Tourists get robbed after being in Chicago for only 4 hours (Paris: how much, house)

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by Ace Rothstein

There are two things I've learned on these threads about downtown robberies/wilding mobs.

1. Always blame the victim.
2. They don't exist to a poster unless they've seen them with their own eyes.

I understand where you're coming from.

Just because people are questioning some aspects of the article doesn't mean they are blaming the victim. When there are things that don't sound right, it is ok to question.

I feel perfectly safe when I'm in xyz area just tells us we shouldn't always demonize an area or groups of people because we can have a different experience.

[Chicago60614]

It's unfortunate it happened, but you have like 40 million tourists a year and the latest pedestrian counts are around 75,000 walkers over an 8 hour period along the north part of Mich. Ave.

I know a friend who had their Iphone stolen like that on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Crap happens. Welcome to 2013 with highly desirable devices people wander around with in their hands that can be grabbed in a hearbeat.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Ace Rothstein

Did he by any chance mention why he feels they suck? I've been to Vegas too many times and find myself wanting to return less and less after each trip. Last time I only went for 2 nights and couldn't wait to get home.

I think it had to do with cleanliness, and I think he mentioned the comps aren't as good believe it or not there as some places in Asia he's been to. But again, he's more of a high roller type. He lost $10,000 infront of me and didn't care. I went to Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and have to say, the casino is really nice.


There is only one casino in Malaysia, and it's at the top of a 6100 foot high mountain peak outside of Kuala Lumpur. Genting Highlands - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia There's a handful of 20-30 story high rises up there too, multiple casinos, and multiple entertainment spaces. Here's the view you get (NOTE: these are my personal pictures):

[jonnynonos]

Gamblers are crazy. Chicago's own Lefty Rosenthal, played by DeNiro in Casino, said it's a myth that anyone can beat the house.

[MassVt]

When walking through areas like Times Square, I used to do the old "move your wallet to a front pocket" manuever, but now I just keep moving, and I don't think about such things all that often..

[quigboto]

I think most that actually live in the city would agree that the Mag Mile is a pretty safe area. However, a large number of people who are there are tourists, and savvy criminals see those tourists as easier/better victims than street-smart locals. Tourists are generally out of their element, and won't know the lay of the land like a local will. They often carry large amounts of cash and expensive gadgets, and often won't take the same precautions that a local will. Does that make it their fault? Of course not, don't be silly. It just makes them a more desirable target for criminals! I also think that a herd of tourists is less likely to get involved as a samaritan in such an altercation because they're just trying to go about their business and don't want to spend their precious vacation time at a police station giving a statement (Also to a lesser degree, the fact that this is not their home turf perhaps makes them feel they have less reason to get involved)
Also, lets face it, many folks are just soft, and don't want to tangle with a group of crazy teenage thugs on their way to see "The Book of Mormon" so as long as it's happening to someone else and not them, they just want to move along and act like nothing is happening. That sucks, but it's hard to blame them, when even locals are reluctant to help their fellow man out, and when they do it can end badly for them. (The actions of the teen who intervened were laudable, but also foolish, as she could have gotten badly hurt)
As someone else already pointed out though, even with tourists being considered easy marks for some criminals, the instances of this actually happening vs. the sheer number of people walking around that area is negligible. It's no less reprehensible when it happens, but it is still very rare.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by marothisu

...
(NOTE: these are my personal pictures):

But they look so professional!

[emathias]

Originally Posted by quigboto

...
don't want to tangle with a group of crazy teenage thugs on their way to see "The Book of Mormon"
...

People who go see musicals are the worst sort of thugs and you DEFINITELY don't want to get between them and their seats.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by emathias

But they look so professional!

Hah! It's hard when you're in a gondola that has a bunch of hand smears on the plexiglass and it's moving..

[Lucky Clover]

Originally Posted by Harrier

Top 5 in what, exactly - as in what cities are the other 4?

I would say NYC, LA, SF, and D.C. -- when it comes to importance, politics, economics, and world-class amenities.

Putting Las Vegas & Miami in a group with these cities is blasphemous. We aren't talking about nightlife here.