Paris pickpockets/crime
Feb 22nd, 2012, 11:29 AM
#22
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I have been to Paris at least 15 times - incuding a lot of rides on the Metro - and carried a purse the whole time. Have never had a problem - or even seen one. And I certainly wouldn;t wear some strange garment under my clothes.
Caveat: I'm a native New Yorker and I have noticed that safety measures that seem obvious to me are often not followed by others. (It's like a gunfighter who naturally sits at the back of the room with his chair against the wall - that's just the way you do it. I can't tell you how many women I have seen just hang their purses on the back of a chair - or put the purse on a chair next to them. No wonder they're stolen.)
Caveat: I'm a native New Yorker and I have noticed that safety measures that seem obvious to me are often not followed by others. (It's like a gunfighter who naturally sits at the back of the room with his chair against the wall - that's just the way you do it. I can't tell you how many women I have seen just hang their purses on the back of a chair - or put the purse on a chair next to them. No wonder they're stolen.)
Feb 22nd, 2012, 11:31 AM
#23
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I didn't usually carry a purse when I was travelling in a big city in Europe. On my last trip to Paris, I decided to use one. When I was entering the metro one day, someone bumped into me and pinned me up against a pole. It happened very fast, and at first, I thought it was an accident. When they let go, I found that my purse, which I had been wearing across my body, was now open. My wallet wasn't in there so they didn't get anything. First time that's happened in eleven trips to Europe, so don't be too complacent if it hasn't happened to you so far.
I'll probably carry a small purse on my next trip, but I'll continue keeping my valuables elsewhere.
I'll probably carry a small purse on my next trip, but I'll continue keeping my valuables elsewhere.
Feb 22nd, 2012, 12:05 PM
#24
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New Yorkers (and Chicagoans or Bostonians or anyone who rides mass transit daily) are different from the average tourist. I grew up in NYC in the 80s and know how to discourage others from seeing me as a target.
I think fanny packs look stupid. And don't say "fanny pack" around any English speakers who are not Americans or (maybe) Canadians because "fanny" is a rude euphemism, and not for your derriere.
I think fanny packs look stupid. And don't say "fanny pack" around any English speakers who are not Americans or (maybe) Canadians because "fanny" is a rude euphemism, and not for your derriere.
Feb 22nd, 2012, 03:10 PM
#25
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ha ha BigRuss, certainly agree with you on the stupid looking fanny packs. As a Canadian I understand fanny to mean derriere but certainly aware of what it means to most other English speakers apart from North Americans.
DarcieM, I always just carry my normal purse but sometimes wear it across my body and practice all the other safety awareness everyone else has already mentioned. We put valuables we don't need for the day in the safe and I am very organized, keep small amounts of euros in my pocket for coffee breaks, same with museum/train tickets etc, keep them either in a pocket or a handy place in my purse. THe last thing you want to be doing is standing in a crowded place digging around in your handbag.
I think that under the clothing pouch thing would be more annoying than anything.
Paris is a wonderful city, I have never felt unsafe there. However you will see people trying to get a quick euro off you if you aren't aware. So the golden ring thing, yes, first day in town on our last trip we encountered this three times and they didn't like it much when we laughed although one man had the good grace to look embarrassed. Just don't engage, walk around them and keep going. You may also encounter young girls outside the Louvre asking if you speak English, if you engage they will pester you to buy postcards and surround you. I just hold my hand out in the "speak to the hand" gesture and keep walking. They stay away then and move on to the next target..
If you go up to Sacre Couer you may encounter young men from Senegal trying to sell you a friendship bracelet, they come up behind you and tie it on your wrist and then expect you to give them 5 to 10 euros. My husband got caught on this one once.
Just pay attention to your surroundings and you will be fine.
Have a wonderful holiday!
DarcieM, I always just carry my normal purse but sometimes wear it across my body and practice all the other safety awareness everyone else has already mentioned. We put valuables we don't need for the day in the safe and I am very organized, keep small amounts of euros in my pocket for coffee breaks, same with museum/train tickets etc, keep them either in a pocket or a handy place in my purse. THe last thing you want to be doing is standing in a crowded place digging around in your handbag.
I think that under the clothing pouch thing would be more annoying than anything.
Paris is a wonderful city, I have never felt unsafe there. However you will see people trying to get a quick euro off you if you aren't aware. So the golden ring thing, yes, first day in town on our last trip we encountered this three times and they didn't like it much when we laughed although one man had the good grace to look embarrassed. Just don't engage, walk around them and keep going. You may also encounter young girls outside the Louvre asking if you speak English, if you engage they will pester you to buy postcards and surround you. I just hold my hand out in the "speak to the hand" gesture and keep walking. They stay away then and move on to the next target..
