Hotels FAQ

Question:

> Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from

[...] Can I suggest what the real problem is here?  Your "trip report" is almost entirely about how you may have almost been robbed, you can get short changed by a couple of pennies – with just a mention about bus passes at the end, but even that turned out to be a tip about protecting your wallet.   Maybe if you had told us some things you loved about Rome, people would have been more positve.  It makes it sound like Rome is just about dodging thieves. So, where/what was the best meal you had there? joan — Joan McGalliard                    http://www.mcgalliard.org

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from >the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys >casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, >one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant >"yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was >surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking >at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were >always very alert on buses. >How do you know they weren’t just looking at the strange >haircut/jumper/floral trouser-suit you were wearing? or fancied you? >It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome >was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are >you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people >standing in the station?

Uh huh. You’ll usually find at least one "the-tourist-is-always-wrong" person here, especially when it comes to maintaining personal safety. Sorry, Jim, personal and prudent safety comes first in an unfamiliar environment over the potential of very minor bruised feelings. A truly cool book: The World Is Already Yours Conscious living in the real world www.alreadyyours.com (sample chapter, etc…)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->no you twit — I offered ANOTHER example of a problem with common tourist >oriented thieves and YOU suggested that they were just innocent children > Your example was a long way removed from the scenario described > originally, and therefore you couldn’t infer anything about what I > would’ve said in such a scenario was described >schlemiel waiting to be plucked > It’s generally a good idea to not use obscure colloquilism’s in a > global forum… > Jim.

Could you be more provincial.

Response:

>no you twit — I offered ANOTHER example of a problem with common tourist >oriented thieves and YOU suggested that they were just innocent children

Your example was a long way removed from the scenario described originally, and therefore you couldn’t infer anything about what I would’ve said in such a scenario was described >schlemiel waiting to be plucked

It’s generally a good idea to not use obscure colloquilism’s in a global forum… Jim.

Response:

>>no you twit — I offered ANOTHER example of a problem with common tourist >oriented thieves and YOU suggested that they were just innocent children >Your example was a long way removed from the scenario described >originally, and therefore you couldn’t infer anything about what I >would’ve said in such a scenario was described >schlemiel waiting to be plucked >It’s generally a good idea to not use obscure colloquilism’s in a >global forum…

Whatever. I happen to think that you should leave the original poster alone. Many streetwise people have a way of perceiving danger. The first time I visited Naples, I went by myself and stayed in Spaccanapoli, a lively neighborhood I was glad I stayed in, but one that could be accurately called a slum. I was walking around the neighborhood when I came upon a rather large group of fairly young (between 8 and 12 or so) children in a piazzetta. They engaged me in conversation, but I didn’t talk long and moved on. Would they have surrounded me and attempted to rob me or otherwise hassle me? Quite possibly not. But I wasn’t sure, and the group was large enough (at least 13 or so) that I wasn’t about to stick around and find out. Did that make me unfriendly or judgmental? No. It’s an indication that I am a New Yorker who has street smarts. And I’d like to think that my street smarts helped me avoid being robbed in Naples – or, for that matter, every other place I’ve travelled to. The only things I can ever remember being robbed from me while I was travelling were an umbrella and a Swiss army knife, both stolen by fellow travellers in youth hostel-type places in Hong Kong and Beijing. Michael

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >duh — one of the ways you prevent pick pocketing and mugging is to be > >alert and let potential miscreants know it — I have on many occasions in > >Italy deflected groups of thieving children by simply casting the evil eye > >in their direction whereby they go target someone less observant — > Yes, you’ve deflected groups of children, your insistence that they’re > theiving children is unwarranted, and rude.  All across Europe I’ve > found groups of youths hanging around train stations etc. they’re > bored, it doesn’t make them criminal, they also all tend to "look down > at bag level", nothing to do with casing out bags, just normal teenage > slouch… >you are an idiot — groups of ‘gypsy’ children with their piece of >cardboard or their newspapers are not innocent little kiddies just larking >about — they are trained thieves.

Oh right, so from Kathie’s original description of "2 young guys", you’ve some how got to ‘gypsy’ children with cardboard or newspapers, could you explain the logic there? >if you can’t recognize a group of >criminals then you are a prime target

If you think every "young guy" at a train station is a criminal, then you’re a rude and none too generous person. Jim.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> >duh — one of the ways you prevent pick pocketing and mugging is to be >> >alert and let potential miscreants know it — I have on many occasions in >> >Italy deflected groups of thieving children by simply casting the evil eye >> >in their direction whereby they go target someone less observant — >> Yes, you’ve deflected groups of children, your insistence that they’re >> theiving children is unwarranted, and rude.  All across Europe I’ve >> found groups of youths hanging around train stations etc. they’re >> bored, it doesn’t make them criminal, they also all tend to "look down >> at bag level", nothing to do with casing out bags, just normal teenage >> slouch… >you are an idiot — groups of ‘gypsy’ children with their piece of >cardboard or their newspapers are not innocent little kiddies just larking >about — they are trained thieves. > Oh right, so from Kathie’s original description of "2 young guys", > you’ve some how got to ‘gypsy’ children with cardboard or newspapers, > could you explain the logic there?

no you twit — I offered ANOTHER example of a problem with common tourist oriented thieves and YOU suggested that they were just innocent children >if you can’t recognize a group of >criminals then you are a prime target > If you think every "young guy" at a train station is a criminal, then > you’re a rude and none too generous person.

I think a pair of young guys who behave as the original poster described are most likely criminals and that you are a schlemiel waiting to be plucked – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Jim.

