I'm going to Paris and i've heard the pick pocketing is bad...any suggestions?

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wannabevet_2

Well I went to Italy were they said the same thing. My husband carried a hidden pouch were all our money was stored and it was tucked in front under his clothes. I think american tourister carries the pouch. I would hide some money in the suitcase as well if you keep it in the hotel. Credit cards are really nice as well. However make sure you have someone you trust at home with your credit card # and telephone number is case your cards get stolen. Also, call the credit card people before you go because some may br upset when they start see charges in a foreign country and flag your account. Also,try not to look like a foreigner or a tourist. Meaning don't wear sneakers, white socks, jeans or tee shirts. Might sound funny but tourists are the easy targets and that is what my travel agent suggested.

Ultimate Guitar Hero!

carry only a small purse. keep it around your shoulder and really close to your body. Dont keep anything in your pockets.

Taylor R

get a zip up purse that fits good slung over your shoulder. and be aware of the feeling of tugging on it.

JK_JEEP

Dont worry, Paris is on house arrest, she woulndt dare steal from you

butterflykisses05263

Dont wear any clothes with pockets....lol

FaZizzle

There will be people who will try to pick-pocket ANYWHERE you go.

A simple way to avoid it is to not flash cash, don't carry much on you, and watch your belongings. When I went to Kenya and Ethopia, I bought a purse that had a steel strap so that no one could cut it off. Just keep one hand on it, and you'll be fine.

There are some tactics that aren't usually seen in places like Paris. In Columbia there will be a group of kids that will gather around you and corner you with a sort of board while they steal your money. In such a large and urban city like Paris, you'll be fine if you just use common sense.

beth_verde

Never put your passport in anything that will be not be physically attached to you while you are not in your hotel. This means: don't put it in your purse. Don't put it in your backpack. Don't put it in your camera case. Make photocopies of the front page of your passport, leave one copy at home, keep one copy in each of your suitcases. This will make it easier to get a new passport if your current one is lost/stolen.

I have two credit cards and I keep them in separate places when I travel. This means, I have one in my wallet for spending, and one in my money belt under my clothes (which is where I keep my passport, I don't even trust hotels with it.). The money belt is made of light cotton with a plastic buckle (this means it doesn't sound the metal detector at the airport). It's comfortable, convenient and, best of all, safe. I bought mine seven years ago at a Target store in the suitcases section. I'm sure they still carry something like it.

As for cash, I prefer to take travelers checks for large amounts or use ATMs to withdraw it from my US bank account when I need it. If you must carry lots of cash, distribute it in different places. Some, of course, in your wallet because you'll need to spend it. Some in the money belt with the passport and spare credit card, and I keep some in a little pouch I made that buttons over my bra strap under my left arm. That's for emergencies only. My boyfriend sometimes puts cash in his shoes, but man, if it's hot and you get sweaty feet, nobody's going to take your money!

There exist belts (like normal hold-up-your-pants belts) with long zippered pockets just wide enough to hold rolled-up cash. I think I saw some on the REI website, if you look for it. This would be a good place to keep reserve cash.

It's good to carry a purse because if you're sightseeing there's lots of things you'll need: extra batteries, sunscreen, maps. I keep enough money for that day in my purse too, because it's awkward if you have to hunt all over for your money. Purses with long enough straps sling across your body are comfortable and safer, as you're less likely to put them down while you take a picture or eat in a restaurant.

Put your change or money away directly after paying for it, before moving from where you were standing to pay. Lots and lots of people do this while they walk away from the counter, which is a golden opportunity for thieves to see how much you've got and judge how distracted you are.

My boyfriend also sometimes carries a decoy wallet if we are going to a real high-pickpocketing area. This has about a dollar in it and some paper to make it look thicker.

UKdancer

I've heard that you should wear your backpack on the front (if you have one), and if a gypsy kid comes up to you, dont feel bad about kicking them.

swbl89

Pack heat.

MiRaNdA rOsE

keep it close to your body, in your front pocket. you ever seen eurotrip? the dude in there has a thing he wore around his body under his shirt. if they can't get to it they can't steal it. or if u insit on carrying a purse drape it over your your neck and your arm so you can keep it safe and in sight at all times.

