Witness to pickpocketing
May 5th, 2006, 01:31 PM
#21
I've only been to Europe five times, visiting four countries, but traveled by train and public transportaiton, both solo and with a friend... never saw anything and definitely never had anything happen to me.
Let's bump it up to my entire circle of friends, many who travel extensively, now we're talking dozens of countries on a couple continents... still not one personal story or witness of pickpocketing.
I'm not saying it doesn't happen, I just think when it does it get talked about a LOT.
As I've said here many many times before, a person does not come home from a European vacation and get on Fodor's to post "I went to XXX and did not get pickpocketed, didn't see anyone get mugged, did not have my passport stolen, my hotel room was not broken into..."
Let's bump it up to my entire circle of friends, many who travel extensively, now we're talking dozens of countries on a couple continents... still not one personal story or witness of pickpocketing.
I'm not saying it doesn't happen, I just think when it does it get talked about a LOT.
As I've said here many many times before, a person does not come home from a European vacation and get on Fodor's to post "I went to XXX and did not get pickpocketed, didn't see anyone get mugged, did not have my passport stolen, my hotel room was not broken into..."
May 5th, 2006, 01:33 PM
#22
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That's the thing about this message board. I've learned so much (about how to prepare for my first big trip - London), but now I am more concerned than ever about two things: pickpockets and my credit/atm cards not working. Both involve me, overseas, with no money. But, I've got a money belt, two different cards, and the knowledge I've gained from threads like this. I should be set ... right?
May 5th, 2006, 01:42 PM
#23
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OK, I have never been pickpocketed, have never seen anyone getted mugged, have never had my passport stolen, have never had my hotel room broken into. And none of my family members or friends have ever had any of these experiences. The "worse" I have had happen to me was getting change from a weekly market vendor..a phoney lira bill..big deal.
Well I did have my credit card stolen while at my local supermarket but that has nothing to do with Europe. And I did have jewelry stolen while on a cruise, but again that has nothing to do with travelling in Europe.
And btw, I don't use a moneybelt or a neckbelt (whatever you call them).
I was answering Maire's questions regarding what people do when they witness someone being pickpocketed.
Well I did have my credit card stolen while at my local supermarket but that has nothing to do with Europe. And I did have jewelry stolen while on a cruise, but again that has nothing to do with travelling in Europe.
And btw, I don't use a moneybelt or a neckbelt (whatever you call them).
I was answering Maire's questions regarding what people do when they witness someone being pickpocketed.
May 5th, 2006, 01:52 PM
#24
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I think if you are rushing around on the go and focused on sightseeing you might not witness a lot happening to other people.
I had a long time to sit at the train station and it was all happening right in front of me. You would have had to have been totally non-observant not to realize what was happening. I suppose if I were rushing to catch a train I would not have noticed either.
I also hit a woman one time who was reaching into my friend's purse in Monaco!
I had a long time to sit at the train station and it was all happening right in front of me. You would have had to have been totally non-observant not to realize what was happening. I suppose if I were rushing to catch a train I would not have noticed either.
I also hit a woman one time who was reaching into my friend's purse in Monaco!
/ LOL
May 5th, 2006, 02:25 PM
#27
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I was in Paris last December with my sister and we managed to thwart a would be pickpocket. To start with I told her not to wear her small, leather knapsack on her back but she didn't listen. We got off the Number 1 Metro at Saint Paul and took the escalator which leaves your right on the street next to the kiddy ride. There were two rows of people side by side on the escalator. I was on the right and she was ahead of me on the left with two rows of people between us. Mid-ride, the guy in front of her dropped his book and everyone on the escalator turned around to see it fall. At that very moment, the guy behind my sister (the bookdropper's partner) put his hand in her knapsack. As I turned around from watching the book fall, I saw a hand in my sister's bag and I shouted to her "watch your bag". She grabbed her bag with a few choice words, the escalator reached the sidewalk and they vanished into the throng of people.
She checked her knapsack but nothing was missing. They targeted her thinking she was alone. However even if it hadn’t been my sister, I would have automatically shouted out to the person in front of me.
There, but for the grace of God, go I.
