crossbody ladies purse vs.money belt/neckbelt?

Personally, I carry my passport, cash and credit cards strapped to my body in a money belt tucked inside my pants AND carry a cross-body bag with current day's cash, guidebook pages and walking-around snacks. I've been pickpocketed in San Francisco and lost my coin purse in Munich, but never worried about the stuff in my money belt. For about $15 at your local travel store, I think it's good insurance.

Stella,

Im a male, so take this as you see fit.

I carry my passport and some cash in a necklace type pouch. It has a couple pockets and one zippered. Its not bad to wear but i had to shorten the over the neck strap part since it would have been in my pants if not.

just so you know, almost all of the women over there would carry their purse cross body and have their hand on it all the time.

personally, i think if its closer or under you clothes its harder to get to.

happy trails.

What time of year? If it's during the colder months, you can dispense with all the excess belts and bags, and just keep your wallet and passport in a sealable inner coat pocket.

While cross-body purses may be very handy they offer no protection from thieves. I saw someone get robbed wearing one of them. Best not to put all you "eggs" in one. Keep just a days spending money in your cross bag, and everything else like passport and credit cards in a hotel room safe or money belt type device under your clothes not to be accessed in public.

I do both. Wear the neck belt under the clothes with my passport, large sum cash and a few credit cards. In my wallet in my cross body bag is the days worth of cash and credit card.

I wear a small cross body bag and keep our passports in there at all times. Seems plenty secure to me.

You will be in Paris & Rome in late November which makes it easier. I use a flat neck wallet under a sweater or shirt and then my ever present Australian raincoat, which also has some inside pockets which are safe (until you hang up your coat in a restaurant without removing the hidden stuff!)

I use an around the neck type money belt, but I shortened the strap and wear it over one shoulder so it hits me just below my armpit. Under my shirt of course. It is lightweight and soft. In no time I got used to it and forgot it was there. You can't even tell it's there by looking. I keep my passport, cash, credit card and debit cards in it. In my crossbody bag I keep a days worth of cash, a second credit card and my second debit card if I think I will be withdrawing money from the ATM. The best crossbody purse not only zips up, but also has a flap over the zipper that has a clasp. I never take my crossbody bag of while I'm out and about.

Unfortunately, a lot of women's coats and jackets don't have interior pockets like men's coats do. An exception to that is one meant specifically for travel. A problem with keeping things in a jacket pocket is if you take your jacket off, you take the risk of leaving it some where. Or if you check it a museum someone might relieve you of your belongings. I prefer not to take that chance.

Michael,,can you elaborate on how someone wearing a cross-body purse was robbed? Was she truly robbed (violence) or "picked" ( stealthy, zipper or snap opened and things taken,,like a pickpocket)? Or was it a purse-snatching, maybe the strap cut? And in what city? It helps to know these things. We have heard tales of shoulder bags being snatched, zippers being opened, and straps cut, but so,far I have not heard of a cross-body bag being yanked off of someone in a violent manner ( robbery). Thanks for the clarification.

It depends on what type of purse it is and how easy it is for someone to get into it (other than you).

The thing that most people misunderstand about protecting yourself from pickpockets is that you don't have to hide your carrier/wallet from them, you have to make it nearly impossible for them to access your valuables or remove the carrier/wallet. And pickpockets are really, really good at what they do - slipping wallets out of pockets and purses.

Moneybelts work well because they are tucked inside your pants and have a zipper to access the contents. Almost impossible for someone to reach in, unzip and remove the contents without you knowing.

Neck pouches work well because they are tucked down the front of your shirt and have a zipper or Velcro to access. Again, nearly impossible for someone to reach down the front of your shirt and access without you knowing.

A belt-loop wallet works well because it can't be removed and has a series of Velcro and zippers to access the inner contents. Someone could try to open it, but would have to take several steps to do so. (This is what I use and it's very effective)

A regular purse is NOT a good system no matter how it is worn. A thief merely distracts you, upzips or unsnaps the purse, slips out the wallet and poof...

