How to prepare for pickpockets?
Apr 20th, 2006, 07:50 PM
#101
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Here is a very important tip! Beware the signs at the Metro that warn of pickpockets. Some of them are actually placed there BY the pckpockets. Why? Because the first thing you do when you see the sign is pat yourself for your wallet, to make sure it's still there - and you've just given away exactly where you're keeing your money. Now they don't even have to go searching. I was actually warned of that by a London Bobby.
ALSO - when on a train from the airport, try not to sit right by a door. The people across from us from CDG to Paris lost a bag to thieves when one threw money on the floor as a diversion, and wanted help picking it up. While the couple bent over, their bag on top was deftly carried straight out the door. Of course, that was the bag with their money, passports, etc. The thieves realize that we've all had long international flights and are dead tired....Clever jackals.
Lastly, for those trying to "blend in" - you don't. Americans stand out like a sore thumb everywhere. It's the little details, like hairstyles, shoe styles, and whether your shoes are polished, that tip them off. Even how we carry ourselves, how fast we walk, and the way we make eye contact varies from country to country. Spend more time over there and you'll start picking it up. Fascinating stuff.
Good luck!
ALSO - when on a train from the airport, try not to sit right by a door. The people across from us from CDG to Paris lost a bag to thieves when one threw money on the floor as a diversion, and wanted help picking it up. While the couple bent over, their bag on top was deftly carried straight out the door. Of course, that was the bag with their money, passports, etc. The thieves realize that we've all had long international flights and are dead tired....Clever jackals.
Lastly, for those trying to "blend in" - you don't. Americans stand out like a sore thumb everywhere. It's the little details, like hairstyles, shoe styles, and whether your shoes are polished, that tip them off. Even how we carry ourselves, how fast we walk, and the way we make eye contact varies from country to country. Spend more time over there and you'll start picking it up. Fascinating stuff.
Good luck!
Apr 21st, 2006, 12:28 AM
#102
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>> Someone has said to look like you are willing to beat the crap out of people and there is some truth to that. I kicked a man once for being sketchy with me at a bar (he was trying to get my wallet). No, not in the "spot", but in the shin. <<
There's a lot to be said about not looking like an easy target. Muggers and the such don't want to "work" for their money. They don't want to pick on someone who will most likely fight back.
There's a lot to be said about not looking like an easy target. Muggers and the such don't want to "work" for their money. They don't want to pick on someone who will most likely fight back.
Apr 21st, 2006, 12:31 AM
#103
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>> Here is a very important tip! Beware the signs at the Metro that warn of pickpockets. Some of them are actually placed there BY the pckpockets. <<
Oh cool. Time to get a cheapo wallet and fill it up with Monopoly money and have some fun...
Oh cool. Time to get a cheapo wallet and fill it up with Monopoly money and have some fun...
Apr 21st, 2006, 05:33 AM
#104
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When we (my parents, my DH and I) were in a crowd in Dublin in the financial district (it was around 7pm, and there were LOTS of people), evidently someone was sizing us up as a target. DH said he saw the guy look my mom over, look me over, start to come towards us... then saw DH scowling at him. He hastily backed off.
Considering my DH is a gorilla at 6'4" and 350 lbs, I can understand the would-be thief's reaction. Of course, he had no way of knowing DH is a black belt in Akido, and used to do 'collections' for some Italians, but I think he would rather not find out.
Intimidation is definitely a weapon in the arsenal.
I've been mugged twice. Not traveling, but in my home city of Miami. Once, I was 15, had a purse but nothing much in it. The guy was more scared than I was, as his knife arm was shaking. I threw him the purse, and ran away screaming. Found a grocery store and ran in. (I was with a friend, and we both did this). I think I lost $2.
When I was 21, right after I cashed my paycheck, me and some friends stopped at a little walk up convenience store to buy some beer. The guy behind me grabbed my wallet, and ran away across the street. I ran after him (I'm a fairly strong girl, but stupid, evidently). I almost caught up with him when he went into some dark bushes and I thought, what the heck am I doing????? All the time I had been yelling and cursing at him to stop, damnit, and give me back my G>@(@**@# wallet!
Considering my DH is a gorilla at 6'4" and 350 lbs, I can understand the would-be thief's reaction. Of course, he had no way of knowing DH is a black belt in Akido, and used to do 'collections' for some Italians, but I think he would rather not find out.
Intimidation is definitely a weapon in the arsenal.
I've been mugged twice. Not traveling, but in my home city of Miami. Once, I was 15, had a purse but nothing much in it. The guy was more scared than I was, as his knife arm was shaking. I threw him the purse, and ran away screaming. Found a grocery store and ran in. (I was with a friend, and we both did this). I think I lost $2.
When I was 21, right after I cashed my paycheck, me and some friends stopped at a little walk up convenience store to buy some beer. The guy behind me grabbed my wallet, and ran away across the street. I ran after him (I'm a fairly strong girl, but stupid, evidently). I almost caught up with him when he went into some dark bushes and I thought, what the heck am I doing????? All the time I had been yelling and cursing at him to stop, damnit, and give me back my G>@(@**@# wallet!