She checked her knapsack but nothing was missing. They targeted her thinking she was alone. However even if it hadn’t been my sister, I would have automatically shouted out to the person in front of me.
There, but for the grace of God, go I.
May 5th, 2006, 02:27 PM
#28
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I've never seen it in Europe, but we've only gone in the off-season, not peak tourist season.
I was a victim in NYC when I was in high school, when someone reached under my dressing room stall at a Macy's to get my purse, relieved me of my cash only and left me my ATM card. Since then, I've been extra-diligent!
Ecolszewski, the only thing I would add was a suggestion of the local passport agent, who told us to make 5 copies of our passports and to put them in all of our belongings. That way, if we lost our passport and other items, we had a copy, which would facilitate getting assistance and a replacement quicker.
I was a victim in NYC when I was in high school, when someone reached under my dressing room stall at a Macy's to get my purse, relieved me of my cash only and left me my ATM card. Since then, I've been extra-diligent!
Ecolszewski, the only thing I would add was a suggestion of the local passport agent, who told us to make 5 copies of our passports and to put them in all of our belongings. That way, if we lost our passport and other items, we had a copy, which would facilitate getting assistance and a replacement quicker.
May 5th, 2006, 02:45 PM
#29
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Great stories everyone. I’m glad for those of you who didn’t lose anything. And way to go those of you who foiled a thief. LoveItaly, good for your DH! Sorry about your mugging ekscrunchy. I like your attitude Sfarah; as I said to Lesli, hope I react the same way, if necessary.
Robes—how about Monopoly money?
Suze & Robes--there’s another thread today, What me worry? In Rome? (http://tinyurl.com/jzpcw) that prompted me to wonder what people do when they witness pick pocketing taking place. I was curious to know if most people who had this experience tried to help or just looked the other way. That wasn’t meant to imply that most of us have been or will be witnesses or victims.
I agree, if reading about this subject increases someone’s nervousness, they should avoid reading these threads. I enjoy reading about this subject, just as I enjoy reading about packing, hotels, and clothes. Now, a thread that makes me nervous is “How much do your European trips usually cost you?” That one really scares me
Ecolszewki – sorry if this added to your concerns.
Robes—how about Monopoly money?
Suze & Robes--there’s another thread today, What me worry? In Rome? (http://tinyurl.com/jzpcw) that prompted me to wonder what people do when they witness pick pocketing taking place. I was curious to know if most people who had this experience tried to help or just looked the other way. That wasn’t meant to imply that most of us have been or will be witnesses or victims.
I agree, if reading about this subject increases someone’s nervousness, they should avoid reading these threads. I enjoy reading about this subject, just as I enjoy reading about packing, hotels, and clothes. Now, a thread that makes me nervous is “How much do your European trips usually cost you?” That one really scares me
Ecolszewki – sorry if this added to your concerns.
May 5th, 2006, 03:38 PM
#34
It's no different there than here in Boston, except in your own hometown you are more(sometimes, foolishly) confident. I see it all the time here on the subway, and yell out watch your pocketbooks, wallets and usually, the guy will get off the next stop. The same goes for the molesters. I yelled out and gave the teen the advise to not sit quietly next time. They rely on that.
May 5th, 2006, 06:09 PM
#35
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Ok, gotta chime in with my story...
I had done extensive research on Fodors for our family trip to Rome. I was giving a little lecture to my sister on what I had been told to do when accosted by gypsies (no eye contact, keep walking, don't slow down, clutch your bag). So next thing you know, mid-sentence, I am surrounded by gypsy children waving papers in my face and groping for my pack. What did I do but FREEZE. My sister kept walking, as we had discussed, crossed the street, turned around and stood laughing at my while I was surrounded. Finally I collected myself, grabbed my backpack and ran over to her. Of course, per Fodors, I had all my $$ and passport in my zip pouch down my shirt so no loss, and the backpack held travel books, which I saved!
I had done extensive research on Fodors for our family trip to Rome. I was giving a little lecture to my sister on what I had been told to do when accosted by gypsies (no eye contact, keep walking, don't slow down, clutch your bag). So next thing you know, mid-sentence, I am surrounded by gypsy children waving papers in my face and groping for my pack. What did I do but FREEZE. My sister kept walking, as we had discussed, crossed the street, turned around and stood laughing at my while I was surrounded. Finally I collected myself, grabbed my backpack and ran over to her. Of course, per Fodors, I had all my $$ and passport in my zip pouch down my shirt so no loss, and the backpack held travel books, which I saved!
