Originally posted by ShiftR Growing up in NY prepares one pretty well for overseas tactics...as long as you are mindful and aware that they exist (and might be extremely bold) elsewhere.
Ironically, as an ex New Yorker myself, these kinds of crimes are extremely rare in the 5 boroughs. But having lived there in the dangerous 60s, I get your point about the training that native New Yorkers naturally receive from day to day living.
However, New York is amazingly safe in every regard to crime, both violent and simple theft, and it just has a bad reputation. There are dozens of cities across the world that you would consider "safer" than New York, but it just isn't true.
New York has become one of the safest and most civilized cities in the WORLD over the past 30 years. Some people don't want to accept this fact because of past prejudices, but it's simple reality.