Indeed it happened to me but I still love Paris!
Feb 21st, 2007, 07:37 PM
#41
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There are already many replies to this, but I will add one more. Ever since I heard of some of the horror stories of losing credit cards, passports etc going back over 20 years, I have ALWAYS carried all my valuables in what my partner calls my "james bond" around my neck, and under my shirt. Sure it looks silly to have to open my shirt to get out a credit card at Le Grand Vefour, but the alternative is horrible to contemplate. I carry both our passports when we travel, and all credit cards and most of our cash. All that is in my pocket is about 20 euros. I have a lot of peace of mind. I wear this thing anywhere outside of the US, except maybe Canada.
Feb 21st, 2007, 07:54 PM
#43
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I just thought....Would carrying a cane deter a pickpocket?,, and it could be used as a "poker" to perhaps hurt the person in a hurtful place.
OR do you think it would make a person more vunerable to a pickpocket.?
I used one on occasion following my knee replacement(folding one)....they are a bit of a nuisance , but sometimes help with long distance walking.
I do try to always hold my purse tight to my body crosswise over the shoulder, (or inside my coat in the winter), and be aware of surrounding and people....but these things are not necessarily l00% foolproof, of course.
I've heard that some men carry extra money in their shoe. Makes sense to me.
>
OR do you think it would make a person more vunerable to a pickpocket.?
I used one on occasion following my knee replacement(folding one)....they are a bit of a nuisance , but sometimes help with long distance walking.
I do try to always hold my purse tight to my body crosswise over the shoulder, (or inside my coat in the winter), and be aware of surrounding and people....but these things are not necessarily l00% foolproof, of course.
I've heard that some men carry extra money in their shoe. Makes sense to me.
>
Feb 21st, 2007, 07:55 PM
#44
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What's on Travel Talk Forums
Pick-pocketed in Paris
"I was pick-pocketed on the Paris subway Sunday afternoon and relieved of all my credit cards. Of course, I did not realize this until I was looking for my change purse to pay for the lunch my husband and I just had at Laudere on Rue Royal. The good news -- the lunch was fabulous, the weather beautiful and I still love Paris!" Read more
Pick-pocketed in Paris
"I was pick-pocketed on the Paris subway Sunday afternoon and relieved of all my credit cards. Of course, I did not realize this until I was looking for my change purse to pay for the lunch my husband and I just had at Laudere on Rue Royal. The good news -- the lunch was fabulous, the weather beautiful and I still love Paris!" Read more
Feb 21st, 2007, 09:39 PM
#45
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Thanks for the restaurant reviews but you did leave out a couple of items of importance...at least to me,
1. The cost of the meals.
2. Were the meals a la carte or part of the restaurants "Formule" ie a fixed price for the dinner.
1. The cost of the meals.
2. Were the meals a la carte or part of the restaurants "Formule" ie a fixed price for the dinner.
Feb 22nd, 2007, 12:29 AM
#46
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Thanks for sharing your trip report. I'm sorry to hear about the pickpocket incident but I'm glad you didn't let that ruin your trip.
We're heading to Paris in a couple of weeks and although we've never been pickpocketted, I get nervous everytime we're about to leave. Has anyone tried to fight back and then been threatened with a gun or knife?
We're heading to Paris in a couple of weeks and although we've never been pickpocketted, I get nervous everytime we're about to leave. Has anyone tried to fight back and then been threatened with a gun or knife?
Feb 22nd, 2007, 02:06 AM
#47
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my_rd,
There is less violent crime in Paris than in most US cities. Pickpocketing is a crime of opportunity, and if you catch them in the act, they move on to the next person.
Sorry about your experience, Danielle, but I'm glad to see it didn't spoil your trip.
I was pickpocketed about 7 years ago in Paris. I have noticed that these incidents tend to occur around areas frequented by tourists (in my case, Cité, Danielle at Solferino, and I met a woman in the Métro at Concorde a few months ago who had just had her wallet taken out of her purse.) I have seen some dicey-looking characters around the Bon Marché and the grands magasins.
The woman at Concorde kept saying, "But my purse was under my jacket." True, the strap was, but the purse was hanging about six inches below and exposed.