Instead, you need a travel purse or one that is more secure from access. Such purses have several layers of secure access to get inside. So even if you are distracted, they can't access anything without you becoming alert to it. The danger with a travel purse though, is that some women can be careless with it and set it down or sling it over the back of a chair while they eat. You can't remove the purse from your body and if you are that type, don't use one.

Money belts and neck pouches both drive me crazy, so last trip I took the strap off the neck pouch and pinned it inside my trouser waistband with a diaper pin so I didn't have to worry about it coming open and poking me. Since I wear my shirts and sweaters untucked it wasn't noticeable, but it was still secure and easily accessible with a trip to the ladies room. That's where I kept my passport, credit card and extra money. I used a small cross-body bag for my daily spending money, transport pass, map, etc. I do take the bag off when I eat, but since it's small I put it on the chair between my legs and toss a table napkin over it. I've never forgotten it was there and left it behind.

To add to my previous response, the purse I use for travel has a place that I can clip my small wallet to. Even if someone was able to unclasp and then unzip my purse, the wallet would not be able to be pulled out without unclasping it.

I did get my wallet stolen once on the RER in Paris. It was winter and I had my zip up across the top crossbody purse under my coat. But...it was hot in the station and I took off my coat. The train was extremely crowded. When the crowd thinned I saw my purse was unzipped and my wallet was missing. We were on our way to the airport to go home, but if it had happened earlier in the trip it would have been a huge pain. Luckily my passport wasn't in the purse. I was using that purse because it was smaller than my normal purse I use for travel and it was going to need to fit into my personal bag on the flight. The lesson I learned, never let down your guard in situations where pickpockets are likely to frequent.

"A problem with keeping things in a jacket pocket is if you take your jacket off, you take the risk of leaving it some where. Or if you check it a museum someone might relieve you of your belongings. I prefer not to take that chance." Really now, who is going to forget their coat, especially if it's cold outside? And the whole point of checking your coat (or putting in a museum locker) is that it's safe.

I have used my purse for decades... ( I even purchased the exact same bag twice when the first one got old and I needed to replace it) It is perfectly safe.. it cannot just be unzipped and stuff taken.

Its a Derek Alexander.. lightweight but strong nylon black canvas type material. Adustable strap which I lengthen so I can wear the bag cross body. The top has a flap that clicks shut( the type of clip you need two hands to open and pressure) and it covers the zipper completely.. then inside another zipped inner pocket.

I leave my passport and cards in the hotel safes when just out sightseeing for the day. When in transit I use a moneybelt under my clothes.. I find it comfy enough since I make sure my pants are not too tight and I wear it quite low( below waistline) ,, its never crammed full of crap.. just pp, one cc , one atm card and excess cash.. I carry days cash in my purse.

I am a religious user of a moneybelt for my passport, money cards and large amounts of cash while overseas. I've used varying sizes of crossbody purses for the other stuff and have mesh bags and a tote for going to the grocery store.

This may be TMI for some of you and irrelevant for the men, but here goes. For undergarments, I always wear a bra, shapewear and panties. According to the directions, the panties are supposed to be pulled up over the shapewear. I put the moneybelt between the shapewear and the panties. My pants are always stretchy or large enough to pull the money belt out. I get the card out, get the cash from the ATM inside a bank branch and then put the card and however much cash I don't need right away back in the moneybelt and put it back in my pants. I have gotten some stares, but I don't care.

If I don't find a bank branch with a safe inside access, I find a toilet to hide in so I can get one card out for the money-getting process, then return to that toilet as soon as I've gotten the money to reverse the process. So far so good on all my trips. I never tuck in my tops and no one has ever tried to reach into the front of my pants to get the moneybelt.

After reading about so many people using neck wallets, I bought one of those recently. I haven't used it yet, but I do appreciate all the tips and tricks from people who use one regularly. I'll experiment with that for comfort and accessibility.