If you go up to Sacre Couer you may encounter young men from Senegal trying to sell you a friendship bracelet, they come up behind you and tie it on your wrist and then expect you to give them 5 to 10 euros. My husband got caught on this one once.
Just pay attention to your surroundings and you will be fine.
Have a wonderful holiday!
Feb 22nd, 2012, 06:43 PM
#26
<wear some strange garment under my clothes>
nytraveler, People who use money belts probably aren't traveling in an upper class style like you do. If you are on a long term trip, backpacking, going solo, staying on the cheap, you can't afford to have your basics go missing. Not everyone wears them around in a city everyday, but when traveling on trains, moving from place to place, city to city. Especially when they wouldn't have the resources to easily replace what got stolen.
nytraveler, People who use money belts probably aren't traveling in an upper class style like you do. If you are on a long term trip, backpacking, going solo, staying on the cheap, you can't afford to have your basics go missing. Not everyone wears them around in a city everyday, but when traveling on trains, moving from place to place, city to city. Especially when they wouldn't have the resources to easily replace what got stolen.
Feb 23rd, 2012, 01:38 AM
#27
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It's that street sense that BigRuss and nytraveler describe that levels the ground somewhat.
A professional thief is a professional thief and can take anyone under the right circumstance, but people in large cities develop a sense of who is sketchy, who is too close, which shadow is too dark, etc. that small town folks don't generally have.
I used to live near Quincy Market in Boston. Fortunately Boston is a very safe city, but the tourists stood out for certain behaviors:
1. standing on the corner unfolding and using freebie tourist maps from the hotel or Duck Tour (make notes on where you want to go or use a map in a book instead);
2. crowding near the door on the subway for fear of missing their stop (the most likely place to get pickpocketed in, Paris; you won't miss your stop);
3. careless behavior with purses, camera bags, and backpacks (I could own a hundred iPhones from riders on the T);
4. smiling and being deferential. People in big cities, even in North America are not smiley on the street. This is one of the things that people find off-putting about New Yorkers, but it is functional. If you come from a smiley part of the country, lose it out of doors. Be as nice as you want in a restaurant or museum, but don't smile at people on the subway.
5. and yes, their clothes. It is not just that they look American, it is America, after all, but that they wore very casual clothes of a certain type in an area where most people were in business dress. In a city, you can't go wrong with dark, purposeful, confident.
During the academic year, you can actually watch students on the T get transformed from the suburban kid they arrived as into urban students, dressed differently, more knowledgeable about where they are going, more confident.
A professional thief is a professional thief and can take anyone under the right circumstance, but people in large cities develop a sense of who is sketchy, who is too close, which shadow is too dark, etc. that small town folks don't generally have.
I used to live near Quincy Market in Boston. Fortunately Boston is a very safe city, but the tourists stood out for certain behaviors:
1. standing on the corner unfolding and using freebie tourist maps from the hotel or Duck Tour (make notes on where you want to go or use a map in a book instead);
2. crowding near the door on the subway for fear of missing their stop (the most likely place to get pickpocketed in, Paris; you won't miss your stop);
3. careless behavior with purses, camera bags, and backpacks (I could own a hundred iPhones from riders on the T);
4. smiling and being deferential. People in big cities, even in North America are not smiley on the street. This is one of the things that people find off-putting about New Yorkers, but it is functional. If you come from a smiley part of the country, lose it out of doors. Be as nice as you want in a restaurant or museum, but don't smile at people on the subway.
5. and yes, their clothes. It is not just that they look American, it is America, after all, but that they wore very casual clothes of a certain type in an area where most people were in business dress. In a city, you can't go wrong with dark, purposeful, confident.
During the academic year, you can actually watch students on the T get transformed from the suburban kid they arrived as into urban students, dressed differently, more knowledgeable about where they are going, more confident.
Feb 23rd, 2012, 05:46 AM
#30
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You must have been leading quite the group of Rubes. They must have taken colduphere's advice and were all wearing fanny packs! LOL>
no they were college students who were just careless - like putting their day packs on the ground in front of Notre Dame and then not watching them - voila several found them gone - a seedy type of young men would descend on the gals - hitting on them and that also led to some mysterious day pack disappearances - again most of the theft was their own negligence and a veteran traveler would not have let that happen.
Some here would say there are no pickpockets or bag stealers in Paris it seems and I do think that is misinformation - most Fodorites are veteran travelers and thus not careless which does lead to being an easy target.
no they were college students who were just careless - like putting their day packs on the ground in front of Notre Dame and then not watching them - voila several found them gone - a seedy type of young men would descend on the gals - hitting on them and that also led to some mysterious day pack disappearances - again most of the theft was their own negligence and a veteran traveler would not have let that happen.
