fishee- the BCN metro stairs are not that bad at all and in many cases you have no choice. There are quite a few that do not have escalators.

And, though I don't want to jack the thread either, I absolutely must share my random joy with the board. Before I was even in kindergarten, my brother and I used to watch this random cartoon. Of course, I didn't know what it was called or even what it was about (3 year olds do miss so much, I guess). However, one line of a song has gone through my head since the show was on, but I didn't even really know the words except for the placename Arkadia. Well, people, not only have I found that the series was "Spartakus and the Sun Beneath the Sea," but I have downloaded the Flashbic song to my iTunes. Sometimes google is mind boggling.

So, if any of you hear the flashbic (and 10 points for knowing it) on the streets of Barcelona, yes, that is my ringtone. Say hello!

Well, I must be a very naive person, but I carry a small shoulder bag worn diagonally and I get my husband to carry our camera on his belt.
If we are abroad, we keep the passports in the hotel and carry photocopies.
We keep cards to a minimum and take one credit card and one cash card each, but from different banks.
The US is not a pickpcket-free zone.
Why not just take the precautions you take at home?

If you must take a backpack/daypack..consider wearing it in FRONT of you in crowded situations.

Moneybelts work if you use them.

Robes, WHO has a PAPER "ticket home" these days??????

"A backpack also tells a pickpocket that you are a tourist and where to start."

Em, lots of "locals" carry backpacks. The simple rule for backpacks is never to carry anything in them that you can afford to lose so use them for food/water/guidebooks. As for "wearing it in FRONT of you in crowded situations." that WILL tell a pickpocket that you are a tourist and where to start.

As for camera's & shoulder bags ALWAYS carry them slung across one shoulder & under the other arm so that the camera/bag is in front of you. Never have them hanging from one shoulder

And never put anything into a backpocket or shallow pockets

Also spilt your resources between each member of the group & the hotel safe. You'd be surprised at the number of couples where one partner carries everything

As for alan's logic of carrying a purse or camera or bag in front in a crowded situation but not your backpack, I am not sure. I guess if there is nothing in there that matters, why not. However his other suggestions are certainly valid.

Personally I wear a jacket (shell) with inside, zippered pockets that hold my PDA, camera and wallet. I know this is weather dependent and you did say July.

As I mentioned on another thread, I carry stuff in my bra. I'm reasonably well endowed (48DDD) so can put flat stuff around one side of a 'globe' and no bother. Passport on one side, cash and cards in a small pouch on the other, no problems. Daily cash in the purse (usually strapped across as it is heavey with my camera, guidebook, water, etc.)

Yes, I think they do make bras with little pockets in them, I've seen the ads :)

I use a moneybelt and/or a wallet like pouch that has velcro straps to be worn on the calf under pants. My main strategy is to have the things that I can't afford to lose in those. My cash for the day and a credit card is scattered in a number of different place so a pickpocket won't get it all. I often will wear a very lightweight photographer's vest. These can be worn even in hot weather as the back is mesh. They have lots of pockets that are usually velcroed. It helps keep a pickpocket guessing where the mother lode might be. My wife uses a purse with a shoulder strap that I altered by running a length of picture wire through the strap so it can't easily be cut. It is not noticeable.
I am reminded of a time some years ago when my wife and I and two of our children, ages 7 and 11 were visiting the Coliseum in Rome. Young pickpockets were everywhere and plain clothed police were rounding them up as fast as they could catch them. We spent some time with our backs to a wall watching the kids pick pockets and the police round them up. When we got back to the US my 7 year old was asked by her teacher what she learned in Rome. She demonstrated how to pick a pocket!

I always have to laugh at those comments about backpacks giving one away as a tourist. Get on any subway or city bus in the morning rush hour and you'll see hundreds of students and even business people with their backpacks. We're not talking major hiking type backpacks, but average sized typical backpacks. Where do some of you get the idea that "real" people don't carry backpacks too?
Next you'll be saying only tourists wear Nikes!

If you want an interesting look into the life of a professional Paris pickpocket, rend this movie:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053168/
Pickpocket

It's a French film, I saw it in one of my film classes. It has a great montage scene of the metro where pocket after pocket after pocket get picked, and many ways in which it can be done.

I am one who is guilty of the assumption of a backpack toting (older) person being a tourist. You are right we have to be careful of the stereotyping - kind of like thinking that anyone with sandals, dark socks and shorts is a German tourist.

