>In other places, they prefer a more personal touch - so it's the city transport, various queues, entrances to large buildings, where they have the expectation of coming really close to you and snatching the wallet out of your pocket or the purse off your shoulder.
>
>I don't think I've ever had the honor of being pocket picked (or is it pickpocketed?) but that's probably my defense system:
>
>- don't have a wallet - my possessions are few, just a few pieces of plastic (card, driver's, ID) in one pocket, and a moderate amount of cash in the opposite pocket in my jeans
>- don't look like I have a wallet or anything worth picking
>- nothing on me or about me looks expensive (and isn't)
>- I can't be seen leaving expensive places
>- my car is never clean
>
>Worked so far. The guys aren't interested, and I don't mind being neglected.

My wallet is usually so stuffed that I would miss it right away, although mostly with driving licence, papers for bike and cars, necessary plastic but not much money - one large bill at most. Larger bills go into the belt. Wallet if possible not in pants - making me wear vests in summer, with zipper closed over wallet if possible. Razoring needs more skill than pure lifting.

Once long ago in a hot summer night my attention was mainly focused on an interesting new female and the vest was snatched, but I realized that while the guy was in the location - vest was dropped with wallet still in place, guy escaped - was a full bar. Not sure if/what internal alarms helped, but I still have the old driving license I got with 16, not one of new plastic thingies. One other time the purse of a girl friend was stolen - guy decided after about a km to confront me, as I was gaining.

But usually I am interested in my surroundings (not only the female population) and also try to look awake even if I am not totally at that day, so there might be some selection on that as well