There is less violent crime in Paris than in most US cities. Pickpocketing is a crime of opportunity, and if you catch them in the act, they move on to the next person.
Sorry about your experience, Danielle, but I'm glad to see it didn't spoil your trip.
I was pickpocketed about 7 years ago in Paris. I have noticed that these incidents tend to occur around areas frequented by tourists (in my case, Cité, Danielle at Solferino, and I met a woman in the Métro at Concorde a few months ago who had just had her wallet taken out of her purse.) I have seen some dicey-looking characters around the Bon Marché and the grands magasins.
The woman at Concorde kept saying, "But my purse was under my jacket." True, the strap was, but the purse was hanging about six inches below and exposed.
Feb 22nd, 2007, 02:28 AM
#49
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When I travel, I do something I've not read about here...
I carry a small daypack. I use small luggage locks through all the double zippers and keep it all tucked under my arm (I don't ever wear it on my back). Anyone ever had someone slash through fabric to get at the valuables (which I don't leave in the small outer pockets)?
I carry a small daypack. I use small luggage locks through all the double zippers and keep it all tucked under my arm (I don't ever wear it on my back). Anyone ever had someone slash through fabric to get at the valuables (which I don't leave in the small outer pockets)?
Feb 22nd, 2007, 05:39 AM
#50
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For Bigal:
The following are the USD prices we paid for our meals which I reviewed above. Please note that, usually, the largest part of our bill was the wine and champagne apertifs so if you drink house wine or not at all the bill would be much less.
Le Petit Pamphlet - $210, we each had three courses, champagne apertifs and a nice bottle of wine. Once again, you can order a la carte or have a starter and main, main and dessert or all three.
Le P'tit Troquet - $174, we had champagne apertifs, two starters, two mains, dessert and a nice bottle of wine. You can order any number or types of courses as you wish.
L'Osteria - $292, approx. $115 of this is for the truffles on the gnocchi which were 45Euro each (we both had this as a main). In comparison, the gnocchi with butter and sage was only 16Euro. Considering what you order your bill would be significantly less.
Aux Trois Petits Cochons - $172, you have a choices of a starter and main, main and dessert or all three courses. We both had all 3 courses, a very nice bottle of wine and champagne apertifs.
Au Petit Tonneau - charge has not posted to our account yet. Menu written on a blackboard which they bring to your table. No fixed formula just order as you wish. Dessert suggestions provided after you finsih your main meal.
At dinner time, we mostly saw formuals with respect to the number of courses you wish to have versus providing a choice between specific items per a fixed menu.
More typical fixed item menus were available at lumch time; however, you can always order a la carte according to your hunger.
The following are the USD prices we paid for our meals which I reviewed above. Please note that, usually, the largest part of our bill was the wine and champagne apertifs so if you drink house wine or not at all the bill would be much less.
Le Petit Pamphlet - $210, we each had three courses, champagne apertifs and a nice bottle of wine. Once again, you can order a la carte or have a starter and main, main and dessert or all three.
Le P'tit Troquet - $174, we had champagne apertifs, two starters, two mains, dessert and a nice bottle of wine. You can order any number or types of courses as you wish.
L'Osteria - $292, approx. $115 of this is for the truffles on the gnocchi which were 45Euro each (we both had this as a main). In comparison, the gnocchi with butter and sage was only 16Euro. Considering what you order your bill would be significantly less.
Aux Trois Petits Cochons - $172, you have a choices of a starter and main, main and dessert or all three courses. We both had all 3 courses, a very nice bottle of wine and champagne apertifs.
Au Petit Tonneau - charge has not posted to our account yet. Menu written on a blackboard which they bring to your table. No fixed formula just order as you wish. Dessert suggestions provided after you finsih your main meal.
At dinner time, we mostly saw formuals with respect to the number of courses you wish to have versus providing a choice between specific items per a fixed menu.
More typical fixed item menus were available at lumch time; however, you can always order a la carte according to your hunger.