No one has ever tried to get into my crossbody bag either. If I find it uncomfortable while eating, I pull the strap down over my shoulder so that it is around my waist and the bag itself is on the side of my body least open to the public or in my lap under the napkin as someone else mentioned. I usually turn the bag backwards when wearing it, i.e. the plain part is out and the zippers and pockets and even the flap if it has one, is on the inside next to my body.

Regardless of weather, I would never depend on putting all my identity and financial eggs in a purse or pocket(s) of any kind.

@Tom,

I agree with you that if it is very cold out most people would not likely leave their coat or jacket behind. What if it's just a little chilly? You can be distracted and walk out without it. What if it's in a restaurant where they have a place in front for coats? Is it impossible that someone who works at a coat check in a museum might be tempted to take something? I think it is unlikely, but not impossible for that to happen. I've worked in offices where things have disappeared from people's desks. It can happen anywhere.

"...Michael,,can you elaborate on how someone wearing a cross-body
purse was robbed..."

Glad to. It happened two years ago in Antwerp to my 72 year old mother on her first trip to Europe. We landed at Brussels Airport took the train to Antwerp, walked outside the station, crossed the street, she stopped to remove her sunglasses from the cross-bag and a gentlemen bumped into her. In the commotion he was able to remove a change purse type thingy which contained about 50 euros. Fortunately passport, excess cash and cards were in a money belt so that's all the bad guy was gonna get. So literally within two minutes of starting her first day of sightseeing she was robbed...welcome to Europe.

So your mother's bag was open (not zipped/clasped) while she was getting her sunglasses out of it (distracted). Someone "bumped" into her and took the change purse - sounds more like a basic pickpocket move. A properly secured cross-body bag does offer protection from thieves. That's why most of the women I saw on the street in the UK and Spain this summer were wearing them.

I use a cross body bag that I bought in Italy (Mandarina Duck microfiber). Everything is in it except day money, which is in a concealed pocket. I've never had a problem with it, and I am permitted to keep it in most museums where day bags with shoulder straps must be checked (exception is the Galleria Borghese).

Didn't used to, but I now use a money belt and I have to give credit about that discovery to this Helpline. My big thing is a cross body bag which (worn with zippered flap against body instead of exposed) never comes off me when I an out and about. There is no need to take it off for eating or even going to the loo, washing hands etc.
I realize that no method is guaranteed 100% impenetrable, but if someone ever gets in my money belt I have a lot more to worry about than a stolen passport and debit card.

Thanks for explaining, Michael. A very similar thing happened to a friend of mine, also an older woman (70+) in Zurich. Her wallet was lifted from her top-zipper bag as she boarded a train. She did not realize it until later.

Technically neither one was a robbery, which involves force or threat of force. These incidents were akin to pickpocketing, and both could have been prevented with proper care. I agree with Nancy that a cross-body purse is safe from pickpocket attempts if the zippers are properly secured. You can do that with a small clip or a safety pin across the zipper track. Anything of value inside the purse ( passport, credit card, cash wallet) should be behind a second, internal zipper, or in a small bag pinned inside the purse so it cannot be removed. The top ( secured) flap or zipper should not be opened in the street, only in shops or restaurants, or your hotel. I carry accessories like sunglasses, map, etc. in a separate shoulder bag that is easier to access. My cross body bag is too small to hold these things anyway. I can put a coat over it if I am in an area I might find threatening ( Barcelona).

With these precautions, a cross-body bag is safe from pickpockets, and is far more comfortable than a money bettor neck wallet. It is still subject to robbery by violence, but so is a money belt or neck wallet ( especially as the strap on a neck wallet is usually visible so the bad guys know you are wearing it).

"...Technically neither one was a robbery, which involves force or threat of force..."

Robbery/picket pocketing......tomato/tomatoe. A bad guy has stolen something from you.

The main purpose of a cross-over bag is to make tings readily accessible, that's how most will use it. So you'll be opening and closing it it frequently throughout the day. That makes it vulnerable. Storing things like passports in them is akin to taking lifting out your money belt in public to get at our spending money. Put in your all "eggs" in them at your own risk.

