Meg

I particularly like the velcro post above and have used it myself. On our last trip, when my two teenagers heard the velco rip, they teased that mom was going for her money. Nonethless it worked for me. I first used the velco thing many years ago when my children were younger and I was responsible for carrying their passports, etc. Not bad enough I had to be responsible for my own stuff but for two others put me in that velcro mood. Carrying three passports around my neck was not my thing. Anyone else?

Marty

One quick story: <BR> <BR>As the doors opened and I was entering a Metro train a gang of 10-12 very young "professionals" surrounded me. I felt hands going for my wallet and protected myself. But the sheer number of these kids at a time when my concentration was on the train destination was overwhelming for even me, a very street smart New Yorker. <BR> <BR>Advice then: if you see a bunch of kids in a mob, stop thinking about how cute they are and stay alert.

mimi taylor

The last poster describes the incidents shown last night on 20/20, tho it was in Paris, the techniques are all the same, women with babies, two men together(just as I have seen here in Boston) one lifts the wallet, hands it to another who slips it into his rolled up newspaper, gets off the next stop and the main guy has nothing on him if stopped.

kelly

I live in Paris, and never wear a money belt. One day I was riding the metro and got off at Chatelet on a very busy friday afternoon. I was wearing an almost to the floor length skirt and as the crowd was trying to move down the stairs towards the exit, I suddenly felt hands feeling all under my skirt! It was so fast, and I looked and at first only saw the man right behind me. Luckily before I could smack him, it happened again and this time I saw three young girls around 10 years old. Ah. If I had been wearing a money belt it would have been gone instantly. Then out of nowhere the cops appear and grap them. The nice guy behind me insisted I check in my bag to make sure I still had everything which was untouched. I didn't want to contribute to the pickpocket paranoia but I wanted to tell this story in case anyone thinks about wearing their money belt with a skirt, because they won't hesitate to go right to the source!

Daphne

First night out, after a sleepless 11 hour flight, we were on a crowded pedestrian street in the 5th arrond. I felt a bump on the rear of my shoulder bag. I turned to see a boy of about 12, who then moved around from behind me to my left in order to get away. I grabbed his wrist, looked under the sweater he was carrying[over his hand] but didn't find anything. He protested as did his friend. My bag was partially unzipped and I thought I had my glass case [with a 200 franc note in it] in the bag. Was so jetlagged wasn't clutching the bag as we walked. Found the case and money when we got back to the hotel but I'm pretty sure he was up to something [we're older, so were we targeted? It was dark at the time].

Daphne

Sounds like you were tarketed from reading all these posts on pick pockets! My husband &amp; I are going to Paris in Aug and I feel unprepared. What kind of purse works best? Do you really have to hold tight to your purse under your arm all the time? I think I might become exhausted from carrying my camera, makeup, waterbottle and whatever else I may need so tight. If you wear a money belt &amp; aren't supposed to advertise it, how do you pay for things?? Rush to a bathroom, take ou the exact amount tight fisted and rush back to pay?? (humor) but really, any suggestions? Thank you.

Deb

Oops, this message is to anyone out there from Deb, not Daphne. Sounds like you were tarketed from reading all these posts on pick pockets! My husband &amp; I are going to Paris in Aug and I feel unprepared. What kind of purse works best? Do you really have to hold tight to your purse under your arm all the time? I think I might become exhausted from carrying my camera, makeup, waterbottle and whatever else I may need so tight. If you wear a money belt &amp; aren't supposed to advertise it, how do you pay for things?? Rush to a bathroom, take ou the exact amount tight fisted and rush back to pay?? (humor) but really, any suggestions? Thank you.

Chris Philhower

I wear a fanny pack, but in the front. I try to stand on the subway with my back against the opposite door, hand on the pack, or discretely "playing" with the zipper (with that "disinterested" look on my face -- I've already counted the subway stops and know the name of the one before I have to get out). If I wind up with a "pole position", I do the same, but watch the reflection in the door windows to "evaluate" the people around me. When I get off the subway, I walk to a wall to "resolve a problem with my shoe" until most of the crowd is gone, and also so I have time to survey what's going on around me. I'm not the last one out though, I try to follow a small group of people (near enough to look like I might be part of them but far enough they don't get worried about ME!)<BR><BR>I need room for a camera, pressed powder, lipstick and a small wallet (with money folded, small bills on the outside, and I don't take money out unless I have the correct amount -- and I always have an idea of how many bills I have in each denomination so I'm not looking for exact change if I don't have it). <BR><BR>I'm a watcher -- I don't approach the cashier until I've surveyed the store and outside the store to be reasonably sure no one's really watching me (and I rarely stop at merchandise that's outside the store -- distracting to me and prime places for picking). When I walk down the street, the store window reflection works again. If I feel that someone is too close, I stop and "window shop" until they're gone. <BR><BR>So far, so good. Got the front flap on my back pack (zippered on the side that goes against my back) flipped open when I was in Madrid -- he only would have gotten my compact, but it still gave me the creeps. <BR><BR>I've seen teenage girls at work in Paris -- walking close to their marks, coat over their arms, hands into a purse. Keep the purse in front of you, hand over it (keeps it from flapping up against you with every step too). The marks I saw were lax -- talking, pointing, not paying attention to anything around them.<BR><BR>I don't feel unsafe in Paris -- it's a big city, just like NYC and I take the same precautions in each city. <BR><BR>When you read all these posts about pickpockets, etc, take the advice and move on. Don't get alarmed, don't get paranoid, you won't enjoy your trip -- just keep it all in the back of your mind. <BR><BR>You can take every precaution in the world, and still lose your money/cards/etc. If someone wants it badly enough, they'll get it, but most are out for something easy.

