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What's the current gypsy situation in Paris? (self.paris)

evange が 投稿

My BF and I just booked a vacation to Paris and Amsterdam, and while there's a lot of amazing stuff we'd like to see, I don't particularly want to have to deal with a constant stream of petty-crime. Apparently Sarkozy expelled a lot of the the gypsies in 2009-2013 and things got better, but since then the government has changed to a left-leaning one, so I'm assuming that Sarkozy's policies didn't continue and things would have gotten worse again?

I was there in 1995 as a kid, and I recall a lot of petty-crime. I know a lot of advice is "just be aware of your surroundings and practice common sense and you'll be fine", but I feel like what constitutes "common sense" in Paris is pretty extreme compared to anywhere else in the 1st world.

Our airline has a 24 hour "cooling off" period, were you can cancel or change your itinerary without penalty. So did we make the right choice to go to France? I still have until the end of the day to change my mind and go to Iceland, Denmark, or the UK instead.

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[–]Brice-de-Venice 12 ポイント13 ポイント  (16子コメント)

Yeah, don't come. It's already really difficult being American in France with Trump in office, and you sound like the kind of people who'll make it worse.

[–]ellewag 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (3子コメント)

You know, it's not really polite to knock at someone's door and ask if his place sucks... :) Just like in any tourist destination, there are pickpockets in Paris (gypsy or not). So if you act like a dumb tourist, you may be robbed as they'll spot you anytime (and they'll spot you in amsterdam or london as well). And just like in any other place, if you are just a bit mindful, you'll be ok. Most people are mindful and ok...

[–]evange[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (2子コメント)

Just like in any tourist destination, there are pickpockets

Except that there aren't. I grew up in South Africa and pickpocketing is a very very rare occurrence (although happens more than in North America). In Canada (where I'm from now), pickpocketing just doesn't exist. If you lost your wallet in a big city, don't expect to get it back, but if it's in your pocket or your purse, it's safe there.

[–]Fandechichoune 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Paris is the most visited city in the world. This brings problems that are not found in other places. Huge crowds of tourist attract thiefs.

[–]Bigmouthstrikesback 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Straight up robbery and murder happens in the US or SA.

[–]FredDerf666[🍰] 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (2子コメント)

First of all, the people you are describing are called Roma. Secondly, I was there recently and I no problems with petty crimes or getting robbed.

We were asked if we spoke English (first warning sign, targeting tourists) and then we were asked to sign a petition (second warning sign, don't get roped in). Someone also asked my wife if she dropped a ring (she didn't). We were also warned that some people near the funicular may try to attach a bracelet around a woman's wrist and then ask for payment. Some of these people may be Roma and some are not but either way, just say "Non, merci" and keep walking. They won't pester you or otherwise cause you trouble.

Overall, Paris is a lot safer than a typical U.S. city so taking similar precautions will be more than enough.

I do agree with other posters though that your attitude is downright frightening. I'd much rather spend time with the Roma.

[–]evange[S] -1 ポイント0 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Yeah, that's kind of the thing. I'm reading all this advice like "If they ask if you speak English, if they ask you to sign a petition, if they ask if you dropped something, they're about to rob you." "Don't look like a tourist, don't look like you have money, don't use your camera, phone, or pull out your wallet in public, you'll be a target for theft."

And like, I could do that, but I resent that I have to. Like, I feel like it's a reasonable expectation that I should be able to go to a first world country, act like a normal person, and not get robbed.

I've traveled a fair amount through in the US, and I've never gotten safety advice like this. American safety advice is more along the lines of "don't traffic drugs or associate with people who traffic drugs".

[–]FredDerf666[🍰] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

In Paris they aren't going to rob you, they are going to ask you for money. They just want to engage you in conversation prior to asking you for money because that is far more effective than simple begging. I never felt that I was ever at risk from being robbed. I think you are allowing your imagination to run wild here.

If you were going to a North American city, you would need more warnings that just that. In Washington D.C., don't make a wrong turn off the beaten path. It can go from ritzy to shitty pretty damn fast.

[–]Ihavenoanus 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

That scum are begging on the tourist spots.

[–]historyandwanderlust 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

If you're this negative before you even come, you should probably just do yourself a favor and book your trip to go elsewhere.

[–]cdc530 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

If your biggest concern is being pickpocketed, wear a money belt. Problem solved.

[–]samcasey43 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

You sound like a moron btw.