Response:

> …– if you can’t recognize a group of > criminals then you are a prime target …

…then they are not very good criminals.

Response:

> >duh — one of the ways you prevent pick pocketing and mugging is to be >alert and let potential miscreants know it — I have on many occasions in >Italy deflected groups of thieving children by simply casting the evil eye >in their direction whereby they go target someone less observant — > Yes, you’ve deflected groups of children, your insistence that they’re > theiving children is unwarranted, and rude.  All across Europe I’ve > found groups of youths hanging around train stations etc. they’re > bored, it doesn’t make them criminal, they also all tend to "look down > at bag level", nothing to do with casing out bags, just normal teenage > slouch…

you are an idiot — groups of ‘gypsy’ children with their piece of cardboard or their newspapers are not innocent little kiddies just larking about — they are trained thieves — if you can’t recognize a group of criminals then you are a prime target > only a >grockle [to borrow one of our British poster's locutions] believes that >loitering young men eyeing your baggage near an ATM are likely to be no >threat at all — and exhibiting attentiveness is not in any case rude. > ATM? it was a train station… And yes exhibiting attentiveness isn’t > rude, it’s a wise precuation, accusing every youth in the country is > rude by my yardstick.

LOL

Response:

>Rome metro ticket machines take only exact change, that is, it cannot >give you change back.  that was the most annoying part we found out.

The one we used did give some change (eg from a 5 & 10 Euro note when paying for a 12.40 ticket).  But very limited. — kathie

Response:

>duh — one of the ways you prevent pick pocketing and mugging is to be >alert and let potential miscreants know it — I have on many occasions in >Italy deflected groups of thieving children by simply casting the evil eye >in their direction whereby they go target someone less observant —

Yes, you’ve deflected groups of children, your insistence that they’re theiving children is unwarranted, and rude.  All across Europe I’ve found groups of youths hanging around train stations etc. they’re bored, it doesn’t make them criminal, they also all tend to "look down at bag level", nothing to do with casing out bags, just normal teenage slouch… > only a >grockle [to borrow one of our British poster's locutions] believes that >loitering young men eyeing your baggage near an ATM are likely to be no >threat at all — and exhibiting attentiveness is not in any case rude.

ATM? it was a train station… And yes exhibiting attentiveness isn’t rude, it’s a wise precuation, accusing every youth in the country is rude by my yardstick. Jim.

Response:

Wear opaque shades and then look over them in "You got a problem ?" style – but then I’m a big bloke and don’t normally get hassled. Oh, and don’t bump into them cos you can’t see where you’re going wearing aforementioned shades… Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from >>the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys >>casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, >>one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant >>"yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was >>surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking >>at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were >>always very alert on buses.

Response:

You did a great job.  Most believed that these criminals are hard to spot.  it is not.  Most of these criminals use the oldest tricks in the book.  For every smart and knowledgable tourist like you, there are a few careless ones who fall prey to these criminals. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome >>>was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are >>>you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people >>>standing in the station? >>my aren’t you naive — and since when is an attentive ‘expression’ on >>one’s face ‘rude’ >I’m sorry I had missed the ‘expression’, however ’sonny’ the thoughts >and posting the probably entirely innocent exchange to the group is >still rude to the country she was a visitor of.  She wasn’t mugged, or >pickpocketed, she has no evidence they were pick-pockets, or muggers >or anything else, yets posts it here as fact? > Scenario:- > I see 2 young men approaching – they are level with each other but on > opposite sides of the passage, not speaking to each other.  They are both > walking quite slowly and looking at passers-by at bag/pocket level rather > than levelly – that’s what makes me pay attention to them.  The one with the > sweatshirt over his hands catches the attention of the other the other and > flicks his head towards us standing by the ticket machine with our > backpacks, my husband’s attention on the instructions.  The sweatshirt guy > stops a few feet beyond us, the other comes up close and loiters behind my > husband looking at the small bag by my husband’s feet (which looked > vulnerable at first glance, although actually he had his foot through the > strap).  I stop watching them from the corner of my eye and make it obvious > to the nearest hat I’ve seen him.  He moves away quickly, followed by > sweatshirt guy. > Possible explanations:- > – He fancied me? – not me he was looking at and unlikely given my circa 25 > year age advantage. > – Strange clothes? – black jeans, plain T-shirt, black fleece.  Rather > similar to his own clothes. > – He’s considering buying himself a bag and wanted to check out different > styles? People go window shopping for that. > – He thought he needed a metro ticket but suddenly he didn’t any more? Yeah > right. > I wasn’t rude to them – I said nothing and actually kind of smiled at him. > And it’s not particularly rude to Italy – many major cities have a > pickpocketing problem on the public transport system, it would be stupid to > pretend otherwise.  In fact when we got our apartment, the Italian owner was > at pains to warn us which buses were the worst (route 64, apparently). But > if you think they were innocent that’s fine – just don’t be surprised if you > become a victim. > — > kathie

Response:

Rome metro ticket machines take only exact change, that is, it cannot give you change back.  that was the most annoying part we found out. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from > the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys > casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, > one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant > "yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was > surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking > at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were > always very alert on buses. > One distraction method that I haven’t seen mentioned here happened to a > friend and her mother a few weeks ago – a guy came towards the mother (in a > metro station) with his hands out as is to grab her breasts.  Of course her > instinctive reaction was to put up her arms in front of her, leaving his > woman accomplice to try to get into the handbag slung across her body.  My > friend thought that they hadn’t realised that their target was not alone. > One tip unrelated to crime – always keep a supply of small change as there > seems to be a shortage.    It seems that in most transactions any amount > less than 5c is disregarded – if the total in a shop ends in 62c, they’ll > accept 60c – if you are due 2c change, you just won’t get it.  Ticket > machines on the Rome metro will only give change between certain amounts (I > think it was 5c and 5Euros, in 5c units.  That meant that you couldn’t use a > 1Euro coin for a 0.77 ticket (you had to put in a 2c piece, then a 1 Euro in > that order, so that you could get 0.25 change!), or a 20 Euro note for a > 12.40 weekly ticket – and they only seemed to sell 1 ticket at a time!  And > there were no change machines around. > I thought the weekly bus/metro ticket was well worth the convenience, even > if it didn’t quite ‘cost in’ for the number of journeys we made.  Sometimes > we got a bus just for a couple of stops, which we probably wouldn’t if we > had needed to buy a ticket each time, and that meant we could get around > faster.   Also, once it’s validated you don’t need to even take it out when > boarding buses or entering the metro, so no stopping to get out your wallet > in a potentially vulnerable place. > — > Kathie

Response:

I can’t but see you made the right observations and conclusions. Those people involved in pickpocketing, bagsnatching and such thing maybe well dressed and do the best to mix in the crowd.  You can’t recognise them from their outlooking but they’ve one thing in common. Contrary to others they have no goal except to make observations on typical preys. They are just  hanging around starring at people. When you see such there are good reason to be careful and perhaps stay out of the crowd.           L.P

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome >> was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are >> you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people >> standing in the station? >my aren’t you naive — and since when is an attentive ‘expression’ on >one’s face ‘rude’ > I’m sorry I had missed the ‘expression’, however ’sonny’ the thoughts > and posting the probably entirely innocent exchange to the group is > still rude to the country she was a visitor of.  She wasn’t mugged, or > pickpocketed, she has no evidence they were pick-pockets, or muggers > or anything else, yets posts it here as fact? > Jim.

duh — one of the ways you prevent pick pocketing and mugging is to be alert and let potential miscreants know it — I have on many occasions in Italy deflected groups of thieving children by simply casting the evil eye in their direction whereby they go target someone less observant — only a grockle [to borrow one of our British poster's locutions] believes that loitering young men eyeing your baggage near an ATM are likely to be no threat at all — and exhibiting attentiveness is not in any case rude. posting the experience isn’t either.  I have watched pickpockets work in Paris and Rome and Florence — casing behavior is typical.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from >>the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys >>casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, >>one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant >>"yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was >>surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking >>at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were >>always very alert on buses. >How do you know they weren’t just looking at the strange >haircut/jumper/floral trouser-suit you were wearing? or fancied you? >It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome >was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are >you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people >standing in the station? >Jim. > "Yes, can I help you sonny?" sounded quite pleasant to.  It as > actually quite nice of Kathie to address said individual. Most pple > would have completely ignored the young fellow.

can’t any of you read — she SAID NOTHING — she mentions an expression on her face that sounds ‘attentive — I see you’

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>> It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome >>> was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are >>> you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people >>> standing in the station? >>my aren’t you naive — and since when is an attentive ‘expression’ on >>one’s face ‘rude’ >I’m sorry I had missed the ‘expression’, however ’sonny’ the thoughts >and posting the probably entirely innocent exchange to the group is >still rude to the country she was a visitor of.  She wasn’t mugged, or >pickpocketed, she has no evidence they were pick-pockets, or muggers >or anything else, yets posts it here as fact? > Scenario:- > I see 2 young men approaching – they are level with each other but on > opposite sides of the passage, not speaking to each other.  They are both > walking quite slowly and looking at passers-by at bag/pocket level rather > than levelly – that’s what makes me pay attention to them.  The one with the > sweatshirt over his hands catches the attention of the other the other and > flicks his head towards us standing by the ticket machine with our > backpacks, my husband’s attention on the instructions.  The sweatshirt guy > stops a few feet beyond us, the other comes up close and loiters behind my > husband looking at the small bag by my husband’s feet (which looked > vulnerable at first glance, although actually he had his foot through the > strap).  I stop watching them from the corner of my eye and make it obvious > to the nearest hat I’ve seen him.  He moves away quickly, followed by > sweatshirt guy. > Possible explanations:- > – He fancied me? – not me he was looking at and unlikely given my circa 25 > year age advantage. > – Strange clothes? – black jeans, plain T-shirt, black fleece.  Rather > similar to his own clothes. > – He’s considering buying himself a bag and wanted to check out different > styles? People go window shopping for that. > – He thought he needed a metro ticket but suddenly he didn’t any more? Yeah > right. > I wasn’t rude to them – I said nothing and actually kind of smiled at him. > And it’s not particularly rude to Italy – many major cities have a > pickpocketing problem on the public transport system, it would be stupid to > pretend otherwise.  In fact when we got our apartment, the Italian owner was > at pains to warn us which buses were the worst (route 64, apparently). But > if you think they were innocent that’s fine – just don’t be surprised if you > become a victim. > — > kathie

Kathie, Paying attention to your surroundings as you do and knowing what to look for as you do makes it much less likely that you will be a victim.  Your suspicions at Termini were in all likelihood correct. Too many tourists from Podunk, USA are not so savvy and do all the stupid things such as carrying lots of money and credit cards in their wallet conveniently placed in their back pocket thinking no one can pick their pocket.  You haven’t lived till you’ve felt a hand in your FRONT blue-jeans pocket. I foiled that attempt but will not soon forget it. I wasn’t sure whether to be pissed off about being an attempted robbery victim or an attempted sexual assault victim. Strange feeling. Ryan

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from >the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys >casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, >one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant >"yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was >surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking >at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were >always very alert on buses. >How do you know they weren’t just looking at the strange >haircut/jumper/floral trouser-suit you were wearing? or fancied you? >It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome >was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are >you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people >standing in the station? >Jim.

