[Cronos]

I noticed Gypsies when I came to Eastern Europe and then when I visited India and now again in Poland.

My observation is that they are the same from India to Europe, looks, culture etc.

Many are culturally of beggars or petty thieves as they have been literally for centuries, maybe even millenia

HOWEVER, one major, major thing that i appreciate about them is they do not use violence for their crimes. They may pick your pockets or rob small items, but they don't burgle your houses of everything and they do not use a knife to stab you.

In Rome, your son needs to be aware of his surroundings, some simple tips are:

1. Walk on the sunny side
2. Keep your wallet in your front pocket
3. Keep your cards separate from your wallet -- ditto for passports etc.
4. please STAY AWAY from fanny packs --they invite trouble and are easy to pick
5. be very, VERY aware of Italians (yes, not Gypsies) who stop you on the street to ask you directions when you are obviously a tourist (camera/maps) -- these are con-men
6. don't shake hands with strangers if you wear a ring or a fancy watch
7. Don't put your hand into the stranger's car to show him the way -- he could grab it, take your watch and drive off

[smvoice]

now again in Poland.

Poland..you're in Poland? My husband's family immigrated to the U.S. from Poland in the 1930's. Neither set of grandparents could speak English, and never did, to my knowledge. My husband wants so badly to visit there, and see his family's country. The people are beautiful, the food, (at least what I've tasted) is delicious...perogies...yummm...and the land is spectacular. I thought most of the Polish population belonged to the Polish National Church, who do not believe in the infallibility of the pope.