Hi Jer,
I need your advice. Is it truly unsafe to take a purse? I read everywhere not to take a purse, yet in your photos and in videos of Spain I see women with their purses all the time.
I realize that it is prudent to have a money belt for one's credit cards, tickets, passport, money, etc., but a purse is so handy for kleenex, lipstick, hairbrush, etc. would it be better to bring a tote bag instead?

Gracias

Hmmmm.... good one Booklady. I would not bring a purse (basically because I am a guy and do not use them ) at xmas time isince the streets are packed and pickers are rampant. As you said, if you do bring one, do not keep anything of value in it.

My girlfriend solves the lipstick, tissue, etc... carying problem with one of those multi-pocket pouches that she wraps around her neck and under her arm (across her chest), it is packed with her makeup, cellphone and god knows what else and is much harder to rip off than a purse or pocketbook

Saludos,
jer...

p.d. I think the women you see in the photos and videos with purses are the older Spanish ladies here which we call "Marujas" of whome the thieves are deathly afraid (as am I)

Well, I am not an old spanish lady nor I am a maruja, and I have always use purse as does everyone I know. It's true that when I go to certain places (i.e. Puerta del Sol or el Rastro) I prefear to put the important things (keys, credit cards i.d's and money) on my pockets, or to cross my pourse across my chest, but the truth is that I have never been stolen (I will keep my fingers crossed).
BTW, it's the first time I hear about madrile�as not using purse; what will we do with all the stuff we always carry???

Hey now, no offense was intended there Madridle�a I simply meant that those who use purses are usually locals as the tourists usually use "fanny packs", shoulder pouches, etc...

My girlfriend is a Madridle�a born and bread and uses the above mentioned pouch more often than a pocketbook but when we go out at night she sometimes darnes the "bolso" (one of the 1,000,000 she has) since it is classier than the pouch.

Saludos,
jer...

Last fall when my daughter and I were there I saw lots of ladies with purses. My teenage daughter solved our kleenex and lipstick problem by wearing one of those tiny backpack style bags, and I, the middle aged one, chose to carry a small purse that I held in front. We walked and used the Metro, and carried shopping bags, and never lost a thing! Granted we had our most valuable items (credit card and passports)in a waist belt under my sweater, but we did not feel any more vulnerable there in Madrid than we do here in downtown Seattle. I don't plan to do anything different next time I visit. Am I being foolish?

Hey ToniG, no, you are actually very wise although your daughter is right on the money with her pack

If you do use a purse, it is good to keep it in front of you with your hands on it especially in the crowded areas of the center (ie. Sol, Rastro on Sundays, etc). When I am out with my camera and other valuables my bakpack (especially made for a camera) always has my arm over it and my money, kets, etc... are in my pants pockets (easier for a guy I guess).

So, if it worked for you the first time, do it again

Your daughter's use of the "backpack style bag" was exactly what I was referring to when I said my girlfriend uses a pouch type bag when we go out in the crowded city. The younger generations are beginning to use these types of bags that are not conventional pocketbooks, you see it everywhere.

Also, the money belt under the shirt or tucked into the pants is the best. Ankle wallets can be more dangerous ast ehre are tricks that thieves use to try to get them such as dropping a pack of cigarrettes at your feet and then feeling your legs up when they kneel down to get them There is always confusion and before you know it, the ankle wallet is gone with the pickpocket

One thing many tourists do wrong is take out and open the money belt in front of loads of people in crowded areas, bad move! Once a friend saw someone do this near the Plaza Mayor and as she had all her money out, a thief ran by and grabbed what he could. He was gone into the winding streets before anyone could give chase or even yell for help. Best to pop into a restroom or even one of those indoor vestibules with the ATM machines to do this.

Saludos,
jer...

I always love topics like this...

I lived in Madrid for nearly two years and took a purse with me every where I went. What I think you worry about Booklady, is the tourist who walks around, looking up into the sky, with her camera and open purse slung loosely over her shoulder...not paying much attention to anything but the Madrid architecture...her WHOLE physique screaming: TOURIST!!! ROB ME!!!

I usually carry what I suppose could be called a "purse" but which looks more like an african safari flap bag, criss-crossed over my shoulder and waiste. NOt only that, but when I'm walking alone (no matter what city in the world I'm in), I change my pleasant, smiling girlish face to some evil- stay-the-*@#&-away from me look. Works for me

I also read too, if it helps to know, that women who are more likely to be attacked or robbed are ones with long hair and pony-tails (for grabbing), short skirts, and high heels.

Take common sense with you when you travel...anywhere. Not only in Madrid.

