Staying safe in Rome...any advice?

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Creccz

Rome is pretty safe, and i does have its fair share of pickpocketers, although the place most famous for them are Naples.

Having been born in Italy (pretty close to Rome actually), i can tell you that the best way to stay safe is to try you very best NOT to seem like a visitor or a newbie to Italy. Of course, Italians can always tell a true Italian apart from a fake one, but you can try. Just observe and try to fit in with the crowd and their style. Make friends and learn the language! At least learn to understand italian and the basics, this could help alot.
I dunno how familiar you are.. but I'll just throw out a few things...
Everyone can guess that the Polizia is the police but not many people know what Carabinieri are, they are like a step down from the police but they share similar authority. You might not see any in the big city of Rome, but they are in smaller cities and towns, and they are your friend.
If you plan to drive in Italy, be aware of your surroundings. You really have to know how to drive. If someone behind you flashes their lights, it means "get out of my way". If someone going towards you flashes their lights, it means "theres a police car ahead of you". Be polite, just as you would anywhere else.
If you dont want to get ripped off at the store, dont speak anything but Italian, and ONLY if you can speak it properly with the right accent. If not, just dont say anything at all, act casual. Because if your obviously a tourist, the prices of your items will suddenly get pretty high.
If your worried about your watch getting stolen, if you plan on wearing one, wear it on your RIGHT hand, not ur left hand. Since humans are more sensitive in their right hands (especially if your righty, like most people) pickpocketers dont go for right-handed watches.
Cappuccinos are for breakfast, any coffee after that time is espresso, and espresso only.
Generally, dinner is eaten at around sunset.

I could probably go on and on, but dont worry, you'll find out most of the things yourslef.
Above all, always be polite, make friends, and enjoy the Italian life!

Oldwhiteguy2earth

Yes, pickpockets are the biggest problem, but there are lots of people trying to get your credit card information. So be careful with that also.

Lisa D.

I travel alone often, Rome being one of my solo destinations. You are right to acknowlege the pickpocketers. I was swarmed by a pack of children, touching me, hugging me- trying to steal my wallet... thankfully my money belt was planted under my clothes and unreachable.

I always felt safe in Rome - common sense coupled with a hint of paranoia kept me a bit conservative with my decisions as to where to go and what to do.

I generally did not stay out past 11pm by myself, I was always over aware of the men by themselves. The reason I mention is because inside a museum in Venice, I had a man following me, grazed me as he walked by... tried to touch my hand... I never acknowleged him prior to this encounter, I never said hello, smiled, no invitation for him to stalk me like that - yet he saught me out and tailed me until I finally figured a route to slip away and free myself of him. Men don't frighten me but this left a bad taste in my mouth. Stay in crowds until you establish yourself and establish a friend base.

My point is, stay on the offense, but generally speaking, I never felt vulnerable or unsafe in Rome.

Have a wonderful time!

.Snotty.

I live in Rome and I've gotta say that it's quite safe.When it's morning of afternoon you can go everywhere,it's not dangerous ,but u have to pay attention to pickpockets,but when it gets dark you have to avoid certain areas that can be dangerous,especially if you are alone,such as parks,metro stations:termini,tiburtina,laurentina, and so on,small streets,also in the city centre,but I think that in every city it's like this.

If you want to know more,just email-me I'll be glad to hear from you.

tee2

Its no different then any country you visit. Everytime I vist a place, they say to watch for pickpoketers. No place is 100% safe. But when I was there, I felt perfectly safe. Its Rome, one of the most touristy place you find, there's always people around. Just be aware of your surroundings as well as anything you carryon yourself.

mmciaffa

http://www.hotelfelice.com

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