Is crime, i e pickpockets, really that big of a problem in Italy, especially Rome? Also, does wearing tennis shoes make you "stand out" as a tourist in Italy?

We were in Rome last august and were accosted by gypsies with the standard piece of cardboard that had something illegible on it.This was in the middle of the afternoon on Via Condotti. Fortunately I had heard about this trick and dragged my wife away quickly [WE WERE SURROUNDED BY THE LITTLE THIEVES] and did my best invitation of a New Yorker and they ran away.Then in the train station a young gypsy woman kept harrassing me for change while her son[all of six years old] had his hand in my empty back pocket.All in all this was as bad as it got;in LA THEY WOULD HAVE PULLED A GUN.If you want to be taken for an american or german then by all means wear sneakers.

Much less of a problem than reputed. Greg's experiences are the norm, though I'd guess 90 out of 100 tourists return from Rome without experiencing that. <BR> <BR>The problems are more often seen in areas frequented by lots of tourists, for example the train station, on buses to the Vatican, etc. No worse than any major city in similar areas. And as Greg correctly observes, violent crime is &gt;much&lt; lower than in the US. <BR> <BR>More on safety in Rome at www.twenj.com/romesafe.htm <BR> <BR>As to sneakers? Americans tend to wear white (or more or less white) athletic shoes to a much greater degree than in Europe. Athletic shoes are almost as common there, though you'll more often find dark ones if not more or less black. Clothing, very generally, is more or less the same ... more darker colors. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twe

Yes, tennis shoes do make you stand out as a tourist. Pickpockets can be a problem anywhere. Don't worry about your footwear. Just protect your valuables. Leave your wallet and anything you don't need in your travels at home. Take only what you need with you when out and about. Leave your passport (carry a photocopy), airline tickets, extra credit cards, etc. in the hotel safe. Carry anything of value to you in an under your clothing security pouch (there are many styles). The pickpockets target anything easily accessible (and you'd be amazed), so just make sure anything valuable to you isn't.

The word is BLEND (though this is hard for some of us to do in Italy, where nearly everyone is thin and gorgeous with stunning clothes). Avoid the fanny pack, the shorts, the camera round the next or shoulder, the sneakers. If it makes you feel any better, I worried myself to death with this very question before our week in Rome and...not one gypsy or pickpocket ever even came near us.

Those NEW white sneakers really do make you look like a USA tourist. Find some other comfortable shoes. Also, we were just in Budapest, and when someone approached us at the Meto station, telling us they spoke English....we just starting speaking Spanish back to them. From then on, we spoke our "best" (that's a joke) Spanish on public transportation. Never had a problem.

My wife and I are leaveing for Italy May 1 and I was planning on packing a pair of white sneakers. Should I really consider not bringing them? I will be bringing other shoes to wear but I figured sneakers would work best for the long walks during the day. <BR>Has anyone used a backpack to carry items (eg. camera/camcorder) ? <BR>I would think it would work since it takes multiple zippers to access and will be on me the whole time. <BR>The crime sounds like any other big city. Be aware of your surroundings and do not be distracted. <BR>I have survived numerous years of living in the city and using public transportation. (Philly/NY) <BR> <BR>But, will I really feel out of place with the white sneakers??? <BR> <BR> <BR>

Been to Rome about a dozen times, been accosted by gypsies or pickpockets about half a dozen times, mostly when I have let down my guard in some way. (Live in/ around NYC and never once have been pickpocketed in 25 years. Crime here is more violent --"muggings"-- but far less frequent.) So... my advice is to watch yourselves in public transport, crowds, by ATMs. Blend, be savvy, hide goods, leave valuables at home and then enjoy the wonders of Rome. You can out wit them.

