I Zingari

Ever wonder why there are so many beggars littered throughout the streets of Italy? Have you ever been abroad and reached into your pocket to check your phone, only to realize that you have just been pick-pocketed?

Most of the ‘gypsies’ that you will encounter are of Romanian descent and are a very prominent ethnic group throughout Europe. Having migrated here many years ago, these “gypsies” have become a serious problem. You may see some sleeping on the streets, but most of them actually live in different encampments on the outskirts of the larger Italian cities, such as Rome, Florence, Naples, etc.

Referred to as ‘i zingari’ (literally translated as, mosquitoes), Italians are clearly not a fan. In all honesty though, these ‘gypsies’ are more of a problem for tourists than they are to the local Italians. Italians know what to expect and are a far harder target for the ‘sticky-fingered’ zingari. But hey, there is no reason that you can’t avoid them as well. In fact, it is fairly simple if you know what to look for.

Expertly trained in their craft, I zingari are professionals. Typically working in teams of two or more, they will usually be seen around major tourist attractions, such as the Duomo in Florence, or the Colosseum in Rome. Other spots to look out for are around train stations or worse yet, on buses.

It is the children that you really need to watch out for, and out of all these scenarios, I would say that crowded buses are where they have the most success.

Picture this. You’re standing in the middle of a crowded bus, as it abruptly stops and starts in the mayhem of Italian traffic. Holding on for dear life and trying to keep your balance, you are unaware of the pesky zingaro that has timed the motion of the bus perfectly, to bump into you and deftly lift your wallet out of your back pocket. It may take you a minute to notice, but that is all they need to have either handed their prize off to a teammate or even gotten off at the previous stop themselves.

Most of the tips that you will read on the Internet and that I will give to you now, might all just seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised at the amount of tourists who are still taken advantage of everyday. 

If you happen to see a group of children dressed in dirty, yet, colorful clothing, slowly approaching a group of unsuspecting tourists, act accordingly. Yell at them, “No!” “Polizia!” Vattene via! “(Go away!) Wave your arms and run at them if it please you. Maybe even brush up on a couple Italian swearwords. Any of the following will send them scattering, once they realize they’ve been spotted.

If a stranger comes up to you and starts talking to you in a different language, chances are it is not just some friendly local Italian. They are meant to be a distraction, while their fellow ‘zingaro’ sneaks up behind you. So stay alert, or even better, just keep walking.

It is also best to walk quickly, with a sense of urgency. It is the confused looking tourists, constantly glancing at maps or taking pictures that make for the easiest target. If you must stop and look at a map, make sure your back is to a wall, or better yet, stop into one of the many different cafes that line the city streets.

“I Zingari” are not going anywhere, and have not showed signs of changing their lifestyle any time soon. My intentions are not to make you nervous or paranoid, but merely to make you aware that these situations do occur. My best bit of advice would be to blend in as best as possible. Dress Italian, walk Italian, speak Italian. If they see you with a map in one hand, a gelato in the other, wearing sweatpants, and an “I <3 Italia” T-shirt; those pesky mosquitoes will swarm.