h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Having just booked a short break in Rome, I've been thinking about how to avoid getting pickpocketed. You hardly ever hear of anyone going to Rome that didn't experience this. So I had thought of

not taking a handbag, but carrying everything in my pockets. Nothing in my back pockets, though.
Carrying as little as possible. After all, on a busy day sightseeing, you don't need more than a couple of tissues and some money. No one's going to snatch a guide book or a bottle of water (the other two absolutely necessary accessories) out of your hand.
Leaving my credit card in my room and just carrying cash, loose, distributed over as many pockets as possible. If cash gets pinched, it's annoying, but has no further consequences, is the way I see it.
In case I do decide to take my credit card with me, I shall sure I've got the phone number for blocking it if it gets nicked. Also leave another piece of paper with the number in my room, in case my phone gets swiped as well.
As usual, I'll keep my mobile phone buried deep down my front, in case I lose my husband and need to call him.
For ID, I could keep my driving licence in a pocket somewhere. That's the easiest to replace.

Have I forgotten anything?

I have found a few tidbits in the following entries, but maybe if enough ideas are got together here I could compile an entry solely on how to avoid getting robbed while travelling.

A40140370 - Tips for backpackers
A40140244 - Tips for backpackers (2)
A907463 - Inter-Railing
A459579 - Things to take on holiday (Having read that one, I would be tempted to take a Swiss Army knife, but as we are flying only with hand luggage, we'll have to manage without that!)
A619391 - has a whole section on Italy, although not safety-related. I don't think the "Siamo sposi novelli" ruse will work for us!

Perhaps I 'll throw this question on to "Ask" later....

Not everywhere in Rome will take credit cards. The Italians prefer cash.

Carry important things in a bag or purse hanging around your neck and buried deep in your clothing. I've seen "money belts" which are worth having if you've a lot of cash.

According to the published rules, you can carry a Swiss Army knife on a plane because the blade is less than 3 inches, but I wouldn't like to try it.

You'll want to bring a camera, surely?

Nope - that's my husband's job. I make a few snaps to show that he was there too with my mobile phone.

Thanks for the tip about the knife. I might take a cheap one and see if I can get through security. I'll let you know!

Make sure you get a receipt for any purchases, otherwise you're breaking the law.

I can't see myself buying more than the odd cup of coffee, postcards and stamps. I'll risk not keeping the receipts. When I've drunk the coffee and posted the cards, I won't have to prove anything anyway

But seriously, Icy, is this some Italian law? I've been to Italy loads of times by car and brought home wine, cheese and so on, and no one asked for the receipts - not even the Swiss Customs.

It certainly used to be, but I haven't been there for quite a few years.

I haven't been in Rome since 1981. At that time, there was a huge shortage of small change, and shops would give you sweets instead of coins as change. The Underground Railway had gobbled up all the change.

I was there last year and the tour buses are probably the best way to see the sights but everywhere is so crowded nowadays. I understand they've clamped down on the guys in Roman costume who come and cuddle you and take your picture, then demand 50 euros.

We shall probably take a tour bus at some time - if only because you get a good view of things from the nice height of the seats - even if you only manage to get a seat downstairs.

I'm looking forward to walking about uncluttered.

My son lost a Swiss Army knife in the US: it was confiscated checking in for an internal flight.

I wasn't robbed in Rome, but I'm quite happy to look like a stereotypical tourist and carry a bum bag. (Two, actually, a thin money-belt under my clothes, which held cash and my InterRail ticket, and a bulkier one on top for my camera, wallet, and phone.)

TRiG.

Most of the sights in Rome are best seen on foot.

I agree. Just get a map and walk. You discover so many wonderful piazzas (piazze?) and other things off the tourist trail.

The back streets are very photogenic, too, so take a good camera.

And beware of handbag-snatchers on Vespas.

With lances.

Quite - this is why I am dispensing with the .

Neither my husband nor I are very tall, so chances of getting decent photos with no one in the way are not very good whilst on foot. On a bus, you can see over people's heads.

Divorce him and marry someone taller before you go.

Are you offering?

I'm 6ft