I always use a backpack to carry my essentials, including cameras, while in Italy. Never had a problem but that could be luck. You do need some leverage to work the important zippers on it. I carry small bills for the day, and maybe one credit card in an accessible pocket. My husband swears by his very multi-pocketed photographer's vest (he doesn't ever use a camera). Of course there was the time he left the vest with every important document, dollar and lira in a restaurant. Found it hanging neatly by the cash register the next day.

Just a word about backpacks: don't put your wallet in the little compartment (even the zippered ones) outside. Had my wallet stolen from there once in a crowded elevator in NYC. Also heard from UPenn police just today that they've caught theives walking in step with students with backpacks, who unzipped the compartment, took out the credit cards, then replaced the wallet and rezipped the bag, all without the victim realizing what was happening. (For the last poster who mentioned Phila/NYC, and probably a neat trick anywhere.) I still carry a backpack, but put my wallet in the bottom of one of the main compartments (on the train, etc, I tie the ties on the zipper to each other).

DON'T USE A BACKPACK. They are walking invitations to steal something. Wear a money belt or a tight fanny pack under your clothing in front of you.

Those of you who recommend carrying your wallet in the bottom of a backpack or fanny pack haven't heard one of the more common "techniques" - slicing the bottom, whereupon things drop right into their hands...

Al, no you won't stand out with your white sneakers and a camcorder....you will just look like ALL(or most) American tourists. Blend in, that is the secret.

Dear Al, <BR> <BR>The ONLY men who wear white sneakers in Rome are American tourists. Make your own decision about whether you want to be instantly and visually identified as a tourist--many don't worry at all about this and just want to be comfortable. As for me, I prefer to blend and have a lower profile.

Thank you for the advice... <BR>What I get most from everyone is not to be distracted and be really aware of my surroundings at specific times.(crowds/transportation/atm) <BR>As for the white sneakers....I guess I will have to take my chances and be an American tourist, considering that is what I am! <BR>Check back after May 16 and I will let you know how it went! <BR>Any more advice is welcome....I will check again before I leave. <BR>

A thief can spot a tourist by various means,that's how they make their living,the trick is for you to spot them first.I've never heard this stuff about sneakers,but it's funny. <BR>Let's face it, some Americans just look like tourist. My travel companion is a 69 year old white haired, blue eyed stocky Phil Donahue type,who could be barefoot and still look like a tourist. One aftenoon we were the only tourist in a small restaurant in Napoli and an elderly Napolitano came up to my friend and said " You are American,from New York,Brooklyn". He was close, we're from Manhattan. My friend probably looks like a thousand GI's that were in Italy during WW 2. We always say we're from Canada and it diffuses any conversation when we sense someone is hustling us.Lugging a backpack is the easiest way to spot a tourist,so is a video camera. If you are going to spend your trip taping stuff, have your travel companions keep an eye out for the surrouding people. Before you start taping, why don't you look through your own eyes at what is in front and around you. I've always been amused at people who go on a trip and don't see what they came to see until they get home and <BR>watch the video tape. <BR>When in busses or somewhere crowded carry your money in your shirts front pocket or in the front pocket of your pants, if you can keep your hand in that pocket, do so. <BR>

I think you're all too paranoid. Why not just wear what's comfortable & reasonably tasteful, and use basic good sense as in any large city? Maybe your straight, white teeth will 'give you away' as an american tourist, so better not smile. You could also decide to never take any photos, or not see any famous sites, or stop bathing (to fit in better at some locales).

You could always fool the thieves by wearing white Superga sneakers. This is a trendy Italian brand and I just saw an ad. in Australian "Elle" and "Harpers Bazaar" featuring - shock horror! - white sneakers! Made in Italy!!

Please, leave the white sneakers at home! Certainly you need to wear comfortable shoes, but many brands carry black walking shoes that are moderately fashionable, very comfortable, and won't make you look like a country bumpkin! (Sorry, but that's the exact image the white sneakers give off). <BR> <BR>Needless to say, stick with darker color clothing as well. Stains don't show up as well, they don't look as wrinkly, and you won't look so out-of-place.