Are you afraid of being a target of crime wearing luxury handbags/fine jewelry?

[Anonymous]

Title says it all. Do you refrain from traveling with luxury items/jewelry? Do you worry about being a target?

[Anonymous]

It depends. Most of Europe, not worried about it. South and Central America and some of the Caribbean, yes I’d leave the luxury goods at home. In the US, not really concerned though in big cities I’d skip the more obvious luxury goods that tend to be targeted, like Canada Goose and certain shoe brands (none of which I’d wear anyway).

[Anonymous]

In Paris, where I'm from, my grandmother nearly had her fingers broken by thieves who tore her rings from her fingers. My uncle was robbed at knife point on the metro. Pickpockets are everywhere, as are bag snatchers.

In DC? No. Apparently they're more into car-jackings.

In Tokyo? You can go to sleep on the subway, drop your wallet, and have it returned to your hotel. This happened to an acquaintance of mine.

[Anonymous]

I hesitate a little about jewelry in DC.

[Anonymous]

Yes.

These days, my neighborhood is like many others in DC you're a target just by being outside. Or inside, really, because they break into buildings and check all the doors.

These kids will mug for anything. I retired my diamond earrings and nicer bags last year until things calm back down. My car is a crappy street-parked city car, so I don't worry about carjackings much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes.

These days, my neighborhood is like many others in DC you're a target just by being outside. Or inside, really, because they break into buildings and check all the doors.

These kids will mug for anything. I retired my diamond earrings and nicer bags last year until things calm back down. My car is a crappy street-parked city car, so I don't worry about carjackings much.

So many earrings are czs/ fakes. Would a thief care about “diamond” earrings since they are likely fake? It’s hard to tell the difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes.

These days, my neighborhood is like many others in DC you're a target just by being outside. Or inside, really, because they break into buildings and check all the doors.

These kids will mug for anything. I retired my diamond earrings and nicer bags last year until things calm back down. My car is a crappy street-parked city car, so I don't worry about carjackings much.

So many earrings are czs/ fakes. Would a thief care about “diamond” earrings since they are likely fake? It’s hard to tell the difference.

I suppose since they are my ears I'll make the decision and risk assessment as is comfortable for me. Years ago, friend in NY had her earrings ripped out by some guy on the street; they didn't ask her questions about clarity before doing so.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in India where jewelry and purse snatching were/are extremely common. My neighbor had a gold chain cut off her neck in broad daylight right in our street and women would have their earlobes slashed by thieves who were after their diamond earrings. So I never wear any expensive jewelry, clothes or bags while traveling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in India where jewelry and purse snatching were/are extremely common. My neighbor had a gold chain cut off her neck in broad daylight right in our street and women would have their earlobes slashed by thieves who were after their diamond earrings. So I never wear any expensive jewelry, clothes or bags while traveling.

Robbers are targeting Indian homes in UK, Australia, Canada and UZA. They come with metal detectors to find the gold jewelry. My friend got robbed outside a Marriott in Baltimore in the parking garage because she attended an Indian wedding. I have attended weddings where the host has asked us not to wear real jewelry. we all are rocking costume jewelry. Even the bride!

[Anonymous]

Yes! I no longer wear my engagement ring anywhere around here.

[Anonymous]

Yes, grew up in a crime riddled area in the 1970s and 80s, so have never aspired to own fancy purses and jewelry with actual pawnable value. Or an iPhone. None of it is worth being robbed or targeted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, grew up in a crime riddled area in the 1970s and 80s, so have never aspired to own fancy purses and jewelry with actual pawnable value. Or an iPhone. None of it is worth being robbed or targeted.

The trend now is mugging for iPhone AND demanding the password and logging in to your bank. I typically only wear my Apple Watch when I'm out walking because you can't really do anything on it but make a phone call, track fitness, and maybe buy some groceries if you can get the Wallet to actually work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hesitate a little about jewelry in DC.

Same

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes! I no longer wear my engagement ring anywhere around here.

Where is “around here”? I wear my diamond engagement ring and don’t worry about it. I live in NW and take the metro downtown for work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes.

These days, my neighborhood is like many others in DC you're a target just by being outside. Or inside, really, because they break into buildings and check all the doors.

These kids will mug for anything. I retired my diamond earrings and nicer bags last year until things calm back down. My car is a crappy street-parked city car, so I don't worry about carjackings much.

What neighborhood do you live in?