"Yes, can I help you sonny?" sounded quite pleasant to.  It as actually quite nice of Kathie to address said individual. Most pple would have completely ignored the young fellow. Emilia Bedilia

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from >the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys >casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, >one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant >"yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was >surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking >at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were >always very alert on buses. > How do you know they weren’t just looking at the strange > haircut/jumper/floral trouser-suit you were wearing? or fancied you? > It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome > was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are > you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people > standing in the station? > Jim.

Why so critical?  The lady never spoke to the young men. Ryan

Response:

>> It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome > was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are > you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people > standing in the station? >my aren’t you naive — and since when is an attentive ‘expression’ on >one’s face ‘rude’

I’m sorry I had missed the ‘expression’, however ’sonny’ the thoughts and posting the probably entirely innocent exchange to the group is still rude to the country she was a visitor of.  She wasn’t mugged, or pickpocketed, she has no evidence they were pick-pockets, or muggers or anything else, yets posts it here as fact? Jim.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome >> was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are >> you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people >> standing in the station? >my aren’t you naive — and since when is an attentive ‘expression’ on >one’s face ‘rude’ >I’m sorry I had missed the ‘expression’, however ’sonny’ the thoughts >and posting the probably entirely innocent exchange to the group is >still rude to the country she was a visitor of.  She wasn’t mugged, or >pickpocketed, she has no evidence they were pick-pockets, or muggers >or anything else, yets posts it here as fact?

Scenario:- I see 2 young men approaching – they are level with each other but on opposite sides of the passage, not speaking to each other.  They are both walking quite slowly and looking at passers-by at bag/pocket level rather than levelly – that’s what makes me pay attention to them.  The one with the sweatshirt over his hands catches the attention of the other the other and flicks his head towards us standing by the ticket machine with our backpacks, my husband’s attention on the instructions.  The sweatshirt guy stops a few feet beyond us, the other comes up close and loiters behind my husband looking at the small bag by my husband’s feet (which looked vulnerable at first glance, although actually he had his foot through the strap).  I stop watching them from the corner of my eye and make it obvious to the nearest hat I’ve seen him.  He moves away quickly, followed by sweatshirt guy. Possible explanations:- – He fancied me? – not me he was looking at and unlikely given my circa 25 year age advantage. – Strange clothes? – black jeans, plain T-shirt, black fleece.  Rather similar to his own clothes. – He’s considering buying himself a bag and wanted to check out different styles? People go window shopping for that. – He thought he needed a metro ticket but suddenly he didn’t any more? Yeah right. I wasn’t rude to them – I said nothing and actually kind of smiled at him. And it’s not particularly rude to Italy – many major cities have a pickpocketing problem on the public transport system, it would be stupid to pretend otherwise.  In fact when we got our apartment, the Italian owner was at pains to warn us which buses were the worst (route 64, apparently). But if you think they were innocent that’s fine – just don’t be surprised if you become a victim. — kathie

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from >the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys >casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, >one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant >"yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was >surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking >at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were >always very alert on buses. > How do you know they weren’t just looking at the strange > haircut/jumper/floral trouser-suit you were wearing? or fancied you? > It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome > was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are > you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people > standing in the station? > Jim.

my aren’t you naive — and since when is an attentive ‘expression’ on one’s face ‘rude’

Response:

>Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from >the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys >casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, >one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant >"yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was >surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking >at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were >always very alert on buses.

How do you know they weren’t just looking at the strange haircut/jumper/floral trouser-suit you were wearing? or fancied you? It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people standing in the station? Jim.

Response:

Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant "yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were always very alert on buses. One distraction method that I haven’t seen mentioned here happened to a friend and her mother a few weeks ago – a guy came towards the mother (in a metro station) with his hands out as is to grab her breasts.  Of course her instinctive reaction was to put up her arms in front of her, leaving his woman accomplice to try to get into the handbag slung across her body.  My friend thought that they hadn’t realised that their target was not alone. One tip unrelated to crime – always keep a supply of small change as there seems to be a shortage.    It seems that in most transactions any amount less than 5c is disregarded – if the total in a shop ends in 62c, they’ll accept 60c – if you are due 2c change, you just won’t get it.  Ticket machines on the Rome metro will only give change between certain amounts (I think it was 5c and 5Euros, in 5c units.  That meant that you couldn’t use a 1Euro coin for a 0.77 ticket (you had to put in a 2c piece, then a 1 Euro in that order, so that you could get 0.25 change!), or a 20 Euro note for a 12.40 weekly ticket – and they only seemed to sell 1 ticket at a time!  And there were no change machines around. I thought the weekly bus/metro ticket was well worth the convenience, even if it didn’t quite ‘cost in’ for the number of journeys we made.  Sometimes we got a bus just for a couple of stops, which we probably wouldn’t if we had needed to buy a ticket each time, and that meant we could get around faster.   Also, once it’s validated you don’t need to even take it out when boarding buses or entering the metro, so no stopping to get out your wallet in a potentially vulnerable place. — Kathie

Response:

Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant "yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were always very alert on buses. One distraction method that I haven’t seen mentioned here happened to a friend and her mother a few weeks ago – a guy came towards the mother (in a metro station) with his hands out as is to grab her breasts.  Of course her instinctive reaction was to put up her arms in front of her, leaving his woman accomplice to try to get into the handbag slung across her body.  My friend thought that they hadn’t realised that their target was not alone. One tip unrelated to crime – always keep a supply of small change as there seems to be a shortage.    It seems that in most transactions any amount less than 5c is disregarded – if the total in a shop ends in 62c, they’ll accept 60c – if you are due 2c change, you just won’t get it.  Ticket machines on the Rome metro will only give change between certain amounts (I think it was 5c and 5Euros, in 5c units.  That meant that you couldn’t use a 1Euro coin for a 0.77 ticket (you had to put in a 2c piece, then a 1 Euro in that order, so that you could get 0.25 change!), or a 20 Euro note for a 12.40 weekly ticket – and they only seemed to sell 1 ticket at a time!  And there were no change machines around. I thought the weekly bus/metro ticket was well worth the convenience, even if it didn’t quite ‘cost in’ for the number of journeys we made.  Sometimes we got a bus just for a couple of stops, which we probably wouldn’t if we had needed to buy a ticket each time, and that meant we could get around faster.   Also, once it’s validated you don’t need to even take it out when boarding buses or entering the metro, so no stopping to get out your wallet in a potentially vulnerable place. — Kathie

Response:

>Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from >the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys >casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, >one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant >"yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was >surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking >at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were >always very alert on buses.

How do you know they weren’t just looking at the strange haircut/jumper/floral trouser-suit you were wearing? or fancied you? It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people standing in the station? Jim.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from >the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys >casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, >one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant >"yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was >surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking >at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were >always very alert on buses. > How do you know they weren’t just looking at the strange > haircut/jumper/floral trouser-suit you were wearing? or fancied you? > It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome > was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are > you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people > standing in the station? > Jim.

my aren’t you naive — and since when is an attentive ‘expression’ on one’s face ‘rude’

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from >the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys >casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, >one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant >"yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was >surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking >at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were >always very alert on buses. >How do you know they weren’t just looking at the strange >haircut/jumper/floral trouser-suit you were wearing? or fancied you? >It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome >was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are >you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people >standing in the station? >Jim.

"Yes, can I help you sonny?" sounded quite pleasant to.  It as actually quite nice of Kathie to address said individual. Most pple would have completely ignored the young fellow. Emilia Bedilia

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from >the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys >casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, >one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant >"yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was >surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking >at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were >always very alert on buses. > How do you know they weren’t just looking at the strange > haircut/jumper/floral trouser-suit you were wearing? or fancied you? > It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome > was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are > you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people > standing in the station? > Jim.

Why so critical?  The lady never spoke to the young men. Ryan

Response:

>> It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome > was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are > you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people > standing in the station? >my aren’t you naive — and since when is an attentive ‘expression’ on >one’s face ‘rude’

I’m sorry I had missed the ‘expression’, however ’sonny’ the thoughts and posting the probably entirely innocent exchange to the group is still rude to the country she was a visitor of.  She wasn’t mugged, or pickpocketed, she has no evidence they were pick-pockets, or muggers or anything else, yets posts it here as fact? Jim.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome >> was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are >> you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people >> standing in the station? >my aren’t you naive — and since when is an attentive ‘expression’ on >one’s face ‘rude’ >I’m sorry I had missed the ‘expression’, however ’sonny’ the thoughts >and posting the probably entirely innocent exchange to the group is >still rude to the country she was a visitor of.  She wasn’t mugged, or >pickpocketed, she has no evidence they were pick-pockets, or muggers >or anything else, yets posts it here as fact?

Scenario:- I see 2 young men approaching – they are level with each other but on opposite sides of the passage, not speaking to each other.  They are both walking quite slowly and looking at passers-by at bag/pocket level rather than levelly – that’s what makes me pay attention to them.  The one with the sweatshirt over his hands catches the attention of the other the other and flicks his head towards us standing by the ticket machine with our backpacks, my husband’s attention on the instructions.  The sweatshirt guy stops a few feet beyond us, the other comes up close and loiters behind my husband looking at the small bag by my husband’s feet (which looked vulnerable at first glance, although actually he had his foot through the strap).  I stop watching them from the corner of my eye and make it obvious to the nearest hat I’ve seen him.  He moves away quickly, followed by sweatshirt guy. Possible explanations:- – He fancied me? – not me he was looking at and unlikely given my circa 25 year age advantage. – Strange clothes? – black jeans, plain T-shirt, black fleece.  Rather similar to his own clothes. – He’s considering buying himself a bag and wanted to check out different styles? People go window shopping for that. – He thought he needed a metro ticket but suddenly he didn’t any more? Yeah right. I wasn’t rude to them – I said nothing and actually kind of smiled at him. And it’s not particularly rude to Italy – many major cities have a pickpocketing problem on the public transport system, it would be stupid to pretend otherwise.  In fact when we got our apartment, the Italian owner was at pains to warn us which buses were the worst (route 64, apparently). But if you think they were innocent that’s fine – just don’t be surprised if you become a victim. — kathie

