be prepared !!!

No Way - take it easy -- just wear a money belt and you will be fine!

We get this question all the time and the standard advice given is: You have little to worry about IF you put the things you can't afford to lose--ATM card, credit card, deep cash stash, and passport (if you carry it on you)--in a money belt, neck pouch or similar device worn under your clothing. We have never had a report here of anyone having anything stolen from a money belt worn under clothing.

I don't think it's that bad. I've never been robbed or physically threatened in Europe (I can't say the same for the US). I travel outside of peak season, so the crowds and those that prey on them are scarcer.

Having said that, it makes good sense to keep your valuables in a money belt, don't overburden yourself with shopping bags, camera equipment, luggage, etc., keep track of your stuff and be aware of your surroundings.

There are some seedy places in Europe and people have had stuff stolen. It's often preventable. I worry about people who take no precautions. Fearing for your personal safety, however, is probably a little too much.

Heck no it's not that bad. It is true that you are more likely (and in some areas significantly more likely) than in North America to be pick-pocketed but as long as you take standard precautions you should be fine. None of my family members, in all of our trips to Europe, has ever been robbed.

I have to agree - it's not that bad. Wear a money belt or pouch of some kind. Cary only the cash you need for that day, in a front pocket.

The only trouble my roommate and I had was when my roommate left his wallet in a Black Cab in London. Jet Lag will do that to you.

Use your pouch for deep storage, and try to relax. It's the trip of a lifetime - don't spend it in a panic.

Petty theft, picked pockets, snatched bags; you may possibly experience these, but probably not. But I think being the victim of a robbery is unlikely. A few years ago in Barcelona I had a car tire slashed by a guy on a scooter. He and his accomplice followed our car and as I was changing the tire (with the trunk lid up) they got in the car and tried to steal our stuff. I chased them off with the tire wrench. My point is: I know the men had a knife, but they didn't rob us at knife point. They just ran off.

Perhaps that is their waying of showing how envious they are. Do you expect to be robbed anywhere else? Of course not, you use common sense.

I think they are trying to burst your bubble.
People always ask me if I'm worried about getting shot when I go home to visit in the States so I suppose we could say that the misperceptions are mutual.

Crime rates in the US is way higher than in Central Europe. Apply common sense just as you do at home. Don't wear a €500 bill openly in your chest pocket! Wherever there's a high density of people, e.g. in front of attracktions or in waiting lines, be aware of pickpockets - again, just as you do back home.

Don't worry but do be smart and alert. Don't go into dicey areas at night, don't wear flashy jewelry, don't flash wads of money, use a money belt, carry your camera in a bag from a local store or something that doesn't shout expensive camera. Dress like a local if possible. Don't get so carried away looking at something that you aren't aware of what is going on around you. Don't stand in the street looking at a big map, find a cafe and check it at a table. I've been to Europe multiple times, many time alone and NEVER had a bad moment, been threatened, hassled by gypsies etc.. Relax and have fun.

My purse was stolen in Barcelona, but that was because I was being stupid and didn't have it wrapped around my arm or something... it was just sitting beside me. But, I did not have my valuables in it! They just got 6 euro, my cell phone, and some souvenirs. It was a little depressing at first, but it could've been a lot worse, and I didn't let it ruin my trip! Just be smart!

It's not that bad at all. When people read these forums about pickpocketing etc, they get the wronf impression that these things happen at any corner of the euro streets. But it's not like that.
You have to have common sense as any where in the US. Don't flash your money or credit cards.Keep everything in a safe location, what ever you choose that to be.
I personally don't like money belts or anything around my waist or neck. I wear a jeans coat with long inside pockets or a cotton thin coat I just purchased last year from Gap. It has 4 pockets outside and one little pocket on one of the steeves. I put velcro on all 4 pockets and I carried my digital camera right in one of those pockets.
Keep an eye on your bag, don't leave it unattanded on the table, hold on to it at any time and you will be just fine.Don't wear your backapck on your back when you are in crowded places, such subway.
Relax and enjoy your trip.

