Rolex Stolen off my wrist in Barcelona
Discussion
TarquinMX5 said:
jdw100 said:
Bloodt hell there are some right namby-pambies on this thread (is that the right plural?).
Remind me of some Americans I used to work with based out of the company’s Florida office. Fretting all the time at global meeting in Chicago because that had to leave their guns at home. I hosted them in the UK for some joint work we were doing - again moaning because they couldn’t carry guns and London was so dangerous..staying at a hotel in Park Lane.
Honestly, people on here saying they wouldn’t go to Barcelona. Well, you shouldn’t but only because it’s had it’s day; peaked maybe a decade ago. Not because you are too scared to go out your front door for fear of being mugged. I’ve probably been there 10 times - no issues.
I wear I want, where I want. Thirty plus countries, sometimes for extended periods, often not tourist areas - never an issue.
Not long come back from the Timor/Timor Leste border. Wore mostly a Rolex GMT there, that’s three years average wages I guess. Spent time with the Police there in fact, nice guys. Funnily enough it’s still in my possession.
Bought drugs in Lisbon wearing the same watch - same watch also been in probably the dodgiest bar I’ve ever been to in my life in HK; it’s still here and so am I. It’s my usual travel watch as that’s exactly what it is designed for - not for sitting in a safe when it’s owner travels. It goes in the sea as well..!
I literally cannot see the point in buying something and then not wearing it.
Act like a tourist and like you’re scared of your own shadow and you probably do make your self a bit more of a target.
Tough Guy. Remind me of some Americans I used to work with based out of the company’s Florida office. Fretting all the time at global meeting in Chicago because that had to leave their guns at home. I hosted them in the UK for some joint work we were doing - again moaning because they couldn’t carry guns and London was so dangerous..staying at a hotel in Park Lane.
Honestly, people on here saying they wouldn’t go to Barcelona. Well, you shouldn’t but only because it’s had it’s day; peaked maybe a decade ago. Not because you are too scared to go out your front door for fear of being mugged. I’ve probably been there 10 times - no issues.
I wear I want, where I want. Thirty plus countries, sometimes for extended periods, often not tourist areas - never an issue.
Not long come back from the Timor/Timor Leste border. Wore mostly a Rolex GMT there, that’s three years average wages I guess. Spent time with the Police there in fact, nice guys. Funnily enough it’s still in my possession.
Bought drugs in Lisbon wearing the same watch - same watch also been in probably the dodgiest bar I’ve ever been to in my life in HK; it’s still here and so am I. It’s my usual travel watch as that’s exactly what it is designed for - not for sitting in a safe when it’s owner travels. It goes in the sea as well..!
I literally cannot see the point in buying something and then not wearing it.
Act like a tourist and like you’re scared of your own shadow and you probably do make your self a bit more of a target.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
My 80 year old neighbor was pushed to the ground and his bag stolen in Barca.
bad company said:
I just arrived in Buenos Aires. I’ve already been warned to keep the Rolex in the hotel safe and don’t carry too much cash etc.
The risks do take some of the pleasure from travel.
Nothing is without risk though. The key is to be aware and realistic, not Naive or paranoidThe risks do take some of the pleasure from travel.
djc206 said:
jdw100 said:
Act like a tourist and like you’re scared of your own shadow and you probably do make your self a bit more of a target.
Nothing marks you as a tourist more than wearing expensive jewellery in one of the worlds toilets. Expensive watches and stuffed wallets can invite attention in places where people earn $2 per day
alfaman said:
I’ve traveled quite a bit round Africa, South America and Asia ... I would not wear an expensive watch ... and would just keep enough cash for the day (maybe $30- 50 max ) in a shirt pocket rather than get out my wallet or cards.
Expensive watches and stuffed wallets can invite attention in places where people earn $2 per day
I went to Haiti once, felt like the Ray Bans I’d got in the sale for £50 were a bit ostentatious never mind a watch!Expensive watches and stuffed wallets can invite attention in places where people earn $2 per day
alfaman said:
djc206 said:
jdw100 said:
Act like a tourist and like you’re scared of your own shadow and you probably do make your self a bit more of a target.
