Cholmondley_Warner

I've googled "travel vest" (blimey!).

I think you're more likely to be pestered by small children asking for your autograph thinking you're Elmer Fudd.

Christina

Why would you assume this is "yankee madness"??????

In any case, the beige/khaki vests with lots of pockets in them are very common on European tourists, that was the first (and probably only) place I've seen them. I first started seeing them -- maybe five years ago? I remember I'd never seen one before and then one summer about every other European man over the age of 45 or so was wearing one, when he was a tourist (yes, I can tell -- walking around tourists sites, basically). I can see these are useful for men who just don't carry purses so much, as when you are being a tourist, you have more stuff to carry around. I never thought of them as being something to foil pickpockets.

StCirq

So...if I don't want my travel stove stolen, I should wear a travel vest??

Who knew?

hetismij

Christina that's what I meant about men of a certain age wearing them. It is amzing in Holland how many older men suddenly start wearing the things. Luckily my OH can't see the point - he says they look like they should be going fishing.

RM67

If I saw anyone in London wearing a strange vest with bulging pockets all over it, my first thought would probably be 'suicide bomber'.

I've never seen one in the UK. Not even on a photographer. Still, I dare say, it'd do the trick - no-one would go anywhere near you!

StCirq

I think safari gear should be saved for safaris.

Fra_Diavolo

Weird. What's a vest gonna do?

Good items for security:

Sword cane.

Colt .45

Blackwater Guard.

AtlTravelr

I carry a purse in Europe. Many European women also carry purses. We know from years of training how to hold a purse in the "big city fashion". I don't think the fact that I've foiled one attempt and had no other incidents is a "crapshoot". It must be a man thing to think that women are just lucky if they haven't had their purses pickpocketed.

Honestly - I'd love to hear from non-American women who read this post. Do you still carry a purse when you travel outside your home town?

Robespierre

<i>It must be a man thing...</i>

Interesting.

And then they voted.

hetismij

Even George Cloonety is wearing one now!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7220701.stm

Cholmondley_Warner

Will this yankee madness never end??

elina

&gt;&gt;&gt;- I'd love to hear from non-American women who read this post. Do you still carry a purse when you travel outside your home town?&lt;

Yes, just like at home. And I have carried a normal purse (whatever purse has been my favourite at the time) on every continent except Australia. But if I ever get that far I will carry a purse also there.

Pinchme_iam_dreaming

I have read a lot of threads about personal safety do's and don't's while traveling in Europe and used them to our advantage, I think? We have been to Paris twice, Munich twice, Amsterdam, Salzburg, Zurich and Frankfurt plus small towns in those countries. Maybe it's because of the tips from other travelers or just plain dumb luck but... We have never had any safety issues while in Europe. We ride the metros and busses, walk the streets, go to the busy tourist sites day and night and have never had of any kind threat against us. My wife carries a purse with basis stuff in it and has never had anyone try to take it from her or get in it. The only thing that has happened to us was last Sept at the Eiffel tower and at Sacre Coeur black guys tried to tie string aroung my wife's wrist but we were hip to that scam and I just hold them to get lost! Here in Dallas in 2005 we was leaving Sammy's BBQ restaurant at 7:00 pm. A guy with a stun gun tried to rob us but as luck would have it a Police car pulled into the parking lot. The guy took off running. My advice to anyone traveling to Europe would be. Go and have fun. If you are worried about your safety after reading these threads..... stay home.

kleeblatt

Hi Lobo,

Love the picture. Is that you inside?

kenderina

Sure I carry a purse, here at home and when I travel everywhere. I love bags and purses , my friends say I'm not myself without it ! LOL
I don't like &quot;open&quot; bags or purses, I mean, I don't know how you call them in English...I mean the ones which don't have a zip or something to close it (like tote bags).

longboatkey

Actually I like to get a little &quot;psychic income&quot; with the boosters and pickpockets. I am in Rome a few times a year and use the Metro. When I am loaded down with a suitcase and brief case, always put a &quot;wallet in my back pocket that is just sticking out and just visable. Now my twisted mind....I keep a supply of cheap or used wallets and I fill them with artistic interpretations of hand drawn Euro notes. They are complete with direct references to the intellectual shortcomings of the thief, and rather pointed references to his/her sexual preferences, (on the farm). The &quot;lifter's&quot; mother does not escape notice and my opinion as well. I have had 3 successful takers of my dememted little ploy. The most recent in Oct 2007.....Oh well

lobo_mau

Schuler, I'm not that photogenic
I think it's the invisible man's picture.
To the others, I am starting to understand women's pursephilia, because since I bought a backpack, I carry it everywhere. Even when I don't have anything to carry, I pick up a couple of books I'm not going to read or something else just to justify the use of it.

raspberryberet

<i>If I saw anyone in London wearing a strange vest with bulging pockets all over it, my first thought would probably be 'suicide bomber'.

I've never seen one in the UK. Not even on a photographer. Still, I dare say, it'd do the trick - no-one would go anywhere near you!</i>

LMAO!!

hetismij

&gt;&gt;&gt;- I'd love to hear from non-American women who read this post. Do you still carry a purse when you travel outside your home town?&lt;

I rarely carry one, especially not in my home town. I hate them, they get in the way. Last time I carried one was at a wedding. And I left it in the church quot;&gt;