets, scams, etc. anyone travelled through these places? Any advice will be great for this novice.
My friend and I will be traveling through Spain in the spring, which includes Barcelona and Madrid. I've been reading about issues on pickpockets, scams, etc. anyone travelled through these places? Any advice will be great for this novice.
Dec 21st, 2016, 06:24 PM
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Just keep your stuff away from well-trained fingertips. Learn from sites like www.ricksteves.com and others how to do that - with moneybelts, or pouches that hang on a beltloop inside your pants, and other clever items that thwart those longfingered specialists.
Mostly it's not a "safety" issue, not a matter of overt violence - half the time people don't know they're being done while it's happening. Although some methods involve jostling etc to get the advantage of you when you're startled etc.
But if you prepare, you can relax and, if nothing worth stealing is in your pocket, then that foreign hand in your pocket, as Rick Steves says, is "just another cultural experience".
And be smart: When one of you is using a Bancomat (ATM), preferably inside a bank rather than on an exposed street corner, shield the keypad while punching in the PIN, and have your partner turn his/her back and look outward, as in "standing guard" until you've put the money away somewhere "where the sun don't shine".
Commonsense rules.
Mostly it's not a "safety" issue, not a matter of overt violence - half the time people don't know they're being done while it's happening. Although some methods involve jostling etc to get the advantage of you when you're startled etc.
But if you prepare, you can relax and, if nothing worth stealing is in your pocket, then that foreign hand in your pocket, as Rick Steves says, is "just another cultural experience".
And be smart: When one of you is using a Bancomat (ATM), preferably inside a bank rather than on an exposed street corner, shield the keypad while punching in the PIN, and have your partner turn his/her back and look outward, as in "standing guard" until you've put the money away somewhere "where the sun don't shine".
Commonsense rules.
Dec 21st, 2016, 07:02 PM
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I have been to Madrid and Barcelona 8-9 times. Often alone ( woman).
Never had a problem. I don't have a money belt or look over my shoulder all the time.
Just normal precocious...like in any big city.
Never had a problem. I don't have a money belt or look over my shoulder all the time.
Just normal precocious...like in any big city.
Dec 21st, 2016, 10:48 PM
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You might want to try searching this forum -- there have been countless threads on this topic over the years, SOME of which are quite informative. Just use the "search the forums" box at the upper right of your screen. Or google it...
Or best of all, consult just about any decent guidebook, because a good guidebook will collect info about these scams (which might not all show up in responses to your post) and will give you insights into how to avoid scams in general.
Good luck!
Or best of all, consult just about any decent guidebook, because a good guidebook will collect info about these scams (which might not all show up in responses to your post) and will give you insights into how to avoid scams in general.
Good luck!
Dec 21st, 2016, 10:51 PM
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Well since everyone has not lived or even been to big cities.. it does help to be more specific sometimes. I was cycling ( on one of those bike tours)in a park in Paris once a few years ago ( when one could do so).. when man in front of me had a wallet fall out of his back pocket. I stopped, picked it up and caught up and gave it to him.. I also told him it wasn't a good idea to keep his wallet in his back pocket. He thanked me.. then laughed off my concern, and shoved his wallet back there. You cant make this stuff up, some people refuse to learn. If I hadn't picked it up he would have likely assumed he had been pickpocketed.. as it is , leaving his wallet in his back pocket, he well might have been later.
If you are a man, do not keep your wallet in your back pocket. Period.
If you are a woman make sure you have a purse that has a decent closure and preferably an inside zipped compartment to keep your important stuff in. I personally leave excess cash in hotel safe, others prefer using a moneybelt worn inside their clothes. Same with passport. I
don't carry one of those expensive "Safe" purses.. I don't feel the need for them and find them heavy, but some folks like them. You don't need one, you just need to be aware. I carry my purse cross body, and swing it to front hip in crowds and on public transport.
I carry only a days cash out with me.. ( worst case scenario is I only lose 100 euros )
Watch yourself in crowds, this is a pick pockets hunting ground. Pay attention to those around you, not to be paranoid, but just to be aware, don't let strangers stand or walk within arms reach of you if possible.
Don't pay attention to strangers who want to stop and talk to you. Just ignore them.
Don't put your phone on a café table. Don't hang your purse off the back of your chair, ever.
It is really about just being aware. If you are tired and distracted you make a good target. So.. put your important stuff in a safe secure place and pay attention and have fun.
Pickpockets look for easy targets. You are carrying a lot of luggage and trying to get through a train station, you are confused about the transport system and not paying attention to people brushing past you , etc.
