sandralist

Oh -- and if you want to make even more friends on Fodor's, just don't blame it on the "gypsies". Blame it on "immigrants" and "shysters" too (as well as the victims themselves).

anyegr

One should always be careful about belongings. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers exist everywhere. It's NOT something that only happens in Italy.

It does happen more in touristy places. Because:
1. those places are more crowded.
2. tourists are usually too busy looking at the sights to be careful.
3. many tourists carry lots of money or credit cards.
4. many tourists will have language difficulties reporting thefts to police
5. most tourists are unlikely to stay long enough to testify in court.

In our small town we get pickpockets at Christmas shopping time. Police actually put up signs warning about it sometime around the end of November. Unfortunately, some people seem to be unable to read.

pariswat

Kym

So, you put your purse on the ground, used your phone to text, had money in your purse, and lost a parcel that you won't even tell what it was.

But worse of all, you don't even blame the gypsies and simply tell people to pay attention.

Your title is the worst of it actually. Why didn't you write something like 'Robbed in that filthy town in Europe, never go there - all robbers !'.

I'm sorry it happened to you, I find it very intelligent to report and remind everybody (even natives) that such things happen, congratulate you on your attitude (bah, happens, no bother, Italy is beautiful).

I am pretty sure the same could happen to me or my wife - a good reminder is always welcome.

Have a great day, thanks for posting - it also gave everybody the opportunity to see all these 'blame it on the victim'ers at work.

And I won't add that the only time I was robbed, it was in the US. It certainly does happen in Europe, pay attention everywhere. Just heard or read that a guy got his small luggage stolen in an airport, because he left it close to him. Intread of between his legs... while checking in.

Enjoy your vacation.

bvlenci

<i>Just heard or read that a guy got his small luggage stolen in an airport, because he left it close to him. Intread of between his legs... while checking in.</i>

This is one of the reasons I don't like to use ATMs at airports or train stations.

I've been robbed twice: once in New Jersey and once in Dublin. Never in Italy, in spite of spending a lot of time there.

KymMac

OK... End almost of our 36 day trip to Italy....and I have loved every moment. I love Italy. We have had the most amazing time. If I didn't learn from my almost experience in Venice...then I did learn from my cash swap experience (make up store..a girl needs makeup) in Taormina. We are Novices. But you learn. It hasn't ruined or spoilt my time here at all...it's just like the traffic...be gracious but be assertive/confident. Good lessons for life really...

I love Italy...don't wish to leave. Kx

colduphere

There's is nothing like a happy ending.

Bokhara2

Good reminder, Kym - and an added note for your Traveller's tales when you get home.

We can all become a bit complacent / distracted, especially at home or on familiar turf.

An alert off duty policeman at another table saved my handbag from being pulled from underneath my chair in my home city a couple of years ago.

I usually put my foot or chair leg through the handle, but hadn't & the thief had a piece of wire that he'd hooked through the handle & was gently edging my bag towards his table.

First I knew about it was when my hero walked up behind the thief, grabbed him by the shoulders, put him on the ground & restrained him until the Police came.

I'm not sure who was more surprised - me or the would-be thief!

thursdaysd

Honestly, some of this advice is just overboard. I travel alone, so I generally eat alone. I almost always put my jacket, if I'm wearing one, on the back of the empty chair opposite me. Good luck to any opportunistic thief, though. The only thing of value, if there is anything of value, would be a transport pass in a hidden breast pocket. I just checked: right now there are two used tissues and a battered acorn in the pockets. I also often put my bag on the seat next to me, as I just did tonight in a very popular place in Barcelona. There was a wall behind me, a table in front of me, a lovey-dovey couple to my left and a fair sized gap to my right, but I was all the way in the back of the restaurant. I had my phone on the table, too. I have had my phone on the table - often tethered to me by ear buds - almost every night of a three month trip, and no-one has made the slightest move towards it. But I don't eat or drink outdoors in tourist central places.