Michael .. sorry that happened to your mom, but she was not robbed,, she was pickpocketed and there is quite a difference. She was vulnerable on many fronts.. she was elderly, she was distracted and she had her bag OPEN. Sorry recipe for disaster.

As I said, I have used a cross body purse for DECADES,, many many trips abroad,, and its simply not possible to pickpocket it unless I am distracted and leave it unzipped and the zipper uncovered.

I have had two attempts on my bag. First one was in 1985,, I was wearing purse just dangling off my shoulder and it only had a simple zip top. I foiled attempt when I realized a man was walking too close to me on an uncrowded sidewalk,, I looked down and saw my purse open, yelled and shoved guy away. He ran away.

Second time was about 5 yrs ago now.. I was underground on metro.. totally lost.. trying to find transfer point, I was alone, and I kept stopping to check out the maps on the walls( pretty obviously lost distracted tourist). Similar occurance.. man walked too close to me in a deserted tunnel.. I all of a sudden sensed this , realized what he was up to , and screamed bloody murder at him,, I was swearing at him and telling him to get a job( don't ask me why ,, it just came out of my mouth so fast , lol ) He ran away too.

If I being "robbed" at that point the man could have shoved me down and grabbed my bag, I was alone in an empty tunnel. I was not being robbed, I was almost pickpocketed though. Big difference.

PS I am middleaged small woman.. they were not afraid of my physically,, but perhaps thought I was insane as I was not afraid of them but so very angry

"...sorry that happened to your mom, but she was not robbed..."

Say what????
From Webster:"rob
verb \ˈräb\
: to take money or property from (a person or a place) illegally and sometimes by using force, violence, or threats
: to keep (someone) from getting something expected or wanted

How was she not robbed again?

"...As I said, I have used a cross body purse for DECADES,, many many trips abroad,, and its simply not possible to pickpocket it unless I am distracted and leave it unzipped and the zipper uncovered..."

That's a bit of a contradiction.

Force or threat of force is an essential element of the crime of robbery. he term may be used more loosely by the general public, as the dictionary indicates. What I said was that "technically" it was not robbery, referring to the strict ( legal) definition. That does not diminish the fact that something was stolen from her, and I am always sorry to hear that. But she was a bit careless, I am afraid. Used properly, a cross-body purse should be immune from pickpockets.

@laura B- yes, that sounds like a plan, important stuff inside moneybelt, and day's worth cash, food,maps in cross-body! great insurance! thank u! =)
@ray-if i have moneybelt, should i still wear neckbelt?? which do u prefer or both? thank u! =)
@tom-im going late november/early december so im not sure how the environment would be in Europe.. seems like just my crossbody WITHOUT a flap would not suffice though.. =T but thank u!
@michael- are hotel safes secure?? thank u! =)
@kelly-sounds good, thank u! =)
@bronwen-my crossbody doesnt have a flap, just a zipper across top..probably not good enough though right? =T thanks!
@norma-i don't have any pockets in my down coat that i am bringing =( but thank u again! =)
@andrea- yes i'm very paranoid about my surroundings haha i agree! thank u!
@douglas- wow, thank u for the rundown of each device! yes, i usually swing my bag to the back of the chair in restaurants here in ny =X thanks for the heads up!
@leslie- good tip to put my bag btwn my legs when at restaurants! thanks!
@andrea- i agree, u never know, im always on edge.. =)
@tom-im very ocd and paranoid at all times actually so i don't check my coats and bags at public places =(
@pat-yes, sounds like a plan, thank u! =)
@lo- wow, ur very prepared and safe it sounds, good! thanks!
@michael- sorry to hear that it happened to ur mother..thieves who target the elderly and disabled are despicable!! wish i could put crazyglue on my bag and watch one of them try to touch my bag! (if i dont forget and touch it first) haha
@nancy-even with no flap? mine doesnt have..thanks for sharing!
@zoe-does yours have a flap? maybe i should get one with flap sinces everyone's has. thanks!
@elaine-crossbody bag a must then. great tip to have flap side in, thanks for sharing!
@sasha-small paperclip/safety pin btwn zippers is good idea too..yea, now im confused again bc it sounds like a lot of stuff to carry..? =T thanks for sharing!
@michael-good point to not have alota valuable in purse since it will be opening n closing often..ahhh..decisions,decisions..
@pat-yes, they better not mess with petite women like us! i will roundhouse kick them!