I realize that this I'm joining this thread a little late... but I had to respond to what you wrote Tracy...

"when I'm walking alone (no matter what city in the world I'm in), I change my pleasant, smiling girlish face to some evil- stay-the-*@#&-away from me look"

I totally agree with your post... I've never had a problem... people always think I'm younger than I am (they guess high school, and i've just graduated from college!) and so as a kind of defense mechanism I too get that look on my face! Glad to know i'm not the only one walking around looking like a meanie who's really not one!!!

Hey Vieve, thanks for checking in after your Madrid trip. After meeting personally here last week I too must say that you do look younger than you are

A good thing right?

Also, do not worry, I love it when people revive older threads that may have been long forgotten, it is the best thing you can do on this board

Saludos,
jer...

Hello Jeremy and you wonderful folks,
Just wanted to say that I ran all over Madrid with my purse and had no problems whatsoever. I don't know why Rick Steves warns people not to take one, I have to e-mail that man.
But...in the metro, on the way from Sevilla station to Martin, four South American youths tried to corral me, they were after my son's backpack, which was full of our dirty laundry since I was on my way to Ondablu! It was a hoot. They followed us everywhere we went. We did the metro tango until my son and I finally got in just as the doors closed and the boys just could not believe that an older woman got the better of them.
Anyway, gals, take your purse. I did notice that the ladies all place their purses in front of them, and not on their arms.

Hey Booklady, thanks for the update on your trip.

Ref: Rick Steves, nobody is perfect, not even him I guess Maybe I will write my own Madrid guide book

Hey, perhaps those wannabe thieves simply wanted to find a decent laundromat

As for the backpack thing, I always recommend that they be worn on front of the carrier and not on the back as is usually done. Thieves have been known to carry razor blades or shop knives and paper or plastic bags, the trick is that they cut the main backpack section open at the bottom from end to end and hold their bag under it, hence emptying the content from the backpack into the paper or plastic bag. Before you notice the weight difference in the bag it is too late Wearing the backpack in front of you will avoid this and other problems.

I have lived her for 6 years or more and even I wear my backpack in front of me whenever I go to the Rastro, Retiro Park, etc... Either that or I wear it at my side tucked under my arm with my hand on it.

Also, an inexpensive combinatin or key mini luggage lock can usually deter any wandering hands or eyes.

Saludos & glad yo got the best of the would-be thieves
jer...

p.d. Ondablu really is cool huh! Sometimes I wish I did not have a washing machine so I could go there to do my laundry Jejejejeje!

Oh yeah, I forgot a story:

I was in the ever so madd Puerta del Sol on New Years Eve for the bell tolls and the "taking of the 12 grapes" with my girlfriend. We went at like 11:00pm to get a good place (best is to be near the Corte Ingl�s side of Sol with your backs to the wall) and I must have seen at least 20 roberys or attempts in the time we were there Even saw a group of 4 Americans and one had his backpack on his back (a five eeker!). Poor sap! He was even surprised when a thief tried to literally rip it off of him, duh!

Saludos,
jer...

I was in Madrid in December and read on the internet to be careful. I obeyed every rule and it is good I did. I had all my big money under my clothes and only put enough money in my large heavily strapped pouch which was around my neck and shoulder and under my clothes. By the Reina Sofia I had mustard sprayed on to my jacket and backpack (which had my cameras but was padlocked)by a young man. I had read that this might happen so I just went to the Dunkin Donuts nearby and used the bathroom there to wash off my bag.One hour later I had to gypsy women at the same place ask me in Spanish if I spoke Spanish and I said no. Then they began to speak English and ask me for directions. I just said no and left right away. They disappeared very quickly when I turned around to look. I am from NYC and I think I am street smart but I wouldn't have thought I would get sprayed with mustard. I love Madrid and would like to go back there for at least a year despite the mustard incident.

Hey origamimoon.

If it is any consolation, that mustard trick is widely used by would be thieves here in Spain. They spray it on you from a little mustard pouch like those given out at fast food joints and then "kindly" go to wipe it off of you as they feel you up for a loose wallet and such or expect you to put your bag or backpack down to clean yourself off and then make away with your valuables

I think you handled yourself perfectly in both the Gypsy and mustard situations

Saludos,
jer...

p.d. hey, maybe if I get mustard sprayed on me here one day I will snap at the jerk and scream in his face... "would you happen to have any Grey Poupon"

I have been to Chicago and NY, and never been pick pocketed. Is it really much worse in Spain than in big cities in the USA? I have been to Amsterdam and was ok, is crime in Madrid similar to there? If you are street smart will you be ok?
Thanks.