Nothing marks you as a tourist more than wearing expensive jewellery in one of the worlds toilets. Expensive watches and stuffed wallets can invite attention in places where people earn $2 per day
alfaman said:
I’ve traveled quite a bit round Africa, South America and Asia ... I would not wear an expensive watch ... and would just keep enough cash for the day (maybe $30- 50 max ) in a shirt pocket rather than get out my wallet or cards.
Expensive watches and stuffed wallets can invite attention in places where people earn $2 per day
Agreed. Expensive watches and stuffed wallets can invite attention in places where people earn $2 per day
I wouldn't have thought somewhere like Barcelona was a problem though.
andy tims said:
alfaman said:
I’ve traveled quite a bit round Africa, South America and Asia ... I would not wear an expensive watch ... and would just keep enough cash for the day (maybe $30- 50 max ) in a shirt pocket rather than get out my wallet or cards.
Expensive watches and stuffed wallets can invite attention in places where people earn $2 per day
Agreed. Expensive watches and stuffed wallets can invite attention in places where people earn $2 per day
I wouldn't have thought somewhere like Barcelona was a problem though.
andy tims said:
alfaman said:
I’ve traveled quite a bit round Africa, South America and Asia ... I would not wear an expensive watch ... and would just keep enough cash for the day (maybe $30- 50 max ) in a shirt pocket rather than get out my wallet or cards.
Expensive watches and stuffed wallets can invite attention in places where people earn $2 per day
Agreed. Expensive watches and stuffed wallets can invite attention in places where people earn $2 per day
I wouldn't have thought somewhere like Barcelona was a problem though.
Robertj21a said:
andy tims said:
alfaman said:
I’ve traveled quite a bit round Africa, South America and Asia ... I would not wear an expensive watch ... and would just keep enough cash for the day (maybe $30- 50 max ) in a shirt pocket rather than get out my wallet or cards.
Expensive watches and stuffed wallets can invite attention in places where people earn $2 per day
Agreed. Expensive watches and stuffed wallets can invite attention in places where people earn $2 per day
I wouldn't have thought somewhere like Barcelona was a problem though.
jakesmith said:
TarquinMX5 said:
jdw100 said:
Bloodt hell there are some right namby-pambies on this thread (is that the right plural?).
Remind me of some Americans I used to work with based out of the company’s Florida office. Fretting all the time at global meeting in Chicago because that had to leave their guns at home. I hosted them in the UK for some joint work we were doing - again moaning because they couldn’t carry guns and London was so dangerous..staying at a hotel in Park Lane.
Honestly, people on here saying they wouldn’t go to Barcelona. Well, you shouldn’t but only because it’s had it’s day; peaked maybe a decade ago. Not because you are too scared to go out your front door for fear of being mugged. I’ve probably been there 10 times - no issues.
I wear I want, where I want. Thirty plus countries, sometimes for extended periods, often not tourist areas - never an issue.
Not long come back from the Timor/Timor Leste border. Wore mostly a Rolex GMT there, that’s three years average wages I guess. Spent time with the Police there in fact, nice guys. Funnily enough it’s still in my possession.
Bought drugs in Lisbon wearing the same watch - same watch also been in probably the dodgiest bar I’ve ever been to in my life in HK; it’s still here and so am I. It’s my usual travel watch as that’s exactly what it is designed for - not for sitting in a safe when it’s owner travels. It goes in the sea as well..!
I literally cannot see the point in buying something and then not wearing it.
Act like a tourist and like you’re scared of your own shadow and you probably do make your self a bit more of a target.
Tough Guy. Remind me of some Americans I used to work with based out of the company’s Florida office. Fretting all the time at global meeting in Chicago because that had to leave their guns at home. I hosted them in the UK for some joint work we were doing - again moaning because they couldn’t carry guns and London was so dangerous..staying at a hotel in Park Lane.
