[Idyllchat] thievery in Rome

[Jay Cloidt]

Being from the New York Metro area, I never carry money in my wallet.
Everything in my wallet can be replaced with 10,000 phone calls, but it can
be done. Cash is kept separate, and if I know I'm going to the city, cash is
kept in several places so that I can hand over some cash in case of a
mugging without handing over all my cash.

When I travel, I use a very slim wallet that has 2 credit cards, an ATM
card, a Health insurance card, my drivers license, the Frequent flyer card
from the airline I'm taking, and if I'm renting a car from National, my
Emerald club card. It fits comfortably in a front pocket. It can also handle
a metro ticket from where ever I am.

I generally wear jeans or shorts. My shorts have zipped pockets, and my
jeans are too tight to casually put your hand into. The most important thing
I have learned is to look like you know where you are going. Our clothes
obviously identify us as American or Canadian usually, but if you look
comfortable, confident, and in control, you don't look like an easy mark. I
know a professional would have no trouble with my zipped pockets, but they
don't even try because there are easier targets.

Then there are the common sense things. In places like Rome and Milan, don't
take public transportation during rush hour. You're just asking for trouble.
Sit in a cafe for an hour, have an espresso or cappuccino or a beer and wait
out the crush.

 - Jay

On Jan 14, 2008 11:47 AM, Russell Crum <rrcrum1 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Your note reminded me of an add on comment to my earlier note about
> securing personal belongings. We never take our regular wallets with
> us on our international trips except when we drive to Canada. We
> realized that once we leave the US there are very few of the
> collection of cards in our wallets that are of any use in other
> countries. We stick to two credit cards, an ATM card, passport and
> drivers license (only if renting a car) all secured inside our money
> belts and/or neck pouch under our clothes. A small change purse and
> money clip handle daily cash needs in inside zippered pockets.
>
> As someone already pointed out, the typical man's bulging wallet in a
> hip pocket signals loud and clear "I'm an American tourist with
> something easy to take".
>
> Russ
>
>
>
> On Jan 14, 2008, at 9:36 , ronald moline wrote:
>
> > Alas, three years ago, my wallet was stolen out of the inside vest
> > pocket of
> > my sport coat, before I was out of baggage claim at DaVinci
> > International
> > Airport. Obviously, this was a stupid place to carry a wallet--
> > probably the
> > easiest pocket for a thief to pick a wallet. Incredibly, the wallet
> > was
> > returned to me - mailed to my home in Oak Park, Illinois - by a German
> > tourist who found it on a train in Rome. Only the money was missing.
> >
> > Ron Moline
> > Oak Park, Illinois
> >
> >
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