Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I witnessed a purse snatching on the subway ( I think it was Italy). The guy grabbed her purse from her shoulder just as the subway doors were closing.

How can you not remember where is actually was?!

I can understand that. If you have traveled a ton, and this incident was a long time ago.

(Why are you so critical??)

Yes backpack and carrying sleeping 5 year-old on my front in Barcelona.
Really easy target.
They were really slick, didn't feel a thing.

Anonymous wrote:I witnessed a purse snatching on the subway ( I think it was Italy). The guy grabbed her purse from her shoulder just as the subway doors were closing.

How can you not remember where is actually was?!

Anonymous wrote:Only once, after many years in several European countries, in Madrid. I thought I was ok putting my wallet in the zipped inside pocket of a zipped tote, but someone was able to cut through the bag and inside pocket to take my wallet. Spent about 2000 euros on makeup and women's clothes in the 15 minutes it took me to realize what had happened and call my credit card. I was pissed but also a little impressed.

Wow! Did you feel them cutting? I wonder if they used a box cutter?!

Only once, after many years in several European countries, in Madrid. I thought I was ok putting my wallet in the zipped inside pocket of a zipped tote, but someone was able to cut through the bag and inside pocket to take my wallet. Spent about 2000 euros on makeup and women's clothes in the 15 minutes it took me to realize what had happened and call my credit card. I was pissed but also a little impressed.

No, and I took trains throughout Italy in May, alone. I used a money belt, which worked very well (Peak Gear Travel Money Belt, purchased from Amazon). My knapsack also has a hidden pocket, that rests against your back when you are carrying it. I kept my valuables split across those two places, and had no problem.

(I do think someone might have stolen a bag of souvenirs I had bought, or else I left it on a ferry by mistake.) I also ran into a sweet young honeymooning couple that had ALOT of cash stolen from the women's purse on a train. She had put it in the overhead rack, which was a huge mistake.

Don't wear a backpack. Wear anything else crossbody or under your clothes in a money belt.

A friend of mine was sitting at an outdoor cafe with a backpack (between his back and the chair), when someone came past him and grabbed the backpack....


Too bad for the thief, the waist straps on the backpack (that go around your waist --- which almost no one uses) -- were still attached, and the thief did NOT get the quick hit he was hoping to get!

They look for the tourists who are relaxing and strike quickly.

Also try not to walk around holding your phone out. Phone snatching is very common too, especially in crowded areas. It has happened to me and I’ve seen it happen to others too.

Yes. I was wearing a smallish shoulder bag, zipped, getting off a train with two small kids including my ds who was 4 and half asleep and heavy so I had to half carry him out, down the stairs...Happened at some point between leaving the train and the train station. I am normally a very paranoid person and let my guard down just this one time. Now if I am in a big city anywhere in Europe (I am from a very small town in France) I wear a slim money belt under clothes, always, and have a Travelon small crossbody bag with special zippers for my phone. Not taking any chances.

I'm Parisian. You get a bag with zippers, and you place your valuables in the zippered pocket that's either deep inside the bag, or outside but facing your body. I've seen gypsy kids on the metro open zippers on outside pockets of backpacks. Alternatively you can buy one of those fanny pack, but wear it in front, not on your back.

Also - don't leave your bag on the empty metro seat next to you, or on the back of your chair in a cafe. You won't get your bag snatched every time you do this, but you need to assess your surroundings. If you're in a corner booth with no traffic, maybe you can do that. But if you're in a high-traffic all around you, you keep your handbag on your person, or your backpack on the floor in front of you with one of your legs in one of the shoulder straps.

There are things you can't protect against, but they're very rare. After a lifetime of living in Paris, my uncle had to hand over his wallet at knifepoint one day in the metro. My grandmother got her rings dragged off her fingers walking in the street once - but they were very ostentatious and she was probably wearing her furs and everything. You should only dress like this on your way to your chauffeured car.

Overall, Europe is a safe place.

Anonymous wrote:Just wear a crossbody and adjust the strap so it fits tightly just under your chest.

People with totes and backpacks are easy targets.

This, or use a money belt. But also try to be aware your surroundings. We were being watched by pickpockets at least 2-3 times, but thankfully we noticed and nothing was taken.

Just wear a crossbody and adjust the strap so it fits tightly just under your chest.

People with totes and backpacks are easy targets.

I witnessed a purse snatching on the subway ( I think it was Italy). The guy grabbed her purse from her shoulder just as the subway doors were closing.

Curious about this particular issue. Did you have a zipper bag? Open Tote? Fanny pack?


I’ve seen many stories of Italy and pickpockets, other countries, just curious.