Is taking a handbag wise?
 

After reading the various posts about pick-pockets and thieves, I was wondering it it's wise to carry a handbag - and to sling it cross-wise over a shoulder to rest on the hip on the opposite side? <BR> <BR>I will carry a moneybelt. But this is more for change and things? Or would it be better to jsut stuff the coins and notes into the front jeans pocket? <BR> <BR>I don't really want to carry all of it in my moneybelt and I will have my passport/tickets/big notes in there and I'd like to keep that hidden from the time I leave my room to the time I return to it. <BR> <BR>How did everyone handle their money while in Europe? We will be spending some time in Amsterdam and almost 2 weeks in Italy. Will also be going to Prague and towns/cities in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

We have been to Europe twice and have been fortunate to avoid pickpockets and purse snatchers. (This included Rome, paris, Munich, Brugge, Amsterdam, Lucern, and many other small cities). We have used money belts, but I have carried a shoulder strap bag which usually has sun screen, tissues, spot removers, camera, comb cosmetics, etc. Credit cards, money and passports are elsewhere. Rome was visibly the highest risk. I cannot speak for Eastern Europe, which we will be trying this fall. An element of avoidance is to always have awareness of the people around you and not allow distractions, as well as the nature of the location. For as many positive stories however, there are negative stories. For my own experience, I will continue to carry the bag without the credit cards etc. in it.

<BR>Amanda, I'm comfortable carrying a small bag across the shoulder like you mentioned. The kind of bag is called a "close to you bag" and I've seen it advertised in travel clothing catalogs. I also have shoulder problems (on the side I used to carry my purses etc.) and bought a wide strap for cameras and switched it with the regular purse strap. Has really helped me. I used to wear the fanny packs, but they look sloppier (on me anyway, if I'm wearing a dress or skirt it seems) besides looking "touristy". I've also carried a regular purse. I just take the normal precautions one would while traveling and have never had any problems. However, Amsterdam is probably one of the main cities to be extra careful in! You can find a lot of varying opinions on this forum. And it's always better to be safe than sorry. Have a great trip.

Greetings - <BR> <BR>Pretty much agree with above. I used to wear fanny packs but haven't for a long time. They are targets and look very, very sloppy. <BR> <BR>The purse I use is microfibre so it's easy to clean. Water rolls off of it. The strap goes short for a normal purse length and can adjust long to be "slung" across the front of my body. This method seems to work well for me. <BR> <BR>Also, as Mary Ann says, don't carry anything real valuable in your purse. I carry makeup, brush, extra film, batteries, etc. Credit cards and "large wads" of cash are in my ankle pouch. <BR> <BR>:-)

I agree that it's better to be safe than sorry. The more important an item is to you, the more securely it should be carried. If your hotel has a safe, it's convenient to leave your passport (carry a photocopy with you), airline tickets, extra plastic, and any cash you don't need for the day, there. Then, any large bills and your credit cards are best secured in a pouch under your clothing. Doesn't need to be the large "travel store" type. You can make yourself a tiny one just large enough for your essentials. I have a small "business card case" which holds a credit card, ATM card, debit card, and some cash. I had the shoe repairman insert a rivet in the corner and slip a ribbon through it and tuck it under my clothing. I made myself a similar one out of fabric for hot weather trips. Or, a jacket with an inside zipper pocket is a good place to stash valuables. As for a shoulder bag, it's best to carry only items in this that can easily be replaced. In my observation, the thieves are very practiced at their "art". They can tell by body language where folks have their valuables (think "protecting"). And, they seem to be able to easily recognize folks who defy caution. They also go after what's easily accessible. So, just make sure anything important to you isn't.

Mary-Ann ...I'm a little disturbed by your comment that you were 'fortunate to avoid pickpockets and purse snatchers' whilst in Europe. <BR> <BR>That, to me, sounds like an insinuation that Europe is teeming with them and the majority of us hang about on street corners waiting for naive Americans to walk by. <BR> <BR>I really hope you didn't mean that.

