Peter

Hi,<BR><BR>Whats the best strategy to avoid being pickpocketed and robbed in Barcelona ? <BR><BR>I want to carry my camera (small one, not SLR) and my camcorder (again small, a Sony MiniDV) with me whereever I go to capture the sights of Barcelona, Montserrat and Tarragona. <BR><BR>Any tips to avoid mishaps and to have a safe trip ? I will be taking the train to Montserrat and Tarragona from Bcn.<BR><BR>Thanks in advance !<BR>Peter

Sandra

Barcelona is notorious for picikpockets, and anything you can think of to avoid them, they have already thought of. I was traveling with a group there in 1985 (!!!!) and no less than three people in our party had their wallets and passports stolen. One was swiped by a kid on a passing Vespa, another woman's purse was slit and the contents removed (as she walked on the street), and the man's pocket was picked. The best advice I can give you is to keep your valuables in front of you at all times, and be very aware of your surroundings and the persons in your vicinity. Here's a web site especially for you:<BR>http://www.barcelona-tips.com/<BR>and another : http://www.travel.state.gov/spain.html

mpprh

Hi<BR><BR>I drive down to Barcelona quite often.<BR><BR>Barcelona is no worse than other major cities. So its the same as Sydney, NY, London, Moscow, LA, etc.<BR><BR>Normal, sensible, precautions are all you need.<BR><BR>Peter<BR>20+ visits to Barcelona<BR>tlp.netfirms.com<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Tess

I was the victim of a pickpocket in Barcelona last month. Happened at a metro station, while going up an escalator. The guy was a Michelangelo of pickpockets. He opened my purse and removed my wallet and I felt zilch. Good lesson... I carry my money, credit cards and passport in a pouch around my neck. From now on, my change will stay in an inside zippered pocket. I still will carry a purse with a box of Kleenex and some papers. He/she can have it. Be careful, aware and no daydreaming while surrounded by masses.

Sandy

We were in Barcelona in September. I use a Canon SLR camera with a zoom lens. Before our trip, I bought a medium size black zippered Sportsac with a wide strap that I put around my neck and crossed over my chest and under one arm. I kept my camera in my purse whenever I wasn't taking a photo and wore no jewelry except for an inexpensive watch. I made sure that my husband was always at my side where my purse hung and we walked hand in hand. We stayed alert to our surrounding and never had a problem, either on Las Ramblas, the tourist bus or the Old city. You'll be fine as long as you take basic precautions that you'd take in any large city. That said, my husband thwarted a would-be pickpocket on a tram in Lisbon... again he was alert to his surroundings and has great reaction time... but had the pickpocket been successful, he would have stolen very little money as his credit card and most of his money, was in a pouch that hung from his belt, inside his jeans. An ounce of prevention....

Jim Rosenberg

Peter, I use a money belt that I wear under my clothing for valuables in areas that are higher risk for pickpockets. Barcelona is notorious. The belt has a number of zippered compartments and can hold items as large as passports &amp; airline tickets, if need be. You may be able to keep some of that in a safe back at your hotel. Keep some spending cash handy so you won't need to be digging in your money belt at inopportune times during the day. <BR><BR>Like you, I carry a smaller camera than my larger SLR and it is easily kept out of sight. I don't carry a video recorder and one of the reasons is that even a small one will tend to occupy your hand(s) and your concentration for longer periods of time, leaving you more vulnerable. It also identifies you instantly. Still, most people that take videos are going to be able to do that trouble-free and that's your call to make. <BR><BR>I do not agree that the risk is the same as any other large city. I believe that the risks for being victimized are greater in parts of Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome and some of the other tourist areas in Europe than they are in many other cities. I'm not saying that to disagree with mpprh, but my guess is that as a regular visitor, that person is probably quite street smart. It makes for a far less attractive target and in addition, people often instinctively employ safeguards developed from operating in a given environment that they may not even be aware of. <BR><BR>I take particular caution in any area where people tend to congregate closely together such as busy markets, public transport, etc. Any time you are in a situation where you would not be able to freely swing your arms at full length is a time to be alert. Be careful when you are approached by people (including children) or when things happen around you that might represent distractions. Know when to &quot;be rude&quot; and ignore people. Don't read notes handed to you by street people, ignore people who ask for directions, etc. <BR><BR>I readily admit to being much more security conscious than most people. I enjoy myself when I travel and I don't operate in constant fear; it's just a matter of trying rule out unpleasant outcomes to the greatest extent that I possibly can by thinking ahead. If some see that as being paranoid, then I accept that criticism. <BR><BR>I've never been unfortunate enough to be pickpocketed or robbed, but I have certainly been aware of the &quot;sizing up&quot; that goes on at times. I would guess that most of the regular travelers on this forum personally know people who have had this happen and there are many incidents occurring daily. <BR><BR>It just makes sense to take measures to prevent that kind of thing in your travels by being the least inviting target that you can possibly be. <BR><BR>To keep it in perspective, remember that the great majority of people enjoy their travels without having problems. Most of them are probably not spending a lot of time thinking about these things. But you are wise to anticipate this issue, instead of simply relying on luck.<BR>

Patrick

If you've walked the Ramblas you've probably seen the people who do the con shell game -- people moving around cups or shells and having people bet which one a bean or something is under. I found it fascinating because it so obviously a fake. The shells are moved slowly so that anyone watching can tell where the bean is. Someone, obviously a partner in the scam, puts down money and guesses the wrong one and loses. Supposedly innocent bystanders will then try and will lose their money. <BR><BR>I was talking about this with a desk clerk at the hotel, but he surprised me with the true reason for this con game. He said the real money is not made on the game itself. It is a way to get a crowd of people and then as people crowd together (several crooks are in on this) it is easy to pickpocket the bystanders. <BR><BR>So beware!!

Sandy

Was in Bcn last month and had NO problems at all. Hotel clerk told me it was because I look like I could be Spanish. I also took no chances - locked most things up in my room - why carry more than one charge card on a given day? I divided things up - tickets locked up in room, passport in money belt along with credit card, and then a sack/messenger type bag which I wore UNDER my jacket and over my shirt. I carried change, small bills, etc there so I could easily acccess them without exposing money belt. DO NOT put a wallet in your pants pocket or in a backpack! Would really advise you against the camcorder. If you are carrying both a camera and camcorder, you will be busy trying to protect them instead of your wallet. It also identifies you INSTANTLY as a tourist and a target. And, don't fall for the &quot;you have slime on your jacket&quot; routine. <BR>

Nola

Carry your cash/cards concealed under your clothing. Wear your camera and camcorder on a neck string. Don't ever place them down on a table, etc.

LauraLamb

Once when we were in Barcelona some Spanish woman took hold of my daughter by her hair (my daughter had long blond hair so she was propably jealous!!) She was also trying to grab her camera. Anyway, all it took from me was a sharp, pointed, kick to her shin to make her let go of my daughter's hair plus as she went down a reverse back hand slap across her face (I'm ex-military). She'll think twice before she tries that again with any passing tourists. But the Western nations should help Spain out more with aid to reduce the poverty so people wouldn't need to rob others.

MJ

to LauraLamb: Why you don´t help your own country (USA) I was robbed there with a seriously fisical hurt. This don´t happen in Spain. And what about the more than 30 milion people!! in the States living under very poor conditions. So better look at your domestic affairs and then you can compare. <BR>Finally, When did you go to Spain? Maybe in the 1940's. <BR>