Gypsy kids

tj · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 23 Location: Parsippany, NJ

In Madrid, I had 4 little 10 year old girls starting shouting, "Hoteles, hoteles." at me, waving maps. Next thing I know, I feel hands in my fanny pack. I grab my fanny pack, and they all scramble in different directions.

Luckily all of my valuables were in my money belt. Close call.

In some ways, though, I can't blame those kids. Considering how all they have to do is get lucky once (and maybe pickpocket 100 Euro off a foolish tourist), and how that's a lot easier than panhandling for 1-2 Euro at most at a time.

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

...or snag $500 bucks from a Japanese tourist in Spain. The same guy got hit for another $100 a couple days down the line from another group of Roma in another Spanish city(so I heard from my student who was on a tour with this guy). I have heard numerous horror stories about encounters with Roma and you really have to avoid them at all costs. I had never seen them on the Greek islands, but now the parents are sending kids on ferries to go out there and beg/steal from rich tourists. When I was dining at a cafe on the island of Naxos last September, some Roma kids approached, shaking a plastic jar and begging. To my disapproval, my friend put in some coins and the little boy threw them back at her, because it was such small change! Can you believe this? If the kids want to perform or sell something, I may consider compensating them, but never for such arrogant begging! The parents take the money these kids beg for and use it on food for THEMSELVES, booze, etc, so I do not support them at all. I have had friends tell me about getting scratched, hit and having purses almost pulled from their necks by Roma in Europe so travelers beware!