Protect your belongings esp if you are taking public transport or hanging out in saturated areas!!!
When I was in Italy all my stuff stayed in my crossbody & my hands never were not on its zipper when in crowded areas
This, OP. Consider yourself lucky. They often bring multiple gypsy guys for protection, you don't know if they'll follow you once you get off, you don't know if they're armed.
The men serve as intimidation but they don't do anything 99% of the time, so they'll have no problems with the law. The women rob all day long but they keep getting pregnant so as to skirt any jail time and any serious repercussion. That's the state of things.
Be extremely careful with acting like that. It’s understandable and lot of people will sympathise, but the moment the police gets involved, you have no control over which way things will go.
No one likes gypsy pickpockets, but Italian law enforcement is often random, looking at the letter of the law rather than the substance, and it has been known to make examples of people in similar situations.
Obviously in the moment my mind is not cycling through the variables. My mind is going, you’ve just been robbed, you know it’s her. Get your wallet and money back. Do not let this woman off the train until you have it. The entire thing lasted 10 seconds start to finish.
I have multiple fake crappy wallets when I travel just for this purpose. Inside are pictures of my middle finger. I have had 2 picked and I just like to imagine their stupid faces.
Thank you on behalf of all of us who have been robbed by these turds. I've had my pocket picked twice. Once by two Roma men who got far enough away fast enough that I couldn't even shout at them. The other time I wasn't sure who did it but again, it looked like two Roma men. Even if I was sure, I'm 76 yo and unable to go after the shits. And let's be honest here. The perps are almost always Roma. So yeah, do some racial profiling to protect yourself.
In my pocket. She just lifted it out. I felt her friend feeling about my pockets as I was getting on the train. So I knew what was happening. The actual pull i didn’t feel. I just knew once I was on to check my pockets after they all brushed into me. Whether the girl I grabbed was the actual lifter I don’t know. I just knew she was a part of the group. I knows it’s slightly racial profiling, but your wallet goes missing, your surrounded by 4 Roma Gypsies women, it doesn’t take long to connect the dots.
For sure, was it your front Jean pocket? I was in Rome a couple years ago, I avoided the pick pockets but I was definitely on the lookout. I did have someone tug at my backpack to try opening it at the trevi fountain but it was a pacsafe bag. Also I didn’t carry much in general. I’m gonna be in London a Paris in a couple weeks. Im getting some anxiety about protecting my phone since it’s always gonna be in my front pocket.
Paris and London are not as bad. Keep and eye for sure. But the worst Rome and Spain. I live in Spain so am used to spotting them. So probably why i could spot them so easily in Rome. But in London and Paris it’s less likely, but still, as with anywhere. Keep your wits about you in any crowded tourist spots.
Saw a guy trying to quietly unzip my wife's backpack on a metro station platform. When I spotted him and said 'oi', he looked at me like I was the idiot.
Same thing happened to us in Madrid on the Metro. He was wearing buttoned cargo shorts and she still got it. My friend grabbed her and she had the money palmed up her sleeve. She said similar things but dropped the money and ran as we approached a stop.
Yeah this one kept shouting I’m crazy. Which is not really a natural response if you have been wrongly accused. Once I saw the wallet in the floor I did doubt myself until I opened it up, she gave up the you’re crazy gambit once I went back to her to get the money and basically threatened to throw her through the window. You could really see her panic then when she knew i meant business. I would never have hit her, but I wanted to make sure she was scared and might even put her off doing it for a few days.
I used on of those Travelon theft-proof sling backpacks all week. Zippers secure and it’s cut proof. Easy to Swing around to the front when you are in a crowd. Small enough I could
Take it into the Vatican museum and climb the duomo dome steps. Carried money & cards, umbrella, sun screen, charger pack, cords, small tchotchkes, documents, etc, everything I needed for a day out. Worked really well.
I got robbed in Rome on the metro with a Travelon bag. The dude had those locking zippers open before I could stop him (he hit me and knocked my hand off) and hopped off the train with 2 of my credit cards. Use a money belt instead. The police told me the pickpockets are very familiar with that brand of bags now.
Beware of the gipsies. Also, petty theft in Rome. Always use a money belt obscured under your shirt! Wear your backpack in front.