Some here would say there are no pickpockets or bag stealers in Paris it seems and I do think that is misinformation - most Fodorites are veteran travelers and thus not careless which does lead to being an easy target.
Feb 23rd, 2012, 05:48 AM
#31
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http://france.usembassy.gov/pickpockets.html
The U S Embassy in Paris has some good info worth reading about avoiding being pickpocketed in Paris and the areas in which to be especially on guard.
The U S Embassy in Paris has some good info worth reading about avoiding being pickpocketed in Paris and the areas in which to be especially on guard.
Feb 23rd, 2012, 06:34 AM
#32
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I had my wallet stolen from my purse on the Paris metro. They were having a strike so only every 4th train or so was running and we were packed in like sardines. It was impossible to safeguard yourself like that.
They didn't get too much, one ATM card a phone card, and a small amount of cash.
At the first internet cafe we found I transferred all my money out of that account to the one linked to the other ATM card still safe in our room, and emailed the bank to please cancel the card from their intra-site email.
I was irritated the rest of the day, but it was mostly because the damn strike was really ruining our days in Paris.
When I got home two days later, the bank had cancelled the card, then closed that account. They were very helpful. Nobody ever tried to use the debit card, I guess they just wanted cash. They only got about $15.
They didn't get too much, one ATM card a phone card, and a small amount of cash.
At the first internet cafe we found I transferred all my money out of that account to the one linked to the other ATM card still safe in our room, and emailed the bank to please cancel the card from their intra-site email.
I was irritated the rest of the day, but it was mostly because the damn strike was really ruining our days in Paris.
When I got home two days later, the bank had cancelled the card, then closed that account. They were very helpful. Nobody ever tried to use the debit card, I guess they just wanted cash. They only got about $15.
Feb 23rd, 2012, 07:02 AM
#33
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.....It was impossible to safeguard yourself like that......
No it is not. Just don't carry anything that is easily accessible. Remember, if you can get to it easily, so can someone else. It took my wife four trips to break the purse habit - and it is a habit. Now the few critical necessities she needs is carried in a small day bag that is on the floor between us when we are packed into a subway car or bus.
No it is not. Just don't carry anything that is easily accessible. Remember, if you can get to it easily, so can someone else. It took my wife four trips to break the purse habit - and it is a habit. Now the few critical necessities she needs is carried in a small day bag that is on the floor between us when we are packed into a subway car or bus.
Feb 23rd, 2012, 07:04 AM
#34
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We have been in Paris now for over a week and come here often. We stay in the 2nd and have traveled all over the city using both metro and bus, day and night. I've been carrying around some very expensive video and photo gear. DW carries her camera and a shoulder bag she made. I keep my wallet in my front jeans pocket (sideways). I carry all kinds of crap in my recon vest (lenses, batteries, etc).
Yes, the big video camera gets some looks, but then I give a "don't try it" look back (same was true in Italy and anywhere else for that matter). Had the "gold ring" scam played out probably 20 times, I always laugh and give a blow off. No problem with pickpockets, but we are both very aware of our surroundings and gear.
So, I'll take the remote possibility of a "snatch and grab" type crime in Europe over the nightly shootings in Orlando any day. Be aware of your surroundings and your possessions. Don't flash money. Carry yourself like you can defend yourself without being aggressive (unless needed and I only needed to once in many many years)
dave
Yes, the big video camera gets some looks, but then I give a "don't try it" look back (same was true in Italy and anywhere else for that matter). Had the "gold ring" scam played out probably 20 times, I always laugh and give a blow off. No problem with pickpockets, but we are both very aware of our surroundings and gear.
So, I'll take the remote possibility of a "snatch and grab" type crime in Europe over the nightly shootings in Orlando any day. Be aware of your surroundings and your possessions. Don't flash money. Carry yourself like you can defend yourself without being aggressive (unless needed and I only needed to once in many many years)
dave
Feb 23rd, 2012, 07:11 AM
#35
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OH, I did forget to add that I spent a lot of my life doing mass transit, late night partying and keeping out of the way of Latin American dictators in large cities, so I guess I am more "aware" of my surroundings than many people.
dave
dave
Feb 23rd, 2012, 07:44 AM
#36
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Oh please. I've been to Paris as many times as PalQ or St Cirq, studied there, and lived in Brussels, a city with its own share of pickpockets, have also lived in NYC and Philly and YES, I was pickpocketed once in Paris. I was in the Odeon metro station, it was crowded, my friend told me a really hilarious story and while laughing, I "lost the plot" for a moment and got nailed.
Be aware, keep your wits about you, use a purse that closes securely with internal zip pockets, wear it across your body if possible, but don't be paranoid. If you travel in winter, wear a coat with an inside zipped pocket and keep your wallet there.