Obviously normal safety precautions like don't get drunk and wander home alone late at night down dark alleys etc.
Also, at transport stations ( bus, train, metro etc) if you need help buying a ticket from a machine, best to find a manned attendant window and get official help, be wary of anyone who approaches you with offers to help. Look for uniformed staff ,or YOU approach someone if you must.
I know it sounds like a lot.. but really the chances of you being a victim of any crime are pretty small if you pay attention. I have travelled alone, and alone with a child( and that's distracting !lol ) and I haven't had issues.. but I am pretty aware of whats going on and I don't pay attention to strangers easily, some people worry about being "rude". I don't.
Finally as pointed out, best to you bank machines inside banks,if you cant be aware of people around you, including groups of kids, a snatch and run has been known to occaisionally happen but Ive never seen it. If I am with another person and I have to use a street machine I have them face out and keep watch , if I am alone I just make sure no one is close to me at all.
Its all a bit paranoid sounding, but its not like losing your bank card or credit card at home, where you can easily walk into your local bank branch and have it replaced, and losing a passport would really suck and can screw up your travel plans. I don't worry about stuff like train or plane tickets, they can always be reprinted ( well not for some local trains but those are cheap tickets so its not the end of the world ) Locals don't worry about having to replace their id in 2 days for a flight home, or not being able to pay their hotel bill because they lost all their cash or cards, so we do have to be a bit more careful.
If you are a man, do not keep your wallet in your back pocket. Period.
If you are a woman make sure you have a purse that has a decent closure and preferably an inside zipped compartment to keep your important stuff in. I personally leave excess cash in hotel safe, others prefer using a moneybelt worn inside their clothes. Same with passport. I
don't carry one of those expensive "Safe" purses.. I don't feel the need for them and find them heavy, but some folks like them. You don't need one, you just need to be aware. I carry my purse cross body, and swing it to front hip in crowds and on public transport.
I carry only a days cash out with me.. ( worst case scenario is I only lose 100 euros )
Watch yourself in crowds, this is a pick pockets hunting ground. Pay attention to those around you, not to be paranoid, but just to be aware, don't let strangers stand or walk within arms reach of you if possible.
Don't pay attention to strangers who want to stop and talk to you. Just ignore them.
Don't put your phone on a café table. Don't hang your purse off the back of your chair, ever.
It is really about just being aware. If you are tired and distracted you make a good target. So.. put your important stuff in a safe secure place and pay attention and have fun.
Pickpockets look for easy targets. You are carrying a lot of luggage and trying to get through a train station, you are confused about the transport system and not paying attention to people brushing past you , etc.
Obviously normal safety precautions like don't get drunk and wander home alone late at night down dark alleys etc.
Also, at transport stations ( bus, train, metro etc) if you need help buying a ticket from a machine, best to find a manned attendant window and get official help, be wary of anyone who approaches you with offers to help. Look for uniformed staff ,or YOU approach someone if you must.
I know it sounds like a lot.. but really the chances of you being a victim of any crime are pretty small if you pay attention. I have travelled alone, and alone with a child( and that's distracting !lol ) and I haven't had issues.. but I am pretty aware of whats going on and I don't pay attention to strangers easily, some people worry about being "rude". I don't.
Finally as pointed out, best to you bank machines inside banks,if you cant be aware of people around you, including groups of kids, a snatch and run has been known to occaisionally happen but Ive never seen it. If I am with another person and I have to use a street machine I have them face out and keep watch , if I am alone I just make sure no one is close to me at all.
Its all a bit paranoid sounding, but its not like losing your bank card or credit card at home, where you can easily walk into your local bank branch and have it replaced, and losing a passport would really suck and can screw up your travel plans. I don't worry about stuff like train or plane tickets, they can always be reprinted ( well not for some local trains but those are cheap tickets so its not the end of the world ) Locals don't worry about having to replace their id in 2 days for a flight home, or not being able to pay their hotel bill because they lost all their cash or cards, so we do have to be a bit more careful.
Dec 22nd, 2016, 01:22 AM
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I have been pickpocketed a dozen times, in all kind of cities, including in Spain. My most important tip is to never put anything valuable on your back! Back pocket or backpack or anything, as long as it's in your back someone will pick it out. I once did a test, walk a 200m road from my hostel to Naples station, while paying attention to my back bag. The thieves open it twice (on the 200m road), but they didn't get any valuable thing, only mocking papers. As for Barcelona, one tried to pickpocket me while his friend is doing street circus to attract attention (I know they are friends when they look at each other and signal something).
And don't put valuable thing in your vest pocket either, even if that pocket can be sealed.
