Survival whistles as pickpocket deterrents?

You're going to look really, really silly walking around with a yellow whistle in you mouf. It might make you look like a tourist. Personally, I'd go for a Clarabell horn.

...and in future news:
"YouTube video of American tourist randomly blowing whistle in front of Europe's great landmarks goes viral" :)

that's pretty silly. thieves survive on tourists so as far as you make yourself a hard target you're ok. and, i don't think naples is that bad - i walked the street back in 2003 and yes it's different but also found some really warm people, really good stuff to see (wish i had more time for it), and didn't run into any gang-attack kids at all.

You already have a built-in deterrent - your mouth. Two ladies and I went to Italy and in Rome we were approached by a group of gypsies who were going to try the throw-the-baby-at-us technique. One of my travel companions started yelling, "Go away! Go away!" to attract attention, and it worked. They backed off. Don't rely only on noise-making as a deterrent. Use a money belt and pay attention to your surroundings.

'Use a money belt' Best idea for the use of one I ever heard.......use it to shoo the buttheads away.

I pack a gadget that has a survival whistle but that's the only part of the gadget I could do without. It has a temperature gauge (nice to know how hot/cold it is), compass (critical for the directionally impaired), mini flashlight (has come in handy I don't know how many times), magnifying glass (handy for reading the really tiny Metro maps), and a shiny thing that could qualify as a mirror - I don't use that either. I don't think the survival whistle will do anything for pickpockets or persistent peddlers but the rest of the stuff on the whistle may come in handy on your travels.

I would file that idea away with the one that says to carry a fake wallet filled with newspaper clippings. Boy, won't they be mad when they find out they are fooled. Seriously, just wear a money belt.

Here's another vote for the Clarabell Horn!

I'd vote for that for the pickpockets, but agree that it might be a bit much for the annoying and pushy peddlers. Personally, around train stations, etc. I just try to blend in with the local crowd whenever possible, ie not look toooooooo touristy. Although I stand out (very white and freckled and 6'6") I find that if I seem to look like I know where I'm going when I am in or exiting a station (though usually I don't and just wait to check the map once out of the chaos) I don't get approached.

Usually pickpockets try to distract their victims. You may be doing them a great service, while everyone around looks to see what's going on, they're getting their pockets picked. :)

Youse guys really need to rethink the Clarabell idea. The horn was attached to a box on his gut. What was in the box? A SELTZER BOTTLE - - just the ticket to ward off the unwashed.

As a city dweller used to lots of daily noise, I can only tell you my initial reaction to hearing you blowing on a loud whistle persistently would be one of the following: a) she's mentally ill; b) she's studying to become a traffic cop; c) maybe she's announcing the start of the Gay Pride Parade - but where are all the Drag Queens?; d) I must be having an Ecstasy Flashback again of that 24-hour rave from 1996!; e) Maybe Naples has Carnival just like Rio and I missed that in the guidebook.; f) oh look! That kooky broad with the whistle is getting whirled by those gypsy kids and in 12 more seconds they will have removed both the Rick Steves brand neck pouch she had tucked inside her bra holding all her money and her whistle!

And then you could be like Gomer Pyle and holler, "Citizen's Arrest! Citizen's Arrest!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9efgLHgsBmM

Or do what Steve Martin recommends, when a mugger tries to rob you, throw up on your money.

I doubt if there would be time to use the whistle unless you wear it around your neck on your wrist like a ref. Then you could get a stripped yellow shirt and pass for a local soccer ref. This is fun but nuts.

It's like the young gal that was going to Paris a while back and was planning on taking a pocket knife for similar reasons. As I recall she wasn't even a graduate of MissMabel'sKnifeFightingSchoolForYoungLadies.

Mate, your whistle and wallet will be gone before you even know it!!!!

Ah, heck! Just bring a vuvuzella and be done with it. (Well, I guess you could do the seltser bottle thing after they collapse, just to add insult to injury.)

How about a bullhorn? "Step away from me, now! I do not want a bracelet!" (JER, are you still speaking to us?)

Thanks for the words of advice. I do wear a money belt in pickpocket prone areas, though frankly I don't bother when I'm on business in Europe. (I know, I know, report me to Rick for heresy! If it helps, I don't wear shorts or baseball caps or white sneakers on business in Europe, either. Am I back in Rick's good graces?) My concern is not about sneak pickpockets but the more aggressive types that don't shy away from direct frontal attacks. I'm thinking my moneybelt might not necessarily be secure under those circumstances.
It's interesting to me that nobody here thought a whistle had any safety benefits. For what it's worth, a lot of women's self defense courses recommend them. In fact, some police departments even give them away to the public as safety devices. No word on whether they're planning to expand the giveaways to Clarabelle horns or seltzer bottles, though.

Once in Prague I was walking in Wenceslas Square with a friend, who had a sore foot so we were walking slowly and our husbands were about 20 feet ahead of us. Suddenly we were surrounded by 5 guys, one on either side of us, two in front and one in back, and hands were trying to get into our purses. Without thinking about it, I began to shout, "Help! Police! Thieves! Help!" without stopping, and everyone within earshot stopped to look at me, the crazy lady. The 5 guys dispersed and melted away in the crowd. Our husbands walked with us thereafter.

I think in most cases, pickpockets operate quietly, so you might not even notice you've been robbed until it is all over. A whistle sounds mostly ineffective and entirely silly -- although I am looking forward to the YouTube video making rounds around the net already.

If I'm on a crowded subway with you, please don't blow your whistle! Seriously, that's the most likely place to be pickpocketed.

Be sure to wear the whistle on a cord around your neck. That will enable you to fish it out after some thug shoves it down your throat.

@JER - I took a women's self-defense class in which the instructors did not recommend that we rely on whistles or guns or anything except our own bodies. The reason for this is that any tool can be taken away from you (and used against you) but if you are trained in self-defense, your body is your weapon and cannot be used against you. Norma's story is very similar to my own story in Rome - pickpockets don't want any attention and yelling provides plenty of unwanted attention.

If a gypsy does the "throw-the-baby-at-you" trick, quickly move out of the way. Don't worry, gypsy kids are like cats -- they always land on their feet. If enough tourists do this, the thieves will get the hint and quit throwing their kids around. :) And instead of whistles, I'd get one of those compressed air-powered horns that people bring to football games. You'll be the talk of every town you visit. :)

All bets are off when thieves start tossing children around...that's when you need to reach for your loaded 357. Vacation is alot safer when you're packin' heat. Don't get me wrong, I know for a fact crime happens to tourists, but I've never seen so many people worried about pickpockets or other foul things as I have seen on the Helpline. A little common sense and an ounce of street smarts is all most people need.

A whistle works great when you get phone calls from pervs in the middle of the night.