Chile Forum

I hope not!

What I hear (though it may be merely anecdotal) is that Santiago is the most crime-ridden spot in the whole country.

Ximena and I were in the Mall the other day... and I, being more relaxed that I should be, set her purse down beside me as she went to pay for our coffee's... anyway she saw how I was sitting with her purse in the "wide open" and she warned me... be careful... she said, see those guys walking by... they are likely to snatch the purse and run, that they are in the Mall looking for opportunity... sure enough about 20 minutes later we were in the Home Center and there were the same two guys under arrest for whatever opportunity they found.

I am not from the city and I must learn to be more aware of these types of people.

John

My boyfriend's mother and sister are horrified that I carry a purse at all. I do admit, I wish I had one with longer straps that I could sling across over my head-makes it harder for them to snatch that way. But, I never just sling it over my shoulder. I keep it tucked under my upper arm and my hand on the strap at all times. I won't carry it if I have cash only, but I hate carrying credit cards in my pocket. They actually wanted me to carry my money in my bra. I am sorry, I refuse to pull money out of my bra in line at Lider to pay for my groceries.
It is kinda ironic- In the states my boyfriend always hated it that I was not a "girly girl." I hate wearing jewelry, pretty much lived in jeans and t-shirts, etc. Finally caved in and started carrying a purse to appease him and picked up a couple I really liked. Now he tries to talk me out of carrying it...
But, atleast the fact I own not one piece of jewelry is an plus here:)
The first time I rode the bus back from Puente Alto, a woman waiting for our bus had her purse snatched. The bus driver stopped the bus on the way out of the city so she could report it. Thought that was a real nice of the driver.

In certain situations, I carry a "dummy" wallet with a bit of cash and fake credit cards (the ones you get from mail offers) with real cash, cards etc in a discreet clip. Gives me something to hand a mugger w/o giving up the real goods. If I'm ever feeling especially nasty, I might insert an ink bomb or GPS, but use of that wallet is rare enough (generally only overseas) that it hasn't been worth the trouble to sink to such levels of perfidy. At least, not yet.

John Hyre

My father came to visit me in Guatemala one time. He had dummy wallet in his pocket, with an old expired credit card. It got lifted on a bus. 5 years later he got a call from Visa in the States telling us that it had just been used in a store in New York. That little card made a long trip from the Mountains of Guatemala to New York. Of course the credit card company tried to get him to pay for it. Turns out the real thieves where already in his pocket before the robbery.

decoy wallets are good. Also watch for those travel money belts that go under your clothes. Many thieves know to go looking for them now, because so many people use them. Best defense is to split your money up in to several locations. They might get one or even two stashes, but likly not everything in one go in a public place.

hey parryboy, i hope you tracked down the robber to return his clothes, a book and a hat what with the economic crisis and all.
it amazes me that anyone at all - including robbers - places luggage in the overhead racks, but given the economic crisis and all the robber will be much better off with some food on his table.
in 2006 on a bus in costa rica someone took my gringa backpack and scored a wet prosthetically-altered swimming costume bought for a trip to fiji in 1980, a scrap of towelling stolen (not by me, I only innocently receive stolen goods) from a humble Peruvian Iodging, lots of breast cancer medication and (the most valuable item) an unopened bottle of water.

I have managed to travel to some pretty crime ridden and atrocious places ie: Johannesburg,Bangkok, etc. and have never been robbed or bullied.I found the best way not to get robbed whether it be on buses, taxis,or on streets is to be 6ft 1 and 240 lbs, walk with a serious demeanor (business like), make eye contact with everybody you walk by on the way to your seat on the bus, and to take a serious approach with a taxi driver, letting him know you will not tolerate any games like overcharging or driving around your desination while the meter runs.Be the first to intimidate while still remaining friendly.I am not the ugly American, but the guy who has an approach that messing with me or my wife or our things for that matter, may just result in something you didn't bargain for when you decided I was go to be your next victim.

Thanks for this forum.

Hmmm...... I could probably achieve the 240 pounds, but even in the highest heels I will never make the crime-detering 6 ft 1 in.

I keep valuables in various locations (i.e. cash inside sock), back pack, pants, etc. I learned a lot in Guatemala and still, 18 years later, am still vigilent in watching out for perps. ever since I was robbed at knife point...they only got a dollar which only angered the guy. I always have my bag(s) next to me and am checking them ever few seconds to the extent that I look as if I have a nervous tic...again life in the slums of Guate taught me street smarts.

Last time I was in Santiago (early December), I was pick-pocketed once and the victim of a second attempt.

The first time, it was my own fault. While standing on a subway platform, I opened my purse and took out a small notebook to write something down. I failed to zip it back up and stood there making notes. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a guy "too close," but I was too busy concentrating on what I was writing to pay much attention.

Later that day, I discovered that my "Chile" money purse missing. Luckily, he didn't dig all the way to the bottom of my purse because, that day, I also had my "American" wallet in my purse, complete with credit cards and ATM card. THAT would have been disastrous.

The second time was also in the Metro. I think the guy "marked" me in the station and followed me onto the train. It might actually have been the same guy both times, not sure. I stick out like a sore thumb because I have blondey-red hair, pale skin, and blue eyes. Definitely "gringa."

He followed me into the train, passed by me, and then turned around and came back in front of me. He called attention to himself by saying "Permiso," when he passed. When he doubled back to face me, I was suspicious. And when I felt him fiddling with the zipper on my purse, I couldn't believe it.

I looked around at the chilenos surrounding us. None of them were noticing anything, eyes averted. I looked down to find his sweater covering the top of my purse. His hand was under the sweater.

I quickly moved further into the train to escape from him. He didn't try to follow me.

After that, I began to carry my money inside my bra. I no longer cared if I had to dig in there to pull it out when paying for something and actually had several chilenos murmur, "Mas seguro, mas seguro" when they saw me reaching for it!