Pickpocketing in Europe
May 6th, 2015, 01:11 PM
#21
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I posted this article one before. But with this subject we start all over again every few months:
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/c...pocketing.html
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/c...pocketing.html
May 6th, 2015, 01:18 PM
#22
It's true that cash is disappearing -- even in Europe -- so pickpockets have a lot less to take unless they have outlets for phones and cameras (and cameras are also disappearing since most people use their phones for taking pictures).
Even the contactless cards are limited to purchases of no more than 20 euros, so nobody is going to get rich on them.
The big cash carriers are still considered to be Middle Easterners and Asians.
Even the contactless cards are limited to purchases of no more than 20 euros, so nobody is going to get rich on them.
The big cash carriers are still considered to be Middle Easterners and Asians.
May 6th, 2015, 03:29 PM
#23
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Speaking of Athens that i know perfectly well, the fact is that pickpockets prefer to pickpocket foreigners and are mainly active in the centre of Athens and on the metro line that connects the centre with the airport.
Especially on that blue line, it is very easy to spot tourists, as they are carrying their luggage....
Also it is relatively easy to tell if someone is Greek or a foreigner... they don't have to be Asian to be identified as foreigners...
None of my friends and family, who use daily the metro system , has ever been a victim.
They usually work in a group of 3-4, and while one keeps you busy, a second one steals your wallet, or other valueables and gives it to a 3rd one....
The police is arresting them systematically, but the "profitable business", seems to attract new ones
Especially on that blue line, it is very easy to spot tourists, as they are carrying their luggage....
Also it is relatively easy to tell if someone is Greek or a foreigner... they don't have to be Asian to be identified as foreigners...
None of my friends and family, who use daily the metro system , has ever been a victim.
They usually work in a group of 3-4, and while one keeps you busy, a second one steals your wallet, or other valueables and gives it to a 3rd one....
The police is arresting them systematically, but the "profitable business", seems to attract new ones
May 6th, 2015, 05:07 PM
#24
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In any city with a number of tourists the pickpockets will latch onto tourists since they are often disorganized and/or inattentive. The key is to always be aware of your surroundings, keep all of your valuables safe, and NEVER, EVER let go of your belongings - not even in a luxury restaurant or hotel. The places with most risk are train stations and metro/tube stations, since people tend to be preoccupied with maps, tickets, etc.
In restaurants always keep purses on your lap or with the strap wrapped around your ankle or on your foot. (Yes, patrons have gone up to the buffet in luxury hotels and come back to find a purse (they just left on the table) gone - since well-dressed pickpockets tend to inhabit these places.
In stores never leave you purse on the counter and turn away,
Never let go of your luggage - any of it.
Violent crime is extremely rare - but if you're not careful it's very easy to lose a purse, camera, cell phone etc.
In restaurants always keep purses on your lap or with the strap wrapped around your ankle or on your foot. (Yes, patrons have gone up to the buffet in luxury hotels and come back to find a purse (they just left on the table) gone - since well-dressed pickpockets tend to inhabit these places.
In stores never leave you purse on the counter and turn away,
Never let go of your luggage - any of it.
Violent crime is extremely rare - but if you're not careful it's very easy to lose a purse, camera, cell phone etc.
May 6th, 2015, 05:25 PM
#25
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I don't have much to add except carry the absolute minimum on you when sightseeing / walking around. My wife and I leave our purses / wallets in the hotel safe and take one Credit Card or debit card and maybe 100 euros. Worst case - you lose 100 Euros and a card.
May 6th, 2015, 06:57 PM
#26
>>Uh duh uh China, Japan, Koreans are easy to spot for obvious reasons - what planet do you live on?<<
Huh?
Sure IF they are w/ an obvious group tour, they are tourists. Otherwise -- there are plenty of Asians <i>living</i> in each of those countries -- some even born there. What planet do you live on?
Huh?
Sure IF they are w/ an obvious group tour, they are tourists. Otherwise -- there are plenty of Asians <i>living</i> in each of those countries -- some even born there. What planet do you live on?
May 6th, 2015, 11:55 PM
#28
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The only place I've been pickpocketed was London - and that's my occasional home - so fear not about Italy and Spain. Just heed the fantastic advice above about transport hubs and wearing a cross-body bag with the closure/zip close to you. If you're a man and not comfortable with carrying a messenger bag/cross body bag, then use a money belt under your clothing. They may feel uncomfortable at first but it's better than having a clever thief/s take your wallet from your pocket. And don't think your front pocket is more secure - it's not - these guys are masters.
May 7th, 2015, 03:43 AM
#29
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Sure IF they are w/ an obvious group tour, they are tourists. Otherwise -- there are plenty of Asians living in each of those countries -- some even born there. What planet do you live on?>
If you can't tell the difference between an Asian tourist vs a ethnic Asian local then heaven help you - like kerouac says above thieves are targeting Asians in Paris - now how do they do that? they can tell locals vs foreign tourists who gather in tourist places - local Asians will not be gathering there.
It is so obvious janis I have trouble thinking you can't realize that!
If you can't tell the difference between an Asian tourist vs a ethnic Asian local then heaven help you - like kerouac says above thieves are targeting Asians in Paris - now how do they do that? they can tell locals vs foreign tourists who gather in tourist places - local Asians will not be gathering there.
It is so obvious janis I have trouble thinking you can't realize that!
