WATCH OUT FOR
TOURIST TRAPS
WATCH OUT FOR
TOURIST TRAPS
TOURIST SCAMS
AND RIP-OFFS IN ROME
No, not everyone in Rome is a pickpocket or a member of the Mafia. No, not every tourist is robbed, tricked or scammed. And no, not every holiday in Rome ends with a trip to the embassy in search of an emergency travel document.
The Italians are welcoming, friendly and happy to help. It’s just that Rome is home to some con artists – just like every other major city in the world. There’s no point in sugar-coating it! But you should know that there are lots of preconceptions and scaremongering horror stories that simply aren’t true.
You don’t need to be suspicious of anyone and everyone – that won’t make for a fun, relaxing holiday. Just follow our tips below and you won’t end up with a horror story of your own to tell your friends and family once you get back from your trip to Rome.
WATCH OUT
FOR PICKPOCKETS
Now, I’ve been out and about in plenty of big cities in my time, but I’ve always felt like I need to keep a closer eye on my handbag or backpack when I’m in Rome (and Barcelona).
Unfortunately, the pickpockets in Rome are incredibly good at what they do. But they’re not trying to scam you or rip you off. They don’t negotiate with you. In fact, you don’t even notice them doing their thing. It’s all about being sensible…
- When you’re in a restaurant, keep your bag on your lap rather than putting it on an empty seat.
- Don’t just rest your phone or wallet/purse in the top of your bag (quick-witted pickpockets walking past are just going to see that as an invitation).
- Wear your backpack or handbag on the front of your body when you’re on public transport (or when you’re waiting in queues or on the escalators at underground stations).
- Don’t walk around with your wallet/purse or phone in the back pocket of your trousers.
- If someone starts talking to you (to ask for the time or directions), put your hand on your bag before you reply to them. Some pickpockets work in pairs, with one distracting you while the other gets to work on your bag.
KEEP YOUR WITS
ABOUT YOU
Keep in mind that pickpockets aren’t the only ones after your money. Here are some other situations you need to know about…
Signature Scammers
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Free Bracelet
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20% Surcharge on the bill
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Photos with Gladiators
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Free Phtotos
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If you head away from the Colosseum towards the Piazza Venezia, you’ll end up walking past lots of ancient temples and forums along Via Fori Imperiali. A pedestrian zone on Sundays, it’s a big hit with street performers hoping to entertain passers-by.
But you may also be approached by young men and women asking you to provide your signature to help in the fight against poverty and drugs. Come on now. How’s my signature going to help anyone break the cycle of poverty or drug addiction? It’s not going to help at all. But money might. And so you’ll be begged and begged for a donation to go with that signature you’ve just provided at absolutely no cost.
Top tip: If you don’t want to make a donation, don’t sign anything.
You might recognise this scam from underneath the Eiffel Tower…
SIGNATURE
SCAMMERS
If you visit Rome’s biggest tourist attractions – think the Spanish Steps or the Pantheon – someone is bound to come up to you to offer you a bracelet. They usually put the bracelet straight on your wrist or place it in your hand. And when you say thank you but no thank you, they’ll tell you it’s a gift that’ll cost you absolutely nothing. Well, that’s a lie! Just know that if you accept that bracelet, they won’t leave you alone. At least until you pay up, that is.
Top tip: If you don’t fancy a new bracelet, you’ll be best off pretending not to see or hear the people touting them. Not very polite, I know, but that’s the way it has to be.
FREE
BRACELET
20% SURCHARGE
ON THE BILL
It’s a well-known fact that you have to pay a service surcharge whenever you sit down for something to eat or drink at a restaurant or café in Rome. This coperta or cover charge usually costs no more than a few euros and you may be served nibbles or bread in return. Now, this charge isn’t a way of scamming tourists since everyone has to pay it – locals and all.
What you do want to watch out for, though, is a surcharge of 20% being applied to the entire bill too. It’s really hard to get this removed after you’ve been given the bill, especially if it was mentioned on the menu (albeit in the tiniest print ever).
Top tip: If you don’t want to be hit with this nasty surprise, make sure you read the menu thoroughly and check for any small print before you order.
PHOTO
WITH GLADIATORS
If you think about Ancient Rome, do you immediately picture gladiators fighting? Muscular, tanned men stepping into the arena with maybe a sword and a shield? Who wouldn’t want a photo with one of those superstars, right?
But the gladiators don’t hang out at the Colosseum anymore. You’re more likely to find them lurking around the Villa Borghese park these days. How come? Well, they’ve been known to demand extortionate amounts of money in exchange for posing for photos. And that’s caused some serious disputes in the past. So much so that there are now rules in place that make it very difficult for people dressed as gladiators to pose for photos around the Colosseum.
Top tip: If you do bump into a gladiator – or even an emperor – and you fancy a photo as a souvenir, make sure you negotiate the price upfront.
FREE PHOTOS AT THE
TREVI FOUNTAIN OR PIAZZA NAVONA
The Trevi Fountain and the Fiumi Fountain on the Piazza Navona have got to be the most famous fountains in Rome and maybe even the world. Chances are you’re going to want to take a nice photo or two while you’re there.
A selfie on your smartphone takes no more than a few seconds. But there’s something special about photos taken on a good old-fashioned Polaroid or maybe presented in the style of a newspaper article. Well, there’s a good chance you’ll be offered one around here. Self-proclaimed photographers tend to pop up out of nowhere and try to cash in on your desire for a photo.
Top tip: If you don’t want a special photo, just politely ignore any photographers who approach you. If you do want to accept their offer, make sure you agree on a price before they take the photo.
Conclusion
BE RUDE AS A RULE
Unfortunately, there’s one golden rule that goes against everything you’ve been taught because it involves being a bit rude. Basically, if anyone offers you something you don’t want when you’re out on the streets of Rome – something like a bracelet, souvenir or photo – you just need to blatantly ignore them.
If you feel the need to be polite and you say “No thank you” to someone, they will end up knowing:
a) which language you speak,
b) that you’ve understood them and
c) that there may therefore be a slight chance of you buying something if they try hard enough.
If you get tempted to accept a ‘gift’ someone offers you, just remember that nothing in life is free. Not even a signature kindly provided in aid of a good cause.
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2020 – 2024
With the support of Susanne Vukan