Feb 22nd, 2007, 06:05 AM
#51
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I had a friend who sews put together something for me that I love..... It's a small pouch with a velcro closing flap - it's just the size of a passport. It has a "loop" kind of thing at the top that you can thread your bra through and wear either in the front against your tummy or in back if you have your shirt tucked in and/or jacket on. I keep my passport, train ticket, extra credit card and extra cash in it. I keep only the cash I will use that day in my purse (which is an across the chest type that rests just above my front hip - easy to hold on to while out and about. Yes, I am pretty flat chested and have a flat tummy - probably wouldn't work in front for heavy or very large chested women, but I love it!
Feb 22nd, 2007, 07:14 AM
#52
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Hi Danielle-
As those on your thread can attest, as well as myself, someone who has been going to Paris, has studied there, and who has friends there- for over 25 years-to be pickpocketed in Paris is an unpleasant experience-but it HAPPENS ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN THE METRO.
It happened to me in Chatelet metro 10 years ago, during rush hour, and I was worked by two men, one bumping and talking, the other picking out of my tote-my tote was not zipped up. And, this past September, it almost happened to me again, but my radar was on full alert, and it was in a quiet afternoon period (not rush hour time of day-important, folks, try to avoid the metro during peak rush-hour-pickpocket times). When someone comes up to you in the Metro, and starts to ask you something in English, a good rule of thumb is to reach immediately for your purse and have it firmly under the shoulder, or in front of you, with both hands on it. The young woman who came up to me to ask the time, starts to lean forward, I felt the warning-whirled around with hands on tote and walked off quickly in the opposite direction -Save!
I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a moneybelt-that's not my style. And most importantly, it sounds as if Danielle did NOT have her passport with her- I never carry the passport-you can cancel the credit cards, you can even get a new AMEX THE SAME DAY-partic. in Paris, but the passport-no, that's a problem that will take signficant time away from your holiday, so don't carry it-keep it locked up in the safe in your room, or in a safety box at the hotel desk, and carry only one credit card with you, and have the others back with the passport.
I have been locking up my passport for well over 25 years in various apartments and hotel safes in and around various parts of the world, but particularly in Europe, where the pickpocketing threat is the greatest- with nary a problem.
When I trip out and about-I have my photo ID (driver's license) -you must have some form of official govt.-issued ID on you when you travel about in Europe- one credit card-and some cash (but other cash-like spare USD, stays in the lockbox, along with passport and credit cards).
As those on your thread can attest, as well as myself, someone who has been going to Paris, has studied there, and who has friends there- for over 25 years-to be pickpocketed in Paris is an unpleasant experience-but it HAPPENS ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN THE METRO.
It happened to me in Chatelet metro 10 years ago, during rush hour, and I was worked by two men, one bumping and talking, the other picking out of my tote-my tote was not zipped up. And, this past September, it almost happened to me again, but my radar was on full alert, and it was in a quiet afternoon period (not rush hour time of day-important, folks, try to avoid the metro during peak rush-hour-pickpocket times). When someone comes up to you in the Metro, and starts to ask you something in English, a good rule of thumb is to reach immediately for your purse and have it firmly under the shoulder, or in front of you, with both hands on it. The young woman who came up to me to ask the time, starts to lean forward, I felt the warning-whirled around with hands on tote and walked off quickly in the opposite direction -Save!
I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a moneybelt-that's not my style. And most importantly, it sounds as if Danielle did NOT have her passport with her- I never carry the passport-you can cancel the credit cards, you can even get a new AMEX THE SAME DAY-partic. in Paris, but the passport-no, that's a problem that will take signficant time away from your holiday, so don't carry it-keep it locked up in the safe in your room, or in a safety box at the hotel desk, and carry only one credit card with you, and have the others back with the passport.
I have been locking up my passport for well over 25 years in various apartments and hotel safes in and around various parts of the world, but particularly in Europe, where the pickpocketing threat is the greatest- with nary a problem.
When I trip out and about-I have my photo ID (driver's license) -you must have some form of official govt.-issued ID on you when you travel about in Europe- one credit card-and some cash (but other cash-like spare USD, stays in the lockbox, along with passport and credit cards).
