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.

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!