StCirq

<<Also the fact that there is no help from law enforcement there>>

Um, that's a bit harsh and biased. I have always found the French police to take any matter, however trivial in their eyes, very seriously.

Texas Aggie, I recently ditched (mostly out of boredom) a cross-body OGIO bright green bag that I loved because it had infinite compartments and was a color that I could use to identify to people (Je porte un sac vert foncé!) like B&B owners and the like. But it was SO useful I ended up being the family sherpa, which kind of bugs me.

As of a couple of weeks ago I am wearing a cross-body leather bag I bought from an artisan in Monpazier, and I love it. It is butter-soft, light, has plenty of pockets to hide stuff in, and is IMO just gorgeous. It's here:

http://www.tourisme-aquitaine.fr/noe...en-cuir-11971/

I don't know if they ship overseas, but their products are IMO absolutely beautiful and hardy. I almost had a fit the other day because we got caught in a drownpour all of a sudden, and my purse got soaked. I was worried I'd ruined it. Today it is absolutely perfect again.

IMDonehere

"Rick Steves only really appeals to first time pickpockets."

Genuine wit, this.
__________________________
Thank you Edward 2005.

janisj

Edward2005: >>"To put a turn on this---- Maybe he was "robbed" to sell more of those belts?"

LOL! Yes, it's a marketing ploy to drive WalMart, Target, and Amazon out of the $10 moneybelt market.<<

RS does a HUGE business selling travel gear and - yes - money belts. So I don't think Walmart/Target/Amazon was the point of the post. RS definitely promotes the retail side of his business.




>>Rick Steves only really appeals to first time pickpockets.<<

Snorted tea on my laptop

IMDonehere

Thanks Janis
_________________________
I like the innocent victim to sell stuff approach.

LSky

We rarely travel in the summer months. It's usually in the late autumn and winter. We look forward to wearing coats. My husband has a couple of travel shirts with nice pockets. (that fit better than RS's travel shirts, sorry Rick).
Sometimes I wear a money belt or pouch, sometimes not.

One winter day in Paris an older woman stopped to offer me help (that I didn't ask for) with a map. (Oh my! How helpful) I had my things under my coat and bag with not much in it on my shoulder. Held up the map so she could help me find my way around the city.

I complemented her on her coat and reached over for a feel. "What kind of an animal was that?" "It feels so soft!" (it didn't, fake fur never does) I apologized, "I'm sorry, I'm an American, we really should have boundaries, I hope I'm not being rude." Smile, reach over for a pat on her arm.

I couldn't believe it! She left me without a "by your leave!"

She couldn't have been trying scam me. Right?

RobertaL

I just came back from Paris. I wore a small cross body bag because I think it's easy to be hands free. Small enough to hold my reading glasses, cell phone, money and debit card. I make sure my money is in a zipper compartment inside. I'm not going beyond that to feel secure.

TexasAggie

St. Cirq, Thank you! The bags in that photo are indeed just gorgeous! And good to know about the resilience after getting wet. Why is it that some leather holds up so beautifully and some is ruined after one experience with water? I lost an adorable pair of flats this past trip in the 2 whole minutes of rain we had the entire 3 weeks in Tuscany.

Sassafrass

LSky, maybe she thought "you" were trying to pickpocket "her".

menachem

"In Berlin something fairly similar. I was walking with my tablet in hand. A guy following me. Eventually at a set of lights I stepped back against the building wall and just waited. The guy realized I'd been watching him for quite a while and turned around."

Why do people do that at all, walk around with their tablet. It's like advertising. In Amsterdam I see people walking around the RDL with huge cameras, their tablets of course, backpack hang off one shoulder, iPhones in back pockets, everything.

Same with "wallets". I don't use a wallet, never have, I use my front pockets for stuff. Traveled all over, never a problem. It's not money belts that are needed but just common sense. I think it has to do with people having a hard time considering their holiday destination to be a real, lived in place.

StCirq

<<Why is it that some leather holds up so beautifully and some is ruined after one experience with water? >>

No idea, Texas Aggie, but I was on the verge of, uncharacteristically, freaking out when the bag got drenched, but next day it was perfect again. I've had leather things ruined beyond repair with raindrops in the past. These people just must know what they're doing, and their products are beyond beautiful.

ssander

I use a neck pouch tuck into my shirt when flying.

When walking around, I have a small nylon wallet with Velcro closing and a metal ring that I hang on my belt and tuck into my pants. It's barely big enough to hold my license, credit & atm cards, some cash, and my transport card/tickets, but it works well.

