Tips To Avoid Pickpockets in European Cities from an American in Rome

If you're coming to Rome and you're worried about pickpockets, this video is for you. I personally have been living in Rome for seven years. I have had countless people visit me. I have helped countless people plan their trips to Rome, and I have not one single person that I know who has been pickpocketed in Rome because they follow really, really simple tips, common sense when it comes to not being pickpocketed. I am not saying that pickpocketing does not happen. This is a major city. Pickpocketing can happen anywhere. Also sure that there will be people in my comments telling me that they got pickpocketed in Rome. I've had people commented on my other videos before. Here are my recommendations to stay hypervigilant so that you don't get pickpocketed on your trip to Rome. And end up ruining your whole trip. So first and foremost is if you have a bag, keep it in front of you, keep your hand on it, keep it zipped up, keep it buttoned up. Make sure you are aware of where your bag is at all times. Do not put your bag on the back of your chair. If you're dining outside, this is like the easiest way that your bag is going to get nabbed. Keep your purse on your lap. OK? Don't put it on the back of your chair. That's like just open, open call for someone to steal your bag. Next tip is if you have a backpack in general, if you're just like walking around and it's not a super crowded area, you're like totally fine to have it on your back. I walk around Rome all day every day with my backpack with my MacBook in it. And I have 0 problems. But if you're in a crowded area, just take your backpack off, put it in front of you, hold it in front of you. Fine, next tip, do not put anything valuable in an easy access pocket. So like for instance, I have a jacket that I walk around in all the time and it just kind of has these big loose pockets at the front. I'm not leaving my phone in there. That's so easy for someone to slip their hand in that pocket and steal your phone. Keep your valuables away if they're not in your hand. No phones in your back pocket, no wallets in your back pocket. Nothing in like big loose pockets that someone can just dip a hand in and try to steal. In general, when you're in a crowded area, just be really, really hyper vigilant of your surroundings. Who's getting too close to you? Where's your bag? Where are your valuables? Just head on the swivel people. But that's honestly these are these tips are not exclusive to Rome. This is just being vigilant in a city in general. Just be aware of at all times and you will be fine. Give me a follow if you're looking for more tips for your trip to Rome and Italy.