barcelona?

[dwnhlr]

Just when i was starting to feel good about backpackin' europe alone i stumble on the "robbed in barcelona" topic.Because my flight lands there,i was thinking about spending a few days but if they are teaching classes on how to scam people...maybe its not worth the hassle. Anyway...here's my questions...What happens if i decide to defend myself in a situation like this? Will they throw me in jail for fighting with a local? To be honest,if i catch someone trying to pick my pockets or rob me,i'm going to be pissed. What am i supposed to do??

[mark-0]

Running is always a good option. When I was in Barcelona nothing really happened to me other than some junkies wanting me to hang out with them. But I did hear stories about lots of other backpackers having wallets and purses taken. From what I hear, it's slightly riskier to be in Barcelona than some other places, but it is a really nice city for the sights and museums and the beach. It's up to you. There are always tons of backpackers that are there. Try and make friends and explore the city in groups.

[treacle]

i know a couple of dudes who got mugged in raval.
i never had any problems, but i never walked thru raval at night, drunk.
so maybe just stay outta raval in the dark when you've been drinking. which is generally a good rule of thumb for... um... pretty much anywhere.

[and, btw ? barcelona f%#@'in RULES.]

i'd say ask the front desk chappy of your hostel what's deemed as 'safe' and 'unsafe' in the city, and then just make sure the hostel has lockers (bring a lock) and leave your valuables in there when you're wandering the streets.

the end.

[treacle]

Originally posted by dwnhlr@Nov 14 2005, 11:57 AM
if they are teaching classes on how to scam people...

additional note on this: dude, if someone's teaching classes on how to scam people, TAKE IT !! you might be able to make a little extra pocket money for those expensive euro coffees...

just kidding, obviously...

[bluepea]

I had no problems in Barca either. I never even felt threatened there, even sleeping outside the train station. Just always be aware, don't carry your wallet (maybe one credit card and some spare cash in a money belt) and don't look flashy. Carry a few euro in your pocket so if you do get robbed, just give them that and say it's all ya got. Yeah, I'd be pissed too, but I wouldn't want to deal with impending conflict in a situation like that. Stay in crowded areas at night, especially if you're drinking. Just use common sense.

[Somnambulation]

If youre on the beach at night, not exactly paying attention to your surroundings *ahem*, your stuff will get taken.

But Im sure if you fought back against any crook, the police will be on your side. They are uber lazy in that city. I was told a story about a group of Americans who picked up a hooker and took her into an ally to perform certain unmentionable acts, and when she tried to back out, they started beating her up. She screamed and the police came, but then saw what was going on and, for whatever reason, just left.

But dont let any horror stories dissuade you from going, Barcelona is awesome.

[dwnhlr]

A friend told me to walk around acting like im crazy or pissed off about something and nobody should bother me.Not the best way to meet other backpackers but....its all good. Anyway, thanks for the advice. cheers!

[Little_Albatross]

Originally posted by treacle@Nov 14 2005, 02:42 PM
i know a couple of dudes who got mugged in raval.*
i never had any problems, but i never walked thru raval at night, drunk.
so maybe just stay outta raval in the dark when you've been drinking.* which is generally a good rule of thumb for... um... pretty much anywhere.

[and, btw ? barcelona f%#@'in RULES.]

i'd say ask the front desk chappy of your hostel what's deemed as 'safe' and 'unsafe' in the city, and then just make sure the hostel has lockers (bring a lock) and leave your valuables in there when you're wandering the streets.

the end.

[snapback]87079[/snapback]

Are there any hostel owners that steal your things?..even if there are lockers? or am I just overly paranoid?

[bluepea]

Stay in a popular highly recommended hostel like Hostel Kabul so you don't worry about the seedy workers. Plus, it's in a nice area.

[Little_Albatross]

Originally posted by jamiepeaski@Jan 3 2006, 09:10 AM
Stay in a popular highly recommended hostel like Hostel Kabul so you don't worry about the seedy workers. Plus, it's in a nice area.

[snapback]96222[/snapback]

I was actually talking about hostels in general.If I go anywhere it will probably be to the cheapest hostel I can find.So my paranoia ensues.lol.Is there anyone who just carries there bag everywhere they go? how's your back?

[mr-turisty]

Originally posted by jamiepeaski@Nov 14 2005, 11:57 PM
I had no problems in Barca either. I never even felt threatened there, even sleeping outside the train station. Just always be aware, don't carry your wallet (maybe one credit card and some spare cash in a money belt) and don't look flashy. Carry a few euro in your pocket so if you do get robbed, just give them that and say it's all ya got. Yeah, I'd be pissed too, but I wouldn't want to deal with impending conflict in a situation like that. Stay in crowded areas at night, especially if you're drinking. Just use common sense.

[snapback]87086[/snapback]

I had no problems in Barca either and wouldnt say it was dangerous, never felt threatened at all.

Yeh getting in a fight isnt worth it for the sake of a few euros or whatever. When i was in Rome in January my friend caught a young guy trying to pick pocket his wallet on the subway. He said to me later that he was so close to going mental and starting a fight with the guy but at the time he quickly realised that the pickpocket would have friends with him and wed get jumped outside. It just wasnt worth it. So basicly he made a joke of it with the guy "no no mate, u were close but werent quick enough... good try tho" kind of thing, the guy laughed and said something like "its my job" and that was it. That situation could have turned ugly if my friend grabbed his arm or anything. you dont know if they are armed with a kinfe or if they are a junkie a syringe.

Obviously talking to them like that wouldnt work in all situations.

Just way up your options and dont try and be a hero cos at the end of the day its probably not worth it.

[MeTurk]

In general you'll meet nothing but nice people, iPods and cammeras are common amoung everyone so you'd have to have a really good one to make it worth their while anyway. You'll be really unlucky to get robbed.

I never used a wallet I stuck the notes in that little pocket on the right hand side of jeans, there's no way their getting that money out without me knowing.

[Degrassi]

I'd heard the same stuff about Barcelona, so I cracked out the money belt (usually I just keep my passport and cards in it and keep the rest in a wallet tucked tightly under my arm) and everything was groovy.

I'm usually a bit paranoid, though. I always split up my cards and passports so that if I do get robbed I'll at least have some access to money. If I were to be robbed by a gang of menacing people, though, I'd give them my money with no hesitation. Better to lose the money than an eyeball or osmething.

[The Sasquatch]

yeah, i was in barcelona on two seperate occasions recently and heard of horror stories, but nothing happened to me, even stumbling back to kabul's from god knows where at 4 in the morning drunk. although a hooker gave me bad directions and then when i finally just got a cab, a different hooker grabbed me as i stepped out onto las ramblas. i just pushed her and checked my pockets. but the guys i met at the hostel, one had been pickpocketed TWICE the night before. the second time, the guy got his wallet, but it had no cash in it, and they were the only two people in this small street. well, he noticed before the guy was out of sight, so he just went up to him, told him there was no cash and asked for it back, and the guy gave it back. another guy i just met in rome, walked up to a bunch of guys playing a hide the ball under the boxes game (don't know what its called), one of them told him to pick the box for him, and when he put his foot down on it or in front of it or whatever, 3 guys grabbed his leg, 2 grabbed him and they just said all your money dude. didn't take his backpack at least. oh and i met a couple on the bus from girona and before we could even step on our first subway, someone tried to pickpocket him, never succeeded, but.... yah, so its slightly seedy, but i still have all my things after wandering for an hour drunk at 4am.