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>> It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome >>> was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are >>> you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people >>> standing in the station? >>my aren’t you naive — and since when is an attentive ‘expression’ on >>one’s face ‘rude’ >I’m sorry I had missed the ‘expression’, however ’sonny’ the thoughts >and posting the probably entirely innocent exchange to the group is >still rude to the country she was a visitor of.  She wasn’t mugged, or >pickpocketed, she has no evidence they were pick-pockets, or muggers >or anything else, yets posts it here as fact? > Scenario:- > I see 2 young men approaching – they are level with each other but on > opposite sides of the passage, not speaking to each other.  They are both > walking quite slowly and looking at passers-by at bag/pocket level rather > than levelly – that’s what makes me pay attention to them.  The one with the > sweatshirt over his hands catches the attention of the other the other and > flicks his head towards us standing by the ticket machine with our > backpacks, my husband’s attention on the instructions.  The sweatshirt guy > stops a few feet beyond us, the other comes up close and loiters behind my > husband looking at the small bag by my husband’s feet (which looked > vulnerable at first glance, although actually he had his foot through the > strap).  I stop watching them from the corner of my eye and make it obvious > to the nearest hat I’ve seen him.  He moves away quickly, followed by > sweatshirt guy. > Possible explanations:- > – He fancied me? – not me he was looking at and unlikely given my circa 25 > year age advantage. > – Strange clothes? – black jeans, plain T-shirt, black fleece.  Rather > similar to his own clothes. > – He’s considering buying himself a bag and wanted to check out different > styles? People go window shopping for that. > – He thought he needed a metro ticket but suddenly he didn’t any more? Yeah > right. > I wasn’t rude to them – I said nothing and actually kind of smiled at him. > And it’s not particularly rude to Italy – many major cities have a > pickpocketing problem on the public transport system, it would be stupid to > pretend otherwise.  In fact when we got our apartment, the Italian owner was > at pains to warn us which buses were the worst (route 64, apparently). But > if you think they were innocent that’s fine – just don’t be surprised if you > become a victim. > — > kathie

Kathie, Paying attention to your surroundings as you do and knowing what to look for as you do makes it much less likely that you will be a victim.  Your suspicions at Termini were in all likelihood correct. Too many tourists from Podunk, USA are not so savvy and do all the stupid things such as carrying lots of money and credit cards in their wallet conveniently placed in their back pocket thinking no one can pick their pocket.  You haven’t lived till you’ve felt a hand in your FRONT blue-jeans pocket. I foiled that attempt but will not soon forget it. I wasn’t sure whether to be pissed off about being an attempted robbery victim or an attempted sexual assault victim. Strange feeling. Ryan

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from >>the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys >>casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, >>one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant >>"yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was >>surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking >>at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were >>always very alert on buses. >How do you know they weren’t just looking at the strange >haircut/jumper/floral trouser-suit you were wearing? or fancied you? >It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome >was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are >you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people >standing in the station? >Jim. > "Yes, can I help you sonny?" sounded quite pleasant to.  It as > actually quite nice of Kathie to address said individual. Most pple > would have completely ignored the young fellow.

can’t any of you read — she SAID NOTHING — she mentions an expression on her face that sounds ‘attentive — I see you’

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome >> was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are >> you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people >> standing in the station? >my aren’t you naive — and since when is an attentive ‘expression’ on >one’s face ‘rude’ > I’m sorry I had missed the ‘expression’, however ’sonny’ the thoughts > and posting the probably entirely innocent exchange to the group is > still rude to the country she was a visitor of.  She wasn’t mugged, or > pickpocketed, she has no evidence they were pick-pockets, or muggers > or anything else, yets posts it here as fact? > Jim.

duh — one of the ways you prevent pick pocketing and mugging is to be alert and let potential miscreants know it — I have on many occasions in Italy deflected groups of thieving children by simply casting the evil eye in their direction whereby they go target someone less observant — only a grockle [to borrow one of our British poster's locutions] believes that loitering young men eyeing your baggage near an ATM are likely to be no threat at all — and exhibiting attentiveness is not in any case rude. posting the experience isn’t either.  I have watched pickpockets work in Paris and Rome and Florence — casing behavior is typical.

Response:

I can’t but see you made the right observations and conclusions. Those people involved in pickpocketing, bagsnatching and such thing maybe well dressed and do the best to mix in the crowd.  You can’t recognise them from their outlooking but they’ve one thing in common. Contrary to others they have no goal except to make observations on typical preys. They are just  hanging around starring at people. When you see such there are good reason to be careful and perhaps stay out of the crowd.           L.P

Response:

Rome metro ticket machines take only exact change, that is, it cannot give you change back.  that was the most annoying part we found out. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from > the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys > casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, > one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant > "yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was > surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking > at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were > always very alert on buses. > One distraction method that I haven’t seen mentioned here happened to a > friend and her mother a few weeks ago – a guy came towards the mother (in a > metro station) with his hands out as is to grab her breasts.  Of course her > instinctive reaction was to put up her arms in front of her, leaving his > woman accomplice to try to get into the handbag slung across her body.  My > friend thought that they hadn’t realised that their target was not alone. > One tip unrelated to crime – always keep a supply of small change as there > seems to be a shortage.    It seems that in most transactions any amount > less than 5c is disregarded – if the total in a shop ends in 62c, they’ll > accept 60c – if you are due 2c change, you just won’t get it.  Ticket > machines on the Rome metro will only give change between certain amounts (I > think it was 5c and 5Euros, in 5c units.  That meant that you couldn’t use a > 1Euro coin for a 0.77 ticket (you had to put in a 2c piece, then a 1 Euro in > that order, so that you could get 0.25 change!), or a 20 Euro note for a > 12.40 weekly ticket – and they only seemed to sell 1 ticket at a time!  And > there were no change machines around. > I thought the weekly bus/metro ticket was well worth the convenience, even > if it didn’t quite ‘cost in’ for the number of journeys we made.  Sometimes > we got a bus just for a couple of stops, which we probably wouldn’t if we > had needed to buy a ticket each time, and that meant we could get around > faster.   Also, once it’s validated you don’t need to even take it out when > boarding buses or entering the metro, so no stopping to get out your wallet > in a potentially vulnerable place. > — > Kathie

