When traveling abroad, pickpocketing at tourist spots is not uncommon, though it
varies by country. Below is designer Sola's experience.
Targets are people whose "wallet location" is obvious
Pickpockets look for where your wallet, valuables, passport, etc., are located. Shoulder tote bags and backpacks that can be easily opened from behind are structurally vulnerable targets. In Japan, some people keep their wallet in their back pants pocket, but it's best to avoid this overseas. I strictly adhered to the practice of using a secret pouch that tucks inside my pants or carrying a slim wallet with a key chain in my front pocket.
The ultimate security is making them think "you don't have anything valuable" or making it hard to tell where you keep things.
It was around the late 90s, I believe on a subway somewhere in Milan, Italy. As I tried to buy a ticket near the turnstile, I noticed several middle-aged men standing around me staring intently and grinning.Well, I don't know if those guys were actually pickpockets, but I didn't want them to see me take out my wallet. So I went back up to ground level, moved only the change I needed for the ticket to my pants pocket in a corner where no one was around, deliberately messed up my hair a bit, let my shirttail hang out untucked, basically made myself look less neat, and went back to buy the ticket. This time, I felt like I wasn't getting as much attention.
As a traveler, openly spreading out a map, carelessly taking out your wallet or valuables in front of a crowd, or speaking a foreign language (to the locals) loudly really makes you stand out. So, I think it's safer to keep your valuables together in an inconspicuous place, hidden compactly.
Volare(Volare) Slim Travel
Wallet volare -bulgaro" rel="noopener" target="_blank">https:// solahanpu.com/products/ volare -bulgaro
