bvlenci

<i> In fact, pickpocketing is much more common in Europe than in the US. I don't know why, but it really is and I live in a big city in the US with a metro system. Sure it happens here but nothing like in sme of the big cities in Europe. </i>

That's because pickpocketing is a crime of skill, which takes years to master. In the US, it's much easier to get a gun and stick up a convenience store. There are actually very few Italian pickpockets, because there are also easier methods of illicit gain here.

The pickpocket teams seem to be almost all from Eastern Europe, mainly Rumania, where they learn their trade and pass techniques down through the generations. There are also crews specialized in apartment and villa robberies, more likely to be Albanian, and teams who are experts in ATM assaults. All very highly skilled, well managed, operated just like major corporations. At the managerial level, there is often involvement by the local Italian criminal organizations. Even if not, probably a cut goes to these local organizations. But the actual foot soldiers are not Italian.

FranknSense

The pickpocket teams seem to be almost all from Eastern Europe, mainly Rumania, where they learn their trade and pass techniques down through the generations.<<

OK OK
Rumanians are generational criminals. But we aren't allowed to say that on Fodors

happytourist

I always keep my wallet and passport in the pocket on the backside of a purse or backpack and even then I put my string shopping bag on top. Anyone who reaches in will find their fingers entangled in the bag.

Dayenu

I live in San Francisco, CA, take a public bus to/from work every weekday. Once on the bus there was a woman with her zipper in the bag opened. I told her, it's not safe, she should at least zip the bag (the wallet was visible). She just laughed at me! Why are some people so careless?

Once had a dinner with a Fodorite. She walked in, tossed her purse on the chair next to her. That chair was next to the door. I told her to move it, at least, if she doesn't want to keep it on her. Why are even some Fodorites so careless?

End of rants

sparkchaser

<i>OK OK
Rumanians are generational criminals. But we aren't allowed to say that on Fodors</i>

Small point of correction: Roma, not Romanians

annhig

then she proposes to accompany you in your car and does things I cannot write here. Then you realize you wallet is gone. It happened to me last saturday. At 10 am, 1 pm, 3 pm and 6 30 pm.>>

I never realised that you were such slow learner, Whathello.

FranknSense

Sparkchaser,
I know you are a well respected poster here on the European Forum, and you miss few details. However bvlenci said 'Rumania.'

kerouac

A lot of people are terrified when they are approached by one of those bent over old Roma beggar women. They are totally harmless but just set off all of the stereotypical visions of evilness (remember the old woman who gave the apple to Snow White?). You do need to perhaps pay more attention to their grandchildren, but they are indistinguishable from any modern teens, except for the recent arrivals who are still doing the clipboard petition thing.

bvlenci

<i> OK OK
Rumanians are generational criminals. But we aren't allowed to say that on Fodors </i>

I certainly didn't say Rumanians are criminals; that <b> would </b> be racist. I said that the criminal gangs of pickpockets in many European cities are Rumanian. There are lots and lots of Rumanian immigrants in Europe, most of whom have nothing to do with criminal enterprises.

I assume by "Roma", sparkchaser meant the ethnic group formerly known as gypsies. There is some category overlap, but most Roma are not Rumanian, nor are most Rumanians Roma.

FranknSense

I agree with bvlenci. Not that sparkchaser doesn't understand the difference between gypsies and Rumanians, but we cant consider all Rumanians at tourist destinations to be potential pickpockets. It would be a dirty racist deed to hold your wallet tighter when you see Rumanians.

FACS

What is the clipboard petition thing?

Dave_Ohio

Whathello, the very same "attractive girl scam" has happened to me.

I found out that you can get replacement wallets for $2.50 each at K-Mart. If you buy six at a time they'll give you a ten percent discount.

IMDonehere

Why are even some Fodorites so careless?

That is why they are here.

FranknSense

Isnt this talk insulting to all the Eastern European women forced into this business? Forced into prostitution and crime just to be taken advantage of by Westerners with multiple wallets? Just because they have mustaches, warts, and fall for the same Westerners with cheap empty KMart wallets, must you all insult them like this?

NewbE

I love this thread very much.

<If you think I would stuff the pockets of my Brioni trousers with sandwich baggies>
Gold, this is.

I really think I'd rather be robbed than go about in a travel vest (shudder) or sew pockets into my...god, I hate this word... slacks.

Perhaps not wearing pants really is the solution, although that would deny the men I encountered on the Rome Metro the thrill of the chase.

Whathello

FranknSense, is your comment about Pakistani any better than what you try to make believe the comments about East-European are ?

You sound like a puritanist and come chastising us but you let yourself go on the Pakistanis ? Ok to bash them but not East-Europeans ?

Basically thieves, esp petty ones are people who need money. And who needs money more than people residing in the country since several generations ?

Hum ? Ah, Don't see. Well. Let me think. Maybe the guys who came recently with no money in their pockets, no qualification and no language skill. Maybe they have more difficulties to find a well paid job. Maybe. So, if they don't find a job, what do they do ? Huml, tough one. Beg ? Yes ! some beg. Scam, good one again. Steal ? Could it be that people who have no money no qualification may steal ?

So yes, it could be an explanation as to why eas-europeans or Roma people steal.

Could be. Educated people like me don't steal, they only fraud, ah sorry, fiscally optimize their revenues and charges. Not that I do, of course. I read somewhere (le Monde actually) that Mr Hollande, before being President, declared separately his income from x and from y. It is legal but not totally ethical. His accounting guy said that yes, if he followed all recommendations he would have paid more taxes, but then he wold have less money for himself. Funny no ?

(I couldn't find the article back but here a link to a site that calculated his taxes before he became President.
He had a revenue of 200 000 € yearly. And paid according to this site 5217 € of taxes, whilst a man/womand working in the private and making 200 000 € would pay 40 000 €).

But that is legal. And called socialism ? So why would good locals steal when they can optimize their taxes ? Roms have no work, pay no taxes, can't optimize. And are caught more often than locals stealing. So strange ?

FranknSense

FranknSense, is your comment about Pakistani any better than what you try to make believe the comments about East-European are ? <


I discounted the opinion of Pakistani that has first hand knowledge of criminal Eastern Europeans. But I didn't accuse Pakistanis of being the subhuman pickpocketers of the Glorious Western European Nations.

So yes, my comment is better

bvlenci

My 95-year-old aunt, God rest her soul, lived in a Philadelphia neighborhood that had gone a bit to the dogs over the years. (Of course, many dogs are fine upstanding canine companions, and there are also plenty of cats who are up to no good, so I don't know why the dogs get all the blame.) Anyway, back to my late lamented aunt.

Once when I went to visit my aunt, she told me that I should sew a little pouch to keep my money in and pin it to my corset. I saw a doubt flicker across her face as she wondered whether corsets were still sold at Wanamakers, or if Wanamakers were even still in business.

Whathello

Frank
You made me laugh. So this is all about it ? You want to say/feel you are better. Ok, you are better ! You are also much better at being sanctimonious (had to googletranslate this one, don't use it often).
LOL.

nukesafe

Not quite as good as the legendary "How much should I tip the pilot?" thread, but this one is cracking me up!