Response:

You did a great job.  Most believed that these criminals are hard to spot.  it is not.  Most of these criminals use the oldest tricks in the book.  For every smart and knowledgable tourist like you, there are a few careless ones who fall prey to these criminals. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome >>>was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are >>>you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people >>>standing in the station? >>my aren’t you naive — and since when is an attentive ‘expression’ on >>one’s face ‘rude’ >I’m sorry I had missed the ‘expression’, however ’sonny’ the thoughts >and posting the probably entirely innocent exchange to the group is >still rude to the country she was a visitor of.  She wasn’t mugged, or >pickpocketed, she has no evidence they were pick-pockets, or muggers >or anything else, yets posts it here as fact? > Scenario:- > I see 2 young men approaching – they are level with each other but on > opposite sides of the passage, not speaking to each other.  They are both > walking quite slowly and looking at passers-by at bag/pocket level rather > than levelly – that’s what makes me pay attention to them.  The one with the > sweatshirt over his hands catches the attention of the other the other and > flicks his head towards us standing by the ticket machine with our > backpacks, my husband’s attention on the instructions.  The sweatshirt guy > stops a few feet beyond us, the other comes up close and loiters behind my > husband looking at the small bag by my husband’s feet (which looked > vulnerable at first glance, although actually he had his foot through the > strap).  I stop watching them from the corner of my eye and make it obvious > to the nearest hat I’ve seen him.  He moves away quickly, followed by > sweatshirt guy. > Possible explanations:- > – He fancied me? – not me he was looking at and unlikely given my circa 25 > year age advantage. > – Strange clothes? – black jeans, plain T-shirt, black fleece.  Rather > similar to his own clothes. > – He’s considering buying himself a bag and wanted to check out different > styles? People go window shopping for that. > – He thought he needed a metro ticket but suddenly he didn’t any more? Yeah > right. > I wasn’t rude to them – I said nothing and actually kind of smiled at him. > And it’s not particularly rude to Italy – many major cities have a > pickpocketing problem on the public transport system, it would be stupid to > pretend otherwise.  In fact when we got our apartment, the Italian owner was > at pains to warn us which buses were the worst (route 64, apparently). But > if you think they were innocent that’s fine – just don’t be surprised if you > become a victim. > — > kathie

Response:

>Rome metro ticket machines take only exact change, that is, it cannot >give you change back.  that was the most annoying part we found out.

The one we used did give some change (eg from a 5 & 10 Euro note when paying for a 12.40 ticket).  But very limited. — kathie

Response:

>duh — one of the ways you prevent pick pocketing and mugging is to be >alert and let potential miscreants know it — I have on many occasions in >Italy deflected groups of thieving children by simply casting the evil eye >in their direction whereby they go target someone less observant —

Yes, you’ve deflected groups of children, your insistence that they’re theiving children is unwarranted, and rude.  All across Europe I’ve found groups of youths hanging around train stations etc. they’re bored, it doesn’t make them criminal, they also all tend to "look down at bag level", nothing to do with casing out bags, just normal teenage slouch… > only a >grockle [to borrow one of our British poster's locutions] believes that >loitering young men eyeing your baggage near an ATM are likely to be no >threat at all — and exhibiting attentiveness is not in any case rude.

ATM? it was a train station… And yes exhibiting attentiveness isn’t rude, it’s a wise precuation, accusing every youth in the country is rude by my yardstick. Jim.

Response:

Wear opaque shades and then look over them in "You got a problem ?" style – but then I’m a big bloke and don’t normally get hassled. Oh, and don’t bump into them cos you can’t see where you’re going wearing aforementioned shades… Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from >>the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys >>casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, >>one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant >>"yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was >>surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking >>at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were >>always very alert on buses.

Response:

> >duh — one of the ways you prevent pick pocketing and mugging is to be >alert and let potential miscreants know it — I have on many occasions in >Italy deflected groups of thieving children by simply casting the evil eye >in their direction whereby they go target someone less observant — > Yes, you’ve deflected groups of children, your insistence that they’re > theiving children is unwarranted, and rude.  All across Europe I’ve > found groups of youths hanging around train stations etc. they’re > bored, it doesn’t make them criminal, they also all tend to "look down > at bag level", nothing to do with casing out bags, just normal teenage > slouch…

you are an idiot — groups of ‘gypsy’ children with their piece of cardboard or their newspapers are not innocent little kiddies just larking about — they are trained thieves — if you can’t recognize a group of criminals then you are a prime target > only a >grockle [to borrow one of our British poster's locutions] believes that >loitering young men eyeing your baggage near an ATM are likely to be no >threat at all — and exhibiting attentiveness is not in any case rude. > ATM? it was a train station… And yes exhibiting attentiveness isn’t > rude, it’s a wise precuation, accusing every youth in the country is > rude by my yardstick.

LOL

Response:

> …– if you can’t recognize a group of > criminals then you are a prime target …

…then they are not very good criminals.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >duh — one of the ways you prevent pick pocketing and mugging is to be > >alert and let potential miscreants know it — I have on many occasions in > >Italy deflected groups of thieving children by simply casting the evil eye > >in their direction whereby they go target someone less observant — > Yes, you’ve deflected groups of children, your insistence that they’re > theiving children is unwarranted, and rude.  All across Europe I’ve > found groups of youths hanging around train stations etc. they’re > bored, it doesn’t make them criminal, they also all tend to "look down > at bag level", nothing to do with casing out bags, just normal teenage > slouch… >you are an idiot — groups of ‘gypsy’ children with their piece of >cardboard or their newspapers are not innocent little kiddies just larking >about — they are trained thieves.