A few years ago I was working in a very high security job, one dealing with satellite reconnaissance. I was planning on going to Germany. The rule was that before leaving the US you had to attend a briefing by our Security dept.

When I went in to be briefed, there was another man with me who was headed to Mexico. The security man printed out for me five or six sheet containing mostly the address of American Consulates in Germany, plus a few tip, like don't leave valuables in you room. Then he handed the man going to Mexico a stack of paper over an inch thick and preceeded to give him all sorts of warnings about crime in Mexico.

The bottom line is, Northern European cultures are similar, maybe more honest than ours. Southern Europe and Central America are a different culture from ours, and petty crimes, like theft and pickpocketing are more prevalent. I travel frequently in Germany and never feel threatened; I can't say I would feel the same way in a southern European country.

fred, I seriously doubt all your family and friends actually said that, come on,, as anther poster said I bet half of them haven't been there anyways.
I almost wonder if you post isn't a bit baiting,, I mean come on, " I should get prepared to get robbed in europe" what a fat load of huey. I also think they may be jealous and are just being negative and spiteful.

Pickpockets are mainly what you watch out for, especially when in crowded touristy areas, train stations and around certain sites. Pickpockets love crowds. Just be attentive, never leave bags unattended for a second, wear a money belt to carry large sums of money and credit cards, and passport. And do not just wear you wallet in back pocket.

I have been to Europe many times and never been " robbed" so either I am not dumb or the crime isn't that bad, take your pick.

A careful person should be able to easily avert being a victim .

Violent crime just isn't an issue in Europe, in Austria for example we have on average less than a 100 homicides annually - so the word ROBBERY alone, is all wrong!
What you can expect, and very EASILY remedy - is that on major tourist/transit points there will be pick-pockets afoot, just as in any other parts of the world.
Like some posters already mentioned => wear a money belt or a neck pouch to safeguard your belongings, use common sense and do not wear your wallet in your pocket.

Keep in mind that you are visiting a very civilized part of the world - you'll be totally safe and okay!

And remember to be prepared to be robbed in New York, Orlando, LA . . . There are so many misconceptions about Europe. Just be mindful of your belongings and follow the suggestions for wearing a money belt, etc. Have a great trip!

I find that these misconceptions about constant European pickpocketing and robbery come mostly from people who have never been there. I recently took my parents to Europe and one of my mother's friends told her she had better not wear her wedding band because thieves would cut her fingers off her hand to steal her ring! After 10+ trips all over Europe I can safely say I still have all of my fingers AND toes intact!

Jealous they're not going, are they? It's a shame they're not happy for you going on a trip. While there is crime in Europe, its not prevalent and with a few simple precautions as people have already explained you'll be fine.

The comments you got reminds me of the crab fishing story. A father is going to go crabbing with his son, and when they get to the shore the dad pulls out the bucket to hold their catch but there's no lid. "Aren't the crabs going to just climb out after we work to catch them?" asked the puzzled boy. "No", replied the father. "If there was only one crab in the bucket it could easily get away. But when there's more than one crab in the bucket, if one tries to crawl out the others will grab it and pull it back down."

Same in human life; if a person attempts to better himself there's always others around who will try to drag them back down.

Just the language your family used is inflammatory.

"Robbed" connotes violence, which is very unlikely in Europe (look up gun deaths in Europe v. the U.S. if you don't believe me).

"Pickpocketing," however, is not outside the realm of possibility. In Rome, for example, the pickpockets have it down to an art-form so crafted that it is hard not to admire the skill and diligence they put into their "work."

Like everyone says, use common sense, wear a money belt, have a few safeguards like photocopies of your documents and an extra debit card stored separately and you'll be good to go.

Once you do that - relax and enjoy your trip. You will love it and, even if you do get some things stolen, will still have a fantastic trip.

Well, if robbed is in reference to what you will pay due to the state of the Dollar compared to the Euro and Pound, then sadly, yes you will be robbed. But seriously, Yes, be prepared; Yes, Take precations; But No, do not worry excessively or fear it.