Thread: Do Russians steal as much as Americans?

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

Do these cops really look like they would harm a pickpocket victim?

Тот что слева, определенно. =)

У Догбоя всё схвачено в России. С милицией полный порядок. Даже на память фото.

А мне больше та справа нравится :)

Не забывайте уточнять, с какой стороны смотрите.

"Та" она одна, с какой стороны не сматри :D

Originally Posted by MagellanTX

So, if I'm walking down the street in Moscow and someone tries to steal my wallet what will happen if I fight with him? (To return that "teach a lesson" theory)

That probably depends on a little luck and a lot of training to deal with situations like this.

Originally Posted by MagellanTX

That's really what the question is about. It sounds like I would have no recourse if I caught someone trying to steal from me.

1) Take my chances and hope they are not stronger than me.
2) Fight them and wait for the милиция to shoot me dead.
3) Walk away and act like nothing has happened.

Starting to worry about visting this country.

How sympathetic are the Russian authorities towards a victim?

As for not going, dont let it put you off, you have the potential to be mugged everytime you step out of the front door. But there are ways to reduce the chance by walking positively, lot looking lost (even if you are), stay in crowded areas as much as possible and make it clear you are aware of your surroundings by looking around you all the time. Keep what you can out of sight and if you keep your wallet in a back pocket of your trousers, have it on a chain linked to your belt loop. That way a potential mugger is likely to look for an easier target.

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

Just keep your wallet in your jacket with your passport and everything will be dandy.

Or just crotch them, bet you they aint going there.

screw the militsiya, they're just as bad as the criminals! if your wallet get stolen try and beat it back of him and if you get whooped, well, at least you tried!

Originally Posted by Lt. Columbo

screw the militsiya, they're just as bad as the criminals!

Originally Posted by Lt. Columbo

screw the militsiya, they're just as bad as the criminals! if your wallet get stolen try and beat it back of him and if you get whooped, well, at least you tried!

Dude, this isn't 1997.

Originally Posted by Автобус

Originally Posted by giovanni

Originally Posted by MagellanTX

So, if I'm walking down the street in Moscow and someone tries to steal my wallet what will happen if I fight with him? (To return that "teach a lesson" theory)

they will take out their cameras, film it, and put it on youtube with the label "Russian kicks American's ass".

I dont know, what if Magellan here is a bad ass? He is from Texas. Know who else is from Texas? Walker Texas Ranger (Chuck Norris)

ahahahaha... Texas! whewwwww nice one. Everyone knows the only good thing that came out of texas was toast. (sorry chuck, dont kill me)

And to magellan with the mellon (have you seen that commercial?), russia maybe isnt the safest place, but what is safe? Worst comes to worse, you are stupid about it and lose your wallet. Oh well. Just dont carry around thousands of dollars in drug money. If you need more than say... 50 bucks on you at all times, then divide it up! Coats with zipper pockets in the inside work well for this! But seriously... everyone always thinks they are going to be mugged if they go to rome or whatever... so they wear those huge fanny packs (i call them "snag bags") to combat the theives. More than likely it makes them more obvious and more easy to steal from!

Basic moral of the story, go to the gym, get huge, because when a russian steals your girlfriend, you might need to beat him up to!

The worst thing that happened to me was that i dropped 1,000 ruble note (about 40 bucks or so, give or take)And I won't say exactly where )) and it was "taken" from me... Though I was dumb (intoxicated) enough to drop it.

Don't worry, you'll be fine.

I won't let it discourage me and I will be careful. I know that tourists stand out so if I dress like a Russian, don't look so lost and not open my mouth hopefully I will fit in.

I am finishing up my Asian tour now with my company (just got to Shanghai which is the last leg of my trip) and it looks like they are going to send me to St. Petersburg or Moscow in March. I hope all goes well and the trip is still on.

Originally Posted by MagellanTX

I won't let it discourage me and I will be careful. I know that tourists stand out so if I dress like a Russian, don't look so lost and not open my mouth hopefully I will fit in.

I am finishing up my Asian tour now with my company (just got to Shanghai which is the last leg of my trip) and it looks like they are going to send me to St. Petersburg or Moscow in March. I hope all goes well and the trip is still on.

Exactly!!

have u seen the movie жара? Probably not but, there is a british guy, who has this expensive camera around his neck, a shirt that says CCCP, and a fat wallet sticking out of his pants... and it shows him getting ripped off by some Russian guys... but he was just asking for it.

All you have to do is blend in (Like any native would do in their own country) and you'll be 100% OK!

Originally Posted by MagellanTX

I won't let it discourage me and I will be careful. I know that tourists stand out so if I dress like a Russian, don't look so lost and not open my mouth hopefully I will fit in.

I am finishing up my Asian tour now with my company (just got to Shanghai which is the last leg of my trip) and it looks like they are going to send me to St. Petersburg or Moscow in March. I hope all goes well and the trip is still on.

3 rules to be russian...

1.dont wear a cccp shirt or hat unless you can speak russian well enough to back it up
3. counting doesnt matter in russia.
2. shoes are key, go buy some nice italian leather kicks!

Originally Posted by VendingMachine

In this country it's not uncommon for people to lose their arms when they get their bags snatched by petty criminals. A businessman may have his case snatched along with his wrist. A lady may have her handbag snatched and off will come her shoulder. Backpacks, don't ever wear those unless you feel like getting quartered.

What country are you talking about?

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Originally Posted by VendingMachine

In this country it's not uncommon for people to lose their arms when they get their bags snatched by petty criminals. A businessman may have his case snatched along with his wrist. A lady may have her handbag snatched and off will come her shoulder. Backpacks, don't ever wear those unless you feel like getting quartered.

What country are you talking about?

The country where dancing bears roam the streets - remember?

Originally Posted by BabaYaga

The country where dancing bears roam the streets - remember?

Ah, that one...

Originally Posted by giovanni

2. shoes are key, go buy some nice italian leather kicks! :wink:

Валенки is the real Russian footwear!