Oh right, so from Kathie’s original description of "2 young guys", you’ve some how got to ‘gypsy’ children with cardboard or newspapers, could you explain the logic there? >if you can’t recognize a group of >criminals then you are a prime target

If you think every "young guy" at a train station is a criminal, then you’re a rude and none too generous person. Jim.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> >duh — one of the ways you prevent pick pocketing and mugging is to be >> >alert and let potential miscreants know it — I have on many occasions in >> >Italy deflected groups of thieving children by simply casting the evil eye >> >in their direction whereby they go target someone less observant — >> Yes, you’ve deflected groups of children, your insistence that they’re >> theiving children is unwarranted, and rude.  All across Europe I’ve >> found groups of youths hanging around train stations etc. they’re >> bored, it doesn’t make them criminal, they also all tend to "look down >> at bag level", nothing to do with casing out bags, just normal teenage >> slouch… >you are an idiot — groups of ‘gypsy’ children with their piece of >cardboard or their newspapers are not innocent little kiddies just larking >about — they are trained thieves. > Oh right, so from Kathie’s original description of "2 young guys", > you’ve some how got to ‘gypsy’ children with cardboard or newspapers, > could you explain the logic there?

no you twit — I offered ANOTHER example of a problem with common tourist oriented thieves and YOU suggested that they were just innocent children >if you can’t recognize a group of >criminals then you are a prime target > If you think every "young guy" at a train station is a criminal, then > you’re a rude and none too generous person.

I think a pair of young guys who behave as the original poster described are most likely criminals and that you are a schlemiel waiting to be plucked – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Jim.

Response:

>no you twit — I offered ANOTHER example of a problem with common tourist >oriented thieves and YOU suggested that they were just innocent children

Your example was a long way removed from the scenario described originally, and therefore you couldn’t infer anything about what I would’ve said in such a scenario was described >schlemiel waiting to be plucked

It’s generally a good idea to not use obscure colloquilism’s in a global forum… Jim.

Response:

>>no you twit — I offered ANOTHER example of a problem with common tourist >oriented thieves and YOU suggested that they were just innocent children >Your example was a long way removed from the scenario described >originally, and therefore you couldn’t infer anything about what I >would’ve said in such a scenario was described >schlemiel waiting to be plucked >It’s generally a good idea to not use obscure colloquilism’s in a >global forum…

Whatever. I happen to think that you should leave the original poster alone. Many streetwise people have a way of perceiving danger. The first time I visited Naples, I went by myself and stayed in Spaccanapoli, a lively neighborhood I was glad I stayed in, but one that could be accurately called a slum. I was walking around the neighborhood when I came upon a rather large group of fairly young (between 8 and 12 or so) children in a piazzetta. They engaged me in conversation, but I didn’t talk long and moved on. Would they have surrounded me and attempted to rob me or otherwise hassle me? Quite possibly not. But I wasn’t sure, and the group was large enough (at least 13 or so) that I wasn’t about to stick around and find out. Did that make me unfriendly or judgmental? No. It’s an indication that I am a New Yorker who has street smarts. And I’d like to think that my street smarts helped me avoid being robbed in Naples – or, for that matter, every other place I’ve travelled to. The only things I can ever remember being robbed from me while I was travelling were an umbrella and a Swiss army knife, both stolen by fellow travellers in youth hostel-type places in Hong Kong and Beijing. Michael

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->no you twit — I offered ANOTHER example of a problem with common tourist >oriented thieves and YOU suggested that they were just innocent children > Your example was a long way removed from the scenario described > originally, and therefore you couldn’t infer anything about what I > would’ve said in such a scenario was described >schlemiel waiting to be plucked > It’s generally a good idea to not use obscure colloquilism’s in a > global forum… > Jim.

Could you be more provincial.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from >the airport to Termini station and down to the metro, and spotted 2 guys >casing us by the ticket machine (2 young guys not at first glance together, >one with his hands concealed under a sweatshirt).  I put on a mock-pleasant >"yes, can I help you sonny?" expression and they sloped off.  I was >surprised how easy they were to spot – you could see that they were looking >at people’s bags.  That was the only encounter I was aware of, but we were >always very alert on buses. >How do you know they weren’t just looking at the strange >haircut/jumper/floral trouser-suit you were wearing? or fancied you? >It seems that one of your first conversations with someone from Rome >was rather rude (whether if they understood your english or not.) are >you happy at giving such an impression to likely innocent people >standing in the station?

Uh huh. You’ll usually find at least one "the-tourist-is-always-wrong" person here, especially when it comes to maintaining personal safety. Sorry, Jim, personal and prudent safety comes first in an unfamiliar environment over the potential of very minor bruised feelings. A truly cool book: The World Is Already Yours Conscious living in the real world www.alreadyyours.com (sample chapter, etc…)

Response:

> Thanks for all the pickpocket/scam warnings on here.  We went straight from

[...] Can I suggest what the real problem is here?  Your "trip report" is almost entirely about how you may have almost been robbed, you can get short changed by a couple of pennies – with just a mention about bus passes at the end, but even that turned out to be a tip about protecting your wallet.   Maybe if you had told us some things you loved about Rome, people would have been more positve.  It makes it sound like Rome is just about dodging thieves. So, where/what was the best meal you had there? joan — Joan McGalliard                    http://www.mcgalliard.org

Response: