How easily can I be pick-pocketed abroad?

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Sofa King

You have nothing to worry about.

der PINGU

I have to agree with Sofa King, you have nothing to worry about. Just don't walk around with a backpack or something. And about the clothes: sweat suits are for chilling at home, but not for going to places. Jeans and shirt are fine.

Alwin E

I am German, travel regularly to the Czech Republic, and have visited Austria, and I mostly have my purse in the right back pocket of my five-pocket jeans: Easy for everyone to see, but hard to pick out without me noticing it. In denser populated areas, I put it into the inner pocket of a vest or my leather jacket which I wear when the weather is colder and rainy. I never used a metal chain except when I was working for a restaurant as a waiter and barkeeper; there you often run around with hundreds of euros in coins, which might allure robbers. But as a traveler, you'll maybe have 100 euros cash with you, and travelers' cheques or your credit card, which are basically worthless for robbers or pickpocketers.

Take care of your mobile phone and/or iPod, however.

It is generally a good idea, if you have to carry a larger amount of cash, to distribute it between all the pockets of your clothing, and only carry a small amount in your purse. And keep copies of your personal documents (like your passports) in a safe place, like at home, or as an encrypted zip file on the internet where you have access to after entering a password. This may speed up the process of issuing you a new visa and passport, and that's how I did it when traveling Asia, but: I never was pickpocketed, and I never had to refrain to those security measures. They made me feel safer though.

Josh Is->This Guy<-Is Josh

duck tape it to your back then they wont even see it.....sorry i dont knoew

Vinnie

Hey,

I think your pretty safe. If anything your more likely to be scammed at a cash point in Czech Republic.
I've recently moved to Germany and haven't had any problem.
Just don't be the stereo-typical American being loud and you wont draw attention to yourself.
Other things are just common sense I guess, don't go down dark alleys, talk to strangers (unless she's hot), only take out as much cash as you'll think you'll need for the day and keep the rest in hotel room safe.
If your eating somewhere, just be aware of who is around you and where your bag is. I always put a leg through one of the straps in case someone tries to take it.
Fashion is not a problem in Bavaria (Southern Germany) - people seem not to care and don't really dress that well compared to somewhere like London.
Anyway, have fun and enjoy the experience!

xtina

the further East you go the more likelihood of being pick-pocketed. Gypsies (yes I kn ow it's politically incorrect, but there you go) tend to be of Middle-Eastern descent and tend to hang in Eastern Eur. countries. Their kids will swarm you, smiling as if they are looking for a piece of gum, but then one of them (usually the elder) goes for the kill, so to speak- your wallet

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