>>>>This is very good. I agree; money and credit card can be and will be replaced. I am sure she learned the lesson of being more accurate with valuables in Europe. Where I grew up pick pocketing was a very common thing. And still is in most European countries.
>>>
>>>Really ?
>>
>>Every time I visit a European country (almost every year and these are western European countries), the local guides always warn everybody to watch for pickpockets. Last year we landed in Amsterdam and on the train from the airport to the hotel started talking to a woman (very nice elder woman who actually lived in Boston for a couple of years and had very good command of the English language). At the end of the conversation she says in not so many words "be careful of pickpocktes; they are many of them here".
>>If you talk to many Americans who traveled to Europe they will tell you of personal stories of being pickpocketed.
>>Oh.. just ask Mike Beane :)
>
>Keep in mind that if a guide doesn't warn you of whatever, he/she will get heavily criticized if something happens.
>
>I have heard the same warning from American guides when I have visited your country, I think the problem is the same everywhere. No bigger problem here than other places. The same rules applies; avoid crowded places, keep your bags close to your body, don't leave your luggage unattended, and so on.

In other words, stay home <g>.