Pickpocketing is a real problem in a number of locales, Particularly those places where tourists congregate to see the popular sites. As I reread her post she listed a number of places with a known problem in this regard. <BR> <BR>So Tony, if taking umbrage is your sport, you picked the wrong inning. Just because you are a "man of the world", doesn't mean everyone on this board has youer same wisdom and experience. Better to share it than to get your knickers [or kilt] all in a twist. If this is the way you will be posting, feel free to wander off again, but if you do, quietly please. <BR>

Toni, I am sure that wasn't the implication. I think its just that tourists, no matter where they are in the world, look like tourists. Therefore they attract attention of the wrong type. My fiance was pickpocketed in Barcelona. Fortunately it was nothing more than an incovenience (i.e. nothing of real value). But it happened not because we were in Europe, it happened because we looked like tourists, and had been "on the road" so long, we felt a false sense of security. Just like would happen to anyone without their wits fully about them in the tourist spots in New Zealand! <BR>

I think the point is that the regular tourist locations in any place are magnets for thieves. Tourists present a vulnerable target because (1) they usually have on them something worth taking, (2) they are often vulnerable, <BR>and (3) they are only at any location for a few days and don't always know how to or want to get involved with a police investigation. And thieves do hang out along the major tourist pathways. <BR>That strip from the Louvre to the Champs Elysee is not known as Credit Suisse for nothing. <BR>And I see nothing in the message that implies that Europeans do nothing but prey on tourists. Reading that implication into the question is an attempt to pick a fight just to be surly. <BR>But certaintly in the USA we have our own problems with Miami, DC, and other places. In Miami, tourists were picked on in some high profile cases. Robbers could spot them by the car tag numbers. <BR>Even though familiar with Atlanta, I try to follow one rule: never stop for a light too closely to the car in front of you so that you have room to move, and keep the doors locked. And certain parts of town we have learned to never visit. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Getting back to the issue of carrying a purse or not, I never carry a purse in a big city. When I was in my 20's and wore jeans everywhere, I would carry my money in my front pockets. Now I wear a Travel pouch safety pinned to the inside front of my pants or jeans.I keep a credit card there too and my passport. I carry a light nylon back pack or tote in black that I can fold up and stuff in my pocket (it's that lightweight-sold in travel stores). In the bag is my lipstick, purchases bought during the day, tissues, etc. All items that I wouldn't mind if grabbed from me. I have seen a lot of pickpockets and ripp offs in the past 15 years of my world wide travel(including New York here Tony!)Personally it hasn't happened to me but I use precaution. I would be careful of the little bags with the long straps that you put over the shoulder, because thieves can cut the straps and run off with your bag. Hope this helps.

S.Fowler (Sally is it?), Mary-Anne said her itinerary INCLUDED those cities , it wasn't confined to them. An addition to that , I have never heard of the infamous 'scippiatori' of Lucerne or Bruges. <BR> <BR>The start of the posting reads like Europe is some macro sized Bogota or Caracas or wherever and that you will be FORTUNATE to leave Europe without having some sort of brush with us criminals. <BR> <BR>I wouldn't argue with the rest of it, it makes sense etc .. but the start could have been written in an clearer manner which wouldn't misconstrue. <BR> <BR>And while we're about it, you can knock off all that kilt crap - that's racist and uncalled for.

How about Haggis-in-a-Tube (tm) jokes? References to cabers?

<BR>Good Morning :) Tony, since Mary Ann's msg is on the Europe board, I think it was appropriate and there's nothing for anyone to take offense with. If you go to the USA board, you'll find practically every one of us American contributors has answered a similar question, or addressed the problem of pickpockets etc.in different posts about our various cities, not just NY or Miami. I've also given some words of caution for certain areas in my own Seattle. And if memory serves, I believe we all gave you words of same type of advice about certain areas or cities here too last year when you were inquiring about traveling across the USA. <BR>Happy traveling to all :)

Martha: haggis-in-a-tube references are fine by me. <BR> <BR>Cheryl...morning to you .....the point, MY point, is that Europe isn't any worse than anywhere else on this planet - there are pockets of pickpockets (as it were) everywhere - Just as my mate Bob Brown says BUT it's fairly sad to see people sweating about whether to wear a bulletproof vest or just a suit of armour when coming to Europe. Quite apart from the fact that it will mean you paying excess luggage charges (before you get upset that's a joke)...oh look never mind.... tell me, what do you do in an American city? Really? well why don't you do the same here? <BR> <BR>You have to make the effort, people.

