Dayenu

ColdUpHere, is this a water gun?

suze

I have no proof of this, but have always believed that percentage-wise I bet the most pocketbooks or purses or cameras that are stolen are when the owner lays them down somewhere, hangs them over the back of a chair, sets them on the seat next to them, leaves them in a train station or airport, etc. NOT that they are ripped of their person in a public place.

colduphere

Dayenu - that's my 50 year old pistol. I used to be able to fire a couple of rounds a day. Now I am down to one round a week.

Hastobe_Katt

Suze - when I was in Istanbul last week one of my travel companions lost all their money / documents on the subway. One of the thieves pulled at his backpack to distract him while the other used a blade to slit the pocket in his trousers to remove his wallet, passport, drivers licence etc. So not all losses are due to people being careless. Many European cities have very proficient pickpockets who usually work in groups.

Body bags / belts / wallets: http://shop.packyourbags.com/acatalog/body-wallets.html. The waist ones are better (worn under clothes) as thieves are known to cut the neck cord of the other type.

Josser

Interpol has put out a call about a serial killer.

The suspect is male of slim elegant appearance.
The modus operandi is pushing the victim into the path of buses and tube trains.
The victims are of both sexes and the only thing that they have in common is that they are wearing bum bags.

MissPrism

This thread has made me laugh out loud.
Thin's sanitary napkin looks more like a lop-sided sporran to me.
I very boringly just take exactly the same sort of handbag that I use at home.
How about a cross-body bag like this
http://www.johnlewis.com/50594/Style.aspx

Hastobe_Katt

MissPrism

I'm guessing you travel to 'nice' locations and don't backpack / travel light

MissPrism

The only time I use a backpack is when I'm in the Scottish Highlands or Lake District.
In cities, I just take my usual handbag. Both places are very nice in their way ;-)

MissPrism

Actually. what about one of these
http://www.scotchcorner.com/sporrans-dress-02.html

I rather fancy the blonde seal myself

lalalacheesejah

Just so everyone knows, I am using an old leather messenger bag.
Thanks.

David999

If you are concerned about pickpockets, you might want to spend a little time learning how they operate. The below is a great website to watch videos of pickpockets in action, as well as learning about the various scams and techniques they use. Many travelers don't take the time to learn about nimble fingered thieves, however if they would, they may be able to outfox the fox before they hit them at the Metro station.

Watch the pickpockets in restaurants videos for a real eye opener - When you go to this page, scroll down to the pickpocket sections - They even have pickpocket info regarding major cities in Spain, Italy, France, and the Netherlands..

http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com...tips/index.php

Hope it helps someone

Sassafrass

Personal policy: never put anything in the bag I carry that I would cry over if it were stolen. Umbrella, snacks, maps, guidebook, a few dollars or euros (no more than twenty) etc. go in a shoulder style bag or very small nylon backpack that can be slung over my shoulder. If I must carry credit cards and more cash, it goes in a tiny flat pouch under my shirt; invisible, but easy to get when really needed. Camera is usually around my neck, but tucked into the bag when I stop to eat, rest, etc. I don't need locks on a bag that has nothing of value in it.

Thin, I thought the bag you suggested looked great. However, I don't pay more for the bag to carry my money in, than what money I have to put into it. The most I have had in recent years was about $50.00, so guess I will stick with Marshall's, TJ Maxx or Ross.

november_moon

You know what I dislike most about bumbags? When people wear them in the front and then dig through them looking for stuff. Just looks icky to me to have someone digging around in their front like that.

Anyway, I have a black sportsac handbag that I take with me. It is large enough to carry a guidebook, bottle of water, map, tissues, camera, and a small wallet. The strap is adjustable so I can wear it across my chest when I want to. If someone takes it, well I guess they take it. They'll get a bit of cash and a couple cards, which I will cancel and use my backups in the mean time. I tried a messenger bag last year, but didn't care for it. Too bulky, I think. Plus having to wear it across my chest all the time was uncomfortable - I think anybody with more than a B cup might have trouble, or maybe it is just me. Regardless, I bought a different bag in the middle of the trip.

WWanderer

I hate fanny packs too but will wear one when I'm doing something active. Like a snorkeling or hiking day trip on a cruise. For a recent stay in Rio, where I was worried about crime, I got one of these:

http://shop.heys.ca/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=tm01

It's a cross-shoulder bag with lots of pockets, and it can be worn on the back, or on the front, depending on what you're doing. And very reasonable.

Yes, it's ugly, but I think you can get it in more subdued colours--mine is lime green!

$450 for that purse? No way!

suze

I don't like leather. It's so heavy to travel with. Nylon bags like LeSportsSac work so much better imho.

Christina

<<So not all losses are due to people being careless. Many European cities have very proficient pickpockets who usually work in groups.>>

I guess it depends on what your definition of "pickpocket" is. What you described is not a pickpocket, it's armed robbery and/or assault and robbery. I would never describe that kind of theft as a "pickpocket". People do get assaulted and robbed, and that is not due to being careless, but I think that's a different story. There was one poster on FOdors who was physically assaulted that way on the Champs Elysees, actually (at night).

To me, a pickpocket is someone who does not use force or violence, by definition. I think there can be some instances where that is not due to carelessness, but very few.

I don't like to take leather bags, either, due to their weight. Also, if it's bad weather, then you worry about ruining your expensive leather bag. I have various types of synthetic/nylon/microfiber whatever bags I may use in addition to a purse. I have used a moneybelt but only in places notorious for crime (not W Europe).

Hastobe_Katt

Christina - it's not assault or armed robbery it's stealth, and the reason they work in groups is so that one distracts / acts as a look out while the other steals. You wouldn't even be aware of what was happening - until you came to look for your purse / wallet.

Hastobe_Katt

As a UK resident I can assure you that the London underground is notorious for pickpockets - as are most large European cities (West and East).

pookymimi

I just bought this for myself that works great for what I need...

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Mens-Black-D...26166567981444

I'm matching it with the REI safety wire strap...

http://www.rei.com/product/753280

ThinGorjus

Don't forget your hair Scrunchy and your white Keds to go along with that horrid red Travel Mate bag.

That bag looks like a first-aid kit that you would find behind the rented shoes at a bowling alley.

Thin