Madrid: really as much petty crime as they claim?

[tiecollector]

Originally Posted by jpeirpont

The idea of a Spaniard robbing me is amusing.

What about a Muslim in Spain?

 

[jpeirpont]

Originally Posted by tiecollector

What about a Muslim in Spain?

I can't imagine it, my father's family is from Kingston, Jamaica, I live in Hartford , CT and I walk around without fear, the idea of some North African or European seems robbing me seems unlikely. Though I will add I'm pretty ignorant about Spains Muslim population and could be under estimating them.

 

[deputamadre]

Spain has plenty of Africans. It seems, based merely on my experiences, the people doing the pickpocketing were gypsies and Spaniards with mullets. Though, the elderly Spaniards that I knew believe the Africans were to blame for all the crime.

 

[chobochobo]

My worst experience was in Barcelona. I was 'mugged' by a railway employee - at the main station, I was buying tickets to go to Porta Avventura (or whatever it's called) and I was shortchanged by the clerk. When I tried to complain, they pulled their blind down, and when I went to the other clerks to ask for help, they all turned away. All the staff there refused to help. I tried to call the police but left because I had to catch the train.

The money wasn't a huge amount, maybe 20 dollars but it was being 'robbed' by a government official, and having all the staff at the place ignore my pleas for help that really made me feel 'what the hell was going on with the world'. That was ten years ago, and I haven't been back to Spain since.

 

[tiecollector]

Originally Posted by chobochobo

My worst experience was in Barcelona. I was 'mugged' by a railway employee - at the main station, I was buying tickets to go to Porta Avventura (or whatever it's called) and I was shortchanged by the clerk. When I tried to complain, they pulled their blind down, and when I went to the other clerks to ask for help, they all turned away. All the staff there refused to help. I tried to call the police but left because I had to catch the train.

The money wasn't a huge amount, maybe 20 dollars but it was being 'robbed' by a government official, and having all the staff at the place ignore my pleas for help that really made me feel 'what the hell was going on with the world'. That was ten years ago, and I haven't been back to Spain since.

Same thing happened to me in Naples. I just gave them all I had, which was about $30.

 

[TheIdler]

Just to clear up a few things:

The problem in Barcelona is petty, non-violent crime. We're talking about pickpocketing, scams, purse/bag snatching, etc. Violent crime, or crime where a weapon is even involved as a threat, is very rare and much less common than in any big U.S. city.

BUT a lot of people, after I've warned them, have basically said, "I'm from [some big U.S. city], plus I've travelled to [some foreign place] and nothing's happened before, so clearly I exhibit [some trait that wards off petty criminals]." They've pretty much ALL gotten picked. Not saying it'll happen to everyone, just that it might. Be careful. I don't care if you're a 6'5" black belt weightlifter from Compton--when you set your luggage down at the four-star hotel check-in counter, it'll get lifted in about two seconds.

Also, the problem in Barcelona is not confined to tourists. I know many people who live there--born there or moved there--who have had problems. What's aggravating is the police response if you're not from there. Foreigners who go to the police complaining of a petty crime seem to be told, essentially: "Well, you're a tourist. You probably did something dumb, plus there's no way we're going to find the people who did it, so goodbye." Thanks, bro.