thank u everyone for giving your 2 cents and sharing your tips, advice, and suggestions! i greatly appreciate it =) but i am confused again..*sigh what to do..

I didn't want to make you paranoid. I think it's important to have a flap that latches over the zipper on a purse. Having a purse that had an exposed zipper is how my wallet was taken on the crowded train. Wearing my purse crossbody and not taking it off gives me peace of mind. Never hang it over a chair. And if something does happen with the purse, it shouldn't be too big a deal because your most important things should be in your money belt or whatever you choose to use. Someone mentioned that wearing a neck wallet isn't a good idea because people can see the strap around your neck. That is precisely why I wear mine over one shoulder and under my armpit. I don't think I mentioned before that I also safety pin it to my bra strap. If you are prepared you can then just enjoy your time on vacation!!

You should also look up on the graffiti section of this site to see about tourist scams and never,ever hang your bag over your chair,I notice you do that at home in NYC, bad idea. Better to be safe.

Stella, the bag has a flap that covers the zipper.

@andrea- so u suggest all 3 is a must-have all at once?? (neckbelt, moneybelt, and crossbody purse w/flap)? wow, u r very well prepared and safe with the safety pin to bra! genius! yes my friend also told me to do what u do: neckbelt on shoulder underneath sweater =) thank u!! im just very paranoid w.strangers near me in general, even here in my city.. even when a passerby is too close, i back away a bit. i like to have them a few feet away my perimeter. and in movie theaters i always turn around to make sure no danger behind throughout the movie (my own paranoia) haha *sigh

@nancy-thanks for sharing and confirming that hotel safes are safe! smart traveler! im usually very aware as well but im also worried once i get mesmerized by my surrounding ambience and environment i might have my guard down for a split second and something could happen..

@gail-thanks for the advice! =) yes, i swing my bag behind the chair but my coat is usually over it. seems ok thus far here, but Europe no?? do restaurants there allow coats to be unchecked and brought with me to the table?? i just joined few days ago and i haven't navigated through the site much yet bc everyone here is so helpful already! thank u!! =)

@zoe-yes i think i will invest in one! thanks!

"...But she was a bit careless, I am afraid. Used properly, a cross-body
purse should be immune from pickpockets..."

Charming, let's blame the victim. Opening a purse to get at sunglasses is not careless. She was doing what the bag was designed for: storing things. So if I take my wallet out of my pocket and in the process a robber/pickpocket/thief/villain/bad-guy/grafter/bandit/mugger/klepto/pilferer/rustler/pirate knocks into me grabs the wallet and runs-off I was asking for it???? Gimme a break!

My cross body bags are small. Lots of zippered compartments. I wear it 24/7 while traveling and always keep passports zipped way deep inside.

Not certain about flap over top. One may, but I am vigilant about important things being secured deep inside.

I know some people think they are for paranoid people, but I like my PacSafe Metrosafe 200 when we travel. Cross body, zippers covered and you can secure them with little clips...but more impt - it holds everything I need for the day (regardless of whether it is anti-theft, it is well laid out which I like...I could go into it blindfolded and know where everything is)...city map, Kleenex, hand lotion (I dry out easily), money/cc, extra batteries for camera, my ipad mini even fits in (I should say my husband likes it - I carry my camera around my neck so now he gets to carry the bag). Can even stuff a water bottle or small travel umbrella on the side pockets. But I feel the extra security measures can be helpful at deterring theft...but one of the most impt deterrents is awareness of your surroundings.

