Samantha Brown's Clever Vacation Tip To Protect Yourself Against Pickpockets
If you could only choose one person to hear travel advice from, you can count on Samantha Brown. The Emmy Award-winning host of "Places to Love" has spent over two decades traversing the world, visiting upwards of 70 countries in her illustrious career. Her extensive globe-trotting experience has made her a pro in all things travel, from packing light and navigating challenging family trips to even protecting yourself from pickpockets. According to Brown, diminishing your chances of becoming a target for thieves significantly hinges on your wardrobe choices.
It's no secret that pickpocketing incidents have become rampant. It's most prominent in Europe, particularly in tourist-heavy countries. According to the European Pickpocketing Index via insurance company Quotezone, which analyzed online travel reviews, tourist spots in Italy, France, and the Netherlands are hotspots for such thefts. Tourist-laden places on the other side of the pond, like New York City, are also teeming with pickpocketers, with the NYPD telling CBS News that they have recorded approximately 2,200 cases of theft in 2023 alone.
This isn't to deter you from stepping foot in these places. But you may want to be extra vigilant when you visit these destinations. Per Brown, it would help if you're more selective with what you wear, suggesting that low-key dressing may make you a less appealing target for pickpocketing.
What you wear matters
While you may be inclined to unleash your inner fashionista when traveling, you may want to dial down on the glam instead. Indulging in high fashion may fly when, say, you're on a cruise or resort, but when in a crowded area notorious for theft, the key is to embrace an understated approach. Just take a leaf out of Samantha Brown's book; the travel guru herself makes it a point to dress inconspicuously. "When I'm on TV I wear very bright colors so that I stand out from the crowd. When I'm not on TV I like to blend in," she explained on her website. "Thieves and pickpockets will scan a crowd for whoever grabs their attention and it's usually the clothes they're wearing." This extends to your choice of handbag, too. "I like a nice stylish cross body bag that keeps my hands free ... I say stylish because women like nice handbags and something that looks too utilitarian could also put me in that tourist category," she said.
Another tip to lower your profile when traveling is dressing up like everyone else. In other words, make more of an effort to observe what the locals are wearing and adapt your wardrobe to mirror them. "Even if it's impossible to look like a local, I always (try to) dress like one," Brown explained. "This could be extremely casual in Latin America, conservative with very little skin showing in Asia and to the nines in Europe."
Practice vigilance and listen to your instincts
One thing is dressing up like a local, but what's really going to help when you're in an unfamiliar area is striking the perfect balance between awareness and discretion. On one hand, you don't want to make it too obvious you're a tourist, but you also don't want to be too complacent either. "When you are out by yourself, stay focused, be on alert, and avoid looking like a tourist wandering around. Always have identification with you," she explained on her website, noting that if you're flying solo, try to travel in the daytime and engage in more group activities. "If you're a health nut like me, be sure to exercise without your earbuds," she added. "I love listening to music when I walk or jog, but never when I'm somewhere new."
Beyond these practical tips, Brown stresses that it's only you who can truly gauge whether or not you're in imminent danger. She highlights the importance of trusting your instincts, telling Forbes that it should function as your internal compass, guiding you away from potential dangers. "The other thing is to trust your gut. I feel like your gut knows more about your safety than any concierge or front-desk person or any tour book you're reading," she advised. "If you feel that something is wrong...even if you walk into a busy restaurant, just leave. Absolutely leave and get out."