Beware the Too-Friendly Local

Police call them Hugger-Muggers.  Very friendly - pat on the back, even a big hug, and "Hey Mate! How's it going?"  Just as you depart a pub, coffeehouse, or bar late evening.  Meanwhile, the accomplice picks your purse or pocket, empties your wallet, and drops it on the sidewalk behind you.

Coordinated thievery, without the slightest signal between hugger and accompanying mugger.

Attention Road Warrioress!  Women are prime targets!  Top items sought: cash and credit cards from purse or wallet, cell phones, and small electronics.

Primary venues:  London - especially Camden and Westminster; Stockholm.  Most commonly late evening or night.  Don't expect this type of crime to be limited to these two cities or this time of day for long.  Just because there's a sharp rise in police reports from these two cities in particular does not mean this is simply a "local phenomenon."  It can happen anywhere anytime.

Safety Tips & Prevention: 
*  Don't let strangers "hug" or touch you.  Stop them!  They'll try to lead a merry dance around you.  Evade and speak loudly enough for passersby to hear: "No!  Get away from me!"  or "Don't touch me!  I don't know you!"

*  Wear your shoulder bag strapped diagonally around your neck and under your arm, then slide the bag toward the front of your body.  Keep your forearm along the top of the bag with your hand gripping the strap.

*  Use a security-cabled bag.  Use tiny luggage locks.  Secure the phone - don't keep it in an open pocket without Velcro or zipper close.  Anything to slow them down!  Make things more troublesome for the pickpocket, Hugger-Mugger, or other assorted villain.

*  Keep ID, credit cards, and other valuables in a hidden body belt or bra bag which attaches securely to clothing.  Use the interior pocket of your jacket, then zip up both pocket and jacket to prevent a hand sneaking in.  Stitch up an extra interior pocket inside your jeans.

May your road rise to meet you - and may you remain safe along the road!
Ann

Ai-yah! My Handbag Is Dying!

Another trusty on-the-road survival tool is dying - alas!  The handles of my trusty shoulder bag have worn out.  The microfiber fabric covering steel safety cables has worn through, exposing the metal cabling.

Unlike my poor wheeled computer bag which so recently bit the dust, this bag has served me for about four years.  I think four years of rough handling is pretty close to a record for long-term service for a handbag for me.  I really cannot complain about a shoulder bag which has done constant harsh duty for four years.  Especially since it only cost around USD80 to start with.  After all, a friend's USD1600 leather bling bag from some famous designer (which one, I've forgotten) died in half as much time.

I love a well-organized handbag.  Useless - and downright annoying - to me are "dump bucket" bags where everything goes in one compartment.  I prefer a bag with pockets for my cell phone, a safe space for my passport, and easy access to my ChapStick!  If I lose my keys in the bottom of a bag, I can go ballistic when I'm in a rush or under the gun (which seems like most of the time).

This bag has been the best organized of any handbag I've ever owned or designed myself and had made.  I had one many years ago which came pretty close, and never found another like it.  Until I discovered DayMakers. 

This is the large DayMakers travel bag with an excellent variety of pockets.  It holds my wallet (I might tell you about it sometime, as it has proven particularly well organized for the traveler), cell phone, phone recharger, digital camera (the point & shoot, not a DSLR with lenses), critical documents, and more.

What's really special about my DayMakers bag is the security features.  The handle and around through the bottom is stainless steel cable to protect against bag-slashers, pickpockets, and baggage thieves.  Other features help me feel more secure carrying it around.  And the microfiber fabric bag shows little wear - except for the handle where steel cable wore right through it.

Now they have a new model, quite similar in design to what I've been using for the past four years.  But Billy Norris, owner/designer for this Santa Barbara firm, has added RFID blocker technology to some of his travel handbags and other accessories.

So, I'm aiming to get some of these products and test them out.  I sure am happy with this firm to start with.  I wonder if they can make me - and you! - even happier?

May your road rise to meet you - and your bags rise to your expectations!
Ann