Rome: Don't fall for the scams.

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Statue in the Piazza del Popolo (the People's Square), 

where you will find both amazing art and architecture, 

as well as Street Peddlers and Beggars

Don't fall for the scams.   

Taxi Scams.

• Switching the Rate. 
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  • When you get in a cab, the taxi driver should make sure the number on the meter should be number one.  If the driver puts it on number two, then he is charging you the highway rate which is much more expensive.  Just point it out to him and make him change it or get out of the cab.
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• Bellow are some very thorough and informative sites which will help you avoid the various taxi scams.

www.threemillennia.com/taxi.htm:

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/rome_transportation/taxis.htm

Fontana di Trevi 

a hot spot for Street Peddlers

Street Peddler Scams.  There are many people in Rome who will try to sell you things on the street.  They can be very intimidating and pushy.  Below are some helpful hints for avoiding their pursuits.                                                                                                  
               Never, never, never pay their asking price. Decide what you are willing to spend and pay no more for it than that- you may have to walk away to get them to come down to your price.  For example, when it rains they sell umbrellas.  I have gotten one for as low as one euro.  I almost fainted when my dad told me how much he paid for his.                                                                                                                                                                                                      Don't be afraid to ignore them and walk away, they will stop following you shortly.  On their terms, a conversation is as good as a sale.

The Humble Beggar from Photo.net

by Eric Pilgrim 

The Street Beggars.  The street begging in Rome is so distinctly different for what you see in the U.S. that it can be a tourist attraction in itself, and you may feel compelled to hand out your money. But before you do, make sure you are informed about how they work.  Below is some information about Rome's street beggars.

• The old, sick woman.  In Rome, the beggars are usually children or women and they do not beg for money the way you are used to in America.   Here, hooded women will assume a statuesque position of deference, bowing with her head down and hands held out.  Many times, her outstretched hands will be shaking, as if she is on her last legs.  Just know, that I have seen these women on what can best be described as a lunch break.  They hike up the hems of their long shrouds, gather together in an active huddle, give their money to a head man- eat, gossip and laugh- and then return to sit prostrate, on the verge of death's door, and ask for your urgent charity.
• The sleeping child.  Some of these robed women will appeal to your sense of giving by sitting on the streets with their babies, or children.  Remember, a two year old child does not sleep soundly for three hours while his mother is begging because he is starving. Unfortunately, some of the money you give to that mother will go to Children's Nyquil.
• The Children Who Beg.  This is a hard one, because a child is a child.  However, if two or more swarm you for money, watch your bags- they may be getting it whether you decide to give it or not.  On the other hand, I usually gave money if I saw a child playing some instrument brilliantly, and escorted by a parent or guardian.  Some of those kids are really very talented and polite.  How can you resist?

A funny story:  Trastevere is one very interesting section of Rome, with small meandering streets and a very active evening and night-life scene.  One evening, I went there one night to meet a few friends for dinner.  As we walked through the narrow streets, we heard the hip hop song, "Who Let the Dogs Out?" blasting from somewhere within the maze of Trastevere.  

We followed the noise only to find an stout, elderly woman wearing the standard shrouds of a street beggar.  But instead of assuming the usual, face-down and bowing position, she stood tall with a gaping and checkered smile, dancing up a storm next to a huge boom box playing the rap song on full blast at her feet.  Not only did I give her money, but so did everybody else.  

Below are some other helpful links on how to best avoid Street Beggar Scams:

The Inside Catholic- http://insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_myblog&show=A-quick-guide-to-beggars-in-Rome.html&Itemid=127