How to avoid gypsies in Europe?

Question

I heard Gypsies follow travelers and pickpocket like crazy. How can I avoid them if they follow me?

Answer 1

They are not viruses, you know. Just keep your eyes open, if they come too close make sure you have your wallet supervised or somewhere they can't reach it (NOT in your pocket.

Answer 2

Take special care when there seems to be a lot of things happening. We were on a bus and on the crowded bus came 5 people making lots of noise. Including a woman coming on the bus while breast feeding. Someone in our group had his button down shirt opened and he didn't even know it. Luckily he had his money purse hanging around his neck under a t-shirt he had on under  the button down shirt.

Answer 3

if you can not defeat them, just join them

Answer 4

if you are a guy have a large zipper pocket in your pants if your a girl always hold your bag in the front of you i just went to rome a few days ago and i went on the train there was a girl behind me i  was watching her because she touched my bag and told me to put my luggage in the overhead compartment and i wasn't even sittin there i was telling her to go in front of me and she refused i went ahead and she got off the train

Answer 5

You've got some good answers here. My advise is to be aware of your surroundings and if they approach you, ignore them and move on. Don't speak to their children or take flowers etc from them. Keep your money in a money belt or neck purse. I speak Italian so I'm a little naughtly and tend to swear at them if they persist. Ignore them and move on.

Answer 6

you can't they are all over! Just be aware that there best weapon are there children!

I saw a little gypsy girl at work on the train in Italy! And the parents were looking at her approving her work! So dont trust any of them!

Answer 7

Keep your valuables in a place where you can see them, keep your eyes open and dont let anybody,especially the children distract you!

Answer 8

Oh my gosh...I just got back from Italy.  It was WONDERFUL but some of the gypsies were very annoying, especially coming from Canada which is a pretty safe country!  

My dad got jumped by three of them, they were trying to pull his backpack off right in front of me, my mom, and my sister!  Most of the gypsies will just ask for money and not really harm you, but some will try to trick you and not leave you alone.  Best advice I can give you is to always be with someone else, don't wear a purse over just one shoulder, wear a money belt tucked into your pants/shirt, wear your backpack in front of you.  Don't walk too close to the street...I have heard of people snatching purses and backpacks as they drive by on their scooters.  BE ALERT and don't take ANYTHING from a stranger, even if they say it is free.  Chances are they are trying to get you to pull out your wallet so they can grab it and take off.

Answer 9

Keep your money and credit cards inside a pouch inside your clothes, like in your drawers.  Take out money for the day only when you are inside where you cannot be seen and keep that in an inside pocket, preferably under a jacket or sweater.  When in Europe, get as many EURO coins as you can to spend for the day.  Coins are hard to pick out of your pocket and are freely accepted everywhere.

When you see gypsies, and they are easy to spot, just stay away and give no signs of sucumbing to their begging, even when they come up with dirty looking kids on their hip.

Also watch out for the other pickpockets.  The pickpockets are not all gypsies.  Some will even pose as tourists walking around with cameras on a strap around their neck.  In general, don't get close to strangers or let them get close to you.  Be careful giving your camera to someone to take a pciture

There is another ruse being used by pickpocket where one will squirt something on your clothes and another will pick you while pretending to help you clean it off.

Answer 10

Hi,,,, the best way is to stay in a group,, but if you are alone,,,, always pay attention..to what is going on around you....

I watched a group of young street urchins ,, rip people off all day at Saint Peter Square..... and they never came around me...

If you find yourself surrounded ,,, walk toward the closest Carbinarie (state police)they are around everywhere, the urchins will leave,, I promise...

Dont take chances,,, but dont miss out on seeing the city also.. it is amazing...

good luck