May 5th, 2006, 06:26 PM
#36
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I was on the London Underground several years ago with my Mom, and a nasty woman who hadn't bathed in the last decade was standing nearby. Mom kept backing away to avoid the awful stench, but pig woman kept moving closer to Mom. Finally Mom caught pig woman sticking her hand into Mom's Harrods bag, probably hoping to steal a Rolex. Little did pig woman know that all we bought at Harrod's was candy. 
Another time we saw a pickpocketing in Paris. The thief grabbed an Irishman's wallet, so the Irishman grabbed the thief's throat and shouted, "I want me wallet--give back me wallet!!" He was squeezing the thief's neck so hard his head was getting red, but the thief handed back the wallet. The police were standing nearby and thought this was quite funny, as they watched the thief walk away.
Another time we saw a pickpocketing in Paris. The thief grabbed an Irishman's wallet, so the Irishman grabbed the thief's throat and shouted, "I want me wallet--give back me wallet!!" He was squeezing the thief's neck so hard his head was getting red, but the thief handed back the wallet. The police were standing nearby and thought this was quite funny, as they watched the thief walk away.
May 5th, 2006, 10:45 PM
#38
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Our story was in Paris. We came in by train and, dragginmg our luggage, were puzzling over how to work the Metro fare machine. A chap, reeking of booze, stepped up to help us. He was busily pointing at the screen, and demanding we watch closely. I stepped back a few inches because of his breath, and saw a well dressed young guy with a sport coat neatly folded over his left arm, and his right hand rumaging in my wife's purse.
Evidently, the folded coat was to recieve and conceal whatever treasures he would have been able to pluck from the purse.
I shouted, and he rushed away. I instinctivly made to follow, but the first guy somehow stumbled into my path, blocking any pursuit I might have planned. In actuality, I was stunned and probably would not have known what to do if I had caught the guy. All he would have gotten would have been the digital camera, as we both use money belts. DW no longer carries her camera in her purse, however.
Evidently, the folded coat was to recieve and conceal whatever treasures he would have been able to pluck from the purse.
I shouted, and he rushed away. I instinctivly made to follow, but the first guy somehow stumbled into my path, blocking any pursuit I might have planned. In actuality, I was stunned and probably would not have known what to do if I had caught the guy. All he would have gotten would have been the digital camera, as we both use money belts. DW no longer carries her camera in her purse, however.
May 5th, 2006, 11:58 PM
#39
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I was the victim of an attempted pickpocketing outside the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
I heard someone shout "thief" and I looked round as a pasty faced pickpocket had his hand in my fleece pocket. A huge American guy got hold of the thief around the throat and seemed to strangle the life out of him while I checked my pockets.
Fortunately nothing was missing and then a comotion occurred as about 6 or 7 young spaniards ran into our group and in the melee the pickpocket escaped into the crowd.
The police arrived and explained this was prime pickpocket territory. As tourists admire the architecture they are not concentrating and susceptible as easy targets.
Be warned.
I heard someone shout "thief" and I looked round as a pasty faced pickpocket had his hand in my fleece pocket. A huge American guy got hold of the thief around the throat and seemed to strangle the life out of him while I checked my pockets.
Fortunately nothing was missing and then a comotion occurred as about 6 or 7 young spaniards ran into our group and in the melee the pickpocket escaped into the crowd.
The police arrived and explained this was prime pickpocket territory. As tourists admire the architecture they are not concentrating and susceptible as easy targets.
Be warned.
May 6th, 2006, 12:10 AM
#40
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I've traveled extensively for years and never been very cautious, but last trip on Paris metro wore fanny pack with wires in belt and several locks and zippers and still caught a young gal with hand in the last pocket ready to remove card and cash. When I accused her she jumped back and yelled denials before running off at next stop. She had coat over arm, covering hands. I have to say fanny pack not my style and figured odds were with me and wore backpack purse in front after that.
