thanks for your impressions but my impressions and those of pariswat and perhaps others are different - situation may be much better now - hopefully!

Or it may be men notice this more than women?

You're kidding, right?

OP - I hope you can navigate this post and dig through the relevant information rather than all the spite and venom from people who have been on this forum since the Risorgimento and see personal attacks as a weird kind of sport.

To answer your question. I would take a taxi. They wait in front, there is a line outside and to your left. It will cost you 5-7 euro if that. This is not to avoid pickpockets/thieves/assorted scoundrels but simply to make it easier for you, late at night in an unfamiliar city.

In terms of keeping belongings secure, use a cross body bag rather than a 'bum bag/fanny pack' or a backpack they are easy to access and look like a regular handbag rather than a tourist accessory. Lost count of how many times I get bumped in the face by backpacks - people who wear them forget about their personal space. You also have to take them off to access anything.

Funny forum indeed.
When a weird OP asks about rapes in Sweden, men are accused of taking it lightly.
The same men saying that Italians do whistle pretty girls are now bashed.

Strange and not consitent. Except about being bashed...

How does one translate 'deux poids deux mesures' in English ?

Pariswat, if my french is up to it, I think that the following captures it best:

"What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander"

We say "what's good for the goose is good for the gander."

Or it may be men notice this more than women?

yestravel on Oct 2, 15 at 7:12pm
You're kidding, right?>

Well I should have said older women who are not the target of such unasked for attention. And I've seen American guys do it here too but not so blatant as in Italy and that was not nearly 30-40 years ago but just a few years ago- not sure if it has changed in the past several years though as bvienci claims ('that was 30-40 years ago perhaps").

That may be what YOU say, Pal, but given that Pariswat is a francophone living in Europe, the original ENGLISH saying may be more relevant.

PalenQ, i think you are a man, yes? If so, I suggest you not try to speak for women of any age. If I am wrong, then I apologize for "misgendering" you.

Annhig,
Thanks, I love these idioms.

But 2 poids 2 mesures translates into 'double standard', or if ones wants to look well taught, 'Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi' - which as everybody knows, translates into 'what is ok for Jupiter is not ok for the cows'.
(Wikipedia is my friend). Bovi gave 'boeuf' - beef and 'bovidés'.

mvg

I was in Rome two years ago. We had a lovely visit and were standing on the platform at the Termini train station waiting for the train to pull in. As we got on, a young man grabbed my suitcase and said he'd put it above my seat. We were all close together and, not thinking fast enough, I let him. As he duly put the suitcase above my head, he held his hand out for a tip and then jumped off the train. His buddy had pulled the same trick on another passenger.

This was not pickpocketing but it goes to show how clever some people can be to make money.

But 2 poids 2 mesures translates into 'double standard', or if ones wants to look well taught, 'Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi' - which as everybody knows, translates into 'what is ok for Jupiter is not ok for the cows'.>>

and that's exactly what "what's sauce for the goose.." etc means, mvg.

<<As he duly put the suitcase above my head, he held his hand out for a tip and then jumped off the train. His buddy had pulled the same trick on another passenger. >>

And I hope that you smiled sweetly at him as you shut the carriage door, kleeblatt. [which my laptop wants to write as "keelboat"]. we had people offer to "help" us with the ticket machines at Termini; they got a firm "non, grazie" which we repeated until they went away.

Eh, i didn't catch the goose :-)

one man's goose is another man's poisson, pariswat.

@ kleeblat - this is why information from recent travellers and locals is always more relevant.
This does not happen at Termini now - only those with a ticket can access the platforms.

This does not happen at Termini now - only those with a ticket can access the platforms.>

Termini is a sprawling two-tiered station outside of the platform area and a recent thread here pointed to rampant problems with street crime in and around the station. Maybe police were so embarassed by the resulting pub that they finally stepped in and stamped it out?

Again it is very very unlikely to be victimized anyway but be especially careful in Termini station - avoid anyone coming up to you and carry valuables in a secure under the clothes money belt or pouch.

@ PalenQ - I was referring to the 'helpers' who can jump aboard the trains with someone's luggage and demand a tip for loading luggage in the racks.

I know the station. I am there often.

I don't know how anyone can 'avoid anyone coming up to you'? What do you do - run away? This week the police presence at Termini - complete with dogs - was huge. I saw no itinerants and there was just one beggar - the 'old lady' in black who haunts the taxi rank. If you look closely, she is a man (check her hands).

Blueeyedcod: Thanks for the info. Good to hear they got rid of this kind of "business."

I don't know how anyone can 'avoid anyone coming up to you'?>

I mean asking you questions about something - the old distraction routine - I rarely have anyone coming up to me out of the blue to ask me questions but when it happened once with several Albanian types who may have been sincere I just kept good notice of my belongings said I don't know and moved on.

Glad to see Termini is now safe.