Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Enjoy the show but watch your wallet.
WHO PICKPOCKETS TARGET
Anyone can be a potential target of a pickpocket, but they do tend to target certain types of
people. Pickpockets will always look for the easiest target because they don't want a confront-
ation.
Tourist.
Tourist = money in the mind of a pickpocket. If you look like a tourist, you're auto-
matically going to be singled out. This is one of the benefits of dressing like a local.
People with a lot of luggage.
If you are pulling along two suitcases and have a backpack,
you're going to be a prime target for a pickpocket. You won't be able to watch over all your
things too closely since you have so much stuff.
Asians.
Asians (specifically the Chinese) are a top choice for pickpockets because many of
the Chinese who travel to Europe are very wealthy. Additionally, a large number of Chinese
citizens don't have easy access to credit and debit cards, so they often travel with large
amounts of cash—and thieves know this. So even if you're not Chinese but have Asian herit-
age, you might want to be more cautions.
People who flash valuables.
Walking alone at night while using your iPhone? Don't be sur-
prised if someone takes it away from you.
Trusting people.
From all my travels, I've rarely met a friendlier bunch than the Australi-
ans. I've also rarely met another group of people who've been victims of pickpockets more
than the Australians. I think the people who think everyone else around them is nice and
helpful are the ones who get taken advantage of most often.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM PICKPOCKETS
If you've made it this far, you might be thinking that there are thousands of pickpockets trying
to rob every tourist in Europe. But that isn't the case and you'll rarely have any problems if
you take a few extra precautions. It is also important to remember that actual violent crime is