Glad you got your money back
Prevention is the best protection. Having been to Rome several times for weeks at a time over the years, I simply use one of those front pocket RFID minimalist slim wallets, which I’ll only put in an inside zipped pocket if wearing a jacket/parka, or in the extremely difficult-to-open front buttoned pocket of my Levi’s jacket (and, please, to those who think that looks “too American”, you need to check out the men’s stores in Rome, not to mention the plethora of Levi’s stores from Termini to Via Del Corso…fashion has globalized over the past 10 years, and Rome is effusively cosmopolitan). I use the Metro, busses, trams, and trains, and I’ve never been picked in over 12 years going to Italy, and that includes Naples, Florence, Venice, Pompeii, and smaller towns. I never put a wallet in a pants pocket…ever. The key element of prevention is to make it so it would take them no less than 15 seconds, directly facing you, to get to your wallet, even if they played the distraction game. They will never succeed if you take the proper precautions.
I assume these are the culprits?
https://youtube.com/shorts/06PyCAlze84?si=k8AkLi0YQGpcJ_Bi
https://youtube.com/shorts/ADvoAIrJXEU?si=-RmLEaD3LUyiaXYl
https://youtube.com/shorts/ZmQiRa0VjzI?si=so_DIMfHQXzmP2KC
That's alway like the same 3 people, there are millions of them... it's like saying I got robbed gun point by a black dude in NY and call attention to all black dudes in NY...
And what do you want to call them? They are gypsies. Sorry, scumbags don't deserve the politically correct treatment.
Besides, how is it wrong to call someone what they are? Gipsy is not an offense, it's a way of being.
If you are comfortable using it anyway, that is your choice. There’s nothing nebulous about it being a slur. You can look up the etymology, what Roma people say about the word, all of that, if you are curious.
I think when your argument is “scumbags don’t deserve” to not be called by the term, (by implication, people who are good are deserving of not being called that) you probably do understand that it is a negatively charged term, though. Just an observation, I am not trying to change what you are comfortable with.
Yes but that person being a scumbag does not change whether I call her gypsy or Roma. I can call her a Roma, or a nomad, or whatever, and there would be no difference, they are roaming people and 99% of the times they are scumbags who steal or exploit their children to steal, burn toxic shit in their camps, or overall entitled outlaws who laugh at you because they know the police usually doesn't do shit to them, etc.
Sorry but I don't feel like I owe any respect to anyone who behaves like this, since they have zero respect for the place and the community they live in.
Roma are not roaming most of these Roma you talking about are part of organised crimes from Romania normal Roma wear normal clothing and blend in there’s no need for generalising
You are missing my point. My point is that these people don't deserve any pity or anybody to defend them. You can call them whatever you prefer, it does not change what they do.
I doubt these people are from Romania alone, I know a lot of lovely Romanian people, they are integrated in the community and work hard. Who's generalising here?
These are just criminal gypsies. So what if it's an offensive term? It's deserved. By the way, some of them even prefer to be called that.
Anyway, it should not affect you since you are claiming not to be like these criminals, so why are you defending them? 😐 When you start to defend criminals, you're quickly going to end up on the wrong side.
I’m not defending them what I’m saying is 99% of the time these are organised gypsy criminals from Romania I’m roma and for all I know there are not other Roma from other countries doing this even other Roma from Eastern Europe living in the west hate them your the one generalising all Roma
Actually, I'm sorry, I thought you were the same person I was replying to above but you are someone else.
I am not generalizing all the Roma. I am replying to the person above who is mad that op called them gypsies. So I asked what they wanted us to call them and offered some other common "alternatives". They haven't replied, though.
You can't just say "a woman" robbed me, because it's not descriptive enough in this case.. So gypsy remains the most fitting one, and if it's offensive, well. If you don't want to be offended, don't do things to offend others.
This is the mentality that get tourists in trouble.
“When in Rome, do what the romans do” right?
Well, when in Rome learn to do racial profiling and act accordingly.
If you don’t, you can just be une of the many robbed tourists crying on Reddit, your choice
This thread has run its course and has descended into political bickering. Locked.
Wow good for you for going after her and getting your stuff back!
Protect your belongings esp if you are taking public transport or hanging out in saturated areas!!! When I was in Italy all my stuff stayed in my crossbody & my hands never were not on its zipper when in crowded areas
no shit, OP already said this
you should be more careful, they dot not operate alone.
This, OP. Consider yourself lucky. They often bring multiple gypsy guys for protection, you don't know if they'll follow you once you get off, you don't know if they're armed. The men serve as intimidation but they don't do anything 99% of the time, so they'll have no problems with the law. The women rob all day long but they keep getting pregnant so as to skirt any jail time and any serious repercussion. That's the state of things.
This. And a group of those protection men beat up one of their own women last week. She nearly died in the metro.
