We just visited Rome for 9 days in Nov 2004 and had no problems with pickpockets. We rode the metro several times, and it always seemed to be crowded no matter what time of day. It's impossible to "blend in" with the locals unless you plan on replacing your wardrobe. We carry any cash that we don't need for the day in a money belt, and the rest is split up between my husband's wallet and my purse which has an over-the-shoulder strap with zippered, not snapped, openings. I notice on the Rome metro that local women carry purses, but keep them close to their bodies, usually with their hand on top.

It's not to say that you won't get ripped off somewhere else though. We mistakenly got into a gypsy cab who went through the "official" queue at the Termini Station. He charged us double what the return ride cost. Lesson learned: don't get into a cab that doesn't have a "Radio Taxi" sticker on the door. In spite of that particular incident, we had a wonderful time in Rome.

As far as donating to beggars, we have been told by our European friends that the social networks are available and the locals don't give them money, so you just identify yourself as a tourist by giving to them.

We carried cash and credit cards in neck pouches and also had a backpack for a guidebook, umbrella (rained half the time) and that sort of thing. We were approached by two boys going for the backpack, but my husband turned around just as they were going for the bag and scared the life out of them.

>One particular woman who was >completely bent over from the middle >so she was looking down at the ground >and could hardly walk.

I saw this same woman last year begging in via dei fori imperiali!! i bent a little to see her face and sure enough- it was a young man!!!

I know you are well meaning but
DONT give money to beggars. Give them to internationally recognized charities. 99% of beggars are crooks. People in real need in Rome are reached by social services & religious institutions. Those conmen/women who beg are stealing charity money from the needy or setting you up for a pickpocketing.

I saw at least one woman begging for money with a fake baby on her arm. And I have heard of fake babies attached to fake arms, leaving a hidden arm free to pick a pocket. But I wouldn't let this stop me from going back to Rome.

While in Rome during check-in at our hotel, someone ran into the lobby, snatched one of our bags and went out the door! It was so fast it was unbelievable. Another person in our group was pickpocketed on the subway. I wasn't with him so not sure if he really had his wallet secured or not. He said it was the usual "bump up against you and lift the valuables" routine that seems to be so common there. As for me, I was very paranoid after all of these incidents. So when gypsies approached me at the Porte Portese (sp??) flea market, waving a huge cardboard sign in my face, I just yelled "Get away, get away!!!" Everyone stared at me but what the heck, I came away with all my valuables intact and some mighty fine deals to boot!
Regardless of all this I loved Rome and it was just totally incredible to see all the historic places that you've heard so much about all your life. Don't re-think it-just be careful, on your guard, but GO!

Good Night! A fake baby attached to a fake arm so the other arm can pickpocket! Is it appropriate for a tourist to snatch away the fake arm and beat the begger with it? Or would that send the fake baby flying into the air and cause another tourist to drop her purse and catch it? What a place!

Peeky wrote, "Is it appropriate for a tourist to snatch away the fake arm and beat the begger with it?"

Well, that's one way to disarm a thief.

I had no problems either and we rode the subway in Rome a lot. I used a purse that had a shoulder strap so I wore it across my body and kept the money in the zippered part on the back of the purse closest to my body. I kept my hand or arm on the purse.

However, my friend traveled with a purse that had no closure, it was shaped like a shopping bag w/ 2 handles and was open. She also had no problems.

I've lived in nyc for 10 years with no problems either, yet a friend was mugged on the upper east side right in front of her bldg.

moral - stuff can always happen but is unlikely. Dont get distracted and keep your money out of site. Neck wallets and under the clothes stuff just doesnt work. You have to go to the ladies room to pay your bill unless you want to practically undress in public getting your money!

Peeky and P_M, I am just howling at your replies!

Patrick... they certainly didn't try to pick pocket you from your front pocket, did they?

True story... there was a beggar in San Francisco that someone felt sorry for, so followed them as they appeared to be leaving their corner. They did leave... and got into a *very* expensive automobile!!! So just beware of beggars. Most of them are professional!

Watch out for the fake "police". They accuse you of buying drugs and want to see your passport, etc. After you have been kind enough to snap their photo with their camera that has no film. Happened to us off the beaten path in Rome in the Villa Borghese Gardens.

nbbrown, my husband had his wallet lifted from his front pocket.

Beware of anyone with large pieces of cardboard. We were approached by a woman and several girls at the train station. They tried to wave the cardboard over my friend's arm to keep her from seeing as they tried to pull her bag off. Also saw several other similar groups around the city.

All big cities have pickpockets, mostly active on trains, rock concerts, any big gathering, I'ride the subway all the time and when I see one trying to make his latest victum, I yell out watch your money! But some are so sharp, you may not notice. Usually on the subway,they work in twos. One lifts, passes to a pal who puts it in his folded newpaper. they depart by different doors.

I've made more than 65 trips to Europe. The only place I even got close to being pickpocketed was in Rome, on the subway. I was carrying a normal purse, as I always do, and a woman tried to unzip it as I got into the subway. Another woman saw her and jumped in to thwart her - successfully - and then we both grabbed our bags and held them close.

I wouldn't be paranoid. I'd just be very, very cautious. I certainly wouldn't rethink plans to go to Rome. Just be careful. Very careful. And this from someone who never uses "fanny packs" or hidden wallets or anything. I travel around Europe all the time with a purse just like I would in the USA.

I went to Rome and no pickpockets came near me.

I've got this great jacket that I use to prevent pickpocketing. (Fortunately, I usually travel in cooler weather during the off-season.) The jacket has a zip-on liner. Underneath the liner is a hidden velcro pouch that looks like part of the jacket. Inside the pouch is a zippered pocket. It is just big enough to hold money, tickets and a passport. Anyone trying to steal would have to get through a set of buttons, velcro, two sets of zippers and old-fashioned common sense to get anything. The good part is that I can easily access the pocket without attracting any attention. The bad part is, I never take off my jacket when I travel. But that's ok, I'd rather be toasty than get burned!

Best defense I've found so far - besides being alert and ever vigilant is wearing cargo pants with lots of pockets that have velcro-closures. DH and I both have a pair.

Besides being versatile, wrinkle-free and easily washable, they have a built-in warning system: the rrrrrrrrrip sound of someone trying to get into your pockets. So far has worked great plus they are really really comfy, travel well, pack well and with all the pockets you have a place for everything!

Mr. Green -- mind sharing the brand and/or store?

At the time my husband lost his wallet in Rome we met a Swedish couple who'd been pick pocketed on the subway (they think). Husband had his wallet in his cargo pants! Guess the pros are on to those too.

I travel to Europe at least twice a year. As in any major tourist city you need to be careful for pickpockets. Be aware of your purse/wallet near any major tourist site and on any public transportation. Do not be fooled by small children they work in groups. If you want to give coins to beggers keep a few in your pocket. Do not go into your wallet or purse for money or they will snatch it. Keep non-essentials in a purse or backpack and keep your money and passport in a money purse or belt under your clothes. My friend was pickpocketed of all her money in Amsterdam. I was pickpocketed in Paris on the Metro (and I am a police officer). They got my cheap fake wallet. Joke was on them.