Why is theft SO bad in Rome (etc.) Is poverty that bad? is it just a trade passed down? ...Whats the deal?

Answer 1

In the past (let say just after the last war, abt 50-60 years ago) theft was a regular practise 'suggested' by poverty. This was not only Rome but generally Italy and at that time there were only Italians native. Nowadays the tax of poverty is not so bad like in those days and mostly of Italians have stopped with robberies, pick pocketing, ect. - They have left just a few who are actually using drugs and in their eyes this is still the best system to make easy money. On the contrary in the last years we have had an invasion of regular and clandestine immigrated from different countries and they have almost totally replaced the Italians in doing any kind of stealing. However ,excluded always possible exceptions, they are not violent and by using the common sence you can visit Rome without any trouble. If you don't wear costly garments, expensive watch, jewels and you take care of putting yr wallet and values in a strapped satchel to wear as a belt nobody will care of you.

Answer 2

Two of the previous answers you got were correct! Theft in Rome is not that bad as it is in Naples for instance. And there are other capital cities in Europe and the world where the situation is not much better.

In Rome however there are two problems:
1.There are some places where it is easy to do that like buses in the center at pick hours.
2.Even if people see something they do not protest to much.

Just yesterday someone who did protest made it to the news and got a reward from the city council…
He was on a bus, and worn the lady that someone is putting his hand in her pocket. He was shouted by the thieve to “mind his own business”, the driver didn’t want to stop or call the police and the thief escaped. The guy who protested and tried to help was handicapped… The bus was full... he was the only one...

Answer 3

I agree with Martox45. I am also a native but live in the U.S. now. When I visit Rome or Italy in general, it's not the Italians I'm worried about. It's the millions of other people from nearby countries. Going to Rome is like going to New York. Many different ethniticities.

Answer 4

Actually, its not as bad as some of the other Italian cities...Naples, Italy just south of Rome has a long history of petty crime, purse snatchings, robberies, hold-ups, but nonetheless, its a beautiful city with awesome food.