I don't use a waist type belt, just the neck pouch under my arm. That and the crossbody purse is plenty. If I'm traveling with my husband he uses the type of money belt that attaches to his belt and hangs down inside his pants. In that case I only use my purse and he carries the other items in his money belt.

Michael, I am not blaming your mother. Blame falls solely on the thief. But thieves are opportunists, and unsecured zippers provide an opportunity. Fortunately your mom was apparently not using that purse to carry her valuables in a vulnerable,place, as she lost only $50. So she was using it more like the "day bag" that Rick advises for carrying daily needs--a bit of cash for the day, plus sunglasses, water bottle, maps, bus tickets, etc. The idea is that if things are stolen from that day bag it is not a big loss.

But IF one is using a small cross-body bag to carry credit cards, cars, etc. --- as many of the women here say they do--- then it must be used appropriately. Secure the zippers, don't open them on the street or in the metro, wear it as you leave the hotel it and never take it off while out and about---never never hang it in the back of a chair or even set it on a table. In a restaurant keep it on your body and in your lap. With a small one this is perfectly comfortable.

Stella,,there is no need to be confused. These are simply different approaches and it is simply a matter of personal choice. As a "beginner" to Europe travel, I suggest you start with either a money belt or neck wallet to feel absolutely safe. That is what I did, but I quickly gave up on the money belt as too uncomfortable. I am very petite, with a small waist, so the money belt ends up curved, causing bulges, unless I position it on the small of my back. Even covered with a tee shirt,,it could be vulnerable there, so I had to wear dresses to cover it. And then it made me sweat underneath. So I gave up on that on that pretty quickly.

Neck wallet, worn cross-body and under one arm, was slightly better, but still felt stiff and uncomfortable, poking me at odd times. And like the money belt, I had to find a restroom if I wanted to access it to get a credit card out.

Money belts and neck wallets probably work better for men, and remember that Rick who advises them is a man. You may find, after trying them, that you don't like them. But give them a try first.

@bronwen-thank u for the info!
@nicole-letting my partner hold some stuff is a good idea so i don't bear the responsibility of carrying everything and stress over it! thank u! *sigh but i was just going to do that because he's not as aware of his surroundings as i am.. =(
@andrea- yes, i think also for me neckbelt under arms and crossbody sounds like the way to go for now.. thank u =)
@sasha- thank u for elaborating each one in relation to your body type and comfort! i am also petite size and small so i might feel the same way..just thinking if i should make him wear the moneybelt now..but then i might worry about him getting it lost/stolen. =T
@george-really?? what about Europe this time of the year late nov/dec? im usually very aware of my surroundings but just case i get enchanted by my surroundings and let my guard down haha (first time to Europe) thank u for sharing!

Many years ago I read a book about travel photography written by one who did that for a living. He mentioned having his camera bag clasp facing his body as a way of preventing opportunistic thievery. (This was before digital cameras but with the big ones would still be a goo idea.) I wonder if having the flap of your cross-body bag against your body might also help even if there is no camera in the bag? This would especially help if the flap does not have a way of clasping it closed.

Just a thought. I haven't tried it yet but might this next trip I'm taking at Christmas. (Not to Europe.)

Just giving you something to think about.

Michael,, no need to be overly dramatic.. I am not blaming the victim,, if you include everything I said,, I said your mom made a great target.. elderly, likely distracted and opening her purse ,, and most likely not in the least bit vigilant.. did she or you look around before rustling through purse on a train station. I am sorry a thief was scanning the area.. but it looks exactly like thats what happened.

And as for the term robbery.. to that means someone forcefully takes something from you with your knowledge, ofen with some violence or threat of violence. Pickpocketing means they take something from you without any force and without your knowledge9 until after the fact) . Violence ( other then the "bump" and grab" ) do not figure into pickpocketing.

Sounds like your mom was pickpocketed.