It's somewhat of a chore even for me to pull out when paying for something, so I feel it is pretty good for deterring pickpockets...I assume they go for "low hanging fruit" (the easiest pickings).

The only problem is I bought it at a sporting goods store many years ago, I can't find anything like it as a replacement, and it's getting old.

My real concern is my phone. I have a lanyard phone case the I hang around my neck, and tuck the phone into my breast pocket. This forces me to always wear a buttoned shirt with pocket, but I feel safer that way instead of putting the phone in a pocket. (I do not use a zippered pocket, because have to balance security with the need to access my phone quickly and easily, since it is also my camera.)

So far, no problems...but everyone gets careless sometime...even Rick Steves.

ssander

Traveler_Nick

"Why do people do that at all, walk around with their tablet. It's like advertising. In Amsterdam I see people walking around the RDL with huge cameras, their tablets of course, backpack hang off one shoulder, iPhones in back pockets, everything. "

Haven't you heard it's perfectly safe -) I was using the map. I think.

I carry my camera because I take photos.

You'll never find anything worth stealing in my backpack. The guy who stole the paper garbage from my lunch likely figured that out.

PalenQ

Korean friend lost his phone to two younger girls in a McDonalds -ruse they had a piece of paper they wanted him to read pleading for some money -whilst reading it one of the gals pilfered his smart phone - too late -they got away with it.

danon

Perhaps it is easier to pickpocket men....a wallet can be visible
Women usually carry a handbag ...(It can be snatched of course )
I have never had a problem in years of traveling
Cannot imagine wearing a money belt under my clothing...

I am in London right now. The woman whose apt. I rented warned me about the pickpockets. I am not worried...

TexasAggie

Since the conversation has headed this direction, I wanted to add another thought re: having a tablet out and visible. I know this scenario is rare, but having helped a few families with a family member who has special needs plan vacations to Europe, I know that it does happen. Tablets are invaluable communication devices for many with disabilities and special needs and must be out if the individual is out.

Our oldest son is rather a walking miracle, but in early childhood, he faced significant autism-related challenges. He had his iPad with him everywhere that we went. Rome, Athens, Naples, and many other places. We bought an iPad case with handles and threaded a cable through the case's handle to either my bag or my husband's bag (whomever was closest to A). We often encountered judgmental comments from people who felt a need to form and express an opinion on a young child with an iPad, but never ran into theft. And in the most fortunate and happiest of endings, our sweet boy's only remaining symptom from the many challenges he faced early on is suspect handwriting due to fine motor skill deficits.

In any case, if you need to have a tablet out, whatever the reason, you can easily buy a very sturdy case with handles from Amazon and then thread a cable through the handle to whatever you choose. Theft risk - reduced

Trophywife007

I'm so glad to hear about your son, TexasAggie. Some risks are worth it.

dwdvagamundo

I always wear a money belt when I'm travelling--whether here in the US or abroad. I wear mine even when going to events here in Atlanta where there may be a crowd.

The beauty of a money belt is that a thief won't try to steal something he or she doesn't know is there.

My spouse had a bag snatched in Rome--no money or wallet but camera, sunglasses, etc. Now she never carries a bag.

PalenQ

Just to make clear Paris is not exceptional in petty pickpocketing theft - Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Amsterdam and practically any heavily touristed city has the same problems. Mainly in crowded areas - you need not be vigilant 24-7 - airports even can be a problem - Robert Reich, ex Sec of Labor for Clinton had his day pack stolen whilst checking in at Barcelona airport -losing his passport and money and c.c.s.!

Scootoir

TexasAggie I carry a Travelon crossbody purse for travel and often use it everyday. The strap and body are reinforced against cutting (I had a purse cut into on the London Underground 30 years ago), the top zipper can be clipped closed and there are interior zip pockets. They have a lot of different styles on Amazon and other websites.

fuzzbucket

The only pickpocket attempt I had was with 2 young boys trying to attack me while I was alone and using an outside ATM.
In retrospect, I realized that they had been tipped off by a "spotter" - a beggar sitting quite some distance from the ATM.

They did not get my money, because I was smashing their fingers to keep the dispenser trap closed. I reported the incident to the bank.

It would be a good idea if travelling with others to have someone keep watch while using an ATM - or better yet, use an inside ATM in a bank lobby. I would still pay attention to who was in there, though.

That said, I have never used a special purse and normally carry an unzipped leather tote bag with no pockets. I always know where my wallet and phone are because I always keep them in the same place.

If think I will be in a crowded area, I wear pants with zippered pockets.