Feb 22nd, 2007, 07:29 AM
#53
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Passports, cash, credit cards, and plane tickets HAVE BEEN stolen from both in-room safes and behind-the-desk safes. It can and does happen.
I carry mine with me at all times because I would rather not put a total stranger in charge of the outcome of my vacation.
If you "wouldn't be caught dead" wearing a money belt, consider all the possibilities.
I carry mine with me at all times because I would rather not put a total stranger in charge of the outcome of my vacation.
If you "wouldn't be caught dead" wearing a money belt, consider all the possibilities.
Feb 22nd, 2007, 10:14 AM
#54
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that's funny, because if you've been "caught" wearing a moneybelt, you weren't using it correctly.
And Danielle's passport was in her purse, next to the stolen wallet's place. She mentioned that.
And Danielle's passport was in her purse, next to the stolen wallet's place. She mentioned that.
Feb 22nd, 2007, 10:55 AM
#55
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Travelnut is right. My passport was right next to the changepurse which was stolen. I usually do not carry my passport but having made some sizable purchases and using it for the tax free paperwork the day before I neglected to take it out.
When shopping and filling out tax free documentation, can you just provide the store with a copy? I have always assumed they would need to see your original. Do they need the passport at all or is just your number sufficient?
When shopping and filling out tax free documentation, can you just provide the store with a copy? I have always assumed they would need to see your original. Do they need the passport at all or is just your number sufficient?
Feb 22nd, 2007, 03:23 PM
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Palette, I would like to follow the same strategy, but I'm afraid that things might work loose and fall out (not likely, but the possibility would worry me). Does anyone know of convenient little purses or clip-ons or something that would fit on/in the Maidenform?
Feb 22nd, 2007, 06:32 PM
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<b>likeswords</b>
I found these by Googling...
http://www.lazarsluggage.com/alpa2brasa01.html
http://www.beltoutlet.com/brastasbyaus.html
I found these by Googling...
http://www.lazarsluggage.com/alpa2brasa01.html
http://www.beltoutlet.com/brastasbyaus.html
Feb 23rd, 2007, 06:23 AM
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It is quite ridiculous to argue that hotel room safes, where you put in your own passcode, etc., are somehow more dangerous than carrying your passport and all your credit cards around on your person in the tourist cities of Europe. The two simply don't compare in any way.
If indeed, there was SO MUCH theft from these hotel room safes, I hardly think they would be recommended for use by traveler and tourist organizations almost uniformly, quite as the alternative to carrying around your tickets, cash, worldly possessions, nor would they be more or less standard in most hotels, certainly 3 star, and many 2 star establishments.
I've seen too many woeful tales of travelers having had the passport lifted from the person, even when the passport was allegedly secured in some fashion on the body, but none of having the passport lifted from a hotel room safe-and as stated, I've been traveling for decades.
That is not to say that it NEVER happens, (because there are virtually no "nevers" in life) but it IS to say, that thefts from these passcode protected hotel room safes are statistically insignficant, (and I mean TRUE thefts-i.e., someone thought they put a passcode in, but didn't, they thought the code/combination had worked, but it didn't) in comparison to having the passport and credit cards stolen from travelers who carry them on the person. It is simply factually incorrect to argue otherwise.
If indeed, there was SO MUCH theft from these hotel room safes, I hardly think they would be recommended for use by traveler and tourist organizations almost uniformly, quite as the alternative to carrying around your tickets, cash, worldly possessions, nor would they be more or less standard in most hotels, certainly 3 star, and many 2 star establishments.
I've seen too many woeful tales of travelers having had the passport lifted from the person, even when the passport was allegedly secured in some fashion on the body, but none of having the passport lifted from a hotel room safe-and as stated, I've been traveling for decades.
That is not to say that it NEVER happens, (because there are virtually no "nevers" in life) but it IS to say, that thefts from these passcode protected hotel room safes are statistically insignficant, (and I mean TRUE thefts-i.e., someone thought they put a passcode in, but didn't, they thought the code/combination had worked, but it didn't) in comparison to having the passport and credit cards stolen from travelers who carry them on the person. It is simply factually incorrect to argue otherwise.
