Barcelona full of thieves?
Nov 30th, 2012, 11:51 PM
#1
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Barcelona full of thieves?
Not according by this writer.
Message seems to be just relax and enjoy yourself.
http://www.philly.com/philly/travel/...y_reigns_.html
Message seems to be just relax and enjoy yourself.
http://www.philly.com/philly/travel/...y_reigns_.html
Dec 1st, 2012, 12:03 AM
#2
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I've been to Barcelona a couple of times and never had any problems. But then, it would never occur to me to put my wallet anywhere so stupidly conspicuous as in my back pocket, or to leave a bag or camera lying around loose where someone could pick it up (or mistake it for a bomb), or to assume that a group of strangers approaching me to offer a gold ring or "larking about" with a can of shaving foam simply wanted to be my best friends. Streetwise is streetwise in any city.
Dec 1st, 2012, 12:46 AM
#3
The only time I have ever had my pocket picked was on the Barcelona Metro and with the greatest of respect for Patrick I was not "stupid" in terms of where my valuables were kept.
Unlike some posters on the internet, the pickpockets are actually pretty clever and quite good at what they do; of course they do it for a living.
I would never ever tell anyone that Barcelona is either full of thieves or unsafe. I still advise people to at least visit places such as Las Ramblas since to think it isn't as much a part of the city as anywhere else seems a little parochial. You just have to be careful.
We won't even begin to talk about the thieves in the nited States much less in the British Empire since it would be embarrassing to so many of the traveling self-righteous.
Unlike some posters on the internet, the pickpockets are actually pretty clever and quite good at what they do; of course they do it for a living.
I would never ever tell anyone that Barcelona is either full of thieves or unsafe. I still advise people to at least visit places such as Las Ramblas since to think it isn't as much a part of the city as anywhere else seems a little parochial. You just have to be careful.
We won't even begin to talk about the thieves in the nited States much less in the British Empire since it would be embarrassing to so many of the traveling self-righteous.
Dec 1st, 2012, 06:52 AM
#7
A good friend of ours was robbed at the Kentucky derby. He had cash and his license in his front pocket. Not a large wad of anything. I actually saw the thief reach in and take it without the man even knowing it. I grabbed the thief's hand, but then looked at him and wasn't sure all of a sudden. I think I was shocked. I let him go and turned to my friend in the crowd. Sure enough, the money was gone along with his license.
The cops said it was a good thing I let go because some of the petty thieves carry knives. The crowd was very thick.
Moral of that story, it is easy to be robbed without knowing it even taking precautions like carrying your money in the front pocket. I think we should all be aware of our surroundings whether traveling or like this gentleman was in his own hometown!
I have heard about lots of crime in Barcelona in general. Our good friends were robbed twice while visiting. One was actually punched by the robber and then mugged. (He was out getting coffee early in the morning, around 6:30am). The other was stupid and was pulling out large wads of cash at a tourist site. It is no wonder the cash was gone before he realized it.
I think the metros in europe are the most common places for crimes because you can be packed in and if you are obviously a tourist, targeted easily.
The cops said it was a good thing I let go because some of the petty thieves carry knives. The crowd was very thick.
Moral of that story, it is easy to be robbed without knowing it even taking precautions like carrying your money in the front pocket. I think we should all be aware of our surroundings whether traveling or like this gentleman was in his own hometown!
I have heard about lots of crime in Barcelona in general. Our good friends were robbed twice while visiting. One was actually punched by the robber and then mugged. (He was out getting coffee early in the morning, around 6:30am). The other was stupid and was pulling out large wads of cash at a tourist site. It is no wonder the cash was gone before he realized it.
I think the metros in europe are the most common places for crimes because you can be packed in and if you are obviously a tourist, targeted easily.
Dec 1st, 2012, 07:10 AM
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Barcelona may not be full of thieves but it does remain, along with Madrid, Europe's street crime capital according to many reports and sources - like the friends who go to Spain a lot and emailed the author a warming to that effect.
Pickpockets are common in many European towns but violent muggings are rare but not so in Madrid - there have been many many threads on Fodor's along where folks say they were mugged or pickpocketed in Barcelona.
I find the OP's thoughts that Barcelona poses no unusual problems to be very bad misinformation - rather one should highlight the dangers awaiting and then, like the newspaper article's author, will take precautions and recognize the problem - knowledge of the problem is the number one way to avoid it.
To be naively told there is no real problem there may cause a traveler to let their defenses down and in Barcelona that could have dire consequences.
And after re-reading the article quickly I do not find where the author debunks that idea of Barcelona have a lot of pickpockets - maybe I missed that and OP can point it out.
Just because one person on one trip has no problems should not be portrayed as saying there is no problem and that is the problem I have with posts like this - just misinformation masking over what remains by most accounts a very serious problem.
Pickpockets are common in many European towns but violent muggings are rare but not so in Madrid - there have been many many threads on Fodor's along where folks say they were mugged or pickpocketed in Barcelona.
