Free Spanish Lesson #10 - The "Thief Sign"

Dave Clark

If you visit Latin America and decide to take the public transportation system it is important to know the "thief sign."

Since seating on city buses is usually limited, you'll most likely have to stand in the aisle holding onto a rail. Be sure to look down at the mothers and grandmothers sitting on the seats; watch their hands carefully to see if they make the "thief sign." If anyone does, hold onto your things more carefully than normal because a "thief" or "pickpocket" is around.

The "thief sign" is made by putting the hand with the palm sideways and all four fingers extended. Then, one at a time, all four fingers are bent to touch the palm until a fist is formed. In other words, first the "pinky" or small finger is brought in to touch the palm, then the ring finger, then the middle finger, and finally the index finger. This gesture takes less than a second to make.

In Latin America, even if you don't see the "thief sign" it is important to watch your belongings carefully. During the two years I lived in Latin America, I took hundreds of buses and walked through thousands of city streets and was never robbed or pick-pocketed.

Here are a few of my recommended safety precautions for Latin American travel:

1. Don't wear expensive jewelry including rings and watches. An $8 Casio watch worked great for me and was not a tempting item to steal.
2. Don't take expensive cameras that could be stolen.
3. Put money and wallets inside a money belt under the clothes.
4. If you have to put money in a pocket, put it in your front pants pocket then turn the pocket lining around if possible.
5. If you carry bags, don't drape them over your shoulder or put them on the ground. Instead, carry them in front of you with one or both arms around them if possible.

These precautions will not guarantee that you won't be robbed, but they will definitely help to prevent it. Remember to watch for the "thief sign" on buses and in public places and if you see it, be on extra alert.

¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)

Written by Dave Clark with Try a Free Spanish Lessons

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