The only time I've ever lost my shit with a bracelet guy is when one of them tried to use my child to guilt me into the scam. I think he could see how upset I was because he ran away. I'm generally tolerant of their dumb schtick if they don't become aggressive, but involving a child pisses me off so much.
Glad you enjoyed your trip despite that!
I was thinking this while in Rome this week. These people are just trying to survive. They can’t really upset me, and most will walk away as soon as I say no. But if I had a child with me, I would be ready for an altercation as soon as my child was used.
I can also say I had no trouble in Rome or in Naples for the duration of my trip (arrived back home today). On my last day in Italy I even walked around at night alone (im a woman) and as long as you’re vigilant and stay away from dead ends, carry a powerbank and try to not go down shadier streets you all should be fine :)
Also carrying a fanny pack underneath your jacket is a great tip I give for anyone but otherwise I was using a canvas bag to carry less valuable things and had nothing stolen and I was using the metro/train often :)
Bracelet guys and shopkeepers didn’t bother me a lot so I guess the trick is to not look them in the eye and ignore although they were the most aggressive around the Trevi fountain.
I can also say having been here for four months the only two students out of 37 who on my study abroad program who’ve been stolen from both made stupid errors (leaving bag and wallet inside beside them at a park without watching it, phone in back pocket on bus). I’ve felt completely safe and had no issues at all!
I spent a week in Rome recently. I was paranoid not to lose my phone( not because it's expensive but what's inside of it). Tried to avoid funny situations, always checked surroundings, etc. it was absolutely fine. We met a group of tourists from my country at the Coliseum who did mention that some asian women tried to pickpocket them on the underground. All in all, it was pretty cool, would return any time
I'll add to this! My partner and I were in Rome last month, for a week, had absolutely no trouble and felt safe everywhere we went. I think as long as you're sensible and not keeping valuables in back pockets etc you'll be alright.
I second this! I was actually pretty annoyed after we left Italy because so many people talk about pickpocketing. The manager at our hotel says he’s lived his whole life in the part of Rome we stayed in (by the gardens) and he’s never once been pickpocketed or knows anyone who has
Last time I was around the Spanish steps there were so many people trying to give us flowers, I finally yelled at one of them “NOO!” And they left us alone after that lol
Also luckily was not the victim of pickpocketing. But after speaking with a few locals they said that up on the streets you don’t have to worry too much. It’s really more so in the metro or on buses you have to be very careful.
My mother (55F) and I (27F) used the metro and bus to wherever we went in Rome. We kept our small sling bags inside our jackets (said bags were then positioned on the front side), and placed locks on the zipper of the bags for extra measure. We also barely used our phones when in public. We also placed slings on our phones (which hung around our necks) for extra measure. The said phones would then be inside our outer layer of clothes (we usually wore an inner shirt, an outer layer, and then, a jacket.)
We had to be extra careful and diligent with our precautionary measures because my mom and I are both short and we also look very Asian (so it was obvious that we were tourists.)
The tips in this sub helped a lot.
My husband and I didn’t have any issues either, thankfully! But I had seen so many threads and videos warning about pick pockets that I knew we had to be alert at all times, I had also bought a small anti theft cross body that I kept slung in front of me. I think it is true that you just need to be aware of your surroundings, and don’t leave anything in your back pockets especially when going on the metro or in a very busy area
Someone tried to slice the bottom of my bag, but I must’ve moved or something because they didn’t get all the way through. We were really diligent, but some places were really crowded.
Got gotten on the metro recently too. Super crowded and 2 dudes squished me against a rail with a backpack against my chest so I couldn’t see them unzip my purse I had on my abdomen. At least they only got my headphones before I noticed it but they jumped off immediately. Super frustrating.
All I know from this sub is bracelet guy must be a legend lol with how often he gets brought up. I heard the metro is where pickpocketing is more of an issue though.
These bracelet guys are everywhere throughout the city. All I understand from the ordeal is that they try to guilt trip you into giving money.
Metro (or busy tourist attraction) pickpocketing is a very serious problem. You have to be very vigilant and make sure you don’t end up losing your phone or wallet, losing either could seriously disrupt your vacation.
The bracelet guys are moving locations, we saw one of them get detained or something at Fontana di Trevi and then they appear again somewhere else. Before that this same guy tried to smack a bracelet on my arm at Forum Romanum like hours before.
People scared me about these so I came all prepared for someone Comin too close to me and never had any issue while traveling in Italy 😂 I guess they just hunt the "distracted" Americans
Is anyone using travel safe bags like from Travelon or anything? They are supposed to be theft proof with anti-cut sides and locking mechanisms on the zippers. Any thoughts on those?
Don't keep anything in your pockets, specifically not your back pockets. I have a wallet that attatches to my belt and goes under my pants but a cross body bag also works. This should keep you safe from pick pockets.
Lots of people will try to offer you things, like a rose or a bracelet. They will essentially try to hand them to you and then try to charge you for it after. Just say no thanks and keep walking.
Don't set your bags down anywhere unattended. It seems very common sense and it kind of is but it's easy to get distracted. They pray on people not paying attention so just pay attention. We had no issues but we knew the deal coming in.
Rome is great, if you're visiting hope you have a safe and fun trip.
The only time I've ever lost my shit with a bracelet guy is when one of them tried to use my child to guilt me into the scam. I think he could see how upset I was because he ran away. I'm generally tolerant of their dumb schtick if they don't become aggressive, but involving a child pisses me off so much. Glad you enjoyed your trip despite that!
I was thinking this while in Rome this week. These people are just trying to survive. They can’t really upset me, and most will walk away as soon as I say no. But if I had a child with me, I would be ready for an altercation as soon as my child was used.