Travelguy13

Don't listen to the "put it in your front pants pocket answers" ! That's the first place the gypsy pickpockets go for. I must admit that tho I travel twice a year in Europe and elsewhere, I have only had one attempted pocket picking. The main reason is I travel in the off seasons, even pickpockets take vacations. I carry only what I need in inside pocket of coat or in a shirt pocket that zips or closes with velcro. My wife has a small purse for essentials which she carries in front and we have no problems anywhere and that especially includes Paris. Be aware, but don't get to worried, and don't stand in the middle of the sidewalk looking at your map and looking lost. Go back against a wall when trying to find your way, you will be less apt to be bothered.

bluecube05

a fanny pack is the best thing but make sure you buy one with a pouch inside because sometimes they can cut the bottom of the pack and get your stuff but a fanny pack is alot better than any purse

aubrey p

i've lived in europe 3 years now.....

do not carry a back pack or the fanny jpack...duh it says tourist with money all over it.
the best thing to do is blend in , try not to wear american clothes or advertise yourself as a tourist , and carry a purse like any normal person from paris would...they obviously don't target them.

and dont listen to the small purse suggestion. women in europe carry huge purses (some across the shoulders), we carry big purses cause we walk so much everywhere and carry most things we need in that big purse. we only carry small purses if we go out on the jtown at nite. just always have your hand on the strap.

Trevor C

Wallet in front pocket.
Backpack zippers should be at least twist-tied shut, preferably locked with a zipper lock.
Lastly, keep your passport, credit card, extra cash, etc. in a moneybelt. Neck moneybelts (in my opinion) are annoying. I like light-clothed waist belts.

carebearashee

The best type of bag/purse to take with you while you are there is a forgein travel bag. It holds close to your body and it holds everything in it. It rests at your side with a / style strap.
It would be hard for them to get from you and they are small and compact. Nothing large.
While I was there we were warned not to leave our passports and such in our rooms, to take them with us and to do a purse check.
You can find a good bag/purse at stores like Macys, QVC, Home Shopping Network, JcPenny,Sporting Goods Stores like Gander Mountain.
If you call a travel agent in town or a town nearby they should be able to give you a lists of stores that have them. The agent should offer this information for free.
Good Luck and have a fun safe trip!
Bonjour!

Qu'est ce que tu pense?

Position your purse in front of you, and make sure the zipper is facing you. Also keep a good grip on it.
If you're carrying something in your pocket, I'd suggest to put it in the front.

ouranticipation

Don't carry anything in your pockets.

Blue Rain

My sister and her fiancee went last summer, and while they were eating someone acually came up and took his bottle of water, right in front of him! So I'd say keep all you stuff in your front pockets and good luck.

curmudgeon

they also steal knapsacks, and break into lockers at train stations and the like.

sixmillionways

Carry your wallet in your front pocket.

fireball226

take a big guy with you and buy one of those brapurse things so its hidden

Big Head

i think the best thing to do is leave your purse or wallet behind and just hold on to your id and credit card with at least 100 bucks cash and youll be alright. since most girls wear tight pants it wont bother you in your front pocket. if you have lots of stuff well then get a purse for the trip where you can lock it up.

â™«â™¥koalabearâ™¥â™«

there's a type of bag that is really thin and goes under your shirt and you put money and credit cards in it. if you have to carry anything else, i suggest a backpack or something where there's shoulder straps so it's not just hanging on one shoulder like a purse. you may look like a tourist with a backpack, but its worth it.

â™¥â™ªâ™«â˜ºâ™«â™ªâ™¥

I got my wallet stolen in a subway and I saw the guy running away but nobody went after him or anything. It was in my zippered purse and he still got it! You should just keep whatever purse you have in front of you all the time.I had never heard that it was bad but my personal experience suggests that it is.

cOMpLiCaTeD

Like yeah put it in your bra or in your underwear if it's that bad.

girlinusa

Yeah Paris is famous for pick pocketing. I would suggest take a closed purse that goes over your neck/shoulder. Only take traveler's cheques with you, and do not walk around with your passport, you do not want to be stuck in a foreign country. They may be only simple tips but it will make the difference. Also be warned Paris men are charmers, they will stop and talk to you in the middle of the street, hold onto your bag. They may not be as nice as they seem. But don't let the baddies ruin your trip. Paris is a beautiful city to be enjoyed not feared.

aka girl

what you should do is if your wearing tennis then you should stick it in the bottom of your shoe. or you could wear a hat and stick the money in your hat. or if your a girl you could do the things above or you could stick it in your bra, and if someone does reach in there then i bet people will help you out. belive it or not there are some nice people out there.

Green&BlackNails

I, personally, have never been out of the USA, but i do know how pick pocketing works (not from personal experience pick pocketing but from people trying to pick pocket me)
Well first of all you should wear pants with buttoned pockets. If you wear buttoned pocket then its harder for the pick pocketor to pick your pocket. Also, don't wear pants with like 12 pockets because its hard to keep track of whats in your different pockets and such. Anyway, don't carry an open bag because the pick pocketor is likely to pick pocket your purse and such.
So take pants with buttoned pockets, take a zipped bag or a zipped back pack type thing, and REMEMBER YOUR COAT. If you leave stuff in your coat then you always want to keep an eye on it.
Just a little advice. HOPE IT HELPS!
<3

tiger

u will find this anywhere hony.

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