I use a money belt and my usual wallet, in front right pants pocket. Every thing important goes in the money belt. And the wallet is just used for cash, tickets, a limited debit card, and receipts. Here's the method. Put your wallet in your pocket, and then put a dinner fork outside the wallet with the tines pointing in to you over the top of the wallet. Try this at home an ask someone to then try and remove your wallet. They can't. till you flip the fork over. You can use a plastic fork for this, which I've never found to be uncomfortable, even when sitting. :) This works for phones also.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2065 posts
A money belt is always a good idea.
Apple Pay or similar eliminates most of the need for cash.
Posted by
1082 posts
That is a clever idea. Very simple. And you have access to your wallet, unlike a money belt. Another way is to simply put a couple tissues, a napkin in your pocket as a barrier. A pickpocket is not going to pick you twice in rapid succession to pluck out the tissues and then the wallet. The time will have passed.
Posted by
Atlanta
5225 posts
Another simply way to protect one's day money and daily credit card is to carry them in a slim wallet in a shirt chest pocket that can be buttoned and / or zippered closed. Same can be done with vests if shirt pockets are not an option. Most vests (even inexpensive ones) have at least one zipper pocket, and some have a zipper pocket on the inside. But a money belt is still the best bet for deep storage.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8103 posts
No, I see no reason to carry a fork around in my pocket.
I do not fear pickpockets to that extent. Have traveled 25 years in Europe doing just fine taking simple precautions. Not saying that I am immune, anyone can be picked, but I must appear to be not worth their time and effort.
I'll leave the dinnerware at home.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
728 posts
I traveled to Europe at least twice a year for the past 10 years and I’ve never felt the need to carry utensils around to protect myself. I’ve never been pickpocketed but if I do get pickpocketed, they get €20, one credit card and back in the hotel safe, there’s some more euros a debit card and another credit card.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20360 posts
The way you pull the fork out of your pocket will identify if you are an American or a European. I think a fish fork would be best for this. Or, avoiding Barcelona.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33926 posts
if they injure themselves on the tines of the fork they can have you arrested for a dangerous weapon and sue. But that would add to the fun, I guess.
Posted by
PA
2868 posts
Sorry, Nigel, but they were searching you without a warrant or probable cause. Which would lead back to the attempted perp then being charged with assault as soon as he described what he did.
Posted by
1082 posts
Two forks. One facing forward, one backwards.
Or, as I do, a wire leader attached to my belt and the wallet so it can only go so far if it is picked.
Couple other suggestions. A vest replete with so many pockets that the pickpocket can't figure out which one to go for, especially if you carry numerous dummy wallets in them.
Or, a hat wallet. Who keeps their wallet in a hat? Exactly.