PalenQ

but Paris is not a destination I would waste one thought on - regarding personal safety or theft.>

so you advise others to just be carefree and go with the flow - no precautions in busy areas?

Cowboy1968

Yep. I would do same in Paris as in New York or San Francisco.

iris1745

Never wore a money belt in our 34 trips to Europe. Yes, I have been pick pocked , on the Paris metro, but things happen.

It's a personal decision. No money belt for me.

Paris 2018 here we come.

PalenQ

so you advise others to just be carefree and go with the flow - no precautions in busy areas?

Cowboy1968

Yep>

Are you seriously advising novice travelers to Paris to do that? No precautions at all - carry their wallet with c c =passport, etc in their back pocket in metro crowds, etc.

Incroyable if so.

iris1745

<I didn't say it's not wise to take precautions>

Pal, you need to reread what the cowboy said!!

maitaitom

I never wear a money belt, but always have it in my front pocket (hell, I can hardly get my wallet out). I keep aware of my surroundings (except for that one night in London). I'm always a little bemused that it's the people who are pickpocketed who people seem to blame. Pickpockets might be, as Rick Steves says, "smart." In my book, they're also thieves.

PalenQ

Irish -this is what I read:

so you advise others to just be carefree and go with the flow - no precautions in busy areas?

Cowboy1968 replied.

Yep>

Irish you also need to read what cowboy said - all of it - the above prompted my response.

iris1745

Tom, like you, I am aware of the surroundings and just adapt.

When I was pick pocked, the metro was packed in Paris. My wife had nothing to hold on to and I was holding her with my hands high on the pole.

Kids got on and jumped off just before the doors closed.

Fourteen FF gone, about $200 US at the time. It took me a little while to get over it, but quickly moved on.

Thieves will be thieves, NYC or anywhere else.

iris1745

Cowboy; Will you referee this difference of opinion?

I don't want Pal losing any sleep.

PalenQ

One last bloviation - I think it is really bad info to tell folks in places like Paris -novice travelers -not to be vigilant and not say there is no problem as cowboy did

(so you advise others to just be carefree and go with the flow - no precautions in busy areas?

Cowboy1968 replied:

Yep

the worst advice for novice travelers or even Rick Steves!

We should not make hysteria either but just say use extra precautions and vigilance in places like the metro and crowded areas.

That said I respect and am even awed-by cowboy's many helpful posts on travel, especially Germany and German trains but in this case I beg to differ and is not the advice to give naive travelers.

Done bloviating (on this thread!)

Cheers

maitaitom

"Done bloviating (on this thread!)"

I'm glad you added that caveat at the end, because college football season is just around the corner, and I know your weekly predictions wouldn't be the same without a little "bloviating." By the way, our only attempted pickpocketing was in Madrid by a young woman doing the "old petition trick" to no avail.

iris1745

Yes, and Pal loves Holy Cross. lol

ribeirasacra

I am so disappointed that Americans come to Europe and feel that is packed with thieves. As I have said those of us who live in any European country never where money belts.

To put a turn on this---- Maybe he was "robbed" to sell more of those belts?

maitaitom

"I am so disappointed that Americans come to Europe and feel that is packed with thieves."

ribeirasacra. I agree with you on that. Actually, the same with terrorism for me. I have a much better chance of being run over by someone texting while driving and running a stop sign at the end of my street than I am being killed in a terrorist attack. You have to aware of your surroundings at home and abroad...just common sense, but I don't stress about it.

By the way, I had the same thoughts about those Rick Steves' money belts as you did.

Trophywife007

When we were in Copenhagen last month, my BiL set his back pack down between us on the ground at a sidewalk table next to the wall of the restaurant. The pack was between our 2 chairs and next to the wall, which seemed secure enough at the time... you'd think we would notice someone that close.

At some point when all 4 of us were distracted a thief who had sat at the neighboring table, his back to my BiL, snatched the bag and took off without any of us noticing. It might have happened when the waiter brought our drinks, (espresso martinis, yum) when a large group of Harley drivers roared by, when a guy with 2 French Bulldogs off leash in heavy traffic came by with the dogs following orders perfectly, or any of a number of times.

Fortunately, he only got a Rick Steves travel guide, 2 small umbrellas, and a map. We looked around in the garbage nearby, etc. but never found it. We half expected the guy to come back saying that we needed it more than he did.

One thing I've noticed from my story, (possibly) Andrew's, and another friend of ours who lost a camera and credit cards on a Swiss train is that when there is lots of room but someone chooses the seat just next to you or has to walk so closely as to bump you when they pass, that's something that should set off warning bells.


Lesson learned.

iris1745

Hey rib; Not us. Hopefully we will be in Paris next year and not with a money belts.

Yes a damn portable oxygen concentrator. My wife will not go unless I buy one.

I will be only 83 and my wife going on 80.

Not a problem.
\
Awareness, yes of course Pal!!

Myer

I take a different approach to pickpockets.

I'm a tourist and they are professionals. Advantage them.

I wear two money belts; one wider to hold passports, secondary credits cards and money. The other is very small and contains a credit card which I will use when required and about 20 or 30 Euros.

In my pockets I have about 20 Euros, a map and maybe some other worthless stuff.

I was once pickpocketed in Madrid. I felt it happening but it was too late. A couple of seconds later the person came over to me and said "somebody took this from you". Ha!!!

They didn't even get the 20 Euros at the bottom of my pocket. The only they got was my street map and empty sunglasses holder. The sunglasses were on my glasses.

IMDonehere

I wish someone stole his suitcase, so he would need to buy different clothes.

iris1745

Myer; I think whatever a person feels comfortable doing, is perfect for that person, like you.

When I/We go to Paris next year, we have about 200 euros in the desk. Practically everything else will be using the CC.

I am never, if ever, in fear of criminal intent.

Just go with the flow, but be cautious.

Love France and currently watching the Tour.

scdreamer

IMdonehere ... Yes! Those khakis need to go!