During our upcoming month stay in Rome, my in-laws will be joining us for 5 days. My in-laws are exactly what a typical tourist would look like. OK, I know we all really look like tourists, but...picture camcorder around the neck, camera in hand, baseball cap, black socks pulled up to knees!! While I've bought them money belts and I think I've convinced them to leave the camcorder at home (you would agree?)...any other thoughts? One of my concerns is the train from Naples to Sorrento.
As funny as they look, they will be providing us babysitting, so I'll welcome them!
Thank you.

Even though I deluded myself at the time, looking back a pictures, I was an obvious looking tourist. I never felt unsafe anywhere in Italy, even Rome.

While in Rome, my friends and I stayed in Trastevere and I walked all over the place at all times of the day and evening. I think if you just excercise the same general caution you do in any American city, you will do just fine. I used the hotel safe for the bulk of my cash and valuables. Of course, we walked or took taxis everywhere so we were never on the bus or street cars.

I had no trouble with the Romanians I had heard so much about and except for a couple of drunks scolding me for some unknown reason, no other street trouble.

My mother, a fairly urbane woman who is so comfortable in Paris, London and New York, became for some reason the Terrified Tourist in Italy. I don't know what happened; maybe it was because I was there to look after her? But I guess that's another story.

I really only had to "protect" her in train stations when we were approached by scammers. She's a fan of taxis and I like to walk everywhere, so we were never on the underground or buses, which I guess might be another concern.

Let them enjoy themselves in their black socks, with their camcorders and so on. As long as they know not to let peole get too close to their pockets/purses, they should be fine.

You could be in charge of the really valuable things, and although I dislike the inconvenience of traveler's checks, some insured ones might be good for your in-laws.

And don't you have to crack up at people standing in front of a monument or particularly striking piece of scenery, standing still, and pointing their unmoving camcorders straight at it?

My mother was a really young 71 when we first went to Italy together, but she fell asleep everywhere, with all her money in cash, in her purse! I can't believe no one managed to get in there. I carry no money and little girls in Italy seem to always be sticking there hands in all my things!

Oh, let them take the camcorder, I assume you have small children, wouldn't it be nice to have videos of them in Rome?

I have been all over Italy with my family and a man who carried a camcorder. I love watching the videos now. He was respectful of others and wasn't obnoxious with the camera. I love the way it catches the vibrant movement and sound of the cities.

Your in-laws should be more important to you and your husband and children than strangers you will never see again.

Don't sell them out.

I'd be careful if I were you..while you are busy protecting them you are the one who may get pickpocketed!

Just be aware. My way is: 1-dont put eye-catch gold stuff on me; 2-Have an obvious wallet, with some money and NO credit cards. Big money and Credit cards are somewhere on my pockets close to the body. Be sure to put a credible quantity of money in the wallet. Camcorders occupy the hands, and hands must be as free as possible to defend you in case of things turned bad...

Angie PM-

Baseball Caps? Not a big deal.

Camera in hand? Perfectly normal.

Camcorder around the Neck? Good way to capture memories.

Black socks pulled up to the knees? Love that look, but then I'm from Manhattan, where we are ultimately tolerant of personal fashion decisions, and black is always cool in any form.

You didn't mention rolexes or gold jewelry-the main lure for thieves.

Babysitting services? A priceless treasure impossible to replace.

"Any other thoughts?
Viva la famiglia, and I know anyone around Naples would agree.

The Circumsuviana train to Sorrento is basically a Commuter train, nothing fancy, sometimes crowded. Watch your pockets, as you would an any bus in Rome.

Just go ahead and enjoy yourselves!

Angie,

I am going to go under a major assumption that since your inlaws are going to act as babysitters that you and hubby are somewhere in your 30's and inlaws are in the 55 to 65 range. If this is the case, please give them some credit. They are managed to survive this long without your hand holding. Some of us "oldtimers" have survived some pretty scary stuff, like Vietnam & the Cold War, without our kids protection. If they want to look and act like tourists (which they are) please let them. I would encourage them to bring the camcorder. Only too soon those videos will be the only rememberance you'll (and even more so for the grandkids) that you'll have. I wish that my parents would have taken videos when they had a chance.

Ok, I'll get off my "oldtimer" soapbox. Have a great trip, Rome is a fantastic city.

Karl

Thanks for the replies...just was I was looking for. OK, I'll tell them to bring the camcorder! Good points about the kids...
SeaUrchin - We LOVE them dearly and are very, very excited they are coming. I pick on them because I can! They're the best.
Karl - Yes, I know they've made it as long as they have without us. They're just a little naive when it comes to world travel (only left their own state 1 time, for our wedding!). They asked if they needed shots to come to Italy, see what I'm saying?
All that said, they would never have done this trip if we weren't already over there, so we're truly excited they are joining us. It will be amazing for them, for us, and our children.

Angie,

Believe me I know exactly what you're talking about. Please don't think I was being critical.

Not sure if you have been to Rome yet but I would be more afraid for them navigating traffic than the pickpockets. Now that was something even I took some getting used to. Talk about taking your life in your own hands.

Sounds like you have everything well planned out. Have a great time.

Karl