Yes it's Sally. <BR>Racist? <BR>I apologize if my reference to kilts offended. But my apology is only for a cultural stereotype, not racism. Your concern for linguistic precision should make you aware of the difference. I sentence you to lunching on Burger King "crossandwiches" for the next month. <BR> <BR>As for your comments re: the opening of Mary Ann's post. We're not all as precise as we'd like, particularly if we are in a hurry at work etc... or the computer is acting up. If I recall correctly a contributing factor in your departure was that "people" were setting too many rules. Must we all now be aware of this new requirement that we write to suit you? <BR> <BR>About the main question. We have had many discussions of this before. My brain is blocking the words that would help in a search. <BR> <BR>I carry an over-the-body purse. My "valuables" such as credit cards, large amounts of cash, driver's license, air tickets, passport are either in my moneybelt [I use the kind that hangs from a belt], in the hotel safe if I feel okay about that, or in the case of the air ticket locked in our suitase. I alays have copies of tickets and passports in several places. In the over-the-body bag are running money, toiletries etc... for the day, a map and perhaps my camera. [It's an olympus stylus so goes anywhere.] My purse is old, brown and small so not very appetizing and I NEVER wear a pink crinkly running suit :) <BR>

Tony, I understand your frustration when interpreting travelers' concerns with being victims of crime as an insult to Europe and Europeans. At the same time, insulting our Latin American neighbors by saying "macro size Bogota or Caracas" IS clearly racist and uncalled for.

<BR>Hi Amanda, <BR>I agree with all of the above posts. I, too usually carry a small handbag with small change, comb etc. I wear a money belt with m travellers cheques, airline ticket etc. One of the things you said makes a lot of sense and I can't stress how improtant it is. You said that you wanted to keep your money belt hidden from the time you leave your room until the time you return. YES Yes Yes!! I have seen so many women struggling in public to get at their money belts and think they are being very foolish. Keep it hidden! <BR>Lee

I never used a money belt anywhere until last year when we went to Amsterdam and then to Central America. (I always thought that if locals could walk around with purses why shouldn't I?) It's maybe just a sign of the times to be more cautious everywhere. I think from now on I'll find it worth the peace of mind not to have to worry about money, passport, etc. So I do as others suggest here - carry a purse usually but leave the valuables out. <BR>

A thief doesn't know if your purse contains valuables or junk, they will take their chances. A few years back, we were in Mexico city (I know this is the Europe forum) and took the Metro from our hotel to the Grand Prix venue. When we got back to our room we found her leather purse had been slit, very cleanly, and only the inner liner protected the contents. An incision like this one could only have been done with an extremely sharp instrument, almost like a scalpel, which gave rise to the thought what if she, my wife, had noticed and put up a fight, then what? Moral, carry only what you need in your pockets, and leave the rest of your stuff at the hotel.

Richard, I'm intrigued by the thought of pockets that could hold the stuff I put in my purse--guidebook, tissues, camera. I think I'd end up looking like a Weeble, and I don't know how I'd sit down. The purse offers ease of access to its carrier and, alas, to others (thieves, ne'er-do-wells, Scotsmen). There's nothing wrong with carrying one; just remember that whe you put something in it, you're gambling that it'll still be ther eat the end of the day. Don't bet more than you can afford to lose.

Martha, yeah, you're right, it's only that this shook us up more than any of the scams we've encountered, spaghetti sauce on my jacket at the termini in Rome, dropped cigarette pack in the Metro in Paris, purse snatch in the London tube. We still go to Europe twice a year though, but now we travel the countryside on our bikes.

Elvira <BR> <BR>I picked those cities for a reason. The memories of Bogota and Caracas will NEVER leave me. You could pay me $1 million and that wouldn't be enough to persuade me to ride the underground in caracas again. <BR> <BR>Go there, you will see what I mean.

