Summer is probably the best time to be in Paris. The city is alive like no other time of the year. The beautiful weather opens the door to countless outdoor activities. But aside from tourists, summer attracts equally pickpockets and swindlers who see crowds swarming Paris as a business opportunity. Here are a few tips on staying safe in the French capital from the perspective of a Parisian.
Always keep your belongings close.
It’s the most basic rule, but foreigners often underestimate Parisian pickpockets. Paris is not like every other European city. If you think you are careful, it’s usually not enough.
Avoid wearing bags with thin straps.
Pickpockets often rip small purses on thin straps off shoulders and run. If you need to take one, keep it in front of you within your hand’s reach. Buying a fanny pack is the best idea to move around Paris.
Don’t keep valuables in open pockets.
There are numerous memes about people finding out their phone got stolen upon hearing music stopping abruptly in their earphones.
Hold your phone firmly.
Thieves often steal phones by simply snapping them out of the hands of passengers busy texting who sit next to the door and step out of the car right before the door closes. If you need to use your phone, pick seats farther from the door or hide it with your body as much as possible.
Avoid taking out any valuables while in the metro.
As a golden rule, I never open my bag in the metro unless necessary and relatively safe. Never during rush hours or when the metro is crowded.
Better to stop than to regret.
Rush is the pickpocket’s friend. Don’t do things on the run. Take a moment to get your stuff under control. If you need to take something out of your bag, check it, and zip it well before moving even an inch, especially before passing through turnstiles in the metro. It’s better mi a train than to lose a phone or wallet.
Watch out for your jewelry.
Recently there has been a growing number of physical assaults from behind to rip necklaces off the neck. Unfortunately, there are no safe areas where you can avoid the risk. It applies to both the metro and strolls in parks in wealthier neighborhoods.
Stay close to the wall on the metro platform and stay vigilant.
It will minimize the risk of the jewelry theft mentioned above and refrain thieves from trying to take something out of the back of your bag when you’re not looking. Since thieves are always on the lookout for a quick grab and easy escape, it’s best not to stand at the very exit of the platform. Watch out for fake crowds.
Don’t carry all documents and cards with you.
Carry as little stuff as possible. Take only the necessary documents and one payment card you want to use. Make copies of your documents, just in case.
Don’t carry large sums of money.
Take only as much money as you need. If you travel with family and need more to survive the day, split it into smaller sums and give them to the other members to carry.
Don’t leave your bag on the ground even for a moment.
There is no safe amount of time your bag can spend on the ground. Ask someone to hold it for you or tie the straps through the legs if possible. Be careful when you opt to eat on the terrace. Pickpockets can steal your purse even there.
Refuse to sign a petition when a group of people asks you, no matter the cause.
The petitions are fake. It’s a manipulation to make you take out your wallet to check the document number or make a donation so that the pickpockets know where you keep it and how much money you have.
Avoid tourist sites and less safe neighborhoods.
In Paris, like in every other city, some neighborhoods are more or less safe. Pickpockets are more present in the latter. It’s better to avoid areas around train stations and certain metro stations such as Châtelet or the Barbès-Rochechouart – Stalingrad part of metro line 2, widely known among Parisians as a hub for drug addicts. It’s also worth avoiding touristy places like the Trocadéro as places to hang out if you don’t plan to visit them. Crowds and tourists always attract thieves and scammers, especially in summer.
Watch out for your drinks when in bars or clubs.
Spiking drinks is not uncommon in Paris. Not only sex offenders take advantage of this, but also pickpockets. Never accept drinks from strangers on the street, even if they seem unopened. Don’t buy water from street vendors. Nobody can guarantee you are the first person to drink from the bottle.
If you go out alone at night, choose venues close to home.
Moreover, don’t let strangers walk you home or take you somewhere else. It’s likely to turn out to be a place with nobody around. Walk away without answering when strangers approach you to talk, especially at night. Unfortunately, sexual assaults are not uncommon in such circumstances. At best, you’ll end up in an annoying situation trying to escape someone insisting on a date. Mind that Ubers are often not as safe as one might expect. Sexual harassment happens there too.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
One can often rely on no one but themselves since police patrols are scarce. Parisians know how dangerous the city is. When it comes to safety, they are always willing to help. Don’t be afraid to tell the bar staff if something’s wrong or ask the locals for help and call the emergency services if you feel unwell.
Don’t buy counterfeit goods.
When you buy luxury goods, make sure you can prove where they come from. Fine for buying rip-offs is twice the value of the original item (it can even go up to 300 000 euros). You may also end up in jail for up to three years. Not to mention the counterfeit goods get confiscated with anything used to hide or transport them.
Don’t play street games.
Last but not least. If you don’t want to get scammed, avoid street games (like the one with three cups). The participating silly bystanders are fake. Their role is to engage you in a game impossible to win in which you can only lose money. Refuse when someone takes your hand to weave a bracelet on your wrist. It’s not a gift. Once finished, they will pressure you into paying for the trinket you didn’t ask for.
Comments are closed.