Capo

Chuck's post -- about being in Paris for a week with his wife and &lt;i&gt;not&lt;/i&gt; gettig pickpocketed made me think...<BR><BR>I'm not suggesting that we do it, but wouldn't it be interesting if there was a "I went to Europe and did/did not get pickpocketed" thread so people who read it could get some perspective on the problem? I'm guessing there would be FAR more "did not" than "did" posts.

deena

John Stossel did an interesting piece o pickpockets in Europe this past Friday night on 20/20. Should your passport be left in the safe in your hotel room and just a copy carried?

Santa Chiara

The Friday, June 22, issue of the International Herald Tribune has a small article on pickpockets in Paris. The article says that 30,000 incidents are reported a year. Obviously the number is much higher because of all the people who don't report. Furthermore, the article says the most dangerous places are particularly are the Metro's Line 1 between Chatelet and Charles DeGaulle-Etoile and Line 4 that goes to Montmatre from Chatelet. <BR><BR>I sense some smugness among those who have never been victims. May it never happen to you, but do know it can happen in an instant.

JOdy

Again, I would like a mathematical percentage, if J. Stoessel says 30,000 and there are an equal number not reported, what is the percentage of how many tourists in Paris each year. I'm afraid it must be miniscule. I have been traveling to europe for 40 years and have never had an incident , but have looked sternly and threateningly at groups of children and others. When your husband is 6'4' and aggresive towards unexpected activity maybe we are safer. Then again, we dress accordingly, don't walk around looking like dorothy in Oz , and blend in and are aware of our surroundings. All this said we will probably be mugges, pickpocketed , scammed on our next trip and I will have to post my mea culpas!

Capo

I'm with Jody. For perspective, it would be nice to hear not just the number of incidences of pickpocketing in Paris during a year, but also that number in relation to the number of tourists who visit Paris each year.<BR><BR>Personally, I don't feel smug that I've never been the victim of pickpockets. On the other hand, I've learned to take precautions that I feel greatly lower -- although they do not completely eliminate -- my risk of being a victim. <BR><BR>

Linda

My daughter and I just returned from Paris. On entering the metro at the Opera we were "jostled for a spill" on entering the train. We were obviously coming from the airport as we had all our bags. My backpack was riding on top of my roller bag, a big mistake!<BR>It was unzipped and the contents went everywhere as we entered the train. Amazingly, I saw the "helpful" teenager throw their sweater over what they thought was a money bag as she picked up a few contents to hand to me. I reached under the sweater, grabbed it and with a knowing stare gathered the rest of my belongings. Nothing was taken. They were a group of about three or four. My camera was pinned by the strap to the inside and I noticed it dangling over my bag a few seconds later! I'm still amazed that they didn't get anything!<BR>Please be extra careful and slightly paranoid on any trip from the airport.<BR>We had absolutely no problem at any time after that, and I can't wait to return.

Rusty

Look, I just got back from a month in Paris...I love it. I had no fear of being pick-pocketed out of the ordinary. Maybe it's because I'm a New Yorker. I just did not expect it and I know what to look for in a perp anyway. And also I was ready to respond with necessary means. Walking in fear leads to an appearance of uncertainty which attracts the pickpocket(s). I don't mean walk arond advertising you have 50 gold cards and a thick roll of bills, but this is your vacation you worked hard for it. Don't let a few punks take that away. Paris is lovely and fully to be enjoyed.<BR><BR>Rusty

Linda

We just came back from 2 weeks in Italy and France. We were lucky and had no problems; neither did I see any instances of theft. I carried a small backpack with camera, waterbottle and wallet with a few dollars-tied with a string and safety pin to the inside. We all carried moneybelts, mine higher up inside my shirt. My husband wore his between his tucked in shirt and his slacks. In his pocket was a little cash for the day. When going through crowds, he walked with his hands in his pockets.

bob

Hi: <BR> <BR>Wear a moneybelt and enjoy Paris. I travelled there last year in September and it was wonderful (no muggings and didn't see any). Don't let fear stop you (and practice looking 'not lost' and 'not a tourist' so that you won't be advertising 'mug me'). <BR> <BR>

Allan

I recently returned from Italy and there are pickpockets galore. I wore a travel vest that I purchased from TravelSmith that is lightweight and is like a photo-journalist vest with many pockets. It has zippered pockets inside of pockets. I carried my passport in one pocket, credit cards in another, cash in another. If you split everything up, nothing looks or feels bulky, and a pickpocket would have to knock me down and rip my vest off to get anything.

naive

Thanks for all the stories and advice. I feel much better prepared. What's better - to carry your passport with you, or leave it in the hotel? I wouldn't have thought to carry mine with me until I read some of the messages. Are hotels generally safe?

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A valid concern?