Beware of Pickpockets!
Pickpocketing is a common problem in Europe that almost everyone has either experienced themselves or know someone who has. TripAdvisor had a few helpful pointers to avoid getting pickpocketed yourself. Here are the highlights:
- Belongings should be out of sight and difficult for others to access.
- Do not keep anything in exterior pockets or back pockets.
- Do not carry passports on daily excursions (keep it hidden in hotel).
- Avoid street peddlers.
- Blend in! This means not constantly holding out a folded map (this is a dead give away that you are a tourist and distracted – download a map app instead, there are plenty of free ones). Also, don’t dress like a tourist (no shorts!).
- For ladies: Wear a cross-body purse that can’t be easily taken and keep it hanging in front of you so you can keep an eye on it.
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially at touristy hot spots (i.e., Le Louvre, Buckingham Palace, Colloseum) and on the Metro.
- Never leave your bags unattended.
This blog post isn’t meant to scare you but to make you aware so it doesn’t happen to you….to learn more, you can also read and watch videos of how pickpocketers steal from people in Italy (especially Rome) by going here. Europe can be a fun and safe place as long as you take the usual precautions. Nothing ruins a trip more than having your stuff stolen so if this is your first time in Europe, please take these tips into consideration.