I find the OP's thoughts that Barcelona poses no unusual problems to be very bad misinformation - rather one should highlight the dangers awaiting and then, like the newspaper article's author, will take precautions and recognize the problem - knowledge of the problem is the number one way to avoid it.
To be naively told there is no real problem there may cause a traveler to let their defenses down and in Barcelona that could have dire consequences.
And after re-reading the article quickly I do not find where the author debunks that idea of Barcelona have a lot of pickpockets - maybe I missed that and OP can point it out.
Just because one person on one trip has no problems should not be portrayed as saying there is no problem and that is the problem I have with posts like this - just misinformation masking over what remains by most accounts a very serious problem.
Dec 1st, 2012, 07:12 AM
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Dec 1st, 2012, 07:13 AM
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http://budgettraveller.org/robbed-in...e-pickpockets/
this one offers tips to avoid being victimized.
this one offers tips to avoid being victimized.
Dec 1st, 2012, 07:15 AM
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Dec 1st, 2012, 08:42 AM
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Add me to the list that was robbed on the Barcelona metro. The next day we went back to the same station and within 15 minutes we could see a group of these professionals "at work". They would stand at the end of the platform, identify a target, block the door, snatch and go. So while I don't think you need to be afraid, you should take precautions. Carry as little cash as you can afford to lose / will need for the outing and no more than one credit card. In my case the thieves removed my cash and threw away the rest, including credit card (thank you Lord!) in a nearby trash container.
Dec 1st, 2012, 10:37 AM
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Barcelona is a wonderful city. I'd go again at the drop of the hat--in fact, I undoubtedly will go again.
I've been there four times, and one of those times, my sister's purse was stolen while we were having dinner in La Boqueria. (That was the only time in our travels that my sister had ever given me her debit card and passport to put in my money belt. She lost a camera in that purse, but it could have been a disaster.)
Another time, a woman attempted to steal my purse on the train to Montserrat. I'm not as dumb as I apparently look because I realized what was happening and moved my purse. I may look like I'm out of it, but I had placed my purse between my leg and the train wall, so I was aware of it at all times.
Little did the thief know that I keep money and credit cards in a money belt under my clothes.
Twice (once in Sevilla and once in Málaga)(I have been warned by nice women that I should take better care of my purse. I had my wallet zipped in a pocket in the purse, and besides, I don't keep much in there anyway. It's all in the good old money belt.
I've been there four times, and one of those times, my sister's purse was stolen while we were having dinner in La Boqueria. (That was the only time in our travels that my sister had ever given me her debit card and passport to put in my money belt. She lost a camera in that purse, but it could have been a disaster.)
Another time, a woman attempted to steal my purse on the train to Montserrat. I'm not as dumb as I apparently look because I realized what was happening and moved my purse. I may look like I'm out of it, but I had placed my purse between my leg and the train wall, so I was aware of it at all times.
Little did the thief know that I keep money and credit cards in a money belt under my clothes.
Twice (once in Sevilla and once in Málaga)(I have been warned by nice women that I should take better care of my purse. I had my wallet zipped in a pocket in the purse, and besides, I don't keep much in there anyway. It's all in the good old money belt.
Dec 1st, 2012, 10:52 AM
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Number of of us who have been visiting Barcelona, Madrid and other Spanish destinations at least once a year( for number of years) do not see Barcelona as a place " full of thieves" , but rather as a glorious city of
several million people in which a reasonably careful traveler has little to worry about.
several million people in which a reasonably careful traveler has little to worry about.
Dec 1st, 2012, 11:36 AM
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As a frequent visitor to Barcelona we've been spared any problems, but have witnessed one would-be thief punched out in the Metro. That's the place to be most careful; move away from the doors if possible, mind your wallet and pocketbook etc.
I agree with Danon that no matter how stylish your fanny pack, you'll instantly be seen as a tourist. I keep valuables in a "man purse" that I bought at Adolfo Dominguez on Passeig de Gracia. On the Metro or elsewhere thieves might prowl I swing it to the front of my body.
I was pickpocketed once - on the Paris Metro. But the thief's timing wasn't good and he didn't make it off the train, so when I approached him he meekly returned my wallet. It was dumb on my part, as he distracted me with a question while he pointed to the subway map above the door as I entered.
In either city, or any city, normal precautions and common sense go a long way.
I agree with Danon that no matter how stylish your fanny pack, you'll instantly be seen as a tourist. I keep valuables in a "man purse" that I bought at Adolfo Dominguez on Passeig de Gracia. On the Metro or elsewhere thieves might prowl I swing it to the front of my body.
I was pickpocketed once - on the Paris Metro. But the thief's timing wasn't good and he didn't make it off the train, so when I approached him he meekly returned my wallet. It was dumb on my part, as he distracted me with a question while he pointed to the subway map above the door as I entered.
In either city, or any city, normal precautions and common sense go a long way.
Dec 1st, 2012, 02:01 PM
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Have been to Barcelona twice, just got back, and have never had a problem. I am careful and I am watchful of my surroundings, however I didn't see anyone having problems in the time that I was there. Of course, that's not to say that it doesn't go on.