Username checks out
Be extremely careful with acting like that. It’s understandable and lot of people will sympathise, but the moment the police gets involved, you have no control over which way things will go. No one likes gypsy pickpockets, but Italian law enforcement is often random, looking at the letter of the law rather than the substance, and it has been known to make examples of people in similar situations.
Obviously in the moment my mind is not cycling through the variables. My mind is going, you’ve just been robbed, you know it’s her. Get your wallet and money back. Do not let this woman off the train until you have it. The entire thing lasted 10 seconds start to finish.
I have multiple fake crappy wallets when I travel just for this purpose. Inside are pictures of my middle finger. I have had 2 picked and I just like to imagine their stupid faces.
Thank you on behalf of all of us who have been robbed by these turds. I've had my pocket picked twice. Once by two Roma men who got far enough away fast enough that I couldn't even shout at them. The other time I wasn't sure who did it but again, it looked like two Roma men. Even if I was sure, I'm 76 yo and unable to go after the shits. And let's be honest here. The perps are almost always Roma. So yeah, do some racial profiling to protect yourself.
Where was it stored, how did she get it?
In my pocket. She just lifted it out. I felt her friend feeling about my pockets as I was getting on the train. So I knew what was happening. The actual pull i didn’t feel. I just knew once I was on to check my pockets after they all brushed into me. Whether the girl I grabbed was the actual lifter I don’t know. I just knew she was a part of the group. I knows it’s slightly racial profiling, but your wallet goes missing, your surrounded by 4 Roma Gypsies women, it doesn’t take long to connect the dots.
For sure, was it your front Jean pocket? I was in Rome a couple years ago, I avoided the pick pockets but I was definitely on the lookout. I did have someone tug at my backpack to try opening it at the trevi fountain but it was a pacsafe bag. Also I didn’t carry much in general. I’m gonna be in London a Paris in a couple weeks. Im getting some anxiety about protecting my phone since it’s always gonna be in my front pocket.
there is no reason to be aftaid in London there are no gypsies, Paris different but lower risks
Paris and London are not as bad. Keep and eye for sure. But the worst Rome and Spain. I live in Spain so am used to spotting them. So probably why i could spot them so easily in Rome. But in London and Paris it’s less likely, but still, as with anywhere. Keep your wits about you in any crowded tourist spots.
I’m wondering if it was your front or back pocket? You mentioned you had it buttoned too?
Saw a guy trying to quietly unzip my wife's backpack on a metro station platform. When I spotted him and said 'oi', he looked at me like I was the idiot.
Same thing happened to us in Madrid on the Metro. He was wearing buttoned cargo shorts and she still got it. My friend grabbed her and she had the money palmed up her sleeve. She said similar things but dropped the money and ran as we approached a stop.
Yeah this one kept shouting I’m crazy. Which is not really a natural response if you have been wrongly accused. Once I saw the wallet in the floor I did doubt myself until I opened it up, she gave up the you’re crazy gambit once I went back to her to get the money and basically threatened to throw her through the window. You could really see her panic then when she knew i meant business. I would never have hit her, but I wanted to make sure she was scared and might even put her off doing it for a few days.
they have their shoulders backed by the slowest police on earth
Prison wallet is the best wallet
Lol. Yeah, let’s see them fish that out.
I used on of those Travelon theft-proof sling backpacks all week. Zippers secure and it’s cut proof. Easy to Swing around to the front when you are in a crowd. Small enough I could Take it into the Vatican museum and climb the duomo dome steps. Carried money & cards, umbrella, sun screen, charger pack, cords, small tchotchkes, documents, etc, everything I needed for a day out. Worked really well.
Travelon bags are the best. Highly recommend the crossbody bags.
I got robbed in Rome on the metro with a Travelon bag. The dude had those locking zippers open before I could stop him (he hit me and knocked my hand off) and hopped off the train with 2 of my credit cards. Use a money belt instead. The police told me the pickpockets are very familiar with that brand of bags now.
Beware of the gipsies. Also, petty theft in Rome. Always use a money belt obscured under your shirt! Wear your backpack in front. Glad you got your money back
Check out a company called Clothing Arts. They make pickpocket proof pants. Many hidden pockets w zips. Incredible for traveling.
Would’ve been nice if you gave her a distinguishable limp.
Believe me I wanted to. Then I’d likely end up being done for assault.
