European Travel Tips: Dealing with Pickpocketing Incident when Touring Europe, as Suggested by Rick Steves
Rick Steves, a renowned travel expert, shares his wisdom on how to keep your belongings safe while traveling. With over five years of living in Europe without any major incidents of theft, Steves has learned a thing or two about preventing theft.
First and foremost, Steves recommends wearing smaller backpacks and keeping valuables inside on your chest. This makes it harder for thieves to identify you as an easy mark. Thieves often target travellers with bulging back pockets or those who keep patting a day bag to check that the money is still there.
To minimize the chances of theft, Steves advises staying aware of your surroundings and avoiding risky situations. This includes keeping an eye on personal effects at all times, especially in busy areas like festivals, public transport, flea markets, or any commotion.
When dining at a restaurant, Steves recommends looping your bag around your leg or chair leg. He also suggests clipping your bag to your seat, luggage rack, or yourself on public transport to keep personal effects safe.
Steves recommends keeping wallets and phones in front pockets for easy visibility and access. For added security, he suggests attaching a lanyard or using a hair-tie to loop a phone around your wrist. He also recommends using a hair-tie to loop through the zippers of purses for extra protection.
If you do happen to be pick-pocketed, Steves advises quickly moving on and not letting it ruin your trip. He also suggests taking turns "watching the bags" with your travel partner to ensure personal effects remain secure.
Steves also offers advice on how to protect important documents. He recommends carrying photocopies of important documents separate from the originals and using money belts or hidden pouches to protect personal belongings.
Finally, Steves advises against traveling fearfully, but rather traveling carefully to ensure safety. He lived in Europe for five years without any major incidents of theft, demonstrating that with the right precautions, you can enjoy your travels worry-free.