Other than that, no major safety problem anywhere.
And don't put valuable thing in your vest pocket either, even if that pocket can be sealed.
Other than that, no major safety problem anywhere.
Dec 22nd, 2016, 01:59 AM
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I had the most bizarre experience with pickpockets in Barcelona : on the lift in my hotel !
Two guys started chatting with us and when we tried to get out of the lift, one of them was blocking us, acting as if he was clumsy and not doing it deliberately. And the other went for my pockets.
Reported it to the lobby "no se, first time we hear of this"
Two guys started chatting with us and when we tried to get out of the lift, one of them was blocking us, acting as if he was clumsy and not doing it deliberately. And the other went for my pockets.
Reported it to the lobby "no se, first time we hear of this"
Dec 22nd, 2016, 06:57 AM
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If you are a man, do not keep your wallet in your back pocket. Period.
I live in NYC all my life and have been to many countries and have visited Spain numerous times,and as late as this October. They only time I was pickpocketed was on a tram in Istanbul and I had put my wallet in my front pocket.
I live in NYC all my life and have been to many countries and have visited Spain numerous times,and as late as this October. They only time I was pickpocketed was on a tram in Istanbul and I had put my wallet in my front pocket.
Dec 22nd, 2016, 07:13 AM
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I've heard of instant justice meted out by local police in Madrid. When an attempted bagsnacher was pinned on the ground by tourists just as a couple of policemen were walking down, instead of arresting him, one of them gave a well-aimed kick into the man's stomach and walked off.
Dec 22nd, 2016, 07:43 AM
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There are lots of scams. My old man was targeted in a bump-and-run at the Barcelona Metro. Dude 1 stopped to tie his shoe just off the exit to the escalator as dad was coming up. Dad yelled at him, he didn't move, dad kicked him in his arse, dude jumped up and buggered off. His partner, who would have collided with dad and grabbed for the wallet when and if dad had tried to "avoid" dude 1, came hightailing it up the escalator and ran past the old boy and out of the Metro.
Dec 22nd, 2016, 09:35 AM
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Well, I have read that pickpockets can get in front pockets.. but I suppose that would mean those lose old man docker type pants.. my hubbys jeans are very tight, getting a hand in there without him noticing.. well it would be sexual assault really..lol All I know for sure is backpockets are a big no no.
Dec 22nd, 2016, 09:57 AM
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One more tip. If you get on a metro do not stand near the doors. Move to the middle of the train car and try to get a seat. It's very easy for a group working together to crowd you in the door area and make a grab for your wallet.
They tried that on using Athens. I kept one hand firmly on my wallet in my front pocket and my other hand on my camera which was dangling on my neck (I know, not smart.) My wife kept her bag tightly closed under her arm. They didn't get anything but it was a disturbing experience when it was happening. Don't expect anyone to come to your aid, you're on your own.
They tried that on using Athens. I kept one hand firmly on my wallet in my front pocket and my other hand on my camera which was dangling on my neck (I know, not smart.) My wife kept her bag tightly closed under her arm. They didn't get anything but it was a disturbing experience when it was happening. Don't expect anyone to come to your aid, you're on your own.
Dec 22nd, 2016, 11:45 AM
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Pickpockets are usually well-dressed so that you don't suspect them of anything. Keep alert at all times to your surroundings and never try to help someone out--let the locals do it. All too often it's a way of distracting you and getting your money.
A crossbody purse with a zipper on the backside (against your body) for your money is best. Always try to keep both hands free. On public transport always hold your purse in front against your body.
A crossbody purse with a zipper on the backside (against your body) for your money is best. Always try to keep both hands free. On public transport always hold your purse in front against your body.
Dec 22nd, 2016, 12:02 PM
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I think you will be okay in Madrid. I stayed there for 7 days and never heard of anyone who'd been pickpockets. Sadly, Barcelona is a different matter and please keep aware of your surroundings. Also never place your smartphone on a table keep in in pocket or purse if in a cafe. I know of three people who lost their phones in this way.
That said, the only time I've ever witnessed a pickpocket is on a Chicago El train years ago. It was the old two person swipe where they box in a target and then one makes off with the wallet. Person ran off the metro and no one attempted to help the person. Also, my coworker had her wallet stolen while eating at a restaurant where she put her purse on the chair. So it's all over.
That said, the only time I've ever witnessed a pickpocket is on a Chicago El train years ago. It was the old two person swipe where they box in a target and then one makes off with the wallet. Person ran off the metro and no one attempted to help the person. Also, my coworker had her wallet stolen while eating at a restaurant where she put her purse on the chair. So it's all over.
