Safety in Paris

[77T]

Originally Posted by Valenciawatchrepair

But, what amount of risk? I did a search and Paris came up at Number 5 in a list of top 10 places you'll get pickpocketed.

Ratings, percentages and probabilities mean nothing when one is the target.


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[Valenciawatchrepair]

Originally Posted by 77T

Ratings, percentages and probabilities mean nothing when one is the target.


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They mean something. In some places you are more likely to be THE TARGET than others. There's a reason you don't swim in shark infested waters, walk on the edge of a cliff instead of a designated path, etc. Not saying that you can't swim and walk in those places and be just fine, but, you've upped your odds a pretty good bit.

[JasoninDenver]

Why would you want to go somewhere that you would NOT wear your Rolex???

I mean, seriously, are people more worried about their watches than their own personal safety??

I have been in sketchy areas before in the US, Mexico and Europe where I took a wrong turn and wound up where I felt less than comfortable for my own safety. The last thing on my mind was my watch or my camera it was getting my own damn self the hell out of there.

[datejustrms]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

then you just look paranoid and attract all kinds of attention

Keeping your head on a swivel is just being aware of what's around you and being alert. Not a bad thing.

[CRM114]

Individually or working as a team, professional pickpockets, snatch & run thieves, and scammers adept at distraction targeting tourists are the main ways some will try to relieve you of a wallet/handbag/phone in Paris (or Barcelona, Nice, Rome etc), not physical assault/mugging that would be required to liberate your steel bracelet Rolex. As was mentioned, crowded tourist spots and the Metro with people in close quarters are their natural habitat.

They're cunning as sh!thouse rats. Just keep that in mind and prepare/act accordingly.

[CamSLC]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

One, it’s basically over. Two, the protests & looting took place only on Saturdays. Three, there were absolutely zero reports of people being mugged/attacked during the protests and looting.

Have a nice trip, you’ll be fine.

Logic!

Originally Posted by jforjohn

Watch out for the gypsies with the clipboards. They will try to ask if you speak English while getting you to sign the paper. Ignore them and walk away, my girlfriend and I were swarmed by them and I felt a hard tap on my right jacket pocket. Afterwards, I realized they had swiped my poncho that I had folded in there. Luckily it stopped raining for the rest of my trip. As for bringing the Rolex I left it at home and in hindsight I think it was a good decision. Have a safe trip!


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Those buggers took us for 20 euros on the steps of the Montmartre! They didn't seem to notice my Patek Charity signatures for a Deaf School. It's a longer story and I try not to blame my sweet girlfriend. Ruined my day until the next pint of beer. Life goes on.



Enjoy Paris OP. Awesome endlessly entertaining city.

[brandrea]

Got wear it, it’s a fashion Mecca

[seniorcare]

The pickpocketing is crazy there. I went there a couple of years ago with a group of friends, and one of them was pickpocketed too.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

One, it’s basically over. Two, the protests & looting took place only on Saturdays. Three, there were absolutely zero reports of people being mugged/attacked during the protests and looting.

Have a nice trip, you’ll be fine.

Exactly. It's Paris for God's sake, not Mogadishu. (Reference to Black Hawk down)

[Terrakot]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Exactly. It's Paris for God's sake, not Mogadishu. (Reference to Black Hawk down)

If you're not a Jew
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/27/w...-semitism.html

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Terrakot

If you're not a Jew
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/27/w...-semitism.html

and that just crossed over into thread lock territory


FWIW look at US newspapers, its worse there so its not like its only France, its a lot of places

[kulak]

It has been 2 years now but spent a few months there for work. It was just like any other big town you need to keep awareness. I would walk miles across the city on the weekend day and night. When I did take public transit (bus or metro) I had no problems.

My personal policy is a random stranger talking to me in English must be a scam. I would wave them off saying nothing.

I spent time in Barcelona too. I had a fake wallet in my back pocket and never got the full tourist experience.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by kulak

It has been 2 years now but spent a few months there for work. It was just like any other big town you need to keep awareness. I would walk miles across the city on the weekend day and night. When I did take public transit (bus or metro) I had no problems.

My personal policy is a random stranger talking to me in English must be a scam. I would wave them off saying nothing.

I spent time in Barcelona too. I had a fake wallet in my back pocket and never got the full tourist experience.

ive done the tourist scene in Paris and the local scene. I do agree that tourist sites (like many places and countries) have a lot of scammers/pickpockets but actually in the city where everyone is its fine and perfectly safe. The people who always approach you and try to get you to sign something at tourist sites are almost always distraction pickpockets. If you know that then you are fine. Its not like they are going to do anything violent to you 99.9% of the time. If you are situationally aware, they move on.

[bayerische]

Oh, wow. Some of you need to get out and see the world.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Terrakot

If you're not a Jew
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/27/w...-semitism.html

Well, did you read the "source" of that "hate"? Not like its European.

If you mix something that have fought for thousands of years, what will happen?