pick pocket-er?

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!! I'm really not a paranoid person but, I do want to be careful!! I think I'm just a little nervous because I've never been to Europe. I was nervous when I visited New York a couple years ago with my daughter and nothing happened. We had a great time and were SAFE!!! Thanks Again!!!

I use these, they are underwear with hidden pockets. Sort of funny looking when you reach in to get your money, but nobody else can get down your pants (or if they do, you have much bigger troubles, ha ha). Search for them on Google: Stash It Ware.

It's VERY easy - use a money belt. That is a generic term, there are lots of specific options but the general idea is that it is secured to your body and under the clothing. A pick pocket won't know it's there and cannot access it even if they do know. Carry all important documents, cards and IDs in the moneybelt. Only carry spending cash for the day in a wallet, purse or pants pocket. If that was lost it won't ruin your vacation. Pick pockets work best when people are distracted. Crowds staring at street performers or on packed public transit. Always stay alert in those situations, but again, if you have a money belt you have little to worry about.

Keep your head up, and your things close. Lots of women like money belts or the cross-body bag, wearing the flap on the inside towards the body. I do not. I carry my normal purse over my shoulder but never take my hand off it. I have never been pickpocketed, not only in Europe, but in my home city of Chicago, in which pickpocketing is just as, if not more likely for that to occur.
Be aware. That's the best advice I can give you.

I have seen and used several forms of money belts: Neck styles, waist styles---I use a money pouch that attaches to my belt and is worn inside my pants. All of these are good and really depends on your personal preference. (One of my travel partners uses the neck pouch/another uses the money belt) The important thing to remember is that it should be used like a vault----not to be accessed on a regular bases for all your purchases. Many seasoned travels carry some daily cash needs in their pockets. Good Luck

Why the victim frame of mind because you are traveling in these cities?? Picket pocketing can happen ANYwhere. To curtail the negativity about European travel wear a money belt or invest in a Pac Safe purse. I've traveled through out Europe for over 40 years. Only one incident that happened to a friend as we sat down for a bite in Cafe Gloria across from Harrod's. My friend had placed her purse on the bench next to her but also between her and the man at the next table. Very tight seating upstairs at the cafe. His companion who was seated next to me leaned over and asked to see my menu, he requested the same of my friend. They perused the menus and then handed them back. They sat for a moment and then she got up and in a loud voice announced, "oh dear, I forgot my dentist appointment, we must go now," and they hurried out. A little odd but we ignored it until my friend reached into her purse for her wallet. Gone. Ironically we didn't think about the couple, she thought she'd left it at the bookstore we'd shopped at before stopping in the cafe. Long story short, it was Christmas time, and according to the very polite and apologetic policeman, the area by Harrod's is notorious for pick pocketing. The BIG mistake my friend made was having her passport in her purse as well as her wallet. So, it does happen but to travel abroad and assume it will happen is a waste of energy. Get the money belt.

I bought the shirts with secret pockets in Ex Officio store. Money belt is not comfortable for me. I was never pickpocketed, not even in Rome or Prague. Not that they did not try (in Rome). From my own experience I can say that Rome is the worst but I haven't been to Barcelona.

I carry a normal purse (with a shorter strap so it fits right under my armpit...sorry, that sounds strange) with a zip top and always have the zipper facing the front and I hold onto the strap. I have done this while studying abroad in Madrid (even on a weekend trip to Barcelona), throughout Europe and Argentina and never had a problem. I don't carry my passport on me (just a copy) and leave it in my hotel. Everyone has their own method and you have to figure out what works best for you! Just be vigilant and use common sense. I will tell you, though, to be careful walking along Las Ramblas in Barcelona; it is very crowded and (at least when I was there) there were a lot of street performers, etc. When we were there this guy dressed in a monkey suit jumped in front of us. I'm sure it was some kind of diversion and he had a buddy ready to pick pocket but we just stepped to the side and kept moving. It's pretty funny looking back (a monkey suit, really?)

If you're worried, then the first thing I would suggest is to be ever vigilant about where you are, what's going on around you and who's around you and are they standing too close. Secondly, I would suggest putting purses, or the contents of purses, in a backpack and use heavy duty twist ties to tie the zippers together. As a guy, I don't use a traditional wallet, instead I use a money clip that's attached to a small bi-fold leather, "wallet," for the lack of a better term (large enough to store your drivers license and a few credit cards, but small enough to put in your front pocket). I place this in my front pocket and wrap a thick rubber band around it which makes it a bit more difficult to get to. Hope this helps.

What would you do if you were visiting New York or Chicago or Los Angeles or San Lorenzo? A big busy city is the same in europe and USA. Be careful but dont get paranoid. You are going to some of the most civilized Cities and countries in the world. Enjoy

First, I strongly recommend you get and read a RS "Europe thru the Back Door" book. A great introduction for those going to Europe for the first time. You might also want to get the RS Guide Books for the cities you are going to visit as they are full of useful information. We go to Europe every summer and both use a money belt into which we put things like passport, itinerary, tickets, big money (not the money needed for the day), debit cards (unless headed for an ATM), etc. We do not access out money belts during the day unless it becomes absolutely necessary and then never in public places. We carry our daily spending money in zippered shirt/blouse chest pockets. Have a great trip and be aware of pickpocketers but do not dwell them. When we get into a crowded situation, like on the subway, bus or train, we move our day bags around to our chests and stand facing one another. Common sense will go a long way in Europe.

Lou, I sometimes wear synthetic running shorts in place of briefs. Generally the pockets on these things are too small to be of much use, but you can get some with useful-sized pockets. They are nice because they generally dry very quickly and they provide support for lots of walking.

Scottevest has shirts, shorts etc. with hidden and zippered pockets. Use a money belt for big bills, passport and credit cards. I also distribute money in several pockets. While you can get pick pocketed anywhere, it is definitely more of a pain on vacation. Stay alert, especially in crowds.

Vulnerable times are in crowded situations like elevators or getting on/off subways with luggage when you are distracted. I often sit apart from my travel partner on subways so we can keep an eye on our respective suspicious surroundings. After she lost her camera getting on the Metro in Paris, we established a warning signal when we spotted a possible pick pocket.

I always wear a money belt and keep my passport, cards, and most of my cash in it. That way I don't worry too much about potential pickpocket situations. If they go through my daybag they'll get 30 or 50 euros - better than the 200 in my money belt. Pay attention to your surroundings and keep a hand on your bag as often as possible. Never take it off outside your hotel room. I almost left mine in a restaurant in Italy because I took it off.

I grew up in New York City and nothing ever happened to me. But I digress. Whenever I'm in France or elsewhere in Europe, I use a nylon wallet pouch that slips over my belt and under my pants. Or I just use my regular wallet and keep it in an inside jacket pocket buttoned or zipped. L.L. Bean has some travel shirts with zippered hidden pockets that I like. Just never keep anything valuable in your back pockets or even side pockets. Also, make copies of your passport and credit cards and keep these in your luggage at your hotel, along with contact numbers to call if any are stolen.