mango7- i gotta nominate you for the most paranoid poster of the month here on the forum!
:-)

I had my purse slashed on the metro in Rome. Two other people on our tour had their pockets cleaned out. Luckily I do wear a money belt with my credit card and cash. The "slasher" ruined my purse, but he got only dirty kleenex!!!

You bet your boots I wear a money belt! In Barcelona, my sister had given me her passport and credit card to put in my money belt. She kept her purse, but she had only a camera in it, so that when the very slick thief (who we thought was one of the waiters in the outdoor restaurant at which we were dining) snagged her purse--without her even being aware of it--all she lost was the camera.

It was expensive and time-consuming to replace the camera, but not nearly as costly as if she'd lost her credit card and passport.

Another money belt wearer here. But not in summer, when it's visible.

In summer, I have an inside pocket with a pin.

I have not used one in the past, but would definitely consider it for Rome or Barcelona. Somehow in Switzerland, Venice, Amsterdam, Paris I have not felt the need.

Paranoia is my specialty!

Just curious, suze, why do you say that? I.e., what is it about Rome that would make you feel the need but not so in Paris or Venice? I've been to all of the places you've mentioned at different stages of my life, yet never worn a money belt, & never felt the need. I'm not a risk-taker -- nor am I a Rich & Famous Person who has other people taking care of her!


This is not a snippy question, I assure you, I'm genuinely curious, bc I "know" you & "know" your posts. :-)

LucieV- Only because there are so many posts about problems in those two places, from people who have never had problems elsewhere. Rome train station, Naples stations, and the streets of Barcelona seem to come up quite often here. And honestly between you, me & the rest of the forum(!) I am not sure I really would when push come to shove... I only said "consider" it -LOL!

Mango7- well at least you have a great sense of humor to go along with it!

Mango you are REQUIRED to write a trip report. (it should be a good one!, I like your sense of humor too!)

suze, that's what I figured...;-)

And I agree w/everybody: mango is hilarious. A neurotic paranoid after my own heart.

:P

I was paranoid about this before I left for our 5 week trip. My hubby wore an 'around the neck money belt', I had a waist belt. I hated it because of the bulk (didn't like looking pregnant or fat) and end up keeping it in my little day back. If I felt unsafe (ie, walking on the Charles Bridge in Prague with millions of others), I held my little day back in front of me with the strap wrapped around my arm several times. There was never any problem. The main thing is to have your wits about you and just be aware of your surroundings.

I returned from Rome 2 wks ago and had a great time and didn't get pickpocketed...and didn't have to use a silly money belt. I figured this out on my own and it works great and you don't have to pull down your pants to get your money, etc.

If you wear jeans like most people in Rome you can do this. Just put your normal-sized wallet in your front pocket, but stick it in horizontally after it is in. Then, fold the pocket (with the wallet) up toward your waist so the pocket with the wallet folds on itself. You will have to be unconcious for anyone to get it out. Plus, its relatively easy to take out to pay for gelato or cappucino:) You don't have to unbutton anything, but it helps if you suck in your gut to unfold your inner pocket for your wallet's removal.

Try it out!

Kurt

hey Kurt, Thanks for checking back in with us!!! Glad to hear everything worked out just fine. We knew it would!

"...it helps if you suck in your gut to unfold your inner pocket..."

ah. therein lies a problem. :)

Hi Suze,

Thanks alot!I wrote a small synopsis of my trip a while ago. Rome turned out to be very nice with no problems, fortunately. Thanks again for asking,

Kurt

Kurt -- A good friend of ours, against our advice, followed your recommendations to the letter. During three trips to Europe never had a problem. On the fourth trip In the Paris train station, lost everything -- all cash, credit cards, passport, train tickets. Big problem as the train pulled out thirty seconds later. He now used a money belt.

Maybe he got sloppy and didn't do it the correct way. Perhaps his pants were too baggy. There is NO way you can be PP'ed when you fold up the wallet in your front pocket with tighter jeans on, while fully aware of the filth that's wandering around you.

Mango 7 -- it was easy and easily done. As he was loading luggage at the end of the car, he was suddenly pinned against the wall of the luggage area, and a hand removed his billfold easily from his front pocket, jumped down from the car and ran through the crowded platform just as train got underway. Call it what you like -- mugging, pickpocket -- result is the same -- money gone. He now believes that he was "made" at the snack when he had his fat billfold out to make a purchase. Point is --- if you can get to it easily -- so can someone else. Let experience be your teacher.

Yes, I always use mine. My friend, female, will not use one. I have given up on her, but I do tell her now, if you get pickpocketed (and I have seen 4 cases in my many european travels) you will spend your days, not mine, trying to get a new passport and I will not let you ruin my vacation. Nor will I pay for a new flight home, because God forbid it happens a day or two before we are to fly home.