Honestly, people on here saying they wouldn’t go to Barcelona. Well, you shouldn’t but only because it’s had it’s day; peaked maybe a decade ago. Not because you are too scared to go out your front door for fear of being mugged. I’ve probably been there 10 times - no issues.
I wear I want, where I want. Thirty plus countries, sometimes for extended periods, often not tourist areas - never an issue.
Not long come back from the Timor/Timor Leste border. Wore mostly a Rolex GMT there, that’s three years average wages I guess. Spent time with the Police there in fact, nice guys. Funnily enough it’s still in my possession.
Bought drugs in Lisbon wearing the same watch - same watch also been in probably the dodgiest bar I’ve ever been to in my life in HK; it’s still here and so am I. It’s my usual travel watch as that’s exactly what it is designed for - not for sitting in a safe when it’s owner travels. It goes in the sea as well..!
I literally cannot see the point in buying something and then not wearing it.
Act like a tourist and like you’re scared of your own shadow and you probably do make your self a bit more of a target.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
My 80 year old neighbor was pushed to the ground and his bag stolen in Barca.
alfaman said:
I’ve traveled quite a bit round Africa, South America and Asia ... I would not wear an expensive watch ... and would just keep enough cash for the day (maybe $30- 50 max ) in a shirt pocket rather than get out my wallet or cards.
Expensive watches and stuffed wallets can invite attention in places where people earn $2 per day
Absolutely.Expensive watches and stuffed wallets can invite attention in places where people earn $2 per day
Badda said:
djc206 said:
jdw100 said:
Act like a tourist and like you’re scared of your own shadow and you probably do make your self a bit more of a target.
Nothing marks you as a tourist more than wearing expensive jewellery in one of the worlds toilets. Ayahuasca said:
bad company said:
I just arrived in Buenos Aires. I’ve already been warned to keep the Rolex in the hotel safe and don’t carry too much cash etc.
This is good advice. There are a few cities I dress down with care. Sao Paulo, Lagos, Mexico City and Joburg.
I have 4 friends/colleagues who have had guns pointed at them in broad daylight in Sao Paulo. All were surprised because the street they were on seemed quite nice.
Each to their own, but it could be a horribly violent situation that can be avoided.
I have 4 friends/colleagues who have had guns pointed at them in broad daylight in Sao Paulo. All were surprised because the street they were on seemed quite nice.
Each to their own, but it could be a horribly violent situation that can be avoided.
The only place I didn't wear a 'good' watch whilst there was Bogota (I bought a Swatch at LHR on the way out!) and this was only because two of my, then work colleagues had been mugged in broad daylight in the city centre a few weeks earlier.
As violent cities go it's up there and probably best not to flaunt a fancy timepiece in the street but otherwise I've never even considered changing my watch on my travels, Barcelona included.
As violent cities go it's up there and probably best not to flaunt a fancy timepiece in the street but otherwise I've never even considered changing my watch on my travels, Barcelona included.
To some degree, pick pocketing is decriminalized in Barcelona. IIRC there is a 50 quid fine each time you are caught, which is rare.
There seems to be some kind of unspoken agreement between the law and the pickers, that as long as there is no kind of physical assault, even a scratch, it's basically fair game to pick gems off tourists.
Hence all the david blaine style stuff. Once there is any kind of physical assault, the crime escalates to a different category and is taken seriously.
There seems to be some kind of unspoken agreement between the law and the pickers, that as long as there is no kind of physical assault, even a scratch, it's basically fair game to pick gems off tourists.
Hence all the david blaine style stuff. Once there is any kind of physical assault, the crime escalates to a different category and is taken seriously.
Love the place but as with any major city these days - would probably leave valued (financially or personal) items at home.
Happily take my chances to eat here - https://cincsentits.com/ again though!
Happily take my chances to eat here - https://cincsentits.com/ again though!
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