In fact I'm not going to leave it there... <BR> <BR>The Scots are a race of people, clearly defined back in 1997 by the (then) Conservative government leader John Major during a debate on the constitution and the 'West Lothian question'. We are a race. That is a fact as layed down in parliament. <BR> <BR>I am sure you would soon tire if I was to preface my posts with 'fat a**' or what you would call a cultural stereotype. I don't as a matter of fact as that's not the way i work. <BR> <BR>What you need to remember, Sally, is that one person's ( or races') throwaway comment is another persons (or races') irritating bugbear. <BR> <BR>I'm no racist, I'm a realist. <BR> <BR>BTW a MORI poll conducted on behalf of the Scotsman newspaper back in december 1996 indicated that less than 0.1 percent of Scotsmen regularly wear a kilt. Try a red hair or alcohol imbibing gag next time.

Kilts and fanny packs aside, what we have done by being able to make web inquiries is to have added too much emphasis on personal safety. I don't care if you prefer a shoulder bag crosswise or a chic envelope held close....what makes sense is to be aware of your space & environs no matter what is going on. You can easily get hit by a car in England because of American habit to look for traffic coming from the other side first; you can get mugged in NY as easily as by gypsies (but gypsies are more fun to watch for because of all the stories about them). The point is to be what Californians call "street smart". I feel safe no matter where I am even if unarmed. It's a confidence I travel with from experience and training; and I try not to be in any "wrong places" if I can. What bag I carry is an everyday decision---I never carry a backpack (undefensible), for example. I don't feel that going to the Continent means taking special precautions. (And Mr. H.---I've seen Rob Roy...I think I love kilts, now.)

Tony, Caracas is certainly someplace I'll never visit, now that it's clear the whole city is unsafe. I'll stick to European cities that have minimal crime.

Nice post "ca"! <BR>We can share our experiences and how we travel, but in the end it is up to each of us to decide how to handle our response. The only reason I choose to take "special precautions" is that the loss of a ticket or a passport or financial resources in a county far from home where you don't speak the language or understand the "system" creates many more problems than if you are at home where you do speak the language and understand the system. <BR> <BR>Tony - <BR>I apologized for committing a cultural sterotype. [Although I *like* kilts and think it's a shame they aren't worn more.] And I am *so* relieved to know that the issue has been definitely resolved by your politicians in parliament. <BR> <BR>There are distinctions to be made between race, ethnicity and national origin, which, if we blur them, reduce their usefulness. These are often politically designated for political ends, but in the end the *definitions* of the terms themselves have specified meanings in the various social sciences. Feel free to continue to call me a "racist", but know I find your designation inaccurate. <BR> <BR>Let's agree... I won't call you an ethically insensitive person if you won't call me a racist. [The whole thing is rather hilarious since you have no idea whether I am red, green, purple or Scot. As a matter of fact I am 1/4 scot-irish. The other 3/4 I'll leave you guess. :)] <BR>

Oooooops. My bad. <BR>That was ETHNICALLY. I was making no comment on your ethics. <BR>

Tony: I did not mean my comment to be taken in the manner you did. I thank everyone who realized what I was trying to say and perhaps did not say it precisely or did not have the time to elaborate. Obviously if I felt Europe was teeming with pick pockets I would not be going back for a 3rd visit. Unfortunately, we have had friends who did have the misfortune of theft on their trips, sometimes as silly as having their underwear taken. Also on our last trip, the car we purchased was not allowed to be taken into Eastern Europe due to theft (actually we could take it but they would not insure it) and if we had gone into Italy the insurance would have skyrocketed. This was a German company saying something about Europe. Thankfully, as acknowledged by others above, I mentioned smaller locations just to provide a basis for the reader to know that we had no problems in other locations. Obviously if I had thought it was that bad, I would not be carrying a bag with a camera in it. However, major large city tourist areas are prime targets for problems, especially around such areas as the vactican and if you are going to carry a bag, you need to be alert. Heaven knows, I take many similar precautions when traveling in US cities or Mexico. The difference is if you lose an item in Chicago, you do not need a passport to go to Los Angeles. Travelers checks are insured and credit cards have limited loss too. But when you are that far from home with time differences, the inconvenience is immeausrable in loss of valuable trip time. I guess I was trying to say there is risk, but there is risk everyday of our lives. It should not stop us from enjoying the vast greater benefits, beauty, and knowledge gained in traveling the world. <BR>Again, I really do appreciate all of you who understood my reply and commented. Thanks

Mr. Hughes: Thank you for your insight into the question of peoples VS races as decided by your Parliament. I refer the honorable gentlemen to the answer I gave a few moments ago. A California company recently copyrighted a "pickpocketproof" wallet device. It looks like a wide rubberband, that when placed around a wallet or even a few credit cards, sticks more when in your pocket. Retrieving same often takes your pocket lining inside-out. Ought to give theives any deterrent one can, eh?

