My daughter and I traveled all over Paris and Normandy in June and were so careful of purse,camera, bag etc. And then only hours from returning to US had a favorite gift plucked from our luggage cart while we were pushing it apparently! That cart was literally never out of our hands, but was loaded with several bags and suitcases. The airport was crowded. And coincidentally, when we arrived in Paris another member of our tour grooup had her carryon bag snatched from a nice looking guy with a dog. The police were familiar with this dude. So beware.

We just returned from Paris and we had four incidents of uncomfortable behavior. One newspaper seller shortchanged us 100 francs, and denied it when confronted, one salensman at the flea market took off looking for change for 100 francs and never returned, one waiter pour water (small amount) down by back when I thought I politely asked in French for more water, and worse of all, when we missed our train stop to the airport, a helfpul hustler led us the correct, demanded more money than what we offered for his help. When we didn't have it (out of francs on the way home), he kissed my 11 year year old daughter, and wanted her to kiss him back (cheek, but way out of line for the moment-was not a greeting) scared the bejeeesuus out of me, so I found him $10 US dollars to get him off the train. Paris is physically a beautiful city. We drove three weeks through Italy, France, little of Germany and Switzerland with no other problems. I know there are nuts everywhere, but I think that was a little more than should be expected. What do you think?

Excuse the typos-should read "my back" and "correct train stop".

We've had similar confrontations in other countries as well as in France. Once, on the Paris Metro, my sixth sense told me to be on guard when a couple young men were staring at us while we stood near them. I told my wife in a calm, low voice to be ready to move quickly out the door at the next stop. She asked me why, in all innocence. I gritted my teeth, growled my instructions, and said we were about to play "French Connection." She got the message, moved quickly, and we got off. <BR>What tipped me off was that both these fellows had coats draped over their arm on a rainy day and were carrying newspapers in their free hands. The newspaper is waved in your face to distract while the other hand, concealed by the raincoat, gives the victim the once-over. Keep your eyes open, move quickly.

And then there is the old bump into them while pretending to read the Metro route map ploy. A would be pickpocket pulled that one on me in Paris last September. <BR>Metro route maps are posted over the Metro car doors. This particular fellow was pretending to be reading the map when I boarded. He bumped into me while looking up and running his finger along the map. As he bumped me, he also squeezed out of the car as the doors were closing. I am positive that was the distraction. A fellow passenger a few minutes later asked me if I still had everything in my pockets. I did. <BR>He then added that I was lucky because the fellow who bumped me had also felt of my wallet, according to him. I felt nothing. <BR>I have pondered over the incident since then. The fellow who asked me if I still had everything spoke like an American. I don't think he was an accomplice. What would he have to gain by telling me that my pockets. <BR>Anybody got any thoughts on this?? <BR> <BR>

Another ploy is for someone to wear a long coat, put both hands in the pockets, and, while both hands are still in pockets (which conveniently have holes in them), lean into another train passenger and smoothly take that person's wallet. The wallet is then pulled back into the thief's coat pocket - AND HE NEVER HAS TO REMOVE HIS HANDS FROM HIS POCKETS! <BR> <BR>I personally witnessed this on the Paris subway. Pickpockets use so many different methods to steal people's wallets and other items, it's scary.

Who are some of you people!?! <BR> <BR>First of all, you should be on the lookout for people like this. Second of all whenever anyone touches me, I give them a "polite" little shove back. A little eye contact before they make their move always makes them think twice! <BR> <BR>And GB! Jesus!!...If anyone had kissed my 11 yr old daughter...They would have needed more money for their hospital bills, not for directing tourists to the airport!! I would have given Frenchy a little American greeting of my own!!!

With regard to the last posting, I know that these pickpockets are extremely clever. We were getting on the metro and as the door opened the man in front of my husband propped in front of the train door. The man behind my husband then attempted to rob him. Luckily, he was quick thinking and shouted out "get your hand off me thief!"The man who was the accomplice got off the train at the next stop. <BR>In Rome robbing tourists as they get on popular buses is common. When an elderly person has both arms occupied hauling her/himself up the steps of the bus then he/she is vulnerable. The wallet is gone before it is missed. Yes,we all have to be aware that these horrible people are everywhere. This year some young gypsy girls attempted to rob me in Nimes but shouting at them and hitting out with my umbrella saw them off. Tourists are often very poite people and do not always realise they are the target of thieves.