BUT if it does happen, don't buy into the finger-wagging "blame the victim" snark. You are not obliged to hang your head in shame and wear a scarlet ST (stupid tourist) on your chest. You were the victim of a crime. Do what you can to minimize the risk but don't let the "I'm too smart and 'aware' for anything bad to EVER happen to me" crowd grind you under their scornful feet.
Be aware, keep your wits about you, use a purse that closes securely with internal zip pockets, wear it across your body if possible, but don't be paranoid. If you travel in winter, wear a coat with an inside zipped pocket and keep your wallet there.
BUT if it does happen, don't buy into the finger-wagging "blame the victim" snark. You are not obliged to hang your head in shame and wear a scarlet ST (stupid tourist) on your chest. You were the victim of a crime. Do what you can to minimize the risk but don't let the "I'm too smart and 'aware' for anything bad to EVER happen to me" crowd grind you under their scornful feet.
Feb 23rd, 2012, 09:31 AM
#38
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I agree with FoFoBT, especially since it happened to me in Paris wearing a small, cross body purse that I held in front of me. (As I said upthread, they didn't get anything.) I commuted by subway in Boston for four years with no issues. That doesn't make me a "local" but I'm not a total rube either. I am petite, which I'm sure doesn't help, but to claim no one who is relatively "street smart" will ever get hit is silly.
Feb 23rd, 2012, 09:42 AM
#39
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Big Russ has all the basic ideas correct. I was traveling with my sister and a friend. Our first hour in Paris and our first Metro ride. It was not a busy time of day but we stepped onto the platform just as the train arrived so we stepped quickly to get on the train. A group of young men were horseplaying and literally pushed us into the train. A second later my sister's passport was on the floor and another passenger noticed it. They must have saw us buying our passes and knew we were new in town. They reached into her purse that had a clasp on the outside, took her wallet and dropped her passport. My guess is they would never want to get caught with a passport. They got off at the next stop. Her credit cards were never used. My guess is that they took the cash and dumped the wallet.
I always use a purse that can be worn across the body and under my coat, with a zipper to close. I also bring 2 credit cards with me. One stays at the hotel and one in my purse. If traveling with a companion give them one of your cards and take one of theirs. This way you will always have a backup and only lose an hour or so of time needed to close the stolen credit cards. We charged the balance of our trip expenses and thank goodness I had some extra cash in my bank account to access through the ATM.
On thing that I did notice in France that I have not noticed anywhere else is that people always crowd together. You are on vacation so relax and stand away from the crowd.
I always use a purse that can be worn across the body and under my coat, with a zipper to close. I also bring 2 credit cards with me. One stays at the hotel and one in my purse. If traveling with a companion give them one of your cards and take one of theirs. This way you will always have a backup and only lose an hour or so of time needed to close the stolen credit cards. We charged the balance of our trip expenses and thank goodness I had some extra cash in my bank account to access through the ATM.
On thing that I did notice in France that I have not noticed anywhere else is that people always crowd together. You are on vacation so relax and stand away from the crowd.
Feb 23rd, 2012, 09:51 AM
#40
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Oh please. I've been to Paris as many times as PalQ or St Cirq>
but I did not say there is no pickpocketing problem - au contraire I said it was a BIG problem and to be on guard and as the personal reports above testify there is a BIG problem - especially if you are naive to the problem and that is why I deplore anyone who says they have been to Paris a zillion times and have never been pickpocketed with the implication there is no problem - to me this is the worst type of misinformation - there is a big problem but knowing the problem exists often negates one's chances of being victimized.
And it is hard to believe that anyone who has been to Paris over 100 times does not know there is a problem there - the American Embassy thinks there is enough of a problem to issue special warmings - though I have never been pickpocketed I have seen others pickpocketed - one day right in front of me entering the metro gates - a nice-looking middleage man went right into the rear pocket of a man in front of him - he found nothing but he deftly checked out the pocket. And I have relaible reports of many pickpocketings, including dozens on group trips I have conducted there.
but I did not say there is no pickpocketing problem - au contraire I said it was a BIG problem and to be on guard and as the personal reports above testify there is a BIG problem - especially if you are naive to the problem and that is why I deplore anyone who says they have been to Paris a zillion times and have never been pickpocketed with the implication there is no problem - to me this is the worst type of misinformation - there is a big problem but knowing the problem exists often negates one's chances of being victimized.
And it is hard to believe that anyone who has been to Paris over 100 times does not know there is a problem there - the American Embassy thinks there is enough of a problem to issue special warmings - though I have never been pickpocketed I have seen others pickpocketed - one day right in front of me entering the metro gates - a nice-looking middleage man went right into the rear pocket of a man in front of him - he found nothing but he deftly checked out the pocket. And I have relaible reports of many pickpocketings, including dozens on group trips I have conducted there.
