Pickpockets in Rome....how to be careful
 

As our trip gets closer, my 82 yo mother gets more and more anxious about pickpockets. All her elderly friends have been telling her stories of someone they know who was robbed? What precautions and hints can I tell her we can take so that she will feel safe? Thanks, Sandy

Pickpockets are not muggers. Assuming that you are traveling with your mother, the simplest way for her to avoid getting her pocket picked is not to personally carry any money. That's why she's traveling with a daughter, right?<BR>

Of course! Denying someone the independece of having their own resources by shifting the responsibility solves the problem! What that does for someone who now has to carry two people's &quot;things&quot; must increase their joy of travel as well.<BR><BR>Perhaps the idea is that pickpockets are common in many tourist-frequented (and other) areas. One mingh minimize what they carry, and keep valuables other than a few Euros (or whatever local currency given the country one is in) either in a secured (perhaps zippered) inside pocket, or in a pouch worn under ones clothes. Also, in a hotel, use of a safe is not foolish for significant valuables.

I didn't say she shouldn't carry a purse, nor a wallet inside it, nor her own &quot;stuff&quot;. I said she shouldn't carry money. Pickpockets are after money, and maybe secondarily passports. They are not generally purse-snatchers.<BR>

Stay off of the main tourist bus - or be very aware of young women suckling their babies to their breasts. Even when you know it's happening, it amazes you. Fortunately, she went for the wrong zipper &amp; I lost nothing. You'll have a wonderful time.

Sandy, I traveled to Rome with my (55 year old) mom last year, and she had the same concerns. We resolved the issue by having her carry a very small purse, with only the barest essentials, and she wore it under her car-length coat, which was zipped up. We also avoided the buses at all costs, which is where many pickpockets lurk. Not a problem for us.

Actually, many of the thefts against pedestrians are purse-snatchings, often by thieves (&quot;scippi&quot;) on motorcycles. Do not carry your bag on the street side, particularly in a deserted area. When I made this mistake in Palermo and had my bag stolen, with some cuts and bruises as a consequence of instinctively holding on to it while the moto sped off, I was told by both the doctors and the police that they see people with broken bones from such incidents. I love Italy and continue to go back, so I really don't want to scare you, but just tell you to be reasonably careful. (BTW, a friend of mine had something similar happen to her in a parking garage in Tulsa, so don't think it can't happen anywhere.)<BR><BR>Also, as anywhere, don't put your bag next to you on the ground, on a chair at a restaurant, or on a bus -- but that's just common sense.

Do put your bag down (if the ground is clean enough), just make sure that it is between your feet or (on the bus) that it is between the seat's basment and your feet. This is enough; just do not leave it unattended. I must say, though, that pickpockets are not _that_ common.

Thanks for the helpful suggestions. I too have been bruised by a &quot;mugger-thief&quot; in the US (Chicago subways). My mom is very independent; we fight over who carries the suitcases! But she is also on the fearful side. When I travel, I usually put my purse under my chair at dinner, with my foot/leg through the strap. The purse type and carrying suggestions help a lot. Thanks, Sandy

My husband and I were in Italy in mid April last year with no problems. I bought a square zippered pouch at AAA. When out and about in Rome and Florence I wore it around my waist inside my clothing, carried a lipstick, credit card and about $25 at any one time (don't carry more than you are willing to part with, says Rick Steves.) When at Ponte de Veccio (sp)where there is a CRUSH of people my husband kept his hand on his wallet in his pocket. <BR><BR>When in Europe I only travel with one pair of earrings, one necklace, and one bracelet which I wear. Solves lots of obvious problems - room theft, leaving things behind, coping with room safes. On day trips we put our passports in the safe, keep photocopies in our suitcases. <BR><BR>

I'm cutting and pasting all this into an email to my mom. Sally's post brings up another question... Carry your passport or leave it in your room? We will be making a photocopy to keep separately, but the real one should be where? Sandy

Leave the passport hidden in your room or, better, in the hotel's safe. If you are in a B&amp;B just leave it your room.

Sandy, Go to slowtrav.com and find my article named &quot; 22 Terrific Travel Tips&quot; which includes some security tips. Being vigilant is the best advice. And, do not lay down your purse or camera--for a second.

thanks Bob, will do. Sandy

Curiously, Sandy, I went with my Mum to Italy for her 83rd birthday a couple of years ago. Despite some concern about pickpockets, she insisted on carrying her handbag in her usual manner, over her arm...habits of 75 years die hard.<BR><BR>No problems in Rome, but on a street corner in Florence-you guessed it...a pair of urchins made a grab for Mum's bag. She was aware and gave them a push and yelled and a young man came to our rescue and we went on our way...except that we agreed to ditch the handbag and Mum carried a miniature, shoulderbag, tucked out of sight from that point forward.<BR><BR>Pickpockets MOSTLY go for &quot;low hanging fruit&quot; and I am afraid that nicley dressed, elderly American ladies with visisble handbags are ripe for the picking...

My 86 year old mother in law and I went to Paris in November - my biggest concern was the snatch and grab of her purse - frankly, I couldn't care less about the contents (no money, etc) but knocking a senior citizen to the ground is very dangerous. We discussed it and in the end it was her decision that I would carry a purse and she would carry a few personal items (comb, lipstick, enough money for a taxi in the event we became separated, etc) in an inside pocket. <BR><BR>Re the concern about loss of independence, my mother in law suggested that we create a &quot;pot&quot; of money and that one person pay for all common expenses. She was quite happy that I carried the pot and paid all the bills....she knew that she had contributed an equal amount and felt fine about it. I did also carry her credit cards and when she made an individual purchase, it didn't bother her to ask me for her cards. <BR><BR>Just recently did the same thing with my 91 year old dad in Barbados - he was delighted not to have to worry about money.