I was just in paris at thanksgiving and it seemed much cleaner and safer to me than on previous visits. Even in front of Notre Dame and places where there have always been tons of gypsies and pickpockets it all seemed quite safe. I had a Birkin with me and did not feel that I was attracting attention at all. That being said, I tend to walk aggressively and stay alert and I think you need to be aware of your possessions and your surroundings all the time.
Pick Pockets and Birkins in Paris
- Thread starter chicpurse
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Oh my God! Does it happen there? I'm surprised the pick-pockets would buy a ticket to get inside the Louvre just to find victims
I used to get in free to the Louvre with a French university student ID, so perhaps they might have one?
I agree that attitude and common sense will go a long way to preventing theft. It is probably a good idea to not wear the birkin in very touristy areas (you probably want to be hands free anyways) and avoid the Metro at peak times if you are like me and don't close the bag.
I agree that attitude and common sense will go a long way to preventing theft. It is probably a good idea to not wear the birkin in very touristy areas (you probably want to be hands free anyways) and avoid the Metro at peak times if you are like me and don't close the bag.
Always keep your bag closed or at the least the flap on top and that is where ever you go ... anyway , there is nothing uglier than an open Birkin where you can see the stamp .
Oh my God! Does it happen there? I'm surprised the pick-pockets would buy a ticket to get inside the Louvre just to find victims
Sadly this really happened this summer.DH placed the small TPM Garden party on the floor while we were eating in the snack area in the Louvre & it was stolen:cry:
.It wasn't a Birkin but still it was a hassle to have to go to the Paris Police station to fill out a report & all.If I'm right that section underground is open to the public & anyone can be there.You do need to show your ticket if you then want to go further in to see the different sections with the art.DH felt so so bad after the fact since it happened so fast.We have all moved on since then.
i'm like you - all paranoid before a trip to a city i hardly know.
so paris came & went and i even took my lindy on the metro as soon as i got her!
but after purchasing her at H we took a cab back to the hotel. i even stored the box inside the closet so housekeeping wouldn't see her.
also, you can get a large zippered pouch & put all your things inside that pouch. attach a chain to it discretely. that way even if your birkin is open they can't get your things. i did that with my evelyne for an upcoming trip to the US.
so paris came & went and i even took my lindy on the metro as soon as i got her!
but after purchasing her at H we took a cab back to the hotel. i even stored the box inside the closet so housekeeping wouldn't see her.
also, you can get a large zippered pouch & put all your things inside that pouch. attach a chain to it discretely. that way even if your birkin is open they can't get your things. i did that with my evelyne for an upcoming trip to the US.
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Oh my God! Does it happen there? I'm surprised the pick-pockets would buy a ticket to get inside the Louvre just to find victims
I don't know if people get pickpocketed there, but with the mosh pitbof people shoving and crammed in together trying to see the Mona Lisa, it seemed a situation ripe for a pickpocketer. Actually I was more concerned for my safety, as most of the people around me were a good foot taller than me...I got more than a few jabs of the elbow to my head!
It sucks being short.
I am careful with my handbags and have no problem in big cities (I live in NY and take buses, subways, taxis etc), but when I travel, I hate to carry a bag that is heavy. (Somehow in this thread, I feel like a wimp all of a sudden lol).
I also never carry paper shopping bags - I feel guilty about the recycling issue - and for security, you can have things delivered. If I carry any purchase, I stuff in my whole foods nylon bag. (I still manage to get good service in stores when i am out of town, but perhaps that is the worsening global economy).
I also never carry paper shopping bags - I feel guilty about the recycling issue - and for security, you can have things delivered. If I carry any purchase, I stuff in my whole foods nylon bag. (I still manage to get good service in stores when i am out of town, but perhaps that is the worsening global economy).
on the subject of carrying large orange shopping bags after your purchase at H, just to let everyone know that Hermes can deliver your purchases to your hotel.
to be on the safe side, i always let the concierge knows that a delivery from H is coming and to let me know immediately when it arrives to avoid any mishaps.
so far (knock on wood), this seems to have worked out well for me.
back to your topic, if you carrying your birkin is going to stress you and your DH out, then don't do it. as a tourist, we have enough stress and distraction as it is. No reason to add more! But personally, I find Paris to be equivalent in safety and pick pockets to most western European cities.
to be on the safe side, i always let the concierge knows that a delivery from H is coming and to let me know immediately when it arrives to avoid any mishaps.
so far (knock on wood), this seems to have worked out well for me.
back to your topic, if you carrying your birkin is going to stress you and your DH out, then don't do it. as a tourist, we have enough stress and distraction as it is. No reason to add more! But personally, I find Paris to be equivalent in safety and pick pockets to most western European cities.