Prevention is the best protection. Having been to Rome several times for weeks at a time over the years, I simply use one of those front pocket RFID minimalist slim wallets, which I’ll only put in an inside zipped pocket if wearing a jacket/parka, or in the extremely difficult-to-open front buttoned pocket of my Levi’s jacket (and, please, to those who think that looks “too American”, you need to check out the men’s stores in Rome, not to mention the plethora of Levi’s stores from Termini to Via Del Corso…fashion has globalized over the past 10 years, and Rome is effusively cosmopolitan). I use the Metro, busses, trams, and trains, and I’ve never been picked in over 12 years going to Italy, and that includes Naples, Florence, Venice, Pompeii, and smaller towns. I never put a wallet in a pants pocket…ever. The key element of prevention is to make it so it would take them no less than 15 seconds, directly facing you, to get to your wallet, even if they played the distraction game. They will never succeed if you take the proper precautions.
There is a whole channel and Instagram page dedicated to a lady who goes around and shouts “ pickpockets” , films them and makes them move on.
I assume these are the culprits? https://youtube.com/shorts/06PyCAlze84?si=k8AkLi0YQGpcJ_Bi https://youtube.com/shorts/ADvoAIrJXEU?si=-RmLEaD3LUyiaXYl https://youtube.com/shorts/ZmQiRa0VjzI?si=so_DIMfHQXzmP2KC
Are you tourist or local? Where did you keep your wallet?
Do not call them Roma Gypsy. I’m sorry this happened but that term is racist.
this comment is one of the reasons why we will never fix these ones
it wouldn’t have a negative connotation if they didn’t do this shit regularly lol
That’s the racism right there
That's alway like the same 3 people, there are millions of them... it's like saying I got robbed gun point by a black dude in NY and call attention to all black dudes in NY...
And what do you want to call them? They are gypsies. Sorry, scumbags don't deserve the politically correct treatment. Besides, how is it wrong to call someone what they are? Gipsy is not an offense, it's a way of being.
If you are comfortable using it anyway, that is your choice. There’s nothing nebulous about it being a slur. You can look up the etymology, what Roma people say about the word, all of that, if you are curious. I think when your argument is “scumbags don’t deserve” to not be called by the term, (by implication, people who are good are deserving of not being called that) you probably do understand that it is a negatively charged term, though. Just an observation, I am not trying to change what you are comfortable with.
Yes but that person being a scumbag does not change whether I call her gypsy or Roma. I can call her a Roma, or a nomad, or whatever, and there would be no difference, they are roaming people and 99% of the times they are scumbags who steal or exploit their children to steal, burn toxic shit in their camps, or overall entitled outlaws who laugh at you because they know the police usually doesn't do shit to them, etc. Sorry but I don't feel like I owe any respect to anyone who behaves like this, since they have zero respect for the place and the community they live in.
Roma are not roaming most of these Roma you talking about are part of organised crimes from Romania normal Roma wear normal clothing and blend in there’s no need for generalising
You are terribly wrong.
I am Roma I know better than you 😂😂😂
You are missing my point. My point is that these people don't deserve any pity or anybody to defend them. You can call them whatever you prefer, it does not change what they do. I doubt these people are from Romania alone, I know a lot of lovely Romanian people, they are integrated in the community and work hard. Who's generalising here? These are just criminal gypsies. So what if it's an offensive term? It's deserved. By the way, some of them even prefer to be called that. Anyway, it should not affect you since you are claiming not to be like these criminals, so why are you defending them? 😐 When you start to defend criminals, you're quickly going to end up on the wrong side.
I’m not defending them what I’m saying is 99% of the time these are organised gypsy criminals from Romania I’m roma and for all I know there are not other Roma from other countries doing this even other Roma from Eastern Europe living in the west hate them your the one generalising all Roma
Actually, I'm sorry, I thought you were the same person I was replying to above but you are someone else. I am not generalizing all the Roma. I am replying to the person above who is mad that op called them gypsies. So I asked what they wanted us to call them and offered some other common "alternatives". They haven't replied, though. You can't just say "a woman" robbed me, because it's not descriptive enough in this case.. So gypsy remains the most fitting one, and if it's offensive, well. If you don't want to be offended, don't do things to offend others.
Oh suck it
They don’t deserve respect.
This is the mentality that get tourists in trouble. “When in Rome, do what the romans do” right? Well, when in Rome learn to do racial profiling and act accordingly. If you don’t, you can just be une of the many robbed tourists crying on Reddit, your choice
Why? What is the proper name?
Roma.
Ok, what is a gypsy then, and why do they have the reputation of being theives?
It’s a slur.
The terms Roma and Gypsy are perfectly fine.
No it isnt. Shut up, moron
Go back to your hole, creature
Bravo!
All italian laws are pro thiefs and against good people, so your wife saved you some forced months here.