Scams in Italy - poked in the thigh by a stranger

Maybe just a nutcase,, theres no border on nutcases,,

Maybe a scared American tourist who had read too many posting about pickpockets and thought she was being targeted ao it was defense move when your niece got too close. My first thought would be sometime of diversionary move. Persons on the edge of a guide tour are often targeted because they are already slightly distracted. Who knows? Hopefully your niece learned to be more alert.

Sounds to me like you figured out the reason. That's what I would have said. It shows why if traveling with a herd she needs to keep up with the herd. Remember that predators (both animal and human) tend to pick on the weakest, slowest, ill, and those separated from the herd.

Nigel, good observation - you are so right - every story I've ever heard about travel groups seems to involve someone at the back of the pack being targeted. Maybe it was a nutcase or maybe this person had had a previous run-in with someone who looked similar to my niece. She's such a lovely Australian girl that I just can't fathom why she would be singled out. I just put it out there to see if anyone had heard of a similar scenario. Thanks to all for the feedback/suggestions.

Maybe the woman was a witch and was checking to see if your niece needed fattening up before putting her in the pot.

Oh Karen - that's silly! Silly but very funny! Yes well she's very pretty, tall & slim with long blond hair - maybe she was jealous! The rest of the school group are small & dark 1st generation Italian Australians whereas niece is Irish-English/Australian! I dunno - it's just the oddest thing I've heard in a while.

While exiting the Metro in Paris once, I felt a sharp pain in my upper arm. I looked around for a culprit. There was a normal-appearing middle-aged man walking away. I stood there and watched him. He glanced back at me then continued walking. My guess was that he was aiming for my breast with his elbow, but don't know. I don't understand anyone assaulting strangers.

I got molestered on the tube this morning in London by what looked to be a normal business type. As my hubby said 'walk it off'. There's nutters everywhere and this is by far a minor offense. When those types of things happen, my experience is that it's not a scam, just the village idiot. Makes for great pub stories that evening!

I agree with Pat. No borders...

Leslie says she got "molestered" on the tube. I am familiar with what a similar word means and here it is a sex crime.
I just wondered what happened to her. If someone was to touch my wife, in any way, she would let out the worse scream you have ever heard. And, if I were close by, I would make every attempt to speak to the offending party.

I was by myself, no hubby. It was just a quick 'drive-by' groping. It happens all the time and I promise you won't get the police involved unless you have photos. I was wearing business attire so that wasn't the problem. The unspoken truth is there are some of us ladies who are always going to be targets of this sort of thing. We can either sit home, have escorts everywhere, or 'walk it off'. The right answer is different for each of us.

Shirley, This is a somewhat unusual occurrence, but I'm not sure it was a "scam". Due to the fact that the perpetrator was also female, I doubt this would have been molestation or "groping". Depending on exactly where in the thigh your niece was "jabbed" the woman may have been "probing" for a Moneybelt or items in a pocket? I've dealt with quite a few people with mental health issues, and the "respectably dressed" appearance of the woman doesn't seem to fit that profile.

I'm so sorry this happened to your niece, whatever the "reason". She's so young for that!

Yes Melissa (Austin) she is too young to have such an experience. On top of this the day before a man tried to grab her bag at the train station in Prato. But that could happen anywhere - no need to be in Italy to experience such a thing! But overall Catherine's trip to Italy has been one of wonder and amazement; her eyes have well and truly been opened to art, architecture and culture. It's a shame that you have to worry about the risk of theft in all the tourist sites. Tourists coming to Australia have no such worries!

Wow,, I wanna go to Australia then,, here ,, in Victoria ,. Canada tourists don't have to worry about pick pockets,, but they had better watch out for anything left in sight ( even coins) in a rental car,, our bums and druggies will totally break in and steal it.. Crime occurs everywhere,, just different sorts it seems.. Your neice learned many valuable lessons,, and she didn't have to actually lose anything,, so in a way a great eye opened without severe consequences,, will make her a savy traveller in future.