Pickpockets distraction · Distraction in Pickpockets
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Distraction in Pickpockets
Distraction in Pickpockets
Most pickpockets employ some element of distraction:
Someone passes by you and "accidentally" drops money
Some people begin a loud argument or fight
A "beware of pickpockets" sign so everyone in the area reaches for their wallet to make sure it is still there, enabling the pickpockets to find out where people's wallets are.
A street child flashes something in your face
A prostitute offers services and often keeps touching you
A drunk, unwashed person grabs your arm and tries to talk to you
A man "tackles" you asking if you play football
Insistent begging
Use common sense if you are confronted with a distraction. For example, no children typically approach strangers unless coached to do so by an adult. Fights and arguments are best avoided anywhere. Also, a person who finds or drops money on the street isn't going to offer it to you.
Pickpockets are not always subtle. Often, pickpockets use an element of physical force. For example, pickpockets might walk straight at and barge past the person they are stealing from and use physical contact as a distraction to take a purse or similar valuable item.
Also, pickpockets love to use magic as a way to get close to you. If a street magician, or a random stranger, comes up to you and asks if you want to see a trick, just say, "No, thank you" and keep walking. The only trick will be making your valuables disappear.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Pickpockets
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Pickpockets - updated Apr 2024
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Pickpockets Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.