Thank you all for your replies! They were all really helpful and gave me a lot of insights too! I'm actually from Australia and we don't have very high rates of pickpocketing at all. You can leave your phone on the table during dinner at a restaurant and it will still be there at the end of the night.

I'm planning to tour around Europe for about 2 months. Mostly plan to stay in Berlin the longest. I will definitely take on board the advice of being cautious with my valuables especially in busy tourist areas.

With regards to the discussion on local Asians not getting pickpocketed compared to tourist Asians who do, maybe it's due to the way they dress? Like if foreign Asians dressed more like a local they wouldn't be targeted as much? But again, being alert would be the main thing. Just my two cents :)

Thanks all!

@ twagger (OP) I couldn't believe that in Australia you can leave your belongings on the beach and go for a swim or a walk, come back and your stuff is still there. Try doing that in Brazil! Australia has practically zero pickpocketing and petty theft.

FYI locals get targeted too as my Roman friends will attest, with the Spagna metro stop being a virtual den of thieves (their words, not mine). Just be vigilant, wear a money belt, don't dither on a street corner with your face in Google maps, be confident and don't look like a walking buffet with open pockets, open zips and wallets protruding from back pockets - all of which I've seen in Rome and Naples - and people wonder why they get stung.

last time I was in OZ I left my wallet on a table and the waiter, picked it up and put it my bag with a big smile.

Yes bilbo - Australia - what an amazing country - so many friendly people and no need to always be on alert and stressed that you'll lose your wallet. Too bad it is so far away from most of the world. You can visit there and see ancient sites and culture, natural wonders, great food, and welcoming people. Only other place I can think of that is similar - in terms of the calming feel - is Ireland or maybe Sweden/Norway.

Phone grabbing is big these days in Boston. People looking at their screens as they exit the T (subway) or bus or come out of stores are the targets, local and tourists.

Out near BU, there is an epidemic of skirt flipping followed by quick grabs or photos. There seem to be a couple of active perps attracted by students.

Life in big cities. All this stuff is worse in warm weather. More kids out on the street, more people in a happy daze because the weather has finally gotten better.

Just give your evaluation if you have one, if not, don't make generalities based on second hand comments.>

I have lived in France with my family previously for several years - I do not rely on 2nd-hand stuff but lots of experience living in an ordinary French community.

Not sure what I said to raise your hackles but so be it.

>>I have lived in France with my family previously for several years - << about a hundred years ago. (when your son was young, and you are now a grandfather)

I'm a grandpa - that's news to me - why fabricate things? Really?

You didn't dispute the hundred years tho' >)

Funny - the only time I have seen pockets being picked is in Australia and I would never leave bags or phones where they could be stolen no matter where I am. I leave my clothes and a towel on beach in Oz but never valuables !!

northie - everyone knows that if you put your money in your shoe at the beach it will be perfectly safe because thieves never think to look there. :D

Now I am scared. First, because I am Asian, to be specific, a Filipino. And second, I am travelling alone. Though I won't be going to any countries mentioned above except for Germany, how about in Prague? I have read a lot about pickpocketing. But I still want to do my own walking tour around Prague.

Allen - if you are aware of the problem and take precautions - have your valuables in a secure under the clothes money belt and smart phone too - you'll be find - judst be very very leery of folks coming up to you - unfortunately - as they may well be up to the old disgtract and other accomplice rob motif - but physical assaults I believe are rare (outside Barcelona and Madrid and some other Spanish cities were muggings are becoming a fact of life for tourists and locals) - know there is a problem and that problem just ceases to exist IMO.

Even if you were a naive tourist chances are you will not be victimized - just a more likely chance - thieves are not lurking behind every lamppost you know.

Put angst to rest.

AllenMD: I highly recommend this free tour of Prague. Great guides.

http://www.newpraguetours.com/daily-...free-tour.html

It's not just big cities - or any specific area. I have seen a woman's purse pulled off the back of a chair by a kid on a bike while eating in an outdoor cafe in VERY upscale Greenwich, CT. Also a friend had her purse stolen out of her shopping cart while she loaded groceries in the back - in again VERY upscale Southampton LI.

And a friend of mine had her wallet/credit cards/checkbook stolen multiple times in the NY subway - despite the fact that she is a local - since she insisted on carrying a huge purse with an open top as a shoulder bag. Eventually her bank closed her account since they were losing so much due to her cluelessness.

All it takes is a moment's inattention - or carelessness - and one can become a victim.

And pickpockets don't target by race, nationality, size or gender - just pick on whoever is being most careless.

Treesa: thanks for the link! Will definitely join one of the many free tours in Prague. :)

And pickpockets don't target by race, nationality, size or gender - just pick on whoever is being most careless>

In Paris they do - kerouac a Parisian says so above - that Asians are targeted and a recent NYTimes article says so too and Mid-Easterners - why because both are more likely to be carrying large sums of money around.

