Robbed

[sleslie23]

Another place to be careful, which I never would have suspected, is on the bus if you're sitting by the windows. A friend told me he was on the bus in the summer when the windows were open, and a girl was talking on her phone sitting by the window, and while the bus was stopped, someone jumped up and grabbed her phone right out of her hand, right as the bus took off. I NEVER would have even thought of that as a possibility. Can't knock em for creativity jaja

I've seen this happen several times in Palermo.

 

[Girino]

I heard also of people grabbed by the handbag from outside while packed in the bus.

 

[nlaruccia]

Just because people in San Isidro use their laptops in restaurants and cafes doesn't mean it's not a huge risk. In Recoleta there are motorchorros, and let's not forget the one lynched in Palermo recently. There is no safe area in the city. Be cautious, not paranoid, and step inside kiosko if you must use your iPhone. If you use your cell phone on the street there's a huge chance you'll get robbed no matter where you are in the city.

 

[sesamosinsal]

Everyone, stop living. It's just too dangerous.

 

[Matiasba]

Everyone, stop living. It's just too dangerous.

what I said of being paranoid was of course an exageration. I didnt mean it, I just wanted to advise to be more than cautious, like adding a plus to everywhere situation, at least in Microcentro and subte. The rest of the city is ok.

 

[Mockingbird]

Move to Nordelta. Or Puerto Madero. Cant get any safer than that in Buenos Aires.

 

[Noruega]

Bonchat, so sorry that happened to you... It's quite scary. It is a good reminder for me, because while I usually only carry cash in my pockets, not in my purse, and often stuff my keys in a pocket as well to avoid having them in my purse, I do have a bad habit of having my smartphone out too much. I use it to see how far I have to go, where to get off the bus, answer messages, and just read when on the bus. I know people who have had their phones snapped out of their hands on the bus, like others have mentioned, so I should know better...

 

[Tommy1978]

firstly, a huge thanks to the outpouring of wisdom.

I must clarify.

my phone was in my pocket and was pick pocketed

and now for the bad part.....

my "local" bar...... reconquista..... generally full of personable people and good comradeship. but the girls who work the streets hang there. they don't drink. they just hang out waiting. It took me a long time to realize this. (NAIVE!)and being open till very late the unsavory characters of san martin and reconquista, retiro come in selling their wares.
so there I was in the middle of all this.
just drinking beers and flirting with women. my fault entirely.

it might be no coincidence that I was targeted on my way home. but I cant say for sure. the guy seemed unrelated in clothing and in demeanor, who knows?

lesson....... please please be careful if you go to certain bars and talk to strangers. its so easy to do when you are alone and have no people to talk with. where I come from this is normal practice.

i LOVE BA and dont wish to put anyone off..... come here. its cool. I useed my phone, laptop without issue (and due paranoid care) for 2 months. no robbery.

its a wonderful place. dont let them beat you.

stay the hell away from seedy retiro / micro centro bars. and enjoy the city.

ah well, back to trying to stay positive.

does anyone know of a quiet country village i might recuperate?!!

 

[gpop]

Is it just me or is there a pattern to all of this: smart phone, iphone, mac, money, Recoleta... I seeing the same things mentioned each time someone posts and in different posts based on the same issue.
If it is such a gamble to step outside of your homes with these items then maybe you should just not, and/or consider where you are.

The ones who're holding your gear right now are having a laugh at your expense, but really, what would you expect? This country, this city is not educated to the rules of conduct that you're accustomed to. So that raises the question; what did you expect? The same could have occurred in a major US city; would it change anything? You are out $nTh number of Dollars of equipment just because you had it and someone wanted to relieve you of it.

Any wise gambler knows, don't take more than you are comfortable losing at the casino. Right now, BA is the house and the house always wins.

 

[Tommy1978]

you make some small sense. but not much.

in this world some know the economics due to their lifestyle. others through their education.

maybe you should try and experience the world in all its facets.

win or lose.

you wont be so adamant then my friend.