Not getting stuff stolen?

Question

I'm going to Paris with my parents in, but I know theres alot of tourist crime. I'm gonna bring my digital camera, but when i'm just walking around what do I do with it??? Pocket? Fanny Pack? purse? i have a camera case but i don't want some guy just to walk up & steal it!! I hate ordering things online so I cant order the money pack but like if they had one at Target or Walmart? What do I do if it does get stolen?

hahahahaha fanny packs DO rule!!

fanny packs are so ******* sexy its not even FUNNY

Answer 1

Europe as a whole, has a lot of crime against tourists, especially at main tourist attractions. I've been robbed very badly in Brussels. The best thing to do is leave ALL your precious stuff in your hotel room or safe and NEVER travel with more baggage than you can handle, when visiting local attractions. A digital camera is fine as long as you put the strap around your neck in a manner that nobody can pull it away easily.

Always carry cash, credit/ debit cards, passport, other identification, medicines if any, in the FRONT pocket of your trouser. The best trousers for these are jeans or denims since their pockets are rather small and pulling things out is difficult for both- the wearer and the thief. Also, stuff your pocket with paper or kerchiefs so that your purse and passport are really difficult to reach. Also, denims are rather thick and can withstand the split second slash that pickpockets attempt with sharp razor blades.

Do not keep such stuff in your jacket since they are easy to cut into and you might easily forget your jacket someplace or during a security check.

Passports and ID is especially important for France since the cops there, for some reason, have the habit of asking it from tourists. It is compulsary for all in Paris to carry some form of ID, especially passports for foreigners.

It is best to split your cash in three ways- a prepaid credit/debit card with a fixed spending balance, travelers cheques- the paper type and not the modern card types, and of course, paper currency in small notes. In Europe, many establishments wont accept anything above 50 Euros so you need to carry a lot of smaller notes and coins. Keep the main credit card in the hotel safe...just in case.

Always make sure that you are alone near ATMs or in banks or exchanges and keep a sharp eye for anyone trying to get unreasonably closer while conducting ANY transaction- even if that's buying a souvenir on the roadside or paying at a restaurant. Be extra careful of beggars who pop up from nowhere, usually with a child in arms or toddlers. Better to swallow that pity you feel for them and avoid giving alms rather than to be robbed.

Be sure to look around for anyone following you about. This is a very common trick used by thieves in Europe- they follow their intended victim for a while and wait till the unsuspecting tourist presents a split second opportunity.

Above all- NEVER leave any piece of your baggage un-attended even for a second. And never pack your passport, ticket, cash or hotel vouchers, medications, in such bags.

Train and bus stations are also hunting grounds for thieves and pick-pockets and you'll have to be very alert when boarding or alighting from a train or bus, especially when it's crowded. Be VERY alert while traveling on a bus or train too.

Sorry if this sounds too long- but one other thing...NEVER be seen asking for directions in a foreign language at public places. In France, few people speak English so you'll attract attention as a foreigner the moment you use a different language. This would give yourself away and thieves would know you are a tourist. Always take the directions from your hotel reception or staff, write them down carefully and carry with you, including trivial details such as bus or train numbers and directions.

Getting robbed in Europe can be a nightmare. Passports stolen there usually land in some other country and fetch a high price, depending upon which nation issued it. You would not want an identity theft...right?

Answer 2

When we went to Spain and PAris I carried all of my valuables, like money, credit cards, passport, in a pouch that I wore under my clothes. I would only have a few dollars/ Euros in my pocket to pay for stuff from maybe street vendors. I always kept my camera (a small digital) in my pocket rather than a fanny pack. Pickpockets will use a razor blade and cut them right off of you. I always stayed away from crowds and kept my eye out for suspicious persons. At one tour stop in Spain the guide pointed out a pickpocket who was walking around with a camera posing as a tourist. Also watch out for and stay away from the Gypsies who will be begging for money, usually with their kids in toe.

The main thing that you don't want stolen is your passport so don't carry it in a purse, fanny pack or pack pack (or those back pack purses). If your money or camera is stolen you can report it but it will not do you much good. They are not likely to find the person and if they do you will probably be back home by then.

Answer 3

yes! fanny packs rule!