Anyone looking wealthy can be targeted - especially those wearing the family jewels - in Madrid's Plaza Mayor tourist office I overheard a staffer exorting an American lady to 'take off those whatever she was wearing as a necklace'- in a strong language.

Precisely - this had noting to do with her nationality but with the fact that she was walking around wearing a pile of jewelry. This is never recommended anywhere - even in your home town - unless you are headed for a charity gala or similar - in a limo to a place with good security and admittance by invitation.

Like wearing a mink on the subway - just asking for trouble.

Or like some Americans I have seen and you can easily tell an American by how they speak if not carry out themselves - like men who are carrying their wallets in their back pockets - low-hanging fruit easily picked here in Paris but usually not at home unless in a high touristed area of course.

Ahh I see, out of curiousity, are there any European countries at all which do not have high rates of pickpocketing?? LIke e.g. Switzerland, Sweden?

@AllenMD niceee, i'm thinking of travelling alone too!

@twagger it'll be my first time to travel alone. I'm excited and a bit nervous! Hahahaha! You should try it too! :)

Ahh I see, out of curiousity, are there any European countries at all which do not have high rates of pickpocketing?? LIke e.g. Switzerland, Sweden?>

Yes of course and countries that do not see gaggles of wealthy foreign tourists coming may see less pickpocketing rates against tourists - but rates for a nation as a whole do little to indicate IMO the chances of any tourist actually being pickpocketed - compare rates for places where huge numbers of foreign tourists - often easy prey and with something to take - gather - thus Paris the number one city in Europe for foreign tourists may be right up there in rates against tourists but may be fairly low overall for rates as a whole.

And again there is not a pickpocket on every corner - don't be too paranoid about this all but act as a naive tourist and your chances go up. I used to take groups to Paris and a high-number of them were either pickpcoketed even after warnings or ripped-off in a cafe by overcharging - I was shocked by the rates and though some time ago I doubt if the situation has changed - many lost their day packs in places like Notre-Dame's plaza where many tourists gather - including thieves - who distract someone and voila their day pack sitting next to them was gone - this became so epidemic we had to make special warnings against it - keep your eyes on your bag if anything valuable in it at all times in crowded areas.

Every time I begin preparations for another trip to Europe, I end up reading way too many pick-pocketing posts and articles online (not just Fodor's - they're everywhere). Anxiety starts to rise.

Yes, It's very important to be aware of your surroundings, carry valuables in a safe place that isn't easy to access, and don't let go of any of your belongings (as in setting them down to consult a map, or hanging a bag on a restaurant chair, etc etc etc). Always keep your belongings attached in some way to your person with the opening inaccessible - a strap around your shoulder or arm, for example. Don't wear a pack with valuables in it on your back - I've pointed out too many open flaps on day-packs tourists are wearing on their backs - by then it's too late. (If you want to carry a day-pack for water or a spare jacket or a guide book, don't put anything of irreplaceable value in it, and you can safety pin the end of all the zippers shut. That makes it too hard for a thief to get in and out quickly)

I am a female traveler, likely an obvious tourist in many places I go, and have traveled throughout Europe countless times. I have never lost anything to a pickpocket, but I have seen the possibility more than a few times, and acted to either make immediate and clear eye contact or to aggressively tell them "NO!" They have always quickly moved on to find a more appealing victim. Just remember, the last thing a pickpocket wants is to draw attention to him/her self.

Violent crime in Europe is much less prevalent than here in the USA, where I live. Most thefts in Europe are quick and opportunistic, so if you don't present the opportunity, you will probably not be a target.

Just remember - as has been said before - there really are NOT thieves around every corner just awaiting your arrival. Take reasonable precautions, and you will likely be fine.

That said, relax and enjoy your trip!

I had to come back to this thread to see what people were still saying, since everything you need to know about such a subject is generally said within about 10 posts. All of the rest is anecdotes, debates and often xenophobia.

Frankly, it hasn't gotten too bad although some people have confused pickpocketing with snatching -- a totally different crime and <b>always</b> the fault of naïve people.

There is absolutely no reason to "afraid" when coming to Paris, no matter what your nationality. Inattentive people are the prime target, no matter what ethnicity, whether or not they are rich. Bags hanging open, bulging back pockets and backpacks on the metro are absolute invitations for a self-service pickpocket buffet. Don't do those things, and you will have absolutely no problems.

Don't do those things, and you will have absolutely no problems.>

and that is the salient message to take from all this - take it to heart and put angst to rest.

I had read this thread earlier and never been victim in my life. But want to restart this discussion with new experience. While in Paris, on the third day of our visit, my duaghterinlaw lost her wallet with approx 650 euros and two credit cards. This happened from moulin rouge area probably on our way to metro station. We lodged complaint at police station and had to waste 3 hours in panic. We blocked the cards and luckily there were no transactions till we blocked them. But in her first visit to Paris she will carry bad memories about this city. After spending 3 days in Paris we travelled to Venice and rome and we were super alert. But in Rome too a bad experience. A young guy came straight to my son and snatched his gold chain and tried to pull a sack tightly held on his chest. We were four, managed to hit them, there was another guy who helped the first one, and scream and get the chain back. Now I really feel Europe to be unsafe which was not the case 18 years ago when I used to live and travel in Europe without worrying too much. Wondering why it is so?

angel1 appears to be from India, not America.

Nobody deserves to be pick-pocketed, of course, but it is really unwise to be carrying so much cash on your person, or wearing a presumably valuable chain. Stuff happens, and travelers need to be prepared.

I'm sorry your trip wasn't as good as it should have been.

I, too, am sorry to hear about your bad experience, but really, 650 euro and two credit cards? 50 euros and one credit card, maybe. The rest should be in a money belt. And wearing expensive jewelry is unfortunately an invitation to theft. Leave it at home.

Good to know that street crime is a purely Western Europe problem.

We have the same problems in say New York city tourist areas.

<Now I really feel Europe to be unsafe which was not the case 18 years ago when I used to live and travel in Europe without worrying too much. Wondering why it is so?>

I have been traveling much longer in Europe and pickpocketing was always a problem but in certain places like Madrid, Barcelona, Paris and especially now Rome it may be worse- why?

Maybe more poor people, especially younger immigrants who tend to have much higher unemployment rates

But your problems this time were brought on by yourselves- especially anyone wearing a gold chain in certain cities is asking for trouble off the bat. And if an S Asian or Asian I understand in France at least they are special targets now because they figure such travelers must be rich- especially if wearing gold jewelry or expensive watches, etc.

"Now I really feel Europe to be unsafe which was not the case 18 years ago when I used to live and travel in Europe without worrying too much. Wondering why it is so?"

Were you in Rome 18 years ago?? It's been like this for decades. Paris and some other cities have become progressively worse.

But just because you hit the places where risk is higher now doesn't mean that Europe in general is unsafe.

"But your problems this time were brought on by yourselves-"

I despise this argument. Criminals are 100% responsible for crime, whether it's rape or pickpocketing or drunk driving.

"But your problems this time were brought on by yourselves-">

Well if you wear gold or expensive easy to snatch articles you invite being a target - this does not excuse the criminal who may have picked a better target if say they had a huge diamond ring and wearing gold.

I agree criminal are 100% responsible but our actions make us more likely targets- wearing a fat wallet in a back pocket in Paris metro stations and at turnstiles invites it being taken.

I despise your argument that we are not to blame ourselves too for not taking proper precautions- not to excuse the criminal who will rob someone who is an easy mark. I've never been pickpocketed in years of travel because I take precautions - they have tried but came up with an empty pocket- a day back on my back unzipped with nothing but maps,etc in it.

If folks take proper precautions their chances of being a victim go way way down.

I was in the Madrid Tourist Office at Plaza Mayor once and an older American woman was wearing some expensive piece of jewelry and the clerk told her "take that off right now or it will be stolen off you".

I don't think it is fair to equate the thing I said with what you said - of course never excuse the criminal but don't give it to him on a silver plate either.

PQ made the perfect post about pick pocketing. Don't invite theft.

I would add don't believe Europe is getting worse ...

The only times I have been robbed were at home. Last time was last month.

I don't think Europe is getting worse. If anything there's a lot more security presence on the street than there was 18 years ago.

If you don't think long and hard about how to protect yourself from opportunists and make sure you are always alert, you are going to be a target in just about any major city in the world.

At least in Europe you're unlikely to be shot.

At least in Europe you're unlikely to be shot.>

Ah yes -petty street crime a lot in certain tourist areas but your life or limb is in no danger IME. Gangs like in places like Glasgow may knife each other but never tourists (Glasgow's crime rate is amongst the highest in Europe I believe but you never hear of tourists being victimized I think.

"...wearing a fat wallet in a back pocket in Paris metro stations and at turnstiles invites it being taken..."

"Don't invite theft."

You're both assigning blame to the victim. The victim invited no one to take it, in the same way a woman with snug jeans and a fine derriere is not inviting some lech to fondle it. Saying they're "inviting" assault is disgusting.

On the other hand, saying that such people are "more likely to be victims of assault" is accurate and puts blame where it belongs.

The language we use defines our understanding of the truth. If you really think criminals are 100% responsible, your language should not be blaming the victims and turning the truth on its head.

They said she "lost" the wallet in Paris. Do we know this was a pickpocket. Or she really did lose it herself?

Do you think pickpockets have their own forum?

In a certain Central American country where my friends live, you risk getting your finger chopped off if you wear a big diamond ring.

Who would be to blame?? I value my finger more than my right to wear my big fat diamond ring.

Well Fuess since you go into semantic pay attention to the fact that some here don't speak English as their mother tongue.
Inviting theft and likely to be a victim is pretty close with my limited vocabulary.
Of course i can be more precise when I speak French.
But probably not on a forum.