UKUKUK

RDixon

In most European countries it is not necessary for US citizens to carry their passports. This applies to many in the western world when we visit other developed nations.

There are countries where one is required by law to carry a passport for ID purposes. I never do. In these countries I carry a photocopy these days and my driving license.

This is because I worked in Angola for several years and carried my passport around in my pocket for several years. It was one of those new EU ones that are really badly made. It fell apart aafter a couple of years and my photo fell out.

I then flew to the US via SA and was refused entry due to the poor state of my passport. I just insist on going to the police station or in some cases pay a fine these days if a corrupt official asks for my passport in the street.

The chances of a well to do touriost being asked for ID in a developed EU country is very small.

Bitter

As a general rule, I don't think people plan on being arrested! I have needed my passport to cash traveler's checks. I'm frankly not sure some of the budget hotels at which I've stayed had a safe available. And if I'm only staying a night or so, I don't know if I want the hassle. But to each his own. I just don't see any harm in being more secure, any more than I care if some of you travel without a care. Frankly, I want other travelers to be less concerned with safety, b/c theives will target them instead of me.

Sylvia

Well, I'm British and when I visit mainland Europe, I wear the same sort of clothes as I wear at home and carry a very small leather shoulder bag, with some money, one credit card and a mobile phone in it. I leave my passport in the hotel and carry a photocopy.
If I'm sitting down in a restaurant or on public transport, I make sure that the bag is in my lap. My husband carries the maps and has the camera attached to his belt. In fact, I behave and take precautions exactly as I would at home or in the US.

nytraveler

Pickpockets are like wolf packs - they both pick the easiest targets - with wolves its the old, the sick or the very young. With pickpockets as a rule its the most obvious tourists, people who are confused or distracted, or are not fully aware of their belongings or their surroundings (including possible pickpockets). Your greatest safety lies not in things like packs or money belts - it lies in your constant alertness and awareness of surroundings and people - noticing how other people are dressed, how they behave, body language, eye contact, etc. I realize this is more difficult for people who don't do this as a part of every day life - but if you practice a little it becomes second nature. Just think of it as the same thing as "reading" the intentions of other drivers from subtle signals - for example, the people you can just tell from body language or eye contact of sublte movements of the car are going to turn left into your path or cut you off without signaling.

NYCFoodSnob

Well put, again, nytraveler, but even with 20/20 vision, I find so many people remain blind. Pickpockets will always have job.

I'm a firm believer in better safe than sorry even though I'm so guilty of throwing caution to the wind.