Stereotyping, a brutal monster all nations fall victim for, most of which are the most beautiful of all. A country that I happen to love deeply is bella Italia. As much as it’s known for being rich in history, culture, art, delish cuisine, everyone seems to be concerned about pickpockets in Italy.

Safety is a crucial matter that raises red flags to all travelers alike, but I’d have to say, I’m a true believer in the fact that anything can happen to anyone anywhere! You can get mugged all over the world and pickpockets are pretty common all around Europe, not just Italy. It’s just that most smart/good pickpockets happen to be Italian, I guess; let’s put it this way. Does that mean Italy is unsafe? Hell no! I’ve had the best time of my life in Italy and guess what? I wasn’t mugged.

By now, you’re probably wondering, how did I do it? Two easy steps; one, I was cautious (just like I am anywhere, even at home). And two, I fooled them.

Yes, you just read that. I fooled pickpockets in Italy and here’s how:

All it took was a simple hack. I carried around my messenger bag, but under a closed zipper, I had a supermarket bag covering my belongings. It could be plastic or a paper bag; if you’re reducing plastic use like I am now. The most important thing is that it has to make a sound loud enough to freak the sneaky pickpocket away.

Here are some more tips and hacks on how to avoid getting mugged:

• Go for messenger bags or fanny packs and avoid backpacks.
• Try not to act like a tourist.
• Always keep your eyes (and hands) on your belongings especially in crowded places and while commuting.
• Plug in your earphones while commuting and put some music on. If someone tries to steal your phone, you’d notice. I also keep my hands in my pocket all the time.
• Carry a fake wallet with you. I always carry an extra wallet with me (empty of course) and place it at the top of my bag/purse.
• Don’t rely solely on credit cards or cash, carry a bit of both and don’t keep them all in one place.

Hope you found my tips useful. Drop your own hacks in the comments’ section! Meanwhile, check out my Complete Guide to Italia’s First Timers!

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