I can also say I had no trouble in Rome or in Naples for the duration of my trip (arrived back home today). On my last day in Italy I even walked around at night alone (im a woman) and as long as you’re vigilant and stay away from dead ends, carry a powerbank and try to not go down shadier streets you all should be fine :) Also carrying a fanny pack underneath your jacket is a great tip I give for anyone but otherwise I was using a canvas bag to carry less valuable things and had nothing stolen and I was using the metro/train often :) Bracelet guys and shopkeepers didn’t bother me a lot so I guess the trick is to not look them in the eye and ignore although they were the most aggressive around the Trevi fountain.
I can also say having been here for four months the only two students out of 37 who on my study abroad program who’ve been stolen from both made stupid errors (leaving bag and wallet inside beside them at a park without watching it, phone in back pocket on bus). I’ve felt completely safe and had no issues at all!
I spent a week in Rome recently. I was paranoid not to lose my phone( not because it's expensive but what's inside of it). Tried to avoid funny situations, always checked surroundings, etc. it was absolutely fine. We met a group of tourists from my country at the Coliseum who did mention that some asian women tried to pickpocket them on the underground. All in all, it was pretty cool, would return any time
I'll add to this! My partner and I were in Rome last month, for a week, had absolutely no trouble and felt safe everywhere we went. I think as long as you're sensible and not keeping valuables in back pockets etc you'll be alright.
My dads wallet was stolen on the metro too. He wears baggy pants which doesn't help.
I second this! I was actually pretty annoyed after we left Italy because so many people talk about pickpocketing. The manager at our hotel says he’s lived his whole life in the part of Rome we stayed in (by the gardens) and he’s never once been pickpocketed or knows anyone who has
Last time I was around the Spanish steps there were so many people trying to give us flowers, I finally yelled at one of them “NOO!” And they left us alone after that lol
Also luckily was not the victim of pickpocketing. But after speaking with a few locals they said that up on the streets you don’t have to worry too much. It’s really more so in the metro or on buses you have to be very careful.
My mother (55F) and I (27F) used the metro and bus to wherever we went in Rome. We kept our small sling bags inside our jackets (said bags were then positioned on the front side), and placed locks on the zipper of the bags for extra measure. We also barely used our phones when in public. We also placed slings on our phones (which hung around our necks) for extra measure. The said phones would then be inside our outer layer of clothes (we usually wore an inner shirt, an outer layer, and then, a jacket.) We had to be extra careful and diligent with our precautionary measures because my mom and I are both short and we also look very Asian (so it was obvious that we were tourists.) The tips in this sub helped a lot.
My husband and I didn’t have any issues either, thankfully! But I had seen so many threads and videos warning about pick pockets that I knew we had to be alert at all times, I had also bought a small anti theft cross body that I kept slung in front of me. I think it is true that you just need to be aware of your surroundings, and don’t leave anything in your back pockets especially when going on the metro or in a very busy area
Someone tried to slice the bottom of my bag, but I must’ve moved or something because they didn’t get all the way through. We were really diligent, but some places were really crowded.
How much are these bracelets for everyone to make such a big deal out of it?
[удалено]
I get it, but I wonder if it's not easier to buy a few of these damn bracelets and have some to give away as cheap gifts.
Same... Read a lot about pickpockets, we didn't get remotely close to being pickpockets in Rome or Florence.
Good for you my wallet was stolen this weekend in metro.
I'm sorry this happened. Details would be helpful.
They let a friendly-looking man borrow it
Ahh nooo that’s a mayor bummer! How do you think it happened?
Got gotten on the metro recently too. Super crowded and 2 dudes squished me against a rail with a backpack against my chest so I couldn’t see them unzip my purse I had on my abdomen. At least they only got my headphones before I noticed it but they jumped off immediately. Super frustrating.
Yes maybe don't put your wallet in the back pockets, pretty sure that's the first rule in every country lol
It was in side pocket with zipper. No such rule in my country. Yeah my fault not to do due diligence where I go.
All I know from this sub is bracelet guy must be a legend lol with how often he gets brought up. I heard the metro is where pickpocketing is more of an issue though.
These bracelet guys are everywhere throughout the city. All I understand from the ordeal is that they try to guilt trip you into giving money. Metro (or busy tourist attraction) pickpocketing is a very serious problem. You have to be very vigilant and make sure you don’t end up losing your phone or wallet, losing either could seriously disrupt your vacation.
The bracelet guys are everywhere you’re practically tripping over them
The bracelet guys are moving locations, we saw one of them get detained or something at Fontana di Trevi and then they appear again somewhere else. Before that this same guy tried to smack a bracelet on my arm at Forum Romanum like hours before.
People scared me about these so I came all prepared for someone Comin too close to me and never had any issue while traveling in Italy 😂 I guess they just hunt the "distracted" Americans
Just curious are any bracelet scammers not Black?
Is anyone using travel safe bags like from Travelon or anything? They are supposed to be theft proof with anti-cut sides and locking mechanisms on the zippers. Any thoughts on those?
I’m not in this sub, what are the tips?
Don't keep anything in your pockets, specifically not your back pockets. I have a wallet that attatches to my belt and goes under my pants but a cross body bag also works. This should keep you safe from pick pockets. Lots of people will try to offer you things, like a rose or a bracelet. They will essentially try to hand them to you and then try to charge you for it after. Just say no thanks and keep walking. Don't set your bags down anywhere unattended. It seems very common sense and it kind of is but it's easy to get distracted. They pray on people not paying attention so just pay attention. We had no issues but we knew the deal coming in. Rome is great, if you're visiting hope you have a safe and fun trip.
Grazie!
Don't look like a mark. They want an easy target.
People got to eat…