I've solved the problem of being pick-pocketed in Europe. I no longer carry any cash, credit cards or ATM cards when on vacation there. When I need money, I just pickpocket other tourists. Problem solved.

Well, Laurieco, I used to pay for most of my vacations to Europe that way, but now that darned Kerouac butted in all I have is a collection of plastic bags to show for my efforts.

:-(

https://www.caloriecount.com/calorie...-pizza-i115041

Here is the nutritional information for pepperoni hot pockets.

As my SO and I were leaving an upscale restaurant the other night I could have easily walked out with a woman's purse. The restaurant was crowded and the tables were close together. She'd slung her purse on the back of the chair (a definite no-no) and I could have so easily slipped it over my arm as we passed behind her and walked out the door! My purse was stolen in London because I was in a neighbourhood cafe we often frequented and I'd just become too complacent. Never again, baby!

My SO almost got pickpocketed while we waited in line for a tram in Lisbon. He went to put his hand in his pocket and found out somebody else's hand was already in there! He grabbed the guy and there was a tussle and the guy ran off. He was more than middle aged, well groomed and very nicely dressed. To look at him, you'd never have suspected him of being a pickpocket!

In the UK, pants=y-fronts, underwear, smalls.

Vest=undershirt. So in the parlance of a citizen of Paramus, NJ, a sleeveless vest is a "wife beater."

A sleaveless vest is NOT a travel vest if you are from Maida Vale.


Thin

I have nothing to add, nothing clever to say, but this is a good party.

So, to clarify: I'd rather go about in the kind of pants and vest they mean in Maida Vale than the kind they mean in here in Fodorville.

<i>middle aged, well groomed and very nicely dressed</i>

The last person who tried to stick his hand in my pocket in Paris was wearing a suit and tie.

I now wear more often a bowtie than a tie. So wasn't me I guess.

Goddess , what is a SO ? I've gotten to understand most of the DH, SIL etc, but didn't come accross SO yet.

SO - significant other

Annhig,
Whathello isn't a slow learner. He is a serial dreamer.
Now, Dave_Ohio, OTOH, no idea if he is dreaming or not, but he needs to pay attention to all the advice about bags. Zip lock bags would be a lot cheaper than K-mart wallets. He could split a box of them with Whathello, just in case.

Pickpocket experiences:

1) Watched a group of darker-skinned lads try to pickpocket someone in Lisbon.
2) Saw a man hand a wallet he had pickpocketed back to its owner before fleeing the tram. The man looked like a local. Also in Lisbon.
3) Saw a grey-haired, balding, very white man try to pickpocket a Chinese at the Hermitage.
4) Lots of pickpockets in Switzerland and most are not Roma.

The moral of the story? Anyone can be a pickpocket nowadays.

'Nuff said about the heritage of pickpockets.

It's true that pickpockets observe you beforehand in order to choose the best strategy to grab your wallet/purse.

Love the ideas of preventing pickpocketing posted here. It's always good to be aware of your surroundings. Personally, I carry a small wallet of notes and coins with me for quick purchases and have a stash of backup money hidden somewhere deep in my purse or hooked on my belt under my pants.

And if you must hang your bag/purse/backpack on the back of your chair, fasten it to something first and put your money/phone/camera in your pants pocket or somewhere secure.

"A sleaveless vest is NOT a travel vest if you are from Maida Vale."

Not with that attitude it's not...