Sometimes losing a few dollars is better than losing your life. Had I resisted a guy with a razor, I would have lost a lot more than my pride, the side of my trousers, and some cash. He came up from behind, his pals attacked us from the front, and he slashed away with impunity. This occurred on a busy Sunday noon, in a capital city in South America, in the midst of a strolling crowd on one of that city's busiest boulevards. Just a word to the wise: be alert to your surroundings.

First, the hustler was helpful for a rather long period of time. We were very tired, it was very hot, and my husband was having a very adverse reaction to some medication, and was obviously very stressed. The hustler only acted in a perverted manner when we didn't have money. At that point, I felt that if I were to do anything really drastic, it might make the situation worse. I just wanted to get rid of the guy. The day before I had a multiple argument with the accomplices of the man at the flea market for their friend running off with my cash. At that time, there were a lot of people around. In the train, there were not other people in our car. Despite his perverted behavior, he was acting friendly. I just wanted to get rid of him. He was seated next to my daughter (I don't really know how that happened)- he was next to the door. I was frightened that he could grab her and pull her out the door. So, I held onto her hand in case he didn't anything else unpredictable. All in all, at that momemt in time, we were vulnerable, and a vulture hovered in.

PS. I forgot the most crucial information-We really were lost.

PPS Of course, there is the invaluable lessons one learns when something adverse happens. Although I've never been on a tour trip,it does make you think a little about taking tours versus independent travel. I realize that when tired, we don't make good decisions. But I think the most valuable lesson appeared for my daughter. She, later, said she felt uneasy about the man, but didn't say anything. And that she wanted to go sit on her Dad's lap, but didn't want to be rude. It gave us the opportunity to talk to her about trusting uneasy feelings, and that it is perfectly acceptable to be "rude" if she is in a dangerous situation. Situations like that can happen anyplace, including your own neighborhood. Fortunately, as uncomfortable, and inappropriate the actions of that man were, the end result is that we got away safely with little trauma. I think now why didn't I react more strongly. I did feel at the time that if I did anything rash, like push the guy out the door of the moving train, the situation could be worse. At the moment, I thought the best way to handle it, as to get rid of the guy quickly.

gb, don't beat yourself up about what happened. You only had a moment to react, and I'd say you reacted well as no real harm was done. Anyone can say they would have acted differently, but they weren't there. Chalk it up to a travel experience and focus your thinking on planning you next trip.

Thanks for the support.

You guys are scaring me! I will be travelling NEXT week to Europe. I have never travelled outside my own country. My husband, son and I are visiting friends in Germany and taking a side trip to Paris. As it is, I am already petrified of flying, riding the fast train and losing my luggage. I hadn't even thought of pickpockets (I'm sure I would have, seeing I'm always on the NET searching various sites). Now I'm going to worry about that too! <BR> <BR>Is a hip pack the best way to carry your valuables, or is that an easy target for those degenerates as well? What can we do to make us street wise in Europe? <BR> <BR>It may help that my husband is the size of a wrestler and people always ask if he was once a "biker". (No, he never was.) His dark complexion and hair, along with his size, can be a bit foreboding. This alone, I'm hoping will keep some of them away. <BR> <BR>Should he carry his wallet in his front pocket? Perhaps a dumb question, but I've always said there is no such thing as a dumb question. <BR> <BR>Any help will be greatly appreciated. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Lise, please don't be so paranoid that it has an adverse inpact on your trip. Just follow some general safety tips. My husband and I wear money belts under our clothes, in them we keep our passports and credit cards. In my purse I keep a little "dummy" wallet with about $25.00 worth of local currency that I use for metro tickets, snacks etc. My husband puts his wallet, with the valuable things out of it in his front pocket. If God Forbid we get held up at knife point, we could easily give these away and it would be no problem. Also write down valuable numbers such as credit card numbers and the phone numbers (unlabeled) and put them in several different spots in your luggage. Be aware that a credit card companies 800 number will not work over seas and you need a regular area code. Also xerox your passport and stick it in your luggage somewhere. Common sense things such as don't wander around with a ton of jewelry,( like my beloved mother likes to do) and try to blend in (another good reason to leave the oft discussed pink running shoes and baseball caps at home), being less of a target try to plan your trips away from rough areas. The chances are great that nothing will happen if you take a few precautions like just being aware of your surroundings etc. Please don't worry. Also, and I know I may draw heat from this if a small incident does happen and I stress SMALL (for instance we had a disposable camera stolen in Salzburg Austria) don't let it ruin your trip. If you stick with a few common sense rules you will be fine and your trip will be wonderful. The same is true of travel in ANY city anywhere in the world.

