Would you wear your Love bracelets to Europe?

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#31
its interesting how we all have different takes on what is safe. I wear my jewelry at home in NYC; for weeks of travel in Milan, Rome, Venice, Tuscany, and Umbria; in Paris, in London, and in Madrid. DH wears an understated ALange & Sohne Odysseus, but he keeps his Rolex GMT at home. We’ve seen both locals (gone out with local friends) and we have seen tourists wear their luxury items too. We do stay in an upscale hotel; we don’t frequent very touristy destinations; and I can always cover my wrists or neck with sleeves or a scarf. Note: a Roman once told me that she felt italy was safe with the exception of Naples.

I don’t usually wear a flashy bag, mainly bc they are bulky. I usually have a crossbody like a TPM, a mini Della cavalleria, a mens dior saddle (all black, ergonomic strap, no hardware); loewe mini puzzle; or DHs valextra tric trac. I don’t carry shopping bags. I do wear jewelry and bags in Santa Barbara, but i am a bit nervous re LA
 
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#32
This thread seems to have a lot of stereotypes about certain countries, it’s not great to see. I’ve been planning a trip to Italy (I live in the U.K.) and joined a FB page to get ideas on things to do and lots of Americans seemed worried about pick-pocketing to the point you would think it happened to everyone everyday. Spain or Italy are no more dangerous than the UK or Germany, etc, so not sure where this idea has come from. Anyone going somewhere new may feel more vulnerable, that’s natural. Considering many of the jewellery brands mentioned are European, I think you’ll be perfectly safe as people wear them here too. No where is 100% crime proof but if you take the number of tourists compared to the number of bad experiences, something happening is very low. People tend to share bad stories a lot more often than they will share good/normal experiences so we think bad things happen all the time because that’s all we see. Europeans wear luxury all the time but do whatever makes you feel comfortable. I hope you have a great trip!
 
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#33
These comments on Italy are hilarious and so stereotypical. Italy is safe and the Italians use their jewellery and brand bags all the time. They actually do it more than in other countries and are most of the time dressed up with beautiful luxury items.
As in all the big cities you have to be careful when in the crowd for pickpockets and this happens all over the world.
I dough somebody would wear a gold and diamond watch at night in an isolated street with short sleeves in any big city in the world.
In any case Love bracelets are safe to wear since you can’t take them out. I would be more concerned of the security control at the airport since you can’t take them out and will have to explain it (and get the body control)
 
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#34
As an Italian, who was raised in Milan, I am a little saddened by these comments. As in any country, there will be deprived areas and situations where I would be conservative about what I wear (jewelry, fashion). I can absolutely promise you that TONS of Italians wear luxury items on a daily basis. We are after all the home of some of the most well known brands in the world! I have worn luxury bags, jewelry and accessories around Milan, Rome, and many other locations without a thought and most of all, without any incident whatsoever. Do I flash my jewelry in a dark alley in a shady area of town? No! But I wouldn’t do that anywhere.
if anything I was recently in San Francisco and felt very uncomfortable and definitely less safe. As someone mentioned already, when you are in unfamiliar territory, you will naturally be more on edge. And that is fair. If you feel uncomfortable, reduce the discomfort and leave your items at home.
 
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#35
Europe is very safe, even areas with more organized crime, corruption or higher levels of violent crime in my experiences won't have much of an impact on tourists as the criminal activity doesn't happen in touristy parts and locals will tell you to stay away. Some areas that seem "bad" on the surface really aren't that dangerous either, and you'd have plenty of time to leave before anything would happen.

Tourists may be at a higher risk of pickpockets or scams in some otherwise safe areas though, so testimonies from locals, may not always be that helpful to avoid that kind of petty crime. Also in some areas, certain nationalities have a reputation for "having lots of money" which doesn't work to your advantage when you try to avoid scams and wouldn't apply to locals...

Anyways as a general rule for me, if I am in a crowded area or in a very touristy area, it's always good to be aware of the surroundings. I also don't keep anything in "easy-to-get-to" spaces such as pockets or bags without zippers/closures and keep an eye on my belongings as much as I can. As human beings we are also usually at higher risk in a stressful situation where we might get distracted, like with kids, in a taxi line in a place where you can't speak the language or at a big train station. Some scammers are working in groups and are targeting travelers/non-locals specifically (like the "please sign my charity form scam at train stations). This in my experience could happen all over Europe in tourist areas that attract international tourists or major hubs.
 
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#36
Thank you all for the range of opinions and advice! I so appreciate it. I talked to my husband and decided not to wear my bracelets on the trip. I agree Europe isn't any more dangerous than the US (probably safer in fact) but since I'll be out of my element it's probably best to have one less thing to worry about. I will miss my bracelets though - they are a part of me!
 
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#37
I wouldn’t hesitate to wear a love bracelet to a major European city but I wouldn’t wear my engagement ring or any particularly flashy jewelry like a Rolex… especially the engagement ring as I think the common sizes here scream “American”. I try not to advertise that I’m a tourist with my clothing.

fwiw I felt very safe in Milan,Rome, Madrid, and Barcelona but I’ve heard mixed experiences,
 
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#38
I think being a tourist in an unfamiliar town/city versus a local resident is quite different so you should do what makes you comfortable. Even if the places/countries I go are very “safe” places eg Japan, I try to minimise taking luxury items… less things to worry about.
 
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#39
880 said:
I wear my jewelry, but cover my arms with shirt sleeves if I am worried. I believe some members here have posted that they carry a wrist band to cover their bracelets. I try to stay out of the sun, so a shirt works even in the summer.

I also try to remain relatively alert and cautious (urban city precautions re bags and valuables)re phones, Americans, myself included, have a terrible habit of leaving their phone on the restaurant table. It’s safest in your bag or on your person.

I’ve seen MANY europeans with similar items. Whatever you decide, have a wonderful vacation :smile:
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Just wanted to make it clear that I wear relatively large jewelry and luxury goods everyday in NYC and when traveling in Europe, and I feel quite safe. I sometimes take basic sleeve precautions bc I’ve lived in a city almost all of my life. I have stopped wearing rolex and as many big diamonds due to personal style preference.
 
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#43
PrincessChelle said:
Thank you all for the range of opinions and advice! I so appreciate it. I talked to my husband and decided not to wear my bracelets on the trip. I agree Europe isn't any more dangerous than the US (probably safer in fact) but since I'll be out of my element it's probably best to have one less thing to worry about. I will miss my bracelets though - they are a part of me!
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That makes perfect since! I hope you enjoy your trip, planning my own to Italy
 
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