Stella I would advise you to never put bag over chair .. keep it on lap, or depending on chair I can sometimes put it behind me like a chair cushion.. often I put it between my feet but keep the strap around my waist( strap is long enough to do so )

"...Michael,, no need to be overly dramatic.. I am not blaming the victim,, if you include everything I said,, I said your mom made a great target.. elderly, likely distracted and opening her purse ,, and most likely not in the least bit vigilant..."

I was not referring to anything you said. Sasha was doing the blame-game. Ms. Mommy was wearing a money belt, there is no reason to scan hundreds of people on the street in a millisecond to determine if they are or not robbers, the money she lost was expendable. If folks want to put all their eggs in their cross-over and and spend most of their time scanning the area like a squirrel looking-out for hawks, and don't mind spending a couple of days replacing passports/credit cards/cash if they get robbed....go for it it's your trip.

Across the street, I missed the cross signal. As she was waiting for me rejoin her she was getting at her sunglasses. I watched the robbery in real time. After it was all over we laughed it off as a typical day in any big city and enjoyed the rest of the day. I always work on the assumption I will be robbed. It softens the blow if it happens, you don't have to be paranoid 24/7, and you don't have to engage in NYPD style profiling of the locals.

No scanning required. I keep my zippers secured when out on the street, period. Then I go about my business and enjoy the day. Even in Barcelona we were never "bumped" or otherwise subjected to any attempts.

What we have learned from your description is that your mom was not using her cross-body bag for her valuables, she was using it more like a day bag for other stuff, and a little cash,,so she felt no need to keep it really secure. So her story is not really a valid example of theft from a cross-body bag used as some of us do, for carrying credit cards and other more valuable things.

thank you all for the valuable advices, tips, and sharing of individual experiences! By now, i have a very good idea how to come about this trip of mine. i think i am ready! =) im also very glad to have found this site and met wonderful people here! thank u and be well =)

Please post a reply on trip report when you get back. Enjoy trip. Hopefully will be first of many.

Sashas right.. some of us use our cross body bags to carry our money and/or passports .. so we do strive to be more aware. I am certainly not shaking in my boots from fear.. but since I sometimes travel alone, and have taken my kids alone, I am have no back up travel partner carrying half the cash or credit cards.. so I am more wary .

And Michael sorry if I misunderstood your post, I did think you were saying I was blaming your mom,, and I realize its the thief that is the problem not the victim, but since we can't change human nature there will always be thiefs.. those who find it easier to steal a dollar then earn it honestly.. so we can only change ourselves.. and control what we can to make it at least difficult for them to succeed or choose us as a victim.

For perspective, I've spent more than half of my life outside the US with maybe a good ten years of that in Europe. I've never owned a money belt and never been pick pocketed.

My wife's exposure has been substantial but less. Same for her.

I do both. Passport, credit card/debit card, large amounts of money in the moneybelt, and then a messenger bag (cross body) for all other stuff, including a little spending cash. I have the kind of moneybelt that loops into your pants belt, and have found that it is the most comfortable version of the moneybelt for me as I don't have to worry about a random string wrapped around my waist or hanging from my neck. I always wear a belt, so it works for me.
I agree with others that in the winter months, an inner pocket is an excellent option, but since I take that off every once in a while, I still like a moneybelt for a passport and large amounts of cash.

A number of years ago my daughter found out that a cross body purse is useless. She was on the Paris Metro standing near the door. At a stop, just as the doors were starting to close, one quick slash of a sharp blade cut the strap, the guy hopped off the train and the train pulled away. Fortunately all of the important stuff was in her money belt along with a list of every emergency phone number she would ever need. All she was out was a purse she didn't care about and a few dollars. Turns out standing next to the door makes yo a great target.

bonsoir from paris! so far so good, i haven't encountered any pickpockets or thieves ;) and i wore a moneybelt AND neckbelt, so i felt very safe regardless. Also, i wore a crossbody bag for my daily essentials and i tied a plastic covered metal wire over the zipper handle to the strap so it was impossible to open without me untwisting it (because i didnt have a flap =( over the bag..overall, a very good 1st experience in paris ;) thank you everyone for their advices!