Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site amdahl.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!hplabs!amdahl!gam
From: gam@amdahl.UUCP (G A Moffett)
Newsgroups: net.travel
Subject: Re: Caution - Paris
Message-ID: <1426@amdahl.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 20-Apr-85 00:48:26 EST
Article-I.D.: amdahl.1426
Posted: Sat Apr 20 00:48:26 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 22-Apr-85 01:45:16 EST
References: <2177@cca.UUCP> <887@homxa.UUCP> <380@ihu1m.UUCP> <291@bdaemon.UUCP>
Organization: Blue Mouse Trailer Resort, Hellmouth, CA
Lines: 23

> Also beware of large groups of small children. They tend
> to surround thier victimsand appear to plead and beg, all
> the while grabbing for any valuables thay can lay their
> grubby little hands on. They go for purses, wallets, jewelry 
> or anything else interesting. It is very upsetting to have
> to start slapping at boys and girls 10 years old, but
> that is the only way to escape with your belongings.
> This incident occurred at Sacre Coeur in Paris.

I had a similar incident in a Metro station (St. Michel, I think).
While a crowd of passengers was moving out of the station, I was
approached by two small (10 years is about right) children showing
me bits of newspaper and murmering something at me.  My friend
with me told me the newspapers were a distraction and they were
probably pickpockets.  I said, "Go away!" and nothing happened.
One of them tugged at my jacket (I had valuables in the inside
breast pocket), at which point I raised my umbrella and shouted
"Go away!" again.  They left.

[ Paris is a wonderful city and should not be judged by such
  incidents.  In any major city one must be careful with valuables. ]
-- 
Gordon A. Moffett		...!{ihnp4,hplabs,sun}!amdahl!gam