Lise, <BR>Please don't get paranoid about all this, go and enjoy your trip. Things happen but the can happen at home as well. We travel to Europe most every year and thankfully have never had a problem, we have however had our home broken into in CA (a very nice neighborhood I might add and everything was secure, etc.) so you never know. You just have to take precautions as you would anyplace in this world. Don't overdo it tho, it will spoil your fun. I would think that you do not run around in crime ridden areas at home flaunting a bankroll and diamonds - therefore you don't do that anyplace else in the world either. There is something to be said for trying to blend in (clotheswise) with the locals, you are less apt to be spotted as a tourist, however people that are looking to rob tourists hang out where tourists go whether that be the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Bldg. in NY. Follow the advice given here, keep minimual money in your wallet and never more then one credit card (always take more then one - in fact it's a good idea for you to take 2 kinds and your husband 2 other kinds if you have them.) Be watchful at ATM machines but don't assume that every person in line (if there is a line) is going to rob you. Most are just people like you doing their daily stuff. Actually it is smarter to go to ATM machines away from main tourist attractions I think. Crime will happen, but you can minimize the odds of it happening to you by taking simple precautions and being aware of your surroundings at all times. Remember 99% of the travelers out there do not have any problems. Just go and enjoy yourself.

Lise, i too think oh my god when reading all this, has Europe become that bad. In 1992 at the ripe old age of 20 I went on a Contiki tour of Europe spending time in England prior to the tour and Portugal after. You know how in the back of Glamour magazine they have those pictures of fashion victims with their face covered up well i should be in there for doing everything you read on this forum you shouldn't do. <BR> <BR>Wore my very comfortable WHITE Reeboks, camera around my neck, since this was prior to ATM days would whip out my travellers cheques out of my moneybelt whenever i needed them, might of even worn it over my clothes once or twice, and because the original knapsack i had brought to wear around on days broke i wore the brightly coloured red, yellow and blue Contiki knapsack they give you at the beginning of the tour. The thing is with all of this i DID NOT stand out anymore then any other tourist and had no problems. I used public transit in almost all the cities i was in on my free time. <BR> <BR>Of course looking back now i think what an idiot but after reading this forum for a few months i have thought was i just really lucky? or are some people just more carefull then others? i often pull out my wallet on the street at home, i don't go in a private corner and take out money to buy a drink off a street vendor so i generally don't even think to change my habits. Now i'm starting to think i should?!?

To all of you traveling to Europe: A friend and I just spent 4 days in London and 4 in Paris without any problems. This was my 4th trip to London and 2nd to Paris and I highly recommend going and having a good time. I am sure we looked like American tourists, wearing our white tennis shoes and cameras around our neck. Although we did not use the metro in Paris (we did in London) we walked all over the place and and found ourselves in some very busy and crowded places. I have a purse that has a strong leather strap and wear it cross-wise around my neck. When walking I keep my hand firmly on it at all times and never let go...Just go and have a blast; be aware that there are people that make a living stealing but in my travels to 22 countries, by myself and with a tour, I have never had anything stolen nor was I robbed.

Sorry, to make you fel paranoid. What is said is just to make you more aware. We drove in a leased car with those red license plates identifying us for over three weeks last month, through Italy, and France (cities and towns)without any other problems. We did not encounter problems anywhere else. With the exception of the waiter, all the above incidents happened in the suburbs, which occuring to one local Parisan is where the trouble is. The above wouldn't deter me from taking a trip. It just made me aware of the facts of independent travel. In fact, Paris felt safer than Rome (at a gut feeling level), but Paris was were the things happened to us. Throughout Italy and Paris, we found people helpful, and nice. Maybe we let our guard down. Or maybe we were just tired, and looked like good bait. For the most part, we felt fairly safe. Maybe not as safe as home. But I think that was more an insecure feeling because knowing minimal of the local language, rather than the environment. I did find people in Paris, a bit less patient when we struggle with the language. In fact, in Italy, people were almost jublilant when we were able to communicate effectively.