About neck pouches... I bought one and it was VERY long...so, I sort of wore it under my arm and it was down to my waist. Easy enough to get into if I had to. No pouchy tummy, lumpy behind or third boob.
Now I carry a cumbersome huge purse that I can't find anything in...lots of zippers and divisions.
I assume a pickpocket would have the same problem. I hope I look like just a tired old girl going to and from her job like any "local" might be doing.

I developed this method that has always worked for me.

I wear a little pouch that snaps aound my bra straps - that's where I keep credit cards. You can buy these at most airports. Keep my passport in the hotel safe.

Wear a small pocket type purse slung across (like french women wear theirs).

If I'm shopping I ALWAYS keeps shopping bags inside my VERY generic shopping bag - as the locals do. Consolidate as you shop to keep this as small as possible - unless you have a limo waiting out front of the store :)

Further, on public transportation I say NOTHING. Never chat up anyone on the metro or on the bus. Never carry around big maps. Never let people know that you speak English unless you're comfortable with your surroundings.

My daughter and I do this in Paris especially. And we always at least try to fit in. No large white american tennis shoes - no gimme caps. No labels on clothes or purses - all very generic.

The main thing is just not broadcasting it to the world- hey we're Americans and we're not paying attention.

Keep your sling purse on while eating at cafes. If you must set down your bags, set them in a chair beside you and set something on top of it, like a jacket. Set it between you and your companion. Otherwise, set it between your feet.

If you're somewhere really dangerous, like Guatemala - use hidden pockets sewn in the inside bottoms of your pant legs or jacket back for passports.

And spread your money out between you, some in your bra pouch, some in shopping bag, some in sling purse, and some with your traveling companion. And don't make eye contact on metros.

And don't make a big production of taking pictures either.

If you do all these things, you reduce your chances by 95%.

The thing to keep in mind is to not call attention to yourself, and be on your guard. In Paris, i generally carry either a Mandarina Duck backpack pocketbook which I never put on my back, but either sling over my shoulder or hold in my lap. Or I carry a small Longchamp tote. In the winter months, I have a small pocketbook that I can keep under my coat. DH always keeps his wallet in his front pocket, or inside coat pocket and keeps his hand over it. We will avoid the Metro if it is very crowded, we will wait for the next one. We always know where we are going before we get on the Metro, so we don't have to pull out maps etc. And we generally don't talk to each other alot on the Metro, altho I speak French but DH does not. Friends of ours were pickpocketed on the Paris Metro, but they ignored my advice to tone it down a bit - he was wearing a rather garish sports coat that screamed tourist, and she had lots of expensive jewelry on. Fortunately DH and I were quick and spotted the kid and grabbed him. We got our friend's wallet back, but it soured them on Paris. Oh well.

Thanks everyone for the info. I had to laugh several times at some of the comments! oobylicious - I like the combination lock idea. I am going to look into that one! Green Dragon - I will get this movie to watch. It might help my daughters "see" what to expect. Although I don't have the lucky "Marko" surly look, I am very careful when traveling. We have not travelled to Europe, but have been to most large US cities, Caribbean, etc. and have never had a problem. It sounds to me that pickpockets are more prevalent AND more professional, so the advice of all will be taken and checked into. Thanks again!

I use a money belt and only keep what I need for the day either in my pockets or day bag. But on the occasions when unexpectedly you need something in the money belt, how do you all get to it? It feels as though I'm undressing to get into it, so I have to find a restroom or other secluded place. Just not very practical!

There's a special on BBC tonight about the latest pickpocket scams, etc. ("Shops, Robbers & Videotape) esp on Oxford Street and on buses.
Will let you know if there are any new fads among thieves--hmm, maybe we'll find out where London's hip & trendy criminals hang out.

I have a small leather bag approx 8"x8"x2" with two zippered pouches and a strap that goes across my torso. It fits very close to the body, so while it is not technically a money belt and is worn outside my clothes, I feel very safe with it. I do not take it off (for instance in a restaurant).

It's handy and can be tucked into a larger bag (say on the plane ride). Brand name Fossil.

Hubby is a big guy with a surly expression, like Marko *; unfortunately, this trip he won't be with us. Is there a greater risk of being targeted by pickpockets for 2 women alone--one young and attractive (daughter) and one not as young and small, 5'3" (me).

* I would put a smiley face here, if I knew how to do that.

Maire - it depends on how you carry yourself, and to some extent how you are built (i.e. if you look like an athlete, a perp may think twice)

There are lots of factors involved in how perps pick out their victims...

Maire: http://www.fodors.com/forums/smileys/