I have lived in Inner London all my life and never had anything snatched or stolen and equally, looking more like a tourist, have travelled frequently in all parts of Euorpe and beyond and have never been pick pocketed etc. Need to keep sensible concern about theft in proportion with real risk which is low.

Travelling anywhere I find I gain a lot of stuff during the days adventures and carry a small rucksack for sketch and guidebooks, personal needs, and the days acquisitions. Then because I need so much less of the usual stuff in my wallet, I leave it at home and carry a small purse slung across my body with the days cash, one credit card, cash card, name and address of hotel and my passport. I turn the flap inside and keep it under my jacket if I'm wearing one. If I am in a crowd my hands are free and I can hold onto it. I found a moneybelt to be very sweaty on my body and left IT in the room. <BR> <BR>

When I'm travelling, I use this flat pouch that I bought from the Let's Go guidebook. It has a fold over flap and is perfect for holding passports, money and tickets. The straps are skinny and adjustable, so that I can wear it cross-wise over my body. It fits nicely under jackets and it doesn't bulge out. <BR> <BR>By the way, I always carry some kind of purse/tote when I'm travelling, whether it is in New York City, Rome or Rio de Janeiro. In fact on my last trip to Paris and London, I had the LARGEST tote bag ever made and no one looked at me twice. If someone wanted to snatch it…go ahead! All they would have gotten were some guidebooks, a map, granola bars and a $100 camera. My valuables were in my pouch! <BR>

Thanks everyone. <BR> <BR>Keep the comments coming - I'd love to hear how everyone carries their everyday cash. <BR> <BR>I have never been to Europe before, but the concerns of other travellers about pickpockets and other versions of theft (as well as car theft and high insurance as mentioned above) prompted me to wonder my initial post. <BR> <BR>Having just witnessed a purse snatcher in one of our quiet Melbournian suburbs a few weeks ago (my very first just goes to show that it can happen anywhere. But when we have more to lose (passports etc.. ) and more to be inconvinienced, it's good to take some precaution. <BR> <BR>Thanks. <BR>

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S fowler which 1/4 of you is Scottish?Why are Americans not proud to be American?Why do they have to call themshelfs 1/2 of this a quarter of that.Americans are the only people I know who do this.

I've always been curious, too, and I am American. Never really heard an Italian refer to himself as Italian-Austrian, or Italian-Irishman, nor have I heard of a Belgian-Brazilian, etc. <BR><BR>Why DO Americans do this? Sally?

I should think the answer to why Americans call themselves part one nationality or other is very obvious. Hardly any American is only one nationality -- we are "Hines 57"; a little bit of many ethnic groups. Everyone likes to know something about their roots.

I don't carry a purse either. I wear a travel jacket and put my daily money in a pocket that zips. The rest I carry in a money belt. If I want to make a big purchase it's usually no trouble to step inside a restroom and retrieve money.<BR><BR>Tony, I'm curious why you refer to yourself as "us criminals?" If you have nothing to be concerned about why pipe up.

Dallas you may want to know about your roots but other people don't.If you were born in America then you are American.I find that alot of people that call themselfs 1/2 irish,1/2 french etc think this because their great,great,great,great,great,great,great,great uncle came from Ireland.<BR>If one of your parents is from another country fine call yourself 1/2 and 1/2 but any further back than that don't bother.

Dallas, I wasn't aware that EVERYONE comes to the US to procreate -- that immigration to other countries is forbidden. Are there not Africans in Great Britain? Indians in France? Russians in Germany? Chinese in Italy? They don't call themselves "Chinese Italians". <BR><BR>If your primary loyalty is to your roots, then you're not truly American. Many years ago people came to the US to be AMERICANS, not to be hyphenated.