May 7th, 2015, 08:00 AM
#30
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PQ,
Ask your in laws, seems they are (only ?) your references.
AS for Asiats, yes I mean Asians, we say Asiatiques in French (ask your inlaws)and the planet I live in is mostly Paris.
Which is as said, ful of French of all ethnies.
And you know, being an expert on Paris that in France it is forbidden by law to make stats about ethnic origins, religions etc among our citizens.
So they are all French ... hope you don't mind.
We are raised liked that and remarks like yours are taken by us as a first step towards racism.
Hence my reactions..
Best regards.
Ask your in laws, seems they are (only ?) your references.
AS for Asiats, yes I mean Asians, we say Asiatiques in French (ask your inlaws)and the planet I live in is mostly Paris.
Which is as said, ful of French of all ethnies.
And you know, being an expert on Paris that in France it is forbidden by law to make stats about ethnic origins, religions etc among our citizens.
So they are all French ... hope you don't mind.
We are raised liked that and remarks like yours are taken by us as a first step towards racism.
Hence my reactions..
Best regards.
May 7th, 2015, 11:56 AM
#31
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PalenQ - you seem to think that you can get away with saying anything as long as you add the magic phrase "my French in-laws" or "my French friends" to it.
Anyone who has lived in France for longer than one week knows that the French are just as bigoted and ignorant as anyone else is.
They are also often quite fat.
If you want to insult people and show off your lack of intelligence, just go ahead and do it. You don't need to hide behind the French.
Anyone who has lived in France for longer than one week knows that the French are just as bigoted and ignorant as anyone else is.
They are also often quite fat.
If you want to insult people and show off your lack of intelligence, just go ahead and do it. You don't need to hide behind the French.
May 7th, 2015, 01:00 PM
#34
Most of the stories I have heard or read stem from people's inattention. Like they put their "purse" on top of their suitcase in a train station, and turned away for a minute or two.
I think the single most useful thing you can do is figure out the safest way to carry your valuables. Don't have a lot of money on you, if you are moving place to place and need to carry everything use a money belt under your clothes, etc.
I think the single most useful thing you can do is figure out the safest way to carry your valuables. Don't have a lot of money on you, if you are moving place to place and need to carry everything use a money belt under your clothes, etc.
May 7th, 2015, 01:06 PM
#35
Thieves generally choose their targets by the hotels from which they emerge or the stores where they go to shop. Asians, Brazilians, Russians or Middle Easterners will be targeted. Americans, too.
My own neighborhood is full of Asians, Africans, Indians, Maghrebis, etc. Even ethnic Europeans. However, they are not tourists and they are not targeted at all.
Pickpocketing is a crime of opportunity and the targets will alway be selected by variable criteria depending on the locations. In an area like Boulevard Haussmann (the main department stores), if I were a pickpocket, I would go after anybody who looks like they are a tourist (often Asian or Middle Eastern on that street) and probably ignore most "ordinary French people" who look like they are going to work -- no matter what their ethnic origin.
My own neighborhood is full of Asians, Africans, Indians, Maghrebis, etc. Even ethnic Europeans. However, they are not tourists and they are not targeted at all.
Pickpocketing is a crime of opportunity and the targets will alway be selected by variable criteria depending on the locations. In an area like Boulevard Haussmann (the main department stores), if I were a pickpocket, I would go after anybody who looks like they are a tourist (often Asian or Middle Eastern on that street) and probably ignore most "ordinary French people" who look like they are going to work -- no matter what their ethnic origin.
May 7th, 2015, 01:12 PM
#36
Of course all of these stories about stealing purses, bags, phones, laptops, briefcases, etc., have nothing to do with pickpocketing. That is a completely different type of crime.
At my office, we often had to deal with rich Middle Eastern passengers who put their briefcase on the ground while they were checking in for their flight. Surprise -- 2 minutes later, there was no briefcase!
Most of the police reports that I had to read mentioned truly incredible amounts of cash being carried in those briefcases, often along the lines of "100,000 Saudi riyals, $USD 20,000 and 10,000 euros." It's enough to make a person want to start a life of crime.
At my office, we often had to deal with rich Middle Eastern passengers who put their briefcase on the ground while they were checking in for their flight. Surprise -- 2 minutes later, there was no briefcase!
Most of the police reports that I had to read mentioned truly incredible amounts of cash being carried in those briefcases, often along the lines of "100,000 Saudi riyals, $USD 20,000 and 10,000 euros." It's enough to make a person want to start a life of crime.
May 7th, 2015, 01:43 PM
#38
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janis - read kerouac's take on targeting Asians and mid-easterners - this is how thieves can target Asians and Mid-East types - and how they separate them from the 'domestic' Asians who do not gather in groups at hotels and flock to to tourist places. Understand now? It is very simple really.
May 8th, 2015, 02:37 AM
#40
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PQ.
You're too complicated for me.
Why do you keep throwing nationalities based on a few personal experience ?
Your inlaws are french, so what they say is what the 'French' say ? I disagree so I throw my disgust on a whole nation ?
Just give your evaluation if you have one, if not, don't make generalities based on second hand comments.
You're too complicated for me.
Why do you keep throwing nationalities based on a few personal experience ?
Your inlaws are french, so what they say is what the 'French' say ? I disagree so I throw my disgust on a whole nation ?
Just give